I'm so excited!

I'm in the home stretch of Green Gable. I passed the waist shaping last night, and really thought I could even get it finished for today, but it wasn't meant to be. I was meant to play with rats and bunnies instead, and make a file of ISBNs for my new obsession, Library Thing. It's so cool! You input all the books you own, and Library Thing shows you who else in the database has the books you have, how many of your books are shared with other people, and let's you tag and rate your books. My favorite feature so far is the one that shows you books that only you and one other person have. It's going to take me awhile to input all of my books, especially since I'll have to create a file at home to upload at work, but I think it's worth it.

Anyway, this is a knitting blog, and I'm sure you're all dying to see the progress on Green Gable.

Can you believe all of that was knit using one ball of yarn? I love summer knits! I'm hoping to finish this tonight so I can wear it tomorrow on my birthday roadtrip. That's right, tomorrow I turn the big 3-1, or, as I like to call it, twenty-eleven.

I'm a dirty cheater....

As the afghan quietly blocked on Saturday, I decided I should swatch some of the KnitPicks Merino Style that I picked up some time ago for a sweater. My initial reaction to the yarn is a resounding "okay." It's not horrible. It's not scratchy or pilly or splitty. The color is nice, and the stitch definition is good. But it's not as soft as other merino wool I've felt. Of course, it's also dirt cheap! As the sweater recipient likes the color and the feel of the yarn, I will be ordering more. I think at the same time I'll order a ball of their Shine cotton to try. I bought a color card when I ordered the merino, and the wee pieces on the card feel soft and look pretty. Wanna see a swatch of the Merino Style? I know you do!

So, you're probably thinking, "Surely she doesn't think a measley swatch constitutes cheating? What's up with the subject line?" Well, my digressions do not end with the swatch. I also swatched for something else.

Green Gable.

The trouble is, the yarn knit up so nicely... and the color was so nice... you can see why I just had to jump right in! I mean, I got gauge on the first try! If that's not a sign, I don't know what is! So while the afghan sat in a pathetic, folded heap, I knitted yesterday away with my new love.




That's good ol' Lion Brand Cotton Ease in Candy Blue. I totally forgot that I had this shade until I ransacked the stash for my orange Cotton Ease. As it turns out, I don't think that shade of orange becomes me. It's a little, uh, vibrant. But this blue was just the ticket, AND I have just enough (with maybe a ball to spare) for this cute little tee. I can't wait to wear it.

I did take another look through Knitting on the Edge for edging options for the afghan. Since it turned out a little smaller than I anticipated (four feet by five feet sounds big), I'm going to choose a fairly wide edging. Especially since I have so much yarn left. I hereby solemnly swear to get cracking on the afghan, it would such a waste of momentum to let it sit.

Right after I finish Green Gable.

The Perils of Crochet

After a great trip to Sin City, I came home ready to tackle the afghan! (Well, after a day of good, solid sleep... I'm only human!)

It is seriously in need of a good blocking, but there she is! As I crocheted the pieces together and the blanket grew, I ended up having it draped across my lap. This puppy is warm! It's also soft and kinda squishy. I definitely plan to make another using the same yarn... eventually. I plan to wash this portion in the machine and then pin it to the very futon seen here in this photo. I've washed the cover, and think that it's done bleeding. When I hold the afghan up, it sags under its own weight, and I think it will stretch considerably with a good blocking. This is my first full-sized blanket and I gotta say, feelin' pretty proud of myself!

I didn't get many pictures while I was Vegas, but I do have a couple to share.



Snoozing lion at MGM


On the walkway in front of New York, New York


Pretty mystery flower


I would also like to add that I took to flying like a bird! I had a small issue at the first takeoff, but nothing too embarrassing, and once we were in the air I loved it! It's opened a whole new world of travel possibilities!

Just Sayin'

So here's the thing.... I've actually got most of the afghan put together (it's very warm and snuggly!), but I'm not going to be working on it until I get back from Las Vegas. I was thrilled when Amy told me that she has knitted on dozens of flights, and have decided I will be casting on a sock tonight (to prove that yes, those tiny needles are for something). After much deliberation, I have settled on some plain ol' socks using Lorna's Laces Shephard Sport in FLAME. The only dpns I have that aren't metal are US2, so I decided to go with the sport weight. I'm not quite sure how relaxing the knitting will be, because I really can't stand bamboo needles, but it's amazing how much more relaxed I became with the idea of flying after learning I could take some knitting along for the ride.

I will be back with pictures! (I would fill this space with some pictures from the bachelorette party, but really, after the six foot inflatable penis was introduced, no picture was "work safe!")

So, here we are, then.

I finished the last afghan square yesterday afternoon, and after a small setback and involved ripping out the bound off edge and finishing the square (got a little ahead of myself), I found myself looking at this:

That's a big ol' pile of seaming, folks. I briefly flirted with the idea of sitting in the corner, sucking my thumb and rocking, but instead put on a pot of coffee and got to it. I have two rows out of five seamed so far, and a border pretty much chosen. Unfortunately, I don't know how much I'll get to work on the blanket after tonight. Tomorrow is a bachelorette party for my friend, Sunday is recovering, and next Wednesday at 2am, I'm on my way to the airport to go to Vegas. I am completely and totally terrified. So, there will probably be at least a week of no entries, and when I get back, I don't know how much knitting I'lll have to show!

Later, 'gaters!

(Positive flying experiences encouraged! Also tips!)

Sick of Squares Yet?

I’ve got 1.5 squares to go! I’m not sure who will be happier when this blanket is finished; will it be me, or the readers of this blog who have been subjected to ecru squares for the past however many weeks? Here are two more squares, my next entry should show the last two. I really, really hope to have the whole thing at least stitched together by next weekend. I’m not holding out much hope for having the border knit on by then. Ah, well. That means I can take my time with it (somewhat), and maybe even throw a new project into the mix!

The big question will be, what will I cast on next. All I know for sure is that it won’t be anything square! I was pretty sure my next project would be Jaywalkers, but on Friday I went ahead and purchased Green Gables. After seeing Carrieoke’s version, I couldn’t resist buying the pattern straight away. I know I have many options in my stash that would work for this top, and I love that it’s fun, but also work appropriate. I also love that it’s worked in the round, which will be a welcome change. I’ve used straight needles for the first time in a long time on the afghan, and it’s made me remember why I don’t like using them anymore. They hit against everything! I have to sit in the center of the couch, or at an angle so as not to interrupt my knitting with constant knocks and catches.

My copy of Knitting on the Edge is due to arrrive this week. I’m anxious to check out the lace options.

Pictureless

Well, I have one more square finished (only three to go!), but no photo of it. I hope you'll be content with some blathering, because I feel like talking about knitting, but no one with whom to talk about knitting.

First, I saw a pattern today that made my heart skip a beat. Here's a picture of Hello Yarns' version. Look at those adorable squirrels! (Here's a link to the .pdf of the pattern.) I'm feeling a little squirrel crazy because of the latest girl to join our clan.

Meet Fats!

Judging from the shape of her belly and nipples, she just had some babies. We're hoping that if we leave food out for her, she'll bring the babies around when they're bigger. What can I say? I like small fuzzies.

Speaking of patterns (in other words, bringing this back around to topic), I have been daydreaming of knitting something besides off-white Encore for the last week or so. This post by Amelia Raitte convinced me that I need to jump on that Jaywalker bandwagon and make a pair using my Tiger striped Opal.

I purchased the Leaf Edged Bolero pattern some time ago, and am now thinking it would just the thing to carry around when the A/C gets too arctic. The big question is, do I buy some KnitPicks Shine, or do I use the Cascade Pima Tencel I picked up during the WEBS sale?

I still haven't forgotten about the Astrakhan cardigan either. That Astrakhan taunts me daily from my knitting basket. I also still have to swatch some yarn for two different gift sweaters (planning ahead for Fall gifts), and also envision giving everyone on my Christmas gift list a hat or pair of mittens. Probably a pipe dream, but I'd at least like to give something to those I've not yet given something handknit.

Looks like my break is over, and there's a big storm brewing. I'd hate for a lightening bolt to erase all of my daydreaming!