Monday, July 31, 2006

Much knitting going on

I finished Picovoli last week. It looks darling, and I'll be posting pics of my darling sister wearing it once it gets to her. I ended up crocheting a beige border around the neck, bottom, and sleeves. I really love the way it turned out. Robin showed me an amazingly easy increase that leaves no holes and looks much more even than the crap I was doing. Thanks, Robin.
I'm currently working on the little baby jumper from the Knitting To Go cards that the Austin SNB girls gave me as a going-away gift. I found some adorable purple Tahki Cotton Classic at the LYS, and it's knitting up like a dream. The first cotton I've actually enjoyed knitting with. I'll be posting pics later this week hopefully.

Of course, all this knitting I'm doing is keeping me away from doing the things I SHOULD be doing. Like, say, unpacking. But one must have her priorities in order.

Saturday, July 29, 2006

I'm finally home

All my life I've been searching for something that felt like home. A place where I could watch my son play outside under a canopy of trees in the middle of summer and not wither away in the heat. A place where I felt creative, alive, and happy. This magical place where I felt I actually belonged. With the quaintness of a small town, but the convenience and excitement of the city. I have found it all here in this adorable village of Chicago. Did I mention the local yarn shop is within 5 minutes of my house? I popped in there the other day and fondled some yummies for awhile. Everyone here is so friendly. Who knew I'd like the Midwest?

Thursday, July 13, 2006

Mariposa




Not a great pic, but this is the finished Mariposa from Knitty. I used purple and black Lion Brand microspun, which is quite a bitch to knit with. It splits like madness, and if you must frog, I highly recommend just torching the whole project. It will likely maintain your sanity better than attempting to get the yarn back on your needle. Plus, it seemed that no matter what blocking method I used, it curled making my straps little tubes that drove me nuts. I'm constantly having to unroll them, but in the end, it turned out pretty damn cute.

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Why it's important to READ a pattern

I started the very lovely Picovoli by Grumperina last week. I'm now down to the bust, and it's looking rather dashing. However, I've been noticing that it looks a little tiny. Did I do a gauge swatch? Well of course not. So can I really complain that it's looking like a shirt for a 10 yr old? Not really. But my gauge is usually very spot on, so I glanced back at the pattern to double check my gauge. Lo and behold - it calls for size 4 needles, not the 3s I've been using. Arrrrrggghhhh!!!!!! Oh well. It's yet another adorable project that will be gifted to my very petite kid sister. She even loves the color. Lesson learned.

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

For my homegirls

This is the dawning of my blogging. And I found it fitting to start off with my farewell to my friends. To the girls who have taught me to trust in women again. To the girls who allowed me to embrace being a mother. To the girls who looked past my exterior and chose to befriend the mess that I am. To the girls who led me to my new yarny obsession that has helped ease the devastation of Tourette's Syndrome. I thank you all for teaching me so much about your world, for welcoming me into the fold, and for promising to miss me when I'm gone. I love you all.