Organization is the Key

Apparently, all I needed was a little organization to get the ball rolling (no pun intended.) Look what I recently purchased!

Best product ever known to knitters (or at least to this one so far!) I spent most of last Saturday (1) at Pennie's Place checking out all the wool (2) winding my stash and (3) organizing my stash into this fabulous contraption: (And yes, most all of those drawers are full of yarn, although there is definitely still room to grow.) Here's more detailed stash pics (note Muffin checking out the superb cotton):

As for actual knitting, here's the Burp Cloth & Bib out of the glorious Mason Dixon book:

I already gave Cindy the burp cloth. The bib still needs a button sewn on for sweet niece Maria. Speaking of Cindy, while at my apartment on Monday, she noticed one of my Ballband Dishcloths she just had to have! First time someone has seen an FO of mine and claimed it as her own - I'm so excited!

Presently I am working on my first felted handbag, and have begun my first pair of socks (baby size to practice on.) Keep in mind, this is also my first time knitting on DPNs as well. I'm learning all kinds of things. I have especially learned that it is ok to rip out a sock and start over, and rip out again, and so on...

So Much To Knit!

Well, I feel like I'm on project overload at this point. Check out my stash. Just about every skein of yarn in there has a project attached to it, just waiting to be casted on.

Ok, I realize that for some, this may seem like a small stash. But for me, a newbie, it feels like a lot of yarn (packed in layers.) Here's the problem: even though it feels like a lot of yarn, I still want to buy more! And I keep finding more projects I want to start. I should ban myself from all internet searching and yarn shop hopping until the projects all this yarn is destined for are completed! (Sounds like a great idea, but I highly doubt I have the discipline a plan like that would require.)

I have finished a total of 3 Ballband Dishcloths of the Mason Dixon variety.

I am in love with the simplicity of this pattern and I plan to make plenty more. I figure I will consistently have one on my needles, to have as my "mindless" knitting when I don't really want to concentrate.

That leads into my next project. I have finally chosen a pattern that is an actual article of clothing. Can you believe it? I have to admit, I am scared to death. I have a history of knitting things that turn out just a little off of the original plan. I am trying to go into this pattern with a laid-back attitude. (This is totally ridiculous for me, a Type A Girl, but whatever.) Here's what I've chosen: Eliza by Berroco. I am going to knit it with Knit Picks Shine Worsted in Coral. It was my first online yarn purchase, and I am totally thrilled. I received it very quickly, and found their ordering process easy. Besides, what could be better than finding a package of yarn at your front door? That's Sam admiring a skein. I'm sure he's picturing the beautiful knitted tank his mommy is about to create.
I think I've said this in an earlier post, but I plan to list all of my upcoming projects here on my blog sometime soon. But now, I need to go knit up a swatch for Eliza. Wish me luck!

So Many Projects

I have been dying to blog for almost 2 weeks, and could never find the time! I actually attempted on Thursday, but Blogger was down. Wouldn't you know, technical difficulties on my only night with free time. In the meantime, I have been organizing all of my upcoming projects. I didn't realize how many patterns I had already bought yarn for! (I plan to post these patterns and their specs here soon; have to get my binder situated first. (That's right, my binder-would you expect anything less from Miss Organization?) In the meantime, I feel like I have Knitting ADD. I am just so excited about so many things! Now I know why knitters everywhere have numerous UFOs on needles at the same time. I became one of those knitters last night. I now have a both Mason Dixon Ballband Dishcloth and a Mason Dixon Baby Genius Burp Cloth on needles at the same time! And so it begins... Due to my recent giving in, I am now in need of more bags to hold my projects in. Conveniently, look what Target had on clearance yesterday:

Perfect for carrying smaller projects like the ones mentioned above! Or, of course, pieces/beginnings of larger projects. Although I still have "My First Knitting Bag," purchased at Home Goods, for just such occasions:

Anyway, back to the Target bags: Here's a peek at the inside, with my Burp Cloth in progress (on the left,) and a side view of the extra zippered pocket on the side (on the right.):

Can you tell I think this was an awesome purchase? I find it funny that I get this excited about the accessories that accompany knitting!

I Love a Long Weekend

So, the BBBB was completed on Friday, May 26. Let it be written - I am DONE! I wish I knew the exact date that I started it (sometime in March) although I have to include the zillion times I had to rip and restart due to some minor difficulty with all the seed stitch. And yes, the yarn pooled; I didn't know this was a bad thing until I read about it recently on the WWW. But, it looks like Sam loves it anyway! I took it to my sister's yesterday, and visited with my new niece, Maria. She is absolutely beautiful! And, she is now my reason to knit baby clothes and accessories! But, first things first: The Mason Dixon Book, and the project I have been dying to try: The Ballband Dishcloth. Here is my first (completed in Sugar & Cream, except for weaving in ends,)

and my second, already a WIP, in Peaches & Cream. This dishcloth addiction is hilarious, and useful! Which actually, I need to get back to...

Anxiously Awaiting

So, tomorrow is THE day - my sister is being induced at 6:00am. Go ahead, ask me if the BBBB is finished - well, it's not. 28 rows left. But looking fantastic, and it feels so good to have the end in sight! What is finished is the baby hat - a much smaller, quicker project that I seamed up this past week. Why is it that small articles of clothing knitted in baby colors are always so precious? I would like to make a zillion more of these little hats! (Another reason for being so precious - it was my first real project attempt with decreasing.)

I think the reason the BBBB is not yet completed is because I am constantly being distracted with other projects. I read a little bit of my Mason Dixon Knitting book each night, and have already purchased enough cotton yarn for a whole drawer-full of "warshcloths." And of course, stitch markers have been on my list for months. I was so thrilled yesterday to finally find split rings in the sizes I had been searching for. I made my first set tonight. A little rusty on the beading skills (I've been knitting!) and yet I think they turned out pretty great. They're on a Size 9 knitting needle in this picture. I am planning to knit at least one row of the blanket tonight, since it needs 3 of these markers! I can't wait to see them at work! Although I can't wait to see my sweet little niece even more...

My First Day

Alert the press! Today is the day I post for the first time. If only I could explain how long it has taken for me to get to this point! Not so computer/blog savvy yet...

Ok, my sister's baby is due VERY soon, as in a couple of weeks. I have 50 rows left on the BBBB. It takes me about 10 minutes to knit 1 row (I know, don't laugh - it's long, and I'm still a beginner!) So I'm looking at about 8 and a half more hours of knitting. This would seem so feasible, except that I am constantly getting distracted by so many other things. For example, look at the new books I received the other day. I can't stop opening them, reading their valuable tips, and drooling over all the pictures of projects I will soon allow myself to begin. After seeing The Yarn Harlot in person here in St. Louis, I am now a huge fan, and I had to have all three of her books. As for Mason-Dixon Knitting, I love the beautiful, inspiring pics and the humerous story telling in this new book. I am so ready to dig into these patterns, and pretty much bought out my local Walmart's stock of Peaches & Cream cotton yarn the other night.

But, the BBBB must be completed first! By the way, here's a pic of Muffin; she is obviously being very helpful with the BBBB, don't you think? I know, I keep hearing about all these knitters who have numerous projects going at once. And I'm dying to be one of those knitters - but not until after this blanket is done!

On that note, I'm off to make up a smoothie and knit like crazy!