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I signed up to knit two stuffed toys for the Ravelympics. I finally finished Tums the Hippo:
Hubert
Pattern: Tums the Hippo by Anna Hrachovec
Yarn: Cascade 220
Needle: US 6 dpns
Notes: So, this is not my best work. The seaming is really really awful. I gave up on trying to make it look neat. Hopefully, my strategic photographing hides most of the imperfections. Kind of hard to hide the spaces above the nose though. I thought knitting a stuffed toy would be easy. I was so wrong. I think my hands are still sore from picking up 16 stitches on those tiny pink circles. I’ve really got to hand it to Anna Hrachovec. She is so awesome at designing and making these things.
Next up: Sheldon
Before I jump into an FO post, I have to tell you about my Tarot Card reading. My new roommate, Devon, is hobby-less (sad, I know). He found that not having a hobby was really bothering him so he decided to go ahead and get one. Instead of just reading about various hobbies and choosing one, he decided he’s going to try a new hobby every month. You can check out his progress here. Anyway, back to Tarot Cards. His first hobby is Tarot Card reading and I got my very first one last night. I asked a fairly typical question about my future financial stability and actually got some pretty good answers. I basically need to learn how to make the right decisions regarding my finances and that I’m probably going to not only make sacrifices, but probably make sacrifices on behalf of others. Pretty scary stuff. I know it sounds like common sense but the cards really all closely related and focused on balance in decision making. So, check out his blog! Maybe his experiences with these hobbies will turn you on to them.
Next, on the agenda:
Pattern: February Lady Sweater by Flint Knits
Yarn: 3.5 skeins Cascade 220 Heathers
Needles: US 6 circular
Notes: Love this sweater. It’s a simple pattern but the Gull Lace makes it a little interesting. I alway love making top-down raglans because you can try them on in the process of knitting it. Really helps to avoid knitting a complete disaster. I had heard that this sweater grows a bit after blocking so, with that in mind, I knit the length an inch or so shorter than I wanted. I did the same with the sleeves. Now, it fits perfectly. Well, the sleeves didn’t grow as much as I thought they would so I’m considering a second blocking.
I had a tough time choosing buttons for this thing. I knew I wanted large, important buttons so I checked a few places online, including Etsy but nothing seemed right. I finally caved in and went to Jo-Ann’s and I found these:
I have to say, Jo-Ann’s really surprised me. They don’t usually have an impressive collection of anything but I’m really fond of these. They almost have a vintage look to them.
And finally, one other thing. It took me awhile to write this post after completing the sweater. Usually, I finish something and blog about it the moment it’s finished blocking. I have to blame Ravelry. Once I completed the details on Ravelry, I felt I was finished. Nothing left to do. It didn’t occur to me until a few days later that I still hadn’t blogged about it. Anyone else have that problem?
Very cool site. They give you a random word and you have 60 seconds to write about it. Don’t think, just write. Then, you submit it and have the chance to read what others wrote. I’m not much of a writer but it seems like a good creative exercise. For me, it’s just another way to pass the time while work is slow.
Also, I received my Scarf Exchange package:
Click on the photo for more details. I really love the scarf. It is the perfect length and I love the color. I’m not sure what yarn it is but it’s incredibly soft. It might be Malabrigo.
I’m alive! Conor and I moved into our new apartment and it is fantastic. I’m still amazed by the amount of space we have. Living in New Haven has its perks and cheap apartments with lots of space is one of them. We still have a lot of work ahead of us though. There are rooms to be painted, art to be hung and furniture to be assembled. I’ve probably moved about 5 or 6 times in the past 5 years and as tough as it has been to fit oddly shaped furniture through the door, I’ve never had to throw anything out…until now. There was no way to get our couch in the apartment without breaking out a chainsaw so, onto the curb it went to be collected with all the other garbage. Instead of begging family member for their old, beat up couches or checking the Free section of Craigslist, I decided to purchase a couch. I feel like such a grown-up. I know it sounds silly but I was always happy to receive beat up couches with holes or badly dented coffee tables because they were FREE and when you’re a broke college student paying sky high rent, free is all you can afford. But now! Oh, but now I have my very own brand new couch to stink up, stain and put holes in that I hope someday to pass onto my future children/nieces/nephews when they move into their first apartments.
Knitting. I’m working on February Lady Sweater. I breezed through the body but came to a dead stop when it came time to knit the sleeves. I hate knitting sleeves. That’s why I usually opt for sleeveless or short-sleeved knits but I really love this pattern so I went for it. MUST FINISH SLEEVES.
Oh yeah, and I chopped my hair off.
Also, more rainbow projects coming up…
Conor and I are moving to New Haven in less than a month so I decided it was time to buy a bike. I went into The Devil’s Gear Bike Shop yesterday expecting to put super expensive bike on layaway. Instead, I ended up buying one right then and there.
Also, I’m am so CLOSE to finishing Revontuli! Maybe FO photos next week. I have a feeling I’ll be too busy messing around on my new bike to knit.
Remember that whole project monogamy spiel I gave you? I lied. I’m working on a market bag, Seaweed socks by Rebecca and Coachella. LIAR!
I’ve been writing a really good post in my head but I’m waiting till I have a solid internet connection and more than 30 minutes to myself. Until then, I’ve been tagged by Beth to do a meme so here goes!
1) What was I doing ten years ago?
I was 13 and just finished 7th grade. This was the phase where I locked myself in my room and listened to music for hours on end while talking on the phone way too much and drooling over some silly crush.
2) Five (non-work) things on my to-do list for today:
Finish Lace Ribbon Scarf (never again will I knit a scarf with size 3 needles and sock yarn)
Go to the gym
Laundry (boo!)
Rip the zipper out of the linen skirt I’m working on
watch the LOST season finale!
3) Snacks I enjoy:
I think the question should be snacks I DON’T enjoy. Let’s see…biscotti with coffee, crackers and brie, greek yogurt with tons of granola and strawberry rhubarb pie (does it count as a snack if you eat half the pie?)
4) Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
Travel! After I pay off my student loans of course. I’d also move to California and take my entire family with me. Probably open up a knitting store/craft studio and donate the rest.
5) Places I have lived:
New Haven, Hamden, Wallingford, Spain, North Carolina and Boston.
6) Jobs I have had:
My first job was at Old Navy (kill!) and then Wentworth Ice Cream (the reason for my ice cream addiction). I had a brief stint at Subway and then moved to Boston where I babysat my cousins for a year. I worked at a creperie for a few months before the owners went crazy so I became the person who sits at the front desk of your dorm and gives you crap about getting into your building. I swiped ID cards and knit a lot. After I graduated, I worked for a piano store with less than 15 employees where I pretended to know what I was doing for 6 months. To be fair, no one knew what they were doing so we all lived the delusion together. Then, I moved home, worked at an overpriced boutique for 2 months and now I work in the IT department at Yale. This should be my cover letter.
7) Peeps I want to know more about:
Anyone who reads my blog
Who washes their iPod?
I finally had the chance to take photos of Wicked.
Pattern: Wicked from Zephyr Style
Yarn: 2.5 skeins Cascade 220 Heathers
Needles: US 7 Inox circulars
Notes: I love this top! I’ve already worn it a couple of times. Very simple pattern to follow and most of it is stockinette so I could knit mindlessly at work. I pretty much followed the pattern except for some waist shaping.
The patterns from Zephyr Style are casually written, which, I like. When I was working on Blustery I felt like I had to keep my eyes on the pattern at all times so I wouldn’t make a mistake because it was extremely detailed. I’m working on Rusted Root , also from Zephyr style, now. It’s going good but there isn’t a lace chart with drives me a little crazy. Other than that, it is another simple pattern to follow.
Blustery is a pain to finish! This sweater involves SO MUCH SEAMING! I’m basically anti-seaming and avoid it whenever possible. I might skip tonight’s SnB just to finish this sweater. Hopefully, I’ll be able to post FO photos tomorrow.
I’ve been true to my word though. I have not touched my sewing machine. Trust me, it’s been tough. I’m getting antsy to make more aprons.
Non crafty related news: I must move out of this house! Living with your parents can get a little…overwhelming. There are always people around! Quiet does not exsist in this household. Just more incentive to get a better job and grow up. I really do love hanging out with my family but living with them? That’s another story.
I’m in love with this fabric. It’s so bold and vibrant. It reminds me of Spain. I’m currently making a shirt. You can sort of the make out the pattern in the next photo:
It is that blue and white top in the center. I’m using the above fabric for the main body of the shirt and black for the details. I’m seriously considering buying more of this fabric and making a huge pillow out of it. I want it everywhere! I should be finished with it tomorrow. My goal was to it have to done by tonight but I just ran out of steam. Tomorrow is my birthday and I celebrated last night with friends, 90’s music, a lot of dancing and beer. Needless to say, I’m pretty exhausted. It was great seeing my friends though. I’m going to have go up to Boston at least once a month. If I don’t, I feel like I’ll just lose touch with everyone. I’m pretty bad at communication and maintaining relationships with people especially when they’re more than a 20 minute T ride away.
Back to the crafts. I have been doing what I always tell myself I won’t do: start another project without finishing the one that is currently in progress. I’m working on a shirt, vest, shawl, hat and a pair of socks. I also just finished my Deep V Argyle Vest. I’m in love with it. I’m going to make a post soon with the finished product along with progress photos and details. I took photos throughout the whole process because it was a lot of firsts for me. More on that in the future though. Ok, one photo.
Tomorrow, I’m headed back to Boston to celebrate family birthdays. I will not be driving so I will have 2-3 hours of prime knitting time. I’ll be in the Davis Sqare area which means I will spend at least a half hour in Magpie. One my favorite places to buy jewelry. Ten Thousand Villages has become my CT spot for jewelry since moving. Goodnight.
