time for an update!

i've caught the knitting bug again! seems like it's been so long. koolhaas is almost done, i just have to make myself finish the top.



i'm sure it's anxiety caused by "what if it doesn't fit!" that's taking me so long. i really think that's my problem when it comes to knitting items that will be worn - when they're done i may find out that i wasted all that time on something that doesn't even fit. makes me think i'll never knit a sweater.

ahhhh...but blankets! now there's something that'll get me excited! my first ever blanket - the hemlock ring blanket - i just don't want to put this baby down. i started it tuesday and feel like i'm doing pretty well.

lace really is more fun than anything else, especially done in a heavier weight like this - you get to see results so much faster. oh, and i'm finally using up my recycled yarn that i got from a thrift store sweater(learned how here).

after this post, i'm worried i'm becoming a brooklyntweed addict - well, thank you jared, you're an amazing designer.

mixtape!

just found this super-neat website where you can make your own mixtape!

i'm back

ok, so i haven't posted in a while. i was thinking of giving it up. that and i've been soooo frustrated with koolhaas that i've hardly been knitting. i've started that pattern at least 5 times and it never looked right. finally i realized this weekend that, as usual, i jumped right in thinking that i could figure out reading a chart on my own - obviously not the case. i started wondering why the row numbers were written on the right side of the chart and looked up how to read a chart. ahhh...so you're supposed to read the chart from right to left (every row for in the round/every other for knitting flat) - not so intuitive. maybe i finally learned that when there's something new in a pattern i should take the time to read about it first - or maybe not. now that i've got the pattern figured out i'll have to restart the pattern one (hopefully) last time since i remembered the boy's head is larger than average and i'll have to CO a few more stitches.

i've got startitis too,

just like cosmicpluto! well, kinda. i haven't finished foliage, i started koolaas, and since then i've just about cast on for absorba and i'm checking my gauge for the hemlock ring blanket. i need to stay focused. at least i'm working towards some of my resolutions. even though by the time i finish the blanket it'll be warm outside i just can't stop thinking about how nice it would be to have it now. so, i checked the gauge of some recycled wool i've had for too long and i think it'll be perfect. this was my first time using my new knitpicks options needles and i must say they are fabulous. super smooth, i love the pointy tips and i even think the purple cable is great - very flexible.

a dilema

so i usually meet a friend on thursday nights to knit and last night i was looking for something to work on and pulled out my Leg Cozies. ya, i had to unravel the few inches that were there because i was clueless as to where i was in the pattern (and i'm pretty sure i'd messed up along the way) but i was fine with starting over. then i started thinking - am i really ever going to wear leg warmers? i already have a pair and i hardly wear them...but these would be lighter - maybe perfect for seattle's spring/summer. and i already have all the yarn. hmmm...what else could i make with Lang Yarns Jawoll Color? well, i could try socks. i never thought i'd want to knit socks before - i thought they were boring - but there are some really pretty patterns out there and it seems like a decent project that could actually get finished in a reasonable amount of time. so i started looking on ravelry just to see what was out there and i found Hedera. yes, i've seen the pattern before but like i said, i wasn't into socks before, so i just ignored it. now i don't know what to do? knit something frivolous and fun? or something practical that i know i'll use and probably learn from?

Options!

YAY! i just checked the mail and there were my Knitpicks Interchangeable Needle Set!!! - my xmas present to myself. should be a long time before i have to buy any more needles now!

workin on the scrap yarn

today was full of music and yarn. got some new kimya dawson, tender forever and the blow. and i went through my non-acrylic/non-cotton scrap yarn (and i realized that i separate my stash into acrylic/cotton and everything else). i measured all my scraps, entered them into ravelry and wound them all into nice little center-pull balls.


now i'm just hoping (wishing) that i have enough to make a blanket. i've always loved Ashley's Garter Stitch Shawl but since i don't wear shawls i think it'd make a kickass blanket. and i've really been wanting to knit a blanket lately - could it be the cold weather?

New Year's Resolutions

maybe it's a little late to be talking resolutions but i've been thinking and i guess i do have a few this year. normally i don't do resolutions but i'm just thinking of it as things i'd really like to do, instead of just talking about doing them. so, knitting-wise my resolutions are:

1. knit rugs (Absorba & Bridgetown T-shirt Rug)
   
2. knit a sweater
3. use up my stash
4. learn continental knitting

that should keep me busy for a while. i was going to add 5. use recycled yarn - but i've tried to use some of it and decided i don't like it. i guess alpaca is a little too fuzzy for me. so, i'm not sure what to do with it. maybe i'll try to trade it.

i'm done with knitting gifts for a while - except the boy does need a new hat but that shouldn't take too long - i'm thinking Koolhaas.

to get me started i just purchased some yarn for Absorba. and i'm super excited since i just bought KnitPicks' Options Interchangeable Nickel Plated Circular Needle Set. so i shouldn't have too many problems making sure i have the right size needles for a project. the only thing i'm not too keen on is that there isn't a 16" cable - it's used a lot for hats. i've emailed and asked them what's up with that.

i emailed YarnCountry twice within the past 5 days about an exchange and still haven't heard from them. i can't finish my Foliage until i get another skein. so i'm left with nothing to work on.