what's next?

So I have finished the 'Accidentally on Purpose' vest as seen. But with 10-20° above normal temps lately, I haven't worn it yet. Ahh, soon enough though.

Mark will soon have his felted slippers - just in time for the cool weather too. His mother should be happy too, since I think she thought I wasn't making him his pair on purpose or something. But as most of my knitting friends would agree with is it's not so fun to knit with 100% wool when it's hot and humid. But anyway - I've got one finished and am working on the mate. These are great because they take about 8 hours to knit the pair and they make great gifts.

I have been feeling like if I don't get working on holiday gifts I'm going to put myself into a tight spot come December. So I really think I have to put my personal projects on the side until I get more gifts done. No biggie - I'll have plenty of cold weather months to knit all for myself!

enjoy!

so many patterns - so little time!

oh - I've been knitting the Accidentally on Purpose vest from the Stitch n' Bitch Nation book. I'm working it in Paton's Grace in Ruby (which really is a dark pink, not red). It's pretty simple - 78 sts x 20 in in stockinette stitch - then you drop sts in the bo and it created "runs" or "ladders" down the entire length. I've got the front finished and am 1/2 way through with the back. It'll be great to wear over long or short sleeve t shirts.

I've just ordered some patterns from Suss Designs that are pretty cool. One is a circle shrug and the other is a wrap cardigan in a short length like a bolero. Both are very cute. Just going to wait for the patterns to decipher what yarn I will use for them.

Additionally, I was on the desperate search for a man's sweater I remembered seeing - and finally remembered where I saw it. This the "Laddered Sweater" from 'simple knits with a twist'. My hubby told me that he would have been into this maybe 10 years ago - but not so much now. He's such a wimp! I absolutely love it and may incorporate these "runs" into a womans sweater for me at some point. I'm just going to make a roll neck sweater with a cable up the center for my man. He's so much more conservative than when I met him - but I'll keep him off the straight and narrow as much as I can!

I'm also just about ready to work the "Recycled Bag Carryall" also from 'simple knits with a twist'. My dear knitting friends and mother-in-law have been generous enough to help me collect plastic shopping bags of all colors to go into this really great tote. I can't wait to get it going. I'm going to start the strip cutting this week while my 2 babes enter their first week back at school.

I've still got lots of socks to work on - but I'm getting into so many other things I just can't seem to get into those just yet. I'm still working on the Paton's Cabled Hoodie - I've side tracked the Drop Stitch Shrug (I don't like it!). I've got felted slippers still to make for my hubby too for the chilly weather soon to approach!

SO MANY PATTERNS - SO LITTLE TIME!!!!

enjoy - and why not create something yourself this month?

silk garden is OUT

well - I went chuggin' away at starting the drop stitch shrug using my stash of Noro Silk Garden - but after about 5 inches, I frogged it. I didn't like the way it held the pattern (or didn't, that is) and then realized I don't really want the whole "striped" affect that this yarn produces. So I went through my stash again and am now restarting the shrug in Cascade Indulgence in basic black. This is not quite a worsted weight, but I'll see how it goes on US8 throughout.

keep ploughing through

Pink's In

So I've been slowly working on the Eyelet Halter and have finally finished it. I knit the size medium, but should have done it in a small. I'm going to wash it a bit and see if I can get the size to come down a little. I adore it anyway and will get some fun use out of it.

I'm now in the process of finding a nice sweater to knit for my hubby. I was going to go with the Irregular Rib Raglan from Loop-d-Loop - but he saw it and isn't terribly fond of it...so I'm searching for something new. I remember seeing something recently in a long sleeved sweater that had a long run of dropped stitches down the front or side that was pretty cool, but I can't remember where! Of course! But you know, he probably wouldn't like that either...he's a bit more conservative than I am. I did show him the Big Sack Sweater from the Stitch 'N Bitch book, which he seemed to like - so if I can't find anything else ASAP then I'll go with that.

Just got the Sept 05 Knit Picks catalog and got the knitting bug for the winter! I think if I do go ahead and do the Sack sweater that I'll do it in their Andean Silk - maybe in Olive or Pitch.

I am about to start another new shrug for myself. I'm going with something fuller in the sleeve and might just use a free pattern I found online called Drop Stitch Shrug. I'm contemplating using my Noro Silk Garden which I have in #47, which is charcoal, olive, cocoa & hyacinth - might look nice. I'll start it and if I don't like it - frog it!

Off to yell at my babes! Can't wait for school to start in 2 weeks. My patience was stubbed out after the first month of summer vacation and I've just ran out of fumes! Ohh, someone save me!!! I'm trying to keep us busy with friends and activites to buffer the madness, but they're out of control and need that structure that the school year enflicts. ONE MOMENT AT A TIME!!

Home Sweet Home

The family and I are finally home. We had a great trip, but we're ready to settle back into our normal groove. While away, I had some time to knit on the eyelet halter - but not as much as I would have liked to. I'm almost done with the front and will piece it soon. I love the color and feel of this yarn. This'll be a nice addition to my wardrobe.

I'm going to have to get an impromptu meeting together with my knitting group friends. I know we've all been busy or away lately, so I think some of us will be up to it. I'd just like to get back into my daily knitting and finding new projects to work on.

Christmas still seems a ways away, doesn't it? Well, when you're knitting your gifts it comes quicker than you think. I've got to get going on my projects so I won't have to hustle come Dec 1st. So I guess getting myself excited about too many new projects will have to wait - at least until I have more gifts completed, that is.

So much to do here at home....unpacking, laundry, putting away all those toys lying around.....ugghhh. The last 2 days now I've been out of sorts - headache, dizzy and feeling like I'm in slow motion....hope it clears soon so I can get my house back in order.

Enjoy and be good to yourself...