Ms. Knit Sox: Executing Stitches, One Stitch at a Time...

New Ideas...

Tonight I just felt like surfing the net and looking for more inspiration.  I really want to make something in a chocolate brown color -- I saw a great turtleneck sweater at AT (although I did not see it online, but rather in a regular retail store) that I thought, "hey, I could probably make something like this..."  Anyway, each season, I go into AT and find at least one outfit that I decide I must own.  Lately, I haven't found an entire outfit (and thus have not been making many purchases -- more $$ to add to the yarn stash...), so I think the turtleneck may be worth the splurge -- and they are having a sale starting this weekend.  Decided I need to go with instant gratification shopping and just buy it.  Besides, I have about a million ideas for sweaters to make next anyway...

But, I did think of something I could knit using chocolate brown - Seeded Rib Set.  My LYS is having a great sale on Karabella -- although they are sold out of the worsted weight in the first choice color.  And, I really should pick a color that would complement the colors of my two winter coats -- navy blue and forest green -- they have many lovely colors left to chose from.  But, on to that chocolate brown I'm obsessed with.  I've been doing a search for other hat and scarf patterns (free patterns) in the bulky weight and have found some that might work.  There are only 6 balls of the bulky in my new favorite color, so must decide soon -- before someone else decides to snatch it up!  Decisions, decisions....

A Wonderful Surprise From My Secret Pal...

Thank you Secret Pal for sending me a copy of Naturally Noro -- check out all the cool patterns in this book!  The one I want to make the most is Holly.  I love warm, cozy turtleneck sweaters and someday I'll knit one of my very own!!  What a great Secret Pal I have!!  She sends me nice emails on a regular basis and even sends e-greeting cards, which I love -- especially since its been very busy at work lately -- when I need a break and check my email, its always nice to see something from my Secret Pal!!

Not much knitting has been going on this past week and this weekend I need to work on a cross-stitch project that I'm making for someone's birthday.  I did check out Porgy & Bess at the KC -- thanks again to my wonderful cousin!  It had a great story, great music and I highly recommend watching a performance if you get the chance. 

And, of course, the Halloween season is not complete until I watch It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown -- which I did on Tuesday night with a very special friend! 

Show & Tell, Part II...

I'm going to try for the short version -- seem to be having technical difficulties with my internet connection and have lost 2 posts already! 

First, here is my Felted Flower that I made at KH. 

Second, here is a swatch for my Salina.  I chose the color Rage and it is wonderful.  I have cast on for the project and am looking foward to knitting it.

Finally, I am also working on Good Ole Cable Scarf in a lovely blue shade.

Okay, more another time.  Hope this post works!

Show & Tell, Part I...

Check out my Hourglass Sweater -- nearing the completion stages!! 

I'm very excited about how its turning out -- there was a time when I had my doubts, but glad I pressed on.  I changed the neckband to a seed stitch and loved the results.  I think I'm going to rip out the sleeve cuffs and bottom hem to do seed stitch as well.  And, then I  have to finish the underarm with the Kitchener Stitch -- which I'm quite scared about doing.  Sue, my instructor for my intermediate knitting class, suggested I practice on some scrap yarn first before attempting to do it on the actual project.  And, if I still have issues, I'll give her a call -- as long as I bring the wine! 

As I stated in my title, this is only Part I of my show and tell.  I still need to replace the batteries in my camera, but managed to squeeze one photo of the sweater in before it completely died.  I also want to share my Felted Flower that I made in a workshop with Nicky Epstein at KH.  She is super friendly and so much fun!  I also had her sign my copy of Knitting Over the Edge while she was there.  She will also be at Washington, D.C. Knit Out 2005 to demonstrate other cool things!  This weekend is a fun filled knitting weekend.  Wish the weather wasn't quite so rainy and cool, but then again, it makes for great knitting. 

Coming soon, Part II...

You Belong in Rome...

You're a big city girl with a small town heart Which is why you're attracted to the romance of Rome Strolling down picture perfect streets, cappuccino in hand And gorgeous Italian men - could life get any better?

I think this this is pretty accurate...since I grew up in a very small town in the Midwest and am now living in the DC metro area...although I always wanted to move to Paris someday, I have also been to Rome and love it and could see myself there as well...   What City Do You Belong In?

Busy, busy, busy...

Well, I realize I haven't been posting lately, but I have been rather busy with work and some other non-knitting related activities, so I thought, why bother?!  Sadly, knitting has been rather slow lately.  I've cast on for one of the sleeves of the Hourglass Sweater, but it really is much larger than I would like -- even after making a modification to reduce the number of cast on stitches to equal the number of stitches needed after the decrease rows...so I am awaiting some expert help in this area.  I would ideally like to have both sleeves finished before next Tuesday, as that is my last Intermediate Project Class -- and I'm trying to get as much out of the classes as I can.  In retrospect, I think I should  have signed up for a later session, as I should have more time to devote to knitting in the month of November.  October is turning out to be a very busy month for me at work -- not working long hours, just high volume -- so I'm really too tired to do much of anything other than plop myself onto the couch and watch Red Sox baseball -- or an old movie.  Often, I fall asleep watching t.v.  --and I know myself well enough that when I'm not fully alert, that's not the time to be knitting.  And, speaking of the Red Sox, they are down 0-2 in the ALDS -- so must win the next three or else they will be eliminated.  Always nail biting down to the end....

In other knitting news, I did a gauge swatch for Salina -- just need to wash it and block it to see where I'm at -- I really like the color I chose.  Most of the online photos on various knitting sites don't do the color justice -- its really a much deeper cranberry -- similar to my blog colors -- than it appears.  That's why I've decided any time I order yarn online, I must first check it out in person at my LYS to make sure it is truly the color I want.  I am also working on a cable scarf -- I really like how it looks.  As soon as I get batteries for my camera (yes, I still haven't done that either), I hope to post some progress pictures.  Wish me luck with all!!