Mason Dixon Swapcloth

That's right, this week I received my fantastic package from my swapcloth pal Beth. I LOVE getting snail mail, especially a package that was this thoughtful. This is my first handknit item that someone else had knitted for me. I don't really have any local knitter friends at this point, so this was very exciting! As you can see, I received a dishcloth, 2 skeins of Knit Picks sock yarn, and neon mice for Muffin and Sam. Muffin played with a mouse right away.

Here she is looking a little exhausted after throwing the green mouse all over the living room! Beth also sent a beautiful photo card, which I'm thinking she made herself. I plan to hang it on my "Inspirational Board," the bulletin board I want to hang in my craft room above my desk. Beth's photo will be my first addition!

My Craft Space

I have been working hard on creating my own craft space (aka moving the furniture in my spare bedroom.) I had originally envisioned a room of beautiful "craft" furniture I had seen in a store. I re-envisioned my own, less expensive, much more realistic version. I have been fervently putting together both a bookcase and a TV cart, and have moved much of the old stuff out. I've added a set of baskets and a few other odds and ends as organizers. Now I just need a fantastic table to put in the middle of the room that I can move my chair to and spread out my latest project. Garage sales, here I come! Oh, and yes, that is Sam on the bed - always ready for a photo opportunity!

Bonding with Baby

I spent Friday night and part of Saturday babysitting my sweet niece. This was my first time taking care of her, overnight, and alone. She was fantastic. I melt every time she smiles at me, and I can't hear all of her little "baby" sounds enough! At first I wondered what we would do with all those hours together. But it was amazing to me how quickly the time flew by. And, I have a new respect for my sister and all the time she spends being a mom.

On the knitting front, I have finished the first of 2 dishcloths for the Mason Dixon Swapcloth. I'm using Sugar n' Cream, 2 skeins, and for the second dishcloth I simply swapped the order of the colors used. I also plan to mail a few more goodies to my pal... So much fun!

I am anxious to finish the present dishcloth and Hobo Chic tote (I know, I've been working on that since the end of June) and start on more exciting projects. I'm especially itching to knit more of the projects in the Scarf Style book. I'm thinking of giving mom Misty Garden for her birthday in December. I also need to start Backyard Leaves for Lynn for Christmas. I have mixed feelings for that project. I'm actually fairly nervous about chart reading for the first time, but I think my excitement overrides my nervousness!

I am also now contemplating a few other Scarf Style patterns, including Midwest Moonlight, Ene's Scarf, and of course, the ever-popular Lady Eleanor. The inspirations I've found online are enough to make me drool. And I can't say enough how much I love that book.

Knitting Queue

1. Socks - 4 pairs, hopefully with the 2 circulars method, which I plan to teach myself any day
now

2. Mason Dixon Towel (1 skein Euroflax linen, although skein is worsted weight & pattern called
for sportweight)

3. Kitty Pi (Noro Big Kureyon & Fun Fur)

4. Chemo Cap (1 skein Berroco Chinchilla;) I'd love to make lots of hats to take to my patients at
the hospital

5. Fetching Knitty Fingerless Gloves (1 skein Artyarns Supermerino)

6. At least 2 Mason Dixon Ballband Towels(Sugar/Peaches N Cream)

7. Dishcloth patterned after Mason Dixon Burpcloth(Sugar/Peaches N Cream)

8. A gazillion Mason Dixon Ballband Dishcloths(Sugar/Peaches N Cream)

9. Mason Dixon Circle Dishcloth (1 skein Fantasy Naturale)

10. Backyard Leaves from Scarf Style (4 skeins Classic Elite Lush) as a Christmas gift

11. Mason Dixon Buttonhole Bag (4 skeins Lopi & 1 Showstopper) as a Christmas gift

12. Interweave Knits Ribbed Shrug (7 skeins Knitpicks Shine worsted)

13. Knit & Tonic's Dream Swatch Headwrap (1 skein Noro Lily Yarn)

14. Anthropologie-Inspired Caplet (3 skeins Takhi Baby Print)

15. Ribbon-Edged Cardigan from Debbie Bliss' Special Knits(4 balls Baby Cashmerino) as a gift

16. Ribbon-Tied Dress from Debbie Bliss' Special Knits(6 balls Baby Cashmerino) as a gift

And Now The Pictures

Here's my progress on Misty Garden. My first lace and my first mohair. I am loving the challenge, and am so anxious to knit more of this scarf. I'm using Skacel Fuego that I picked up at Hearthstone Knits not too long ago. Funny how I thought I would never become a knitter who bought the yarn before the pattern...

I haven't decided if I will keep this one or not. I really should start planning more Christmas gifts, since it's already August, and I am a freakishly slow knitter.

And here is the hobo tote, so close to being done, and yet not really keeping my attention. It is definitely my "mindless knitting." I guess I need to discipline myself into more "mindless finishing."

My goal over the next week is to finally blog my Project List, making it official. I keep hoping that maybe if I set it up like a "Things to Do List," I will be more apt to stick to it, and honestly knit up all this yarn I have. (This is probably me being very dreamy and optimistic!) I know I don't need to look for any new patterns any time soon. But for some reason I simply can't get enough. Ironically, instead of knitting all the time, I find myself searching the internet, browsing my books, and blogging about what I can't wait to do. I am truly an insane knitting addict!

Happy Monday

Today I was OFO (off for on call,) which means I had a three day weekend. I took some time to begin Misty Garden, a mohair scarf from Scarf Style. I love the pattern, and adore the progress so far. But, I'm really struggling with mohair. I may opt out of knitting with mohair for quite some time after this project! I'd love to share pics, but I'm having some trouble with Blogger uploading my pics this evening.

I bought Scarf Style originally to complete Backyard Leaves, the scarf I plan to knit for my friend Lynn for Christmas. She is requesting a black scarf, so I bought some great Classic Elite Yarns Lush. So looking forward to that project! I actually never thought I would buy a book just about scarves, but I am finding myself wanting to knit every pattern it there!

As for the Hobo Tote, it is almost complete. Continuous knitting in the round has gotten a little boring, but I'm excited to felt my first bag.

Finally, I visited Knitorious'new store this weekend - Fantastic! Sandy was so helpful, and the yarns were gorgeous. Bought my 2 Size 2 Addi Turbos in preparation for teaching myself knitting socks on 2 circulars. Too bad I have to work - I would be so much happier if I could just stay home and knit all the time!

Hopefully I can upload pics later this week...