Welcome, 2011!

Happy New Year!

December got away from me in terms of knitting-I didn’t get the chance to post anything, but that’s ok-I didn’t get the chance to knit at all. (good thing I wasn’t knitting any Christmas presents this year!)

So back in September I started a wrap with yarn I had purchased a few years ago: JoAnn’s Rainbow Boucle (dark blue). Back in November, I traveled to Kettering with the Ice Hawks so I could hang out with K while her mom played hockey. I brought my knitting with me and K was fascinated with my big ball of yarn (which, at the time, was bigger than her head...in fact, it probably still is bigger than her head. LOL)

BIG ball of yarn

The wrap itself is a very simple pattern-garter stictches, yarn overs, dropping the yo’s. It’s a great thing to me to work on while watching tv, riding in a car, and hanging out wiht people because it’s easy to find out where you are in your work if you get distracted and loose your place. ;) Here’s one of the first pictures I took of my progress:


Here’s a more recent one, with more distinct color changes:

(I love blue!!)

While in Kettering, we had some time between hockey games, so we stopped at Hancock Fabrics (they have them in Minnesota and Southern Ohio, but there aren’t any here in Northeast Ohio-boo!) They happened to be having a sale on Lion Brand’s Wool East Thick& Quick, so K and Tina helped me pick out some yarn for the ear flap hat I want to make:

Ear Flap Hat Yarn-not the pattern, the yarn. LOL

The pattern looks simple enough. Next weekend is me and Perseph’s annual Girls Weekend-I’m planning on starting this hat during the weekend (as well as continuing with my blue rainbow wrap). Who knows-I might actually finish the hat-after all, last year I started and completed a knitted scarf. :) I can’t wait!

Tardis Socks

Made..Of...WIN.

Just sayin'. :)

(Thank you for the link, Jerm!)

Down to the Knitty Gritty...

I remember first catching Vickie Howell on PBS during one of my Christmas trips to Minnesota. My friend Shanna liked to catch her show whenever she could (don't remember how long ago it was...) I thought she was really cool.

A few months ago I became super excited when I discovered she had a blog on blogspot. Once I get around to updating the sidebar links, you'll definitely see a link to her blog. I am a little behind in reading (I have way to many feeds in my reader. 0-:)), but here are a few patterns that caught my eye over the last week:

Hizknits Felted Messenger Bag

Cat Bordhi's Mobius Scarf (my coworker Stephanie is currently working on a Mobius scarf-she says it's a lot of fun!)

Erika Knight's Woolen Woven Rug

Betsey McCall's Family Affair Quilt

Debbie Brisson's Turtleneck Tissue Cozy (this is just soooo cute!!!)

Not that I need any more projects on my plate, but I would love to give these a try sometime! :)

picture updates

In an effort to keep this blog more active, I thought I would post some pictures of projects I have been working on. :-D


Although the other two projects I will feature in this post are still UFOs, this is an actual finished project!! Every January Perseph's husband goes to the CWRU Film Society's Scifi Marathon. Usually it's right after the students return from winter break, around MLK Day. That weekend, Perseph and I have a girls weekend, and usually have a marathon of our own. :) Last year it was Family Guy, and I wanted to knit while watching-but it had to be something simple, as I didn't want to loose my place at the slightest distraction. Hence, this scarf was born. Knitted with Lion Brand Homespun yarn on size 13 needles. I used two colors knitted together: #85 Fuchsia & #386 Grape, in a straight garter stitch. This yarn was actually given to me by a friend who had trouble working with Homespun yarn (it tends to fray). I love pulling yarn out of my stash and finding a use for it! Dunno what I'll make next January-maybe I'll get adventurous, or maybe I'll just play it safe. ;)

Speaking of patterns that need to be done with minimal distractions, I know I've talked about it, but never have posted any pics. Well, here is proof that I really am working on a baby blanket!


Although Bella is getting big, I am determined to finish this blanket for her-even if it's just given as an heirloom, she will eventually get this!! This pattern tends to give me a hard time because I can be easily distracted, then loose count-I need to find a nice quite afternoon so I can work on it some more. Here is a little more detail:


Isn't it pretty? Even though I'm not a Vikings fan, her folks are, and I'm sure she's becoming one. (btw, the pattern just happened to call for the yellow and purple-or rather, Lemonade and Grape. ;)) The pattern is one I found in a Creative Knitting magazine, and is being knitted on a size 6 circular needle.

I do crochet!! I've had a couple of successful crochet projects (purses for my nieces). I don't remember how I found this-it was featured on one of my geeky lists. A crocheted Dalek!!!! The creator was on LiveJournal, and after she finished making one of her own, graciously shared the pattern with the rest of us crafty scifi geeks. :) I don't know why I have so much trouble with crochet, but I do. Here's the current status of my Dalek:


Kinda looks like a PacMan Ghost with a funny nose. ;)

I haven't completely abandoned it-I hope to one day create an army that can roam about a fuzzy Skaro. ;)

A finished project! (Steampunk spats)

I finished a project! I decided I wanted to make up a steampunk'd theme costume for Halloween this year. Unfortunately, thanks to my thick calves, it's really hard to find boots that go beyond the ankles.

I was browsing the web, looking for alternatives, when I came across a pattern for Steampunk Spatterdashes (check out the pattern here) Although the pattern calls for Moda Dea Bamboo Wool, I used Red Heart SuperSaver yarn, and it seemed to work out pretty well:




Aren't the buttons awesome?!? I found them at JoAnns. :)

Love the button straps with the seed stitch pattern!

They might be a little longer than I would like (it stretches quite a bit when I put them on), but I figure I can make a new shorter pair for Marcon this year, depending on how these work out. I can't wait to try these out at the Halloween party tomorrow!

In other knitting news, I joined Ravelry earlier this week. At first it was just so I could download a cool Tardis amigurumi pattern that was featured on Craftzine recently. But then I discovered it had alot of cool features-so I started to get more involved, adding projects (a grand total of 3 so far-but I'm working on it!), finding friends, looking at all the cool free patterns they have. It's an awesome site-I don't know why I didn't join it before! ;) If you're on, look me up-I can be found as romana1977. :)

New Template

Hmmm...the thing about new strategies is that you have to actually have to have time to do what you wanted to do!! ;)

Nine months-a new record for me! At least I'm finally getting around to switching to a new template-Minima was nice and clean, but it was rather boring. ;) I switched this blog to custom designs, which will allow me to add elements to the template. I created a blog for the Italian Band which I used the custom design option, and I rather like it. I still have to sort out the section for our current projects (it's a little messy-and the colors I used with some of the fonts clashes with the current background.) I will clean that up a bit, but at least for now it's still on the blog. ;)

Oh! And look! You can subscribe to the blog now! (or follow it with Google Friend Connect).

That's all for now. I'm planning on posting some pics of projects I've worked on over the past year. I've also started a new project-well, rather, I did a cast on-but the yarn is difficult (at least for me), so I haven't been able to knit a row after the cast on without ripping it all out. (whee!) ;)

To a new year!

Well, it's January 2010!!! Guess what-I actually completed a project!

Unfortunately, it wasn't one of the many I had started prior to 2010.

Perseph and I had our annual girls weekend last weekend. Our marathon this year was Family Guy OMG, it was the perfect marathon for both of us-it's the one show we both can watch over and over and not get tired of. ;)

Anyhoo, during our marathon, I started a scarf Friday night, which I finished up during the AFC Jets/Chargers playoff game. My friend Kim had some yarn her mother gave her-Lion Brand's Homespun. Kim and her mom really don't like using it because it frays too much. I love it-knit with two strands and it knits up to some soft and warm hats and scarves. I usually don't have a problem with the yarn-but I tend to use size 13 (or larger) needles when I knit with Homespun. Since I wasn't sure how much had been used, I decided to make a scarf. It turned out a little shorter than I would have liked, but it's not too bad.

Now I must take a picture so I can prove to you that I did! ;)

Once again, I have on my resolutions list to give this blog's template a makeover-lets see if it happens this year! lol

New strategy

Okie-dokie. I am coming up with a new strategy. I've been away from knitting for too long! I've got to do something about this.

Picking up a somewhat difficult (for me, anyway) pattern after a 2 year hiatus is just bad (see previous attempt at baby blanket). I need something I can work on without having to concentrate so much. I'd like to just sit and relax and knit-I need to get back into the flow...

My yarn stash has finally made it home!!(well, most of it-I fear I still have a box lost somewhere in the depths of storage...) Tucked away in my cedar closet. I noticed I have alot of random skeins-you know-the kind you impulse buy-usually you only buy one or two-not enough to make much out of...but it was so pretty!!! Well, I've been thinking I might use those to make scarves-all kinds of scarves: ones to keep you warm, novelty scarves... I'll start out with a basic pattern, then work my way up to more difficult ones...perhaps even lace. Eventually I hope to become comfortable enough with knitting again that I can finally finish some of the projects that have fallen to the wayside. (I WILL finish Bella's baby blanket!!!!!!) I also might use this as an opportunity to work on my crochet skills as well...

What will I do with these scarves? I have no idea. Give them as gifts, donate them, perhaps try to sell a couple at a bazaar or something. Who knows? Gotta knit them first!

Watch this space! ;)

Picking up the needles requires concentration!

Wow! Two days in a row! A new record! ;)

Last night while watching tv, I decided to pick up my needles again. I worked on Bella's baby blanket for about an hour, and only got 2 rows done! :( I forgot how much concentration I needed to work on the central panel, and even though I was watching a repeat episode of CSI, I still got distracted! Knitting while watching tv needs to be limited to really simple projects...or at least, projects that I haven't ignored for months! ;)

wow, months gone by...

...and I've still yet to post. Still have to drag my yarn out of storage!!

Hmm...well, with Fall just around the corner, I might be inspired to pick up some long-lost projects and start working on them again...

I repeat: I really need to work on this blog!

April? Really?

Just a quick post to keep this blog alive. I still haven't picked up my needles since I moved. In fact, my yarn stash is still in storage. I need to organize my living room closet-it's a cedar closet and would be perfect for yarn storage! Anyhoo, all I have at home is the baby blanket I am (or rather, should be) working on.

By the time I finish Bella's baby blanket, she'll be in school!!!

yikes, no time to knit

Just a quick note-yes, I'm still here! I haven't been updating this site because I haven't really had the time to knit (or do any other crafty projects) since I moved.
:( Hopefully this will change with the coming of the new year! :)

Once things settle down from the holidays, (and I pull my yarn stash out of storage!) I plan on starting up again. :)

slow progress on the baby blanket

Oooh! another long bout without any posts here. Shoot.

Work on Shanna's baby blanket is coming along...albeit slowly. In fact, the baby came before the blanket was finished! (well, i sorta expected that to happen)

Welcome, Isabella!!! Your blanket should be ready by Christmas!!! :)

Must post pictures of it's progress. Despite the fact that it's coming along slowly, I'm really quite happy with the way it's turning out. The lace pattern isn't too bad, once you get the hang of it. ;)

baby blanket update

Just a brief update!!

I've been working on Shanna's baby blanket-i've finished the lower borders-both the lace and the slip-stitch. Didn't have too much trouble with the slip-stitch border-that was actually pretty easy. I just started working on the center panel-I was hoping to have more of it done so I could have an establish pattern before I went on vacation, but I just haven't had the time.

The center panel is similar to the lace pattern, and although it may be difficult the first pattern cycle, once it's established and I've done a few repetitions, it'll become easier. I can work on it in front of people, and not have to worry about getting distracted and loosing count when someone sneezes! LOL. ;)

I took a picture when I finished the lower lace border-I didn't get a chance to post it yet. Now that I've done quite a few more rows-I'm going to need a new picture! Boy, I'm slow. ;) Someday, I will start posting progress pics again!

still knitting...really, I am!

My UFOs are numerous-if I were to tell you the number of unfinished projects I have, you would sit there and laugh at me and say, 'you're no knitter!'

Ok, maybe you wouldn't. ;)

I started a baby blanket for Shanna-it's slow going, 'cause silly me, decided to knit one with a lace pattern in it! The pattern is "School Colors for Baby" from the September 2007 issue of Creative Knitting. Oooh! It's a good thing I looked up the name on their website-a correction had been posted!!

Still working on the same K-9 toy that I was last year. It's not a difficult project-I just haven't had the time to finish the poor guy!!

Now that Persephone has graduated with her Masters in social work (you go, girl!!!) we are hoping to start up our Saturday night coffee shop knitting/crochetting outings again. We also should be able to start going to crochet club on a regular basis. Hopefully this will inspire me to post here more (with pics!) as well. :)

Just wanted to post a quick update to let you know I'm still here!

knitty-knit-knit

Another long stretch without posting! What's with me?

Well, I started another project! When was the last time I finished one? I dunno. LOL. I started a baby blanket for my friend Shanna-she's expecting in August. I found the pattern in my November issue of Creative Knitting. It's purple and gold, which happens to be the Vikings colors, of which they are fans. :) My first goal is to have it done before she gives birth...my second: before the baby can walk. LOL!

Still working on a K-9. I finished the 2 sides and started the gusset. I also worked on my poncho a bit (while driving to Cincinatti this past weekend-straight St-st, easy to do while traveling.) I have one panel done, and I started on the other. I'm calling this my 'Spur-of-the-Moment Poncho' (since I bought the yarn with the pattern on it and the needles at Walmart while I was in MN this past Christmas)

I've been thinking about changing my template from a two collumn to a three collumn-I'll have to see. I also want to get something that will show the percentage completed of my projects (even though they might not change much!) LOL. We'll see. First I need to have the time to figure out the html code! ;)

still here!

Oh, my!!! I haven't posted anything here since October!!! Well, partly because since I've moved, I haven't had much time for knitting-so I didn't have anything new to post.

Hopefully 2008 will bring more time for knitting and other crafty projects (I got my very own sewing machine back in November!!! I'm gonna make a costume for Doctor Who! ;) )

Till then, I hope everyone had a safe and happy new year!

no new knitting yet

Well, it's the end of October, and I haven't worked on any projects at all!! My yarn stash hasn't even made it to my new place yet. (It's still in storage...*sigh*)

Because of my move this year, I had decided that I wouldn't try to knit (or crochet) and Christmas gifts this year-I'd probably be stressing about them right now! But I do miss knitting....

My new place is coming along-and I can't wait for my yarn to come home! LOL. :)

Quick note-the magazine I subscribe to, Creative Knitting is really on the ball-when I went to change my address, and discovered it had already changed!! (I am curious how that happened, I thought I had to change magazine subscriptions. I wonder if my Kraft Foods magazine will do the same thing... ) ;)

summer knitting and moving!

Yikes-I didn't post at all in August. I have a good excuse-really I do!! I am moving at the end of the month-so I've been packing like crazy.

Of course, since I haven't had time to post, I haven't had much time to knit (or crochet-still working on that Dalek!) either. I'm still working on a K-9 and a Dalek-progress is slow, but I think the pieces of K-9 are coming along nicely. The jury is still out on my Dalek, though-it's head kinda looks like a hat for a very tiny baby. LOL It's weird, I think it may be inside out...but I'm going to wait to see what it looks like when I get to the popcorn stitches before I frog it (if I decide to frog it) I've been working on my projects at the crochet club Perseph and I go to every month, and at Starbucks (we try to have a weekly gathering at starbucks, just to hang out). I haven't worked on anything at home practically all summer. In fact, about 95% of my yarn stash is all packed up now. LOL ;)

Well, it's getting late-dont' know when i'll have time to update this again. Pictures will have to wait until after I move. (sorry!)

A midsummer's night update!

I'm back from vacation! Well, I've been back for a week now, just didnt' have time to update this blog.

I didn't do any knitting at all while I was away-I brought a couple of projects, but didnt' work on them. (That was usually happens when I go on vacation). So all of my current knitting projects are in the same state as they were before I left. ;)

However, my Mom did teach me how to do more than just single crochet, so we both started a crochet Dalek. She is much farther along than I am-I only have about half of the head -a few rows after the eye piece-done. I'm not sure how far my Mom is now, but she was farther than that the last time I saw her Dalek. LOL.

I discovered that I am a very tight crocheter-Mom and I were using the same size hook, same type of yarn, but her Dalek was much bigger than mine. I have to work on easing up on the tention a bit-either that, or get used to using a larger sized hook.

Hey, I'd like to give a shout out to Persephone!! While I was on vacation, she learned to knit!!! I"m so excited-she showed me the scarf she's working on, and it looks beautiful! I'm so proud. :) She asked me to help her with ribbing-she says everytime she tries it, it looks funky. I told her no problem-as long as she helps me with some of the more difficult crochet stitches. ;) She agreed!! :-D

Well, that's about all for now-hopefully I'll get some pictures up of my progress soon.