Knitting A.D.D.

I have been suffering from some major knitting ADD. I have started and given up on so many projects that I don't even care to keep count. But one project that I have stuck with and that I have almost completed is the Mohawk Hat from the Domiknitrix book. I don't quite have all the mohawk crocheted in yet but I should be done with it really soon. It's for my friend Dustin. I have been telling him for a long time that I would make him a mohawk hat but I have never seen a pattern for one until I got this book. I made it out of Lamb's Pride Bulky in colors Lotus Pink and Aztec Turquoise.



Oh yeah, and I had to felt mine a bit because my gauge got off somewhere in the middle of the project and I didn't feel like ripping it out. :-)

I'm almost certain now that I have come to a decision about my Sockapalooza sock pal's socks. I'm going to cast on any day now, so I'm crossing my fingers that everything turns out good and that I will be satisfied with my decision.
The Yarn: Cafe au Lait Trekking Sock from See Jayne Knit.
The Pattern: Saucy! from Cider Moon.



And I have also signed up for Mystery Stole 3.
For the stole I purchased JaggerSpun Zephyr in Lady Slipper and since it calls for beads, I visited a local bead store to purchase the variegated rose beads.


I'm also planning to make the Sybellia Throw from Berroco.
I chose to use Red Heart's "Soft Yarn." I don't normally like Red Heart but this yarn is very soft and it has a really pretty sheen to it, plus its totally machine washable. I started to make this in a cream color but changed my mind to this really pretty green.


The best part about this green is that it coordinates perfectly with this quilt I'm going to attempt to make.

The pattern is called Lotus Brick Path.

I have never made a quilt before and I'm not much of a seamstress, but my mom assures me that it will be easy and that she will help me along the way. I'm really excited about trying something new.

Hopefully these project will cure the ADD. I'm really excited about all of them. And now my favorite picture of Henry from this week.

Knitting Slump

Sorry my post will be a little lackluster today. The camera is lost somewhere. :-(
Well my knitting is in a little bit of a stand-still right now. I am so indecisive at the moment about what I want to work on. I started that Mocha Cafe afghan, but have scrapped that project. If you haven't seen it its an entirely intarsia afghan, and I thought it would be a good way to force myself to improve my intarsia skills. No way Jose it just made me super frustrated. So its a gonner.
Then I cast on for my socks for my Sockapalooza Pal. I went the to the LYS with my pattern in mind and I thought I found the most perfect yarn for what she describes as her likes. But now I'm really not sure. I'm really scared she won't like what I've picked out, or if my idea of earthy browns differs from hers. I don't know what to do.
So for stress relief (and God knows my stress level is off the charts right now) I cast on an entrelac baby afghan. Its in some variagated pastel acrylic and its brainless knitting so it has been perfect. I wish I had my camera because for really cheap yarn its turning out really pretty.
Oh yeah and I also signed up for the Manos Block of the Month club at my LYS. I figured I needed to socialize more and that would be a perfect place to do so, plus I get to knit with some beautiful yarn to make a pretty cool afghan. I'm really excited about it, but I have to wait a long time until the next meet up, its not until late next month.

My Stash... A SP10 Contest

So our SP10 host is holding a contest where she wanted us to show off our stashes in hopes to get ideas about how to organize hers.
I present to you ...."The Knitting Nook"


Here is the majority of my yarn. I have arranged in by color and its crammed full, so its not the most efficient storage system when trying to find something.


Here at the top I have put together my more novelty type yarn and sock yarns.


Then I have some of my magazines and pamphlet style patterns. I have more magazines and books, but they haven't made it out of the moving boxes yet.

I have to keep everything confined to the closet because my husband can't stand having it everywhere, so that how I came up with the name "The Knitting Nook."

Work has been kicking my butt...

Oh my gosh has work been kicking my butt. I've been putting in a lot of overtime lately which is partly to blame for my lack of posting. I just haven't had the energy to put a post together. I feel bad about my secret pal though because she sent me this:


And I haven't even said THANK YOU SECRET PAL!!! I loooove it!!!
It's pink Malabrigo and I have wanted to get this color (Little Lovely) for the longest time. Secret Pal you're the best. Now I just have to find the perfect project for it.

Speaking of finding things.... I had the most frustrating experience trying to find yarn bobbins. I wasn't even being picky about the style. I went to two Wal-Marts, Joann's, and Michaels, and two LYS'. I did finally find them at the second LYS but I was beyond frustrated by that point. Who knew it would be so difficult to find something so basic. I ended up with these. I know I should have gone to a LYS first but they were all closed and I wanted them NOW, you know because I am so patient and all.
So what do I need the bobbins for? I'm working on the Mocha Cafe Afghan from the Gorgeous Knitted Afghans book. Its for my MIL and she chose for the colors to be Purple, Fushia, and Wine. Not exactly my colors but I do think its going to turn out to be really pretty, and the colors match her bedroom set perfectly. I'll post pictures when i get a little further.

And for some exciting news... We got a new Puppy!
His name is George and he's 7 months old. He is from my parents' dog's litter and we've been waiting forever to take him home (We had to wait until the move). He and Henry get along really well and he's so cute.


Aaron had decided his papered name is going to be "Hank and Aaron's Babe Ruth." Its kind of a play on words because Hank Aaron is Aaron's favorite baseball player, but its also Henry's nickname and his name put together and he informed me that George is Babe Ruth's real first name. I think its pretty clever. But the truth is I named him George after the character on Grey's Anatomy, because I'm a nerd like that.

Anyway here's a gratuitous puppy pic. It's my boys snoozing on the couch.

Gettin' to be an Old Lady

So Saturday was my 27th Birthday. And even though I had a pretty hectic day at work it was a nice birthday. Aaron cleaned up the house and redecorated it a little bit. It looked so nice when I walked in from work, it was a really nice surprise. He also invited a few people over and we had so much fun just talking and drinking and hanging out. And my sister in law and her husband got me the cutest shoes ever.



Don't you just love 'em?

Also, my secret pal sent me the cutest card. Its a Secret Pal Birthday Card. I didn't even know they made them.



Thank you Secret Pal!!! I really enjoyed my card!

An Oldie but a Goodie...

So my WIP is the Isabeau Handbag that I actually started last summer. I got bored with it and put it away but decided to pick it up again now that the weather is getting warmer again. The yarn is this stuff that Wal-Mart carried. I think the turquoise screams summer and I just love the shimmer in it.



And Aaron took the cutest picture of Henry:



Doesn't he look so tough?

I Finally Have the Internet Again!!!!

Well we finally got all moved and I finally have the Internet again. It has been sooo long since we've had it at the house. I bet my parents are happy that I won't be hanging around their house trying to sponge off theirs.
The move was up here was pretty dramatic. We had problems with the truck and were stranded for a bit. It was like the hottest day ever especially for mid March and it took incredibly long to haul all of our stuff up our insanely steep driveway. But we are done now with the hard stuff and really only have the decorating to do. My "Knitting Nook" is still in boxes which makes me a little bummed but I should be able to get it all unpacked on my next day off.
Our new house rocks though and that really makes everything worth it.
And since everything is up and running I should be able to update my little blog more often. :-)

Secret Pal 10 Questionare

I am sooo excited I got to sign up for Secret Pal. I have wanted to participate for a long time but I always miss the sign-up, but this time I made it. So here is my questionare:


1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
My favorite yarn is Malabrigo, or any other yarn that is buttery soft to the touch. I just love them. But I like knitting with a variey of yarns so I can experience the results of the different yarns. I’m not a huge fan of the furry yarns or Red Heart Supersaver yarns. The Red Heart yarns irritate my skin when I knit with them.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
My straight needles are kept in a glass flower vase like a bouquet. If I need to take them with me I use a roll up type needlecase that my mom made for me.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I have been knitting for almost 9 years. My Aunt Amy taught me how to knit while we were on vacation in Michigan. I consider myself to me an intermediate knitter, I still have a lot to learn.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Nope.

5. What's your favorite scent?
Coconut Lime Verbena, but I love a lot of the fruity scents. I absolutely love candles that smell like baked goods.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I love gummy bears and anything chocolate.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I crochet along with my knitting, I also like to scrapbook and journal. I tried to learn how to spin, but I don’t do it very often.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I can play MP3’s. I love all types of music, and if my buddy wants to make me a CD, I would like them to put their favorites on it.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I LOVE PINK… I also like browns, and turquoises. I am really open to anything though.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I am married and I have one dog.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I’m not a huge fan of ponchos, but I do love hats, scarves and mittens.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I knit a lot of scarves, and beanies.

13. What are you knitting right now?
Right now I’m working on an entrelac scarf and a vest.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Absolutely.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I use them all. I use whatever feels right to me at the time.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
I own both.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
2 years old. A sweater that was supposed to be for my mom’s birthday.

18. What is your favorite holiday?
Halloween

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Items with poodles or lambs.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I have a subscription to Interweave Knits, and I would love to get Nicky Epstein’s Knitted Flowers book.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I would like to improve my intarsia skills ( I really suck at it)

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I knit socks occasionally. My feet are 9” long and 9 1/2” around.

23. When is your birthday?
March 31st.