I Am Going To Scream (Or Maybe Cry)

Ok, so apparently I'm having one of those weeks during which my knitting skills are on the blitz. Earlier this week, after being about 3/4 of the way through Cindy's Rusted Root, I decided to take some measurements of both her and the sweater. Wouldn't you know, RR was knitting up huge in the next size up. Remember how I ripped back a while ago because I thought it was too small? I completely miscalculated both the sweater's and my sister's measurements. How is that possible? So now I'm only about 1/4 of the way through the sweater at this point. I'm beginning to think it will make a good Christmas present.

In order to prevent making mistakes during the lace panel on RR, I took the Montego Bay Scarf to Knit Nite Wednesday. I had also brought along FCS, hoping that maybe someone could help me figure out a better way to keep track of my stitches. Annie was that someone. She spent some time suggesting needles to use for lace, and showing me how to separate the pattern into smaller sections using markers. Thanks Annie!

You would think after all that guidance and teaching from Annie, I would just be flying right through the FCS, right? Wrong. To add to the proof that I have absolutely no knitting skills right now, I just spent 2 1/2 hours trying to knit 4 rows on the FCS. I repeat, trying. I realized that I need to move the markers and add more every so many rows. I thought I had grasped that concept. But the marker placement thing seemed to throw me all off, and somehow I kept ending up with too many stitches. I just ripped the 4 rows out again, and am back to where I started earlier this evening. Thank goodness for lifelines, in both FCS and RR.

After a week like this, you would think I would give up knitting altogether. Not so. Interestingly enough, I instead felt the need to add more projects to my already long Queue. I blame Ravelry for that. (I think I'm already addicted.) I went to The Weaving Department yesterday, since all of their yarns were 30% off this weekend. There, I was finally able to find a Size 6 24 inch Addi Turbo Lace needle, which the FCS has been both on and off today. Of course, in knitting my four rows a million times, I did get a good chance to try this needle out. I really love it - definitely worth buying. Nice and pointy, and not quite as slippery as the Knit Picks Options. The slightest bit of drag makes me feel a little less scared about losing stitches. I also bought two different skeins of Noro Silk Garden for the Child's Rainbow Scarf in Last Minute Knitted Gifts, (I know, like I need to knit another scarf in the middle of the summer,) and a skein of Rowan Cashsoft DK to make Grumperina's Odessa. (I have never bought a skein of Rowan yarn. I am very excited to try it out.) So, are you beginning to see the winter knitting theme here? I wonder why I have such a desire/need to knit winter accessories this summer. Needless to say, I believe in the theory that the cure for WIPs that aren't going very well is to cast on for another project or two. Maybe I'll just put FCS aside for now...

A Little Bit of Everything

So, I'm a little addicted to knitting podcasts. Ok, so a lot addicted. I have definitely gone over the edge. I'm not sure how I lived prior to owning an IPod really. It's practically embarrassing. Here's a few I listen to: Lime & Violet, It's a Purl Man, Sticks & String, Knitting Psychos, Math for Knitters, BritKnit Cast, Lixie Knits It, Stash & Burn, CraftBorg, Pixie Purls, Pointy Sticks, Unwound, Trueyarns, Cast On, and Ready Set Knit. I also frequent a few general craft podcasts, like CraftyPod and CraftSanity.

I have been slowly downloading and listening to a lot of the past podcasts for all these people. I downloaded all of Lime & Violet's this weekend. I wish I never had to go to work, and I could just stay home all day and knit and listen to these two gals. They are hilarious!

I bought some gorgeous Hill Country Yarn in a very Lime & Violet colorway Saturday at the Kirkwood Knittery. I have to say, their shop is fantastic. I had so much fun talking with everyone and checking out their awesome selection of yarns. Oh, here's the obligatory yarn pic:

I am so lucky to have so many LYSs close by, you know? I bought some great things for my secret pal too. I have her packages all planned out already, because you know how perfectionistic and crazy I am with all that stuff!

As for actual knitting, I made 2 of these:

Pattern: Umbilical Cord Hat from Stitch 'N Bitch

Yarn: 1 skein Blue Sky Organic Cotton in Sand (made 2 with yarn left over)

Needles: Size 7 16" Denise Interchangeables & Size 7 DPNs

Started: 1st one: 3/9/07, 2nd one: 3/10/07

Finished: 1st one: 3/10/07, 2nd one: 3/11/07

This yarn is awesome to knit with, and the pattern is adorable! I plan to gift one with a baby bolero from One Skein, and the other with a baby kimono from Mason Dixon Knitting. The baby bolero is actually done, but needs to be blocked, so the pic is forthcoming.

More Hats!

Pattern: Scallop Brim Instant Hat from Just One More Row

Yarn: 3 skeins Tahki Baby Print (1 1/2 for each hat)

Needles: Denise Interchangeables Size 15 16 inch

Started: 2/12/07

Finished: 2/17/07

I made 2 of these quick hats. I plan to take them to our Cancer Center on Monday. I love how floppy and warm they are. I also like the fact that I'm starting to really get my money's worth out of my Denise Interchangeables. I started on the Anthropologie-Inspired Capelet earlier today on Denise Needles. And yes, that is Sam in the pic - he just can't stay away from an open window!

Check Me Out!

Here is the article on Webster Bloggers for which Christina and I were interviewed. That pic is of me knitting Heelless Sleeping Sock #1, from Knitting Vintage Socks. You have not seen any pics of these socks yet, as I am only through the cuff on Sock #2 at this point. I keep getting distracted by other projects. I have so much to knit!

I started a Cable Down Raglan KAL on Craftster. Looks like I'm going to have some company knitting this one - how cool is that?! I need to hurry up and swatch. Plus, have you seen the new Interweave Knits KAL? Of course, I have already asked to join because yes, I'm a joiner. I can't help myself!

Look at the fantastic prize I received today for being nominated as one of the best Secret Pals of Secret Pal 9. (My spoilee and spoiler were awesome, by the way.) Gorgeous sock yarn and a pattern from Gardiner Yarn Works. Mine is the Indian Corn Sock Kit. I love it! I am so looking forward to Secret Pal 10!

I'm working on a couple of Scallop Brim Instant Hats I think I'll take to the Cancer Center at work next week. I finished the first last night and seemed to have enough yarn for a second, which is now on the needles. I'm using Tahki Yarns Baby Print. I've never knit with yarn this thick before. I love how quickly it knits up. My hats aren't really scallop-brimmed though, since my yarn isn't thick and thin. But they are cute anyway!

Winter Wear

Pattern: Kim's Hat, Woman Size, Last Minute Knitted Gifts

Yarn: Malabrigo Kettle Dyed Worsted Merino Wool, part of 1 skein

(I used most of the rest of the skein for a baby size hat of the same pattern)

Needles: Addi Turbo Size 9 16 inch circular, Brittany Birch Size 9 DPNs

Started: 1/13/07

Finished: 1/14/07

Pattern: Misty Garden (3), Scarf Style

Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, 3 skeins

Needles: Knit Picks Size 3 24 inch circular

Started: 1/4/07

Finished: 1/22/07

(Why is Blogger doing this crazy double-space thing?!!!)

I gave the scarf to my sister, and kept the hat for myself. I'm now making a matching scarf, using the woven stitch. It's looking very pretty, especially with the Malabrigo, but I am hating working with Size 11 needles. It feels so awkward!

I'm also just about done with my second sock. Hopefully that will be an FO I can post in the next day or two.

I finally went to a Stitch N' Bitch group yesterday at the Hartford Coffee Company. It was a lot of fun, and totally awesome to meet and talk with other knitters/crafters. Plus, I worked very hard on both the sock and the Turtleneck Shrug. I actually finished the first sleeve and have started on the second. Amazing what 3 hours of knitting will accomplish!