Knitter's Haven

I Know it's Been A Long Time But.....

Back in the day, on the rare occasion I did blog, I mentioned inserting a blog template that started with the title of today's post.

I just had not been myself the past few months. I had some health issues and eventually a minor surgery. All is well now.   

In the interim, I lost my knitting mojo and somewhat found it again. I have been knitting monogamously on ONE project for the past few weeks. It's mostly done in the car. More on that another day. I'm pretty durn excited about it because it's a SECRET knitting project.  I have the exclusive on it. It's like getting the item on sale the day before everybody else finds out about it. Feel me???  I also have some pics of old FO's to share but I need to take the pictures first.

Some of the people I work with like to bake. Whenever somebody has a birthday, one of them will bake a cake. It seems like there's always a birthday. The last birthday, there were 3 cakes! When I returned from my surgery they bought in a cake for me!  I'm not much of a cake lover. But yet, I always manage to have a piece of pie/cake in my hand asking for the recipe. So it's gotten a little contagious and trickled into my home. I have been doing alot of baking on weekends. Every weekend (or mostly every weekend) I try to make something new. It's getting to the point now when one of my kids may ask, what am I baking this weekend?  This past Sunday was a repeater. Meaning I've made it before. But this time with a different recipe. I made these delish Apple Dumplings. 

All I can say is, warm Apple Dumplings + Vanilla Ice Cream = OH BAYBEE!

I've no clue what will be on the agenda this weekend but I already have a few ideas in mind. If you know of any cool cakes/desserts send the recipe my way!

Back in March, I went to my first quilt guild meeting. YES!!!! I joined a quilt guilt. I gotta tell ya... It was the most exciting/exhilirating and intimidating day. I even had the nerve to show my first quilt top for show and tell. They are such a warm and welcoming bunch of women. As I expected, I was very intimidated because, well the members quilts were just a sight to behold.  Some of them were like art. All I kept thinking was, "I hope I can learn to do that one day"  I happened to have been wearing my Retro Redux Shrug that day.  Some of them knit and actually asked me where did I get the pattern from. I had a headache by the time I left. But in a good kind of way.

The second meeting, I actually had a chance to participate in a workshop. I chose the Quilt As you Go Reversible Baby Quilt. Basically, you are working on the front, batting and back of the quilt simultaneously. For the most part it's 98% complete. I just need to add the binding. I haven't gotten around to that yet because it will be a first for me so I'm a little apprehensive.

That was such a great day. I also had an opportunity to get a glimpse of the other two workshops taking place that day. One, Log Cabins and the other Watercolor quilting.  A member also happened to bring him fabs from her stash for the taking.  She came in with boxes/crates and even sorted them by colors.  There was PLENTY for all of us. Well to put it mildly, somebody gave me a pillowcase to take home my motherlode.

Here it is OUTSIDE of the pillowcase.  There's alot more than what you see here. It's all piled up. I'm thinking they will make a great string quilt.

This is the beginnings of my new quilt top which will be a gift for a friend. I can't wait for the weekend to come so I can put some more time into it.

Today happens to be DH's birthday.  The kids and I will be taking him out to dinner tonight.  Looking forward to the end of the workday. 

Til then, my friends.

Vices in Effect

I'm not much of a sports lover but I was one yesterday.  I was basking in the ambience of the Giants victory over the Patriots.  17-14 Woo Hoo!!!!

Yesterday was also the perfect opportunity to indulge in some serious grubbing and knitting!!! We were eating all day in my house.  I even took the time to buy a tube pan so I could try out a new recipe and make some Monkey Bread.  It was DELISH.

As I mentioned there was some knitting going on too!!! When I last blogged, I mentioned that I was thinking about starting a Drops Jacket.  Well guess what?? I've damn near COMPLETED a Drops Jacket! All that needs to be done is the collar. Oh and one of my biggest vices - the BUTTONS.  They need to be sewn on.  But I need to take time out to buy them first.

While on the subject of buttons, NO I still didn't put the buttons on my Fairly Easy Fair Isle. I thought I would have done that yesterday, but I couldn't take my hands off my Drops Jacket.  Pics to come eventually. 

I recently got some new reads too.

Now my focus will be on completing Forecast. As for what's to come afterward, remains unknown even to myself. Now I'm liking the Tree Jacket and I've always liked Juliet and The Top Down Raglan.  Or maybe, I should go with  a spring knit.  Who knows. 

Happy Knitting.

Been a Long Time

Happy New Year!!!

I blog so infrequently that I think I should create a template that starts with, I know it's been a long time but....

Thank you sooo much for DD's birthday wishes!  My kids birthdays are all around the same time. I have one more birthday to celebrate next week Friday. 

I hope everybody has had a great new year so far.  It hasn't been too kind me lately and I'm hoping that will change SOON. 

Anyway, on to the knitting. Yes, I was absent but I was getting my knit on during the holidays.  For starters, I did something that I generally don't do and that was Xmas knitting gifts. It was a spur of the moment thing.  Here is the end result.

Fetchings

Kolenya

Princess Mitts

After all that was said and done, I really wanted to get my knit on for ME. The thing is, I didn't want to work on any current WIP's.  I had some Berroco Ultra Alcapa in the stash that I'd been itching to try out.  So I made this for DS #2.

Can I just say, this yarn does not disappoint! It works up like a dream and feels super soft.

Just last night, I picked up FEFI and seamed the arm. Now all it needs is the buttons.  6 BUTTONS. That's not alot but I am lazy when it comes to seaming and sewing on buttons. Yet, I am riveted towards patterns that require them.  Case in point, I still have Forecast which requires some ripping back and 10 little buttons.  I am seriously considering frogging Forecast but I am just smitten with the pattern. This is something that I will just have to grin and bear it.

I've been itching to start something new but what that is, I don't know.  There are just too many things to choose from.  I really like this Drops 103-1 pattern.  I heard it knits up quick. But there goes those buttons!!! There's also the Citrus Yoke or Gathered Yoke Pullover.  I may just wait around a bit and start on spring knitting.  All I do know is that I am feeling restless. So what are you working on? Got any suggestions or knitting inspiration to share?

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!!!!

I know it's been a hot minute since I blogged.  It's going to be a minute more.   I've got a few birthdays in the household to celebrate.  Seems like YESTERDAY!!!

Lessons Learned

Bah! It was a no go for me with Forecast on the NaKniSweMo kal.  I'm not that upset about it. I would have liked to finish but am also content with the amount of progress I put into it . Way before Thanksgiving, I KNEW something was amiss and I might not make it.  I had completed the body of and it was too short.  I had planned on posting about it. But as always, time got the better of me and I was a little embarassed.  Here's the proof of what I call Forecast take 1.

It looks perfectly normal right?  It was just too short on my body, by maybe 3-4". I was so amped up about completing it in time that I NEVER tried it on.  I say this and bow my head in shame.  So, I RIPPED it back to work some more pattern repeats. NO PROBLEM.  Check out Forecast take 2.

I made lots of progress and even started the sleeve.  This was completed a day or two after Thanksgiving.  So there was actual potential to complete by the end of the month.  The fit is good too.  Except for there was something about it that was bugging me and I couldn't quite put my finger on it.  Then one day the brain functionality finally kicked in. It suddenly dawned on me that I could have just added more ribbing rather than rip back like I did. I was ok with that but there was still that gnawing in the back of my head.  I happened to be looking at completed Forecasts on Ravelry and various blogs.  I FINALLY figured out was bugging me.  I noticed that the lower border was higher up on the body and they all had MORE ribbing than mine.  I had never knit the correct number of rows of ribbing in the first place!  I reread the pattern and realized I'd stopped short on the ribbing by 10 rows.

It looks ok on my body, but I DO prefer the shaping of the waistline with additional rows of ribbing. So you know what that means.  Ripping back will be taking place.  I'm not trying to make excuses for not completing in time for Nanoblahblahblah. This has really made me realize how impatient I am and how I'm rushing with things.  Whenever I knit tops, on average I rip at least 3 times.  Usually because I'm so excited about the project and didn't really read the directions.

My impatience is not just with my knitting but also in my everday life.   A few weeks back, I'd managed to lose my house keys IN MY HOUSE.  I didn't know if I accidentally threw them away or maybe left them hanging from my mailbox.  I go LOCO when I lose things and I was not a happy camper.  After a few days I had no choice but to call a locksmith and change my locks. Of course I fret over this too.  So it was no surprise to me a full week later to find my keys when looking for something else that I misplaced!!!

After we changed the locks, my husband said, "You always have the expensive lessons."  He is so right.  I see there is a consistency to my "issues" and it often involves me rushing and not taking time out to TAKE MY TIME. 

Pardon me while I rush off to complete an instant gratification project!  Ha Ha.

Forget me Nots

Humpback Wednesday!

How about I share with you a little yum yum eye candy?  Awhile back, I mentioned that the day after my visit to Rhinebeck, I called Rosi-G pick me up a skein of Brooks Farms Primero.  Well, check out what I got in the mail a little over a week ago.  Isn't it FABULOUS? 

I wish I knew the name of the colorway.  It feels like butta.  I have NO IDEA what will become of it. All I know is I'm in lurve with it and just want to pet it all the time.  I've been meaning to post about it but it's been all about the Forecast for me.

In case you are wondering, I got pass my issues with Forecast.  I've managed to surpass that as well.  I'd really like to be able to SHOW you a little something when I post about it again. Which will be soon.  So please bear with me.  Too bad, I'm not as far along as I'd like to be. I just don't have the time.  I'd be surprised if I finished it by November 30th.  But either way, I'd be glad that I put myself up to the challenge.

A certain blogger suckered me into signing up for Norovember 2007. I had alot of fun doing it last year and got a nice Lady E scarf out of it.  I have no idea what I will come up with.  I have one lone skein of Silk Garden in the stash. I'm sure I can come up with something.

Also forgot to mention that I DID order yarn from Briar Rose and am expecting it anyday now! 

Oh and guess who finally got some buttons?????  That means somebody will be wearing a Fairly Easy Fair Isle soon!

What I Went With

I'll cut to the chase.  I went with Forecast!  I using this modified version of it. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures to show you yet.  I hope to get to it soon.  I've just been too busy, trying to get some time to work on it.  I feel like I haven't put enough time in for decent pics either. I immediately cast on for it on Thursday, Nov 1st. 

Friday night, I fussed around with whether or not I would do 3 or 5 bobbles. I opted for 3.  I was concerned that 5 would engulf my petite frame.  Then I was trying to decide which method I would use.  I also chose to knit bobbles without turning my work. I found that here. I already planned on cabling without a cable needle to save some time. I stayed up late knowing I was dead tired which turned out to be not such a good idea. The next day was spent ripping back a few rows.  I made a faux pas.

I was cranky yesterday because I couldn't get my knit on all day. By the time I sat down last night, I think I must have knit about 3 rows.  I just got around to completing an 8 row repeat.  I have to be honest with you, but I'm not quite sure if I'm feeling it.  My cables, or at least I think my cables are a little wonky.  I can't explain it, but I'm not liking the way some of them look. Maybe it's the bobble and cable combination. I do know that some people that have made the Forecast have done it without the bobbles or have done a different cable. I keep looking at mine and comparing it to others.  It LOOKS like the pictures. Perhaps I'm my own worst critic.

Anyway, I just wanted to check in  and let you know what I decided to go with.  I'm still  excited about it. I guess I can't move fast enough on it.  I hope to have some pics for you in a day or so.  Gotta get that knitting time in when time permits!

Like Drawing Water from a Rock

When I bought the Decadent Fibers Cookie Dough yarn at Rhinebeck, I envisioned seeing it knit up as Cherie Amour which requires that you use a bulky weight yarn.  I checked the gauge on the label which stated it was a worsted weight.  But I looked at it and reasoned with myself that it couldn't be.  It HAD to be bulky weight.  I began to think otherwise as I wound the yarn into balls.  I noticed it didn't seem as thick as it looked as a hank.

So I took some time out to swatch for Cherie Amour.  To my chagrin, I don't think this yarn is suitable for the pattern.  For starters, the gauge is off and the drape is loosey goosey.  I did notice on Ravelry that a few people knit this up using a worsted wt yarn.  I just hesitate to do so.  I considered knitting one size up on smaller needles but am not quite sure of the outcome.  Then I'd also be concerned that the sweater may be too light weight.   I guess I will have to save this yarn for another project.  I'm hoping I come up with ideas for it soon. I'm really smitten with it.

I then swatched with some  Elann Peruvian Highland Chunky that I had in the stash.  As I expected, I did get gauge.  The thing is, I'm not sure if I want to use this yarn for this pattern.  I guess I will have to give it some more thought.  What you don't really see in this swatch are the slight hints of color (perhaps, blue-ish) embedded within the main color.

Besides, I've got other things on the brain.  Like finding buttons for my Fairly Easy Fair Isle. Oh and tomorrow is the day to cast on for the NaKniSweMo KAL.  What did I decide on? Wouldn't you like to know??  Well, so would I!!  I've yet to decide. I can tell you that I am trying to decide between Forecast and the Boatneck Bluebell Sweater.  What I do know is that some casting on will commence tomorrow.

Semi Finished

It was a perfect weekend for staying home, maxin and relaxin.  It was also the perfect time to get some knitting time in.  I am 90% done on my Fairly Easy Fair Isle.  Here's a sneak peek. 

I am so psyched about it!  All that's left to be done is weaving in the ends, seaming the sleeves and sewing on the buttons. 

I'm kicking myself for not having stopped at M&J trimming the last time I was in the city.  I was just being pure lazy!  So now I am on the prowl for some buttons. The thing is, I keep thinking that I will be able to go to an actual store to buy some but that's yet to happen. At this point, I could have ordered the buttons from M&J!

I also spent a great deal of time on Ravelry trying to figure out my next project.  Speaking of such, I've decided to just go all out and join the NaKniSweMo knit along through Ravelry.  You basically decide to make a knit a 50,000-stitch sweater in a month.  I don't know if I will bel able to do it, but I am definitely up for the challenge.  I think it's pretty exciting.  I even have a couple of ideas that I've been tossing aroung in my head.

For starters, whatever sweater I decide to go with I will be using this pink yarn. I SWEAR my favorite color is RED!  YES, I know ANOTHER pink yarn. Actually it's called Medium Rose.  The camera is not too fond of pinks, so the color is a tad off.

Apparently, I've been liking pink alot more than I realized.  I bought this yarn about 2 YEARS ago to make ROGUE.  ROGUE I said, I'm actually considering ROGUE. I do have some hesitation only because of the color.  Dunno if I want a Rose Rogue. I'd want a year round color or a color than can be worn with anything.  It's light which means the cables will really POP, but what if it gets dirty (yeah I know that's why you wash clothes!) or something like an oil stain? 

I'm also considering the Boatneck Bluebell Sweater.  My concerns are coming across errors that are not in the errata and having to make possible modifications.

Then there's Forecast, another Stefanie Japel pattern.  I heart this modified version/color here.

So what do you think? 

Back from Rhinebeck

Yeah, I know you want me to skip right to what I bought.  But since my purchase was so meager, I had to slightly alter the photo.  This is two sweater's worth, maybe a scarf.  The turquiose is Shelridge Farms and the variegated plum are 2 VERY large skeins of Decadent fibers. The pink variegated is some Louisa Harding Ribbon yarn. I bought a large basket last year and staying true to form, I bought a mini basket this year.  What's not in the photo is some Brooks Farm Duet in a honey color. I hope to get that in the mail in the next day or so from Rosi-G. I called her on Sunday and asked her to pick me up some more yarn.  By the time I got to Briar Rose, it was a mad house. I was overwhelmed and indecisive.  By the time I went back later that day, it was damn near empty.  Sigh. This was the booth that I wanted to get to the most.  It looks like I may have to order from them online.

The best I can give you is the deets.  But truth be told, I didn't shop Rhinebeck this year like I did last year.  This year WAS about the yarn but it was also about the meet and greet.

So, Necia picked me up at my house and our day started off with a BANG! (HA HA - inside joke) and then we zoomed our way to Rhinebeck.  I talked Necia's ear OFF!  She said she didn't mind.  This helped the time go fast because it seemed like we got there in no time.  Necia's just as stalkerish if not more than me.  So it made it very easy to meet people. In fact, we met Jess and Casey the queen and king of Ravelry and they hit us up with some buttons.  Woohoo!

Necia and I were meeting up with Rosi-G and Tawana.  But we decided to do our waiting in one of the barns and shopping by Necia ensued.  I ran into Chante and Kim.  Soon after, I walked right into Rosi G, looking like a supa star on the prey for some hot-ass yarn!  Check out the gear.  YES. It's a THONG!

Tawana and her cute little bean belly was on her heels.  We found Necia who damn near finished her fiber frenzy (she works fast). It was ON then. 

We did the afternoon Ravelry meetup which was awesome. I got a chance to meet Alyson.  Pictured below, Necia, Me, Rosi, Alyson.

Below is Shameka on the left end and Saunielle on the right end.

It was hot as hell and shoo I was almost tuckered out.  I met up with an old friend, another Alison - from The Upper West Side Knitters group.  Both Alison and I moved away and I haven't seen her in about 3 years.  Isn't her sweater awesome? She designed it herself.

A quick photo of some our keepsakes. I think I took this pic after we got our grubs on.

Then it was time to head home with Sherrin (who still remains blogless!) while Necia, Rosi, and Tawana stayed behind.  All in all, I had a FABULOUS time and can't wait til 2008!

I know this is going to sound crazy, but I'm off to order some yarn from The Loopy Ewe. I have a gift certificate I've been holding on to.  Then I'm going to pop over to Briar Rose' site to see if they have a particular coloway I was unable to get.