Secret Santa

I participate in the Secret Santa at my school and I was so happy this year. My Secret Santa was the best. We all fill out a little form telling a little about ourselves. I of course mentioned that I like knitting. My Secret Santa got me some beautiful yarn from a local yarn shop. It's Trendsetter's Love, and I love it.
So of course I had to start knitting something right away. Because I couldn't find anyone else on Ravelry who has used this yarn I decided I'd make a scarf. My requirement was that it had to show off the beauty of this ribbon yarn. I settled on a Twisted Drop Stitch Scarf pattern that I found on Ravelry. I added an extra knit row after the last twisted drop stitch row to keep it even with 3 rows of knit between every twisted drop stitch row. It only took me about 2 days to complete it and it's super long, which I love. Yay Secret Santa!!!!And just to get you in the Christmas spirit here's a pic of the dog a few days before Christmas.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

I've been knitting away trying to make Christmas presents. I think I've finally finished them. Although there may be one more that I need to do. Anyway...my sister-in-law asked for a hooded scarf and had found a picture of one that she liked. I interpreted the picture and made my own pattern of it. I began to call it the scarf of death, because it seemed like it would never end. I'm glad it's finally done.

After I finished the scarf I decided to make her a pair of handwarmers that I had seen on Ravelry thanks to Nicola. I am very happy with the end result. I found that I really have to pay attention to the pattern and it gets a little tough with 5 needles, but they are beautiful. I actual plan on making myself a pair now. The annoying thing was that I had gotten a ball of Bernat Alpaca to make these and with 3 rows left on the second glove I ran out of yarn. Now I had to go get more yarn just for 3 rows!!!!! Well with the rest of that yarn I decided to make a quick scarf for my grandmother who just turned 94 in November. I added some pink mohair to it (her favorite color is pink) to give it some color. I'm calling it the Cotton Candy Scarf. It's very soft and I'm sure she'll like it.

So there you have it. I have been busy knitting, just not busy posting.

Knitting Club

I started a knitting club at my school.  Right now I have one student and two teachers.  I'm hoping that in the next week I'll get more kids to sign up (especially when they hear the P.E. teacher has joined).  It was a lot of fun today and I hope it will generate more interest.  But in the meantime I'm glad to have some colleagues that are interested.

I'm currently working on a Christmas present.  It's going really well, especially considering I figured out the pattern just from a picture of the project.  The only problem is that I seem to get a little bored working on it.  I just hope I will finish it for my Christmas deadline.

Rhinebeck

I drove up to Rhinebeck, NY for the Sheep and Wool festival this Saturday. I wasn't there for the full day, but I got a taste of the experience. The amount of vendors was staggering. I really enjoyed my time there and plan on going for both days next year. I did purchase a couple of things:

It's finally finished!

I started my Cabled Hobo Bag in March of 2007 and it is now finally complete. My mother's friend had sewed in the lining of the bag for me, but left the handle for me to sew. I am terrible at sewing and the two times I tried I screwed it up. Last night I finally asked my mom to help me and she showed me how to do it correctly. So I finally got the handle sewn and now it's ready for me to use.

Is it Moebius or Mobius?

I can't believe I forgot to post about my Moebius scarf. Right before I went on my cruise I watched a Knitty Gritty episode where they demonstrated the Moebius. I became intrigued and decided I wanted to make one. I ordered the Cashmere yarn suggested and after my cruise it was here waiting for me. I started pretty much right away. It's an interesting cast on and was fun to work with. I love the way it came out. I have another skein of yarn, so I may be making another one soon.

I don't know which way to spell Moebius/Mobius. It seems as though both spellings are acceptable. On Ravelry the pattern is spelled with an e, but on the DIY website where I downloaded the pattern it's spelt without the e. I guess it will remain a mystery.

Shrug 2

So after my success at Ravelympics, my sister-in-law asked for a shrug just like mine in grey. One day after work my mother-in-law and I took a trip to Three Black Sheep and I bought some yummy grey yarn. It's Debbie Bliss Rialto Aran. This knit up very nicely and I hope that she is as happy with it as I am.

I also made myself a little card that I will use to tell people that I hand knit the present.

Tagged

I've been tagged for the 6 quirky things meme by ktb38.

The rules:
1) Link to the person who tagged me
2) Mention the rules
3) Tell six quirky yet boring, unspectacular details about myself
4) Tag 6 other bloggers by linking to them
5) Go to each person’s blog and leave a comment that lets them know they’ve been tagged

The meme:
1) My hair is naturally curly.
2) I hate spiders.
3) I wear a size 10 shoe
4) I love movies, there are very few that I don't enjoy
5) I love Disney

I tag:
CactusNeedles
Becky-Dee
Coley
Melissa
Vagabond Bettie
Auntie Tracy

Left over yarn

I had some left over yarn from my shrug and wanted to use it up. It wasn't enough to make anything big, so I decided to make a cell phone carrier. I am getting a new phone on Wednesday and it seemed like the best thing to do with the yarn. It's a great small project to knit without too much thinking. I started it in the afternoon and finished it this evening while watching the Olympics.

Ravelympics

Well my Ravelympics project is finished.  I was all worried that I wouldn't be able to do it and I finished it on the second day.  Guess I didn't have anything to worry about.  I made sure to record my casting on time and my finish time.  This shrug was really easy to make and there was no sewing, which makes it that much better.  I think if I make it again though I would make the body part a little longer.  Here are the pics.

I am now awaiting my medal from Ravelry to show that I have completed my Sweater Sprint in the 2008 Ravelympics.

A new project & the Olympics

So when I had gone down to New Orleans I bought some yummy green yarn and started making a Reversible Cabled Brioche Scarf. The pattern is beautiful. My problem was that my yarn felt really tight and I just didn't like the way it was looking. So, as I normally do if I don't like a project, I frogged it. My husband and I then went up to his grandfather's lake house for the weekend and I knew I wanted to bring this yummy yarn and begin again. This time I chose the pattern Falling Water by Bonnie Sennott (free download on Ravelry). I love the pattern and I am loving the way the scarf is coming out. Of course this picture is of it unblocked. It will look more lacy once I block it.
On to the Olympics, or rather the Ravelympics. I was not going to participate in this first Ravelympics because I'm away for part of it. In the end I decided it's the first one I have to participate. So I joined. I'm entered in the Sweater Sprint making Shrug This from the book One Skein Wonders. I am very anxious to cast on. Only 3 more days! I have to finish before I leave on my trip August 21st, so wish me luck!!!

Craft Show

I just wanted to show the beautiful necklace I got at the craft show in my town this past weekend.

I collect seaglass during the summer at my camp (and if I happen to go to any other beaches) and when I saw this I knew it was perfect.

Katja

The secret project was given this past weekend to the recipient. It was a Katja halter top. My best friend had a beautiful baby girl in May and last weekend I went down to New Orleans to visit her. I wanted to bring something for the baby and wanted something to knit on the plane.

This was a very easy project. I had made the cups and attached them together. I left the rest until I was in the airport. I had to wait about and hour and a half for my flight to board, so I worked on it then. After that I worked on it for the 3 hour flight down to New Orleans. I finished about 20 minutes before we landed. It was very cute and my best friend loved it. It's still to big for the baby, I can't wait to see it on her though.

Another Secret Project

So I started another project. I wanted something that I could bring on a plane, so it had to be small and easy to knit. The project is started, but I won't post more about it until it is finished and given to the recipent.

CPH: Part Deux

I know it's been a while since I've posted. I have been knitting, but work has done it's best to keep that from happening. The Central Park Hoodie is moving along slowly. I have finished the back and the left front. I just started the right front the other day. Hopefully with this long weekend I'll be able to get some more done. Here are some pictures...

CPH: The Beginning

For my birthday my in-laws got me some beautiful Malabrigo yarn in Applewood and the pattern to make the Central Park Hoodie. My mother-in-law had heard me comment on it when we went to Three Black Sheep. So I've been waiting to finish the Lady Eleanor before I started this project. This is my first real sweater (the baby one didn't really count) so I was a bit nervous. I went to the knit along at the shop last night and started. This yarn is so nice to work with. The ladies were very nice and I had a good time. I learned that because of the nature of the Malabrigo yarn I have to alternate skeins so that it won't look all blocky. In order to do this I have to carry the yarn up the side of the project, so I can alternate them every 6 rows or so. I'm looking forward to the next knit along night and in the mean time I'm loving working with this Malabrigo yarn.
I also got some cute place markers as you can see in the picture.

Catching up

I had finished some projects earlier in April, but never posted because they were for a friend's baby shower. My best friend is having a baby girl in June and I made three things to give to the baby. The first was an Upside-down Daisy Hat from Itty-Bitty Hats.

I also made another pumkin hat.

I made another Oh So Soft Baby Blanket. This one I did in purple and yellow. My friend, who lives in New Orleans, said that the purple and yellow would go with the sage green of the room, making it Mardi Gras colors. (I forgot to take pictures when I finished)

The Lady is Done

The Lady Eleanor is finished. This was such a fun project and I loved working on it. I only had problems at the end with the weight of the project, but otherwise it was great. I did not knit "backwards" as is suggested for entrelac projects. The fringe was a little frustrating, but came out beautifully. I did not crochet the edge like the pattern says, because I tried and it looked wrong. This could be from my lack of crocheting abilities.

Lady Eleanor

I started another new project. I went to A.C. Moore the other day and found Paton's SWS on sale, so... I started the Lady Eleanor from Scarf Style by Pam Allen. The colorway is Natural Violet. When I first read the pattern I wasn't sure if I could do it, but it is quite easy. Enjoy pictures!

Harry Elefante

So in my typical fashion once I finish one project, even though I have others started, I have to start something new. I searched Ravelry and found the Elefante pattern by Susan B. Anderson. I thought it was cute, so I decided to make it. I had some problems with the body at first, but got through it and it didn't look too bad. Today though I finished it and sewed the head onto the body. Let me preface this with I DON'T SEW. Therefore, he looks a little goofy because of my sewing abilities. He is finished though, except for eyes. I have to go get some black thread to make his eyes.

Moonlight Scarf

This past weekend my husband and I went up to Lake Placid. While he went skiing I sat in the lodge and knit. A couple of weeks ago I had to rip out the Midwest Moonlight Scarf because I kept ending up with more stitches. I restarted it in the lodge at Whiteface Mountain and it's going very well. I love the colors.

I have been knitting...

I've had this past week off from school for our February break. It's hard to believe it's over. It's been a nice relaxing week though, and I was able to get some other projects done. Some of the projects however are secret because the person may read this.

I have made another present for my cousin's baby. A Little Pumpkin hat from the book itty-bitty hats by Susan B. Anderson. I used RYC Cashsoft DK yarn in Clementine and Sage.


I also made a Swift Cell Phone Carrier from One Skein Wonders for my friend from work. It's from some leftover pink yarn and very cute.

And of course I had to start a new project. I'm making the Midwest Moonlight Scarf from the book Scarf Styles by Pam Allen. I'm using Patons SWS Natural Earth. I love the colors and can't wait to see the finished product.

So there you go, I have been knitting.

A Sweater and a blogiversary

Well, I've been sick as a dog the past couple of days. I started with a cough last Thursday and progressively got worse the whole weekend. I went to work yesterday, but sounded like I had a frog in my throat. I stayed home today, but I still feel horrible. The only good thing about it was that I started a new project and was able to finish it today sitting in bed and watching movies. I had an extra ball of TLC Baby Amore Seaspray left over from the baby blanket. I decided to make a sweater. I found a really cute pattern on Ravelry. I like the way it came out, I just need to get better at picking up stitches under the arms (there are a few holes, nothing huge, but still there).

Today is also my first blogiversary. A year ago today I wrote about doing my first cables and now I'm making baby sweaters. Yea me!!!!

I'm hooked...

On the Yarn Harlot's blog she mentioned a game that she couldn't stop playing. I started and now I can't stop. Have fun with flying hamsters.

Ugh...Tam

Well it is not pretty, it's done, but now it's my Pooh Bear's hat and not mine. It came out way to big. I didn't bother making flowers for it because of it's size. Gauge does matter...and I didn't pay attention to it.

Casting on new project

I finished my cousin's baby blanket. It is beautiful and soft and I love it. I bought yarn to start another blanket, but haven't been able to cast on yet. The wonderful box that my husband made for the yarn (so it doesn't tangle) was a bit to small, so he is going to fix it. He hasn't had the time though, so I'm without a box. I don't want to start the blanket for fear of the yarn getting super tangled like it did previously. So, I have the scarf that I can knit, but don't really feel like knitting that right now. Therefore, I think I'm going to start a hat project. I am going to use the Basic Tam with Flowers pattern from my One-Skein Wonders book. Now to decide which yarn to use...

New Scarf

My major project right now is my cousin's baby blanket. The problem is that it is getting big and with the wonderful box my husband made I can't transport it easily (not that I mind because that box is wonderful). So I wanted a small project that I could take to knitting club and other places and why would I continue with any of my other wips? So months ago I had gotten some beautiful yarn from Three Black Sheep in St. James and I started a pillow. My problem was that with all of the colors I really was having a hard time seeing the pattern. So....I frogged it. With that marvelous Patons Decor First Spring Ombre I have now started the Drop Stitch Scarf. I like it and the colors do not distract from the pattern.

Hand Warmers, Cell Phone Case and a Baby Blanket

My holiday break was great and I hope everyone else had a great time. I had leftover yarn from my first pair of hand warmers and decided to make a cell phone carrier. It still has to be sewn together and a button has to be put on, but I am happy with the result.

I finished a second pair of hand warmers. I used green Cascade Pastaza yarn. The first one was started on New Year's Eve and finished around 10pm. I started and finished the second one on our drive home from New Hampshire on New Year's Day.

The baby blanket is not close to being finished, but it's the current project that I am working on. I decided that the Basketweave Blanket I was originally making for my cousin was too time consuming (because I have other things I want to accomplish). This Oh So Soft Baby Blanket is moving quickly and I'm very happy with how it is coming out. The only problem I've had is with the yarn. I'm using TLC Baby Amore and I found that it gets tangled easily. My husband helped me untangle the yarn and made a box with cardboard tubes to hold the yarn. More problems came when the cardboard pieces fell off the end of the tubes and the yarn started to get tangled again. He has now made me a solid wood box. The tubes that hold the yarn are aluminum and they are held in place on brass dowels. It is much easier now to pull and so far it is not getting tangled.