Hip to be Square!

Square #5!


Square #6!


I am over 25% finished with the afghan, and it's not seeming so crazy to try to get this finished by June. I'm researching borders right now, but may have to pick up Knitting on the Edge for more inspiration. I have Knitting over the Edge, which has some truly bitchin' borders (I'm especially fond of the cherry and duck borders), but not much for lace borders. Since the squares and the yarn are pretty traditional, I'd like the border to be so, as well. Besides, it's just fun to do eyelets.

I've been thinking about what I'm going to do with the blanket when it's finished. I'm assuming that washing and blocking each square (blocking is so essential in this case) will result in a clean blanket, but maybe I should wash it as a whole piece, too. If I do that, will I have to somehow block the entire blanket? How the hell does one do that?

Thanks for the compliments on the sweater. I wore it all day yesterday and got tons of compliments. Everyone thought I had bought it. It was so comfy, I know I'm going to be wearing it a lot. I highly recommend the pattern to anyone looking to add a fashionable bit of warmth to their wardrobe. The pattern is very well written, and gives different options for collars and ribbing. Check it out!

What's This?

I finally got the zipper set in the Ribby Cardi! It's been so long, the details on this project are kind of fuzzy, but I do know that I used Cascade 220 in navy blue and pink. I think it would also look smashing in navy blue and orange. I had some issues with the zipper, mainly with the zipper moving through the sewing machine faster than the fabric, but I finally got that sorted. The designer, Bonne Marie Burns, has a wonderful tutorial for installing zippers, but as I am without an Internet connection at home, I winged it.

Of course, today is the first day that it's actually been warm outside, so I can't wear it (NOT that I'm complaining!).

Nearing the finish line!

Over the last week, I seamed up my Ribby Cardi. Here she is, so far, modelled by Betty:

When I first started this sweater, I thought I would do the large collar in the pink yarn. Now that I see it all put together, though, I think I'll do the rolled collar instead. I plan to make a solid version of this summer, and will probably use the larger collar on that. I still have to pick up stitches for one front band. I forgot that I frogged one of them, because the stitches were too tight and were warping the fabric. I'm taking my sweet time on this sweater now, since I probably won't be able to wear it when it's finished. I'd like to think it'll be too hot outside.

I casted on for the Zippy Cardigan this weekend. The back took me no time at all:



I'm using the suggested yarn, Berroco Lullaby. While it's incredibly soft (it rivals, though is not quite as soft as, Wendy Velvet Touch), it also sticks to my, shall we say, less than girlish hands. I have dry skin anyway, add to that my finger biting habit and you have lots of little places for a soft yarn to catch. Putting on hand cream helps for a bit. I guess it's just more incentive to leave my fingers be. As soon as the Zippy Cardigan is finished, I plan to cast on for another baby sweater using the Mission Falls cotton I got (cabled, I think). My friend is due in August, so I have some time to get these done, but I'd prefer to not be rushing. Besides, baby sweaters are so fun! When else can you finished a complicated cable design in a weekend? Of course, that's only if you don't use sport weight yarn.

Well, off to work!

Finally Connected!

I'm finally connected to the Internet here at home, and can now bring you pictures!

First up, some proof that knitting has been happening over here.

The body and fronts of the Ribby Cardi are done! I still need to pick up for the front bands, which I hate doing.



The sleeves are also done! You know what this means, it's almost time to get some seaming done!




You might be thinking that since it's May, it's going to be too warm to wear my Ribby Cardi when it's finished. Au contraire, mes amis, my apartment is freezing. I'm tempted to make mittens to wear around the house! I only hope this frigid air sticks around in the summer.
Oh, silly me, speaking of the cold, I have a new project!



I started a pair of socks when I finished the fronts of the cardigan, since I just couldn't face picking up stitches. I'm using some Regia sock yarn in a colorway named after clowns which I looked for for months. I think some nice wool socks are just what I need for keeping my toes from developing frostbite.



For my final photo, I promised I would share my stash storage, and I will not disappoint!


All of our dishes fit on one measley shelf in this cupboard, and so T suggested I use the space for my yarn. I admitted that I had considered it as a yarn storage space already. The shelves are deep, so my entire stash fits in there with room to spare [insert maniacal, stash enhancing laughter here], and the doors are glass, so I can see my stash at all times. I decided to make those socks next because the yarn kept catching my eye every time I walked by the cupboard. I love it!



So now that I'm connected at home, I will update more frequently and with more photos. I plan to start another project this weekend (or maybe sometime this week); the Zippy cardigan from the Berroco website, using Lullaby.

Still kicking!

Well, we're pretty much moved into the new place, but we don't have Internet access yet, so I'm unable to post from home. I solved my yarn storage dilemma in a wonderful way: I used the china cabinet in the dining room! It's so inspiring to see all those colors and textures on display! Of course I took pictures. Once we have my computer set up and Internet access, I will share.

Work continues on the Ribby Cardi in spurts. When we began moving in ernest, I had just started the sleeves. I am only about halfway up the sleeves (which I am knitting together, bien sur). It's been so chilly here lately, I might even get a chance to wear it when it's finished. I still have to choose a zipper for it.

T's niece had a baby recently, and since I've made booties and hats for her brother's children, work must begin on a set for her little girl. I bought the yarn awhile ago, intending to start them before the baby was born and get ahead of the game, but alas, my middle name is procrastination.

Hopefully pictures will come soon, and maybe even a new project! I bought yarn while I was on vacation... enough for another ChicKami!

And it begins again....

Blogging and knitting have slowed a bit, first because of apartment hunting, and now because of moving. We found a nice apartment with heat and hot water included. (are those not the sweetest words? Well, aside from, "All yarn 50% off.") Because of this, I only have a bit of my Ribby Cardi to show.

I'm using Cascade 220 for this one, since I had it in my stash and I'm trying not to acquire anything else until we move. After I took this picture, I worked on it some more, and I'm just about to the arm shaping now. I wish I had more hours in the day for knitting!

In other news, I got more treats from my awesome Secret Pal!



I adore the Manos! I've never knit with Manos wool before, and I'm looking forward to it. What a gorgeous shade of blue! I plan to bake the scones tomorrow (I love cranberry everything), the candle smells divine, and the lotion... oh! the lotion! It's the best I've ever used, hands down. Secret Pal, you kick ass.

It was a gorgeous day today. Not quite warm enough to go without a jacket, but plenty warm enough to go get lunch at the drive-in and see some crocuses! Both cheer my heart, but the crocuses are probably my favorite sign of spring, because they remind me that color does occur naturally in nature, and the world will not continue to be gray, white, brown and black. I didn't have the digital camera with me, but I fired off a couple of blurry shots with my Palm.


You can see the bright colors of the crocuses along that wall. I can't wait for the tulips to come out!

This isn't particularly illustrative of the drive-in. I was trying to get a shot of the seagulls lined up on the roof, looking for food. In the summer time, they'll swoop right down and take your food off your tray if you don't bring it into your car. It's fun to watch the tourists lose their lunches!



Blogging will probably be pretty scarce around these parts for the next few weeks, but once we're settled in, it'll begin again in earnest!