Applefest this Weekend!

I have never been happier that it's the weekend. Furry and I are going to Indigo Smoke - NJ's best Kansas City barbeque (huh?) for dinner...and Sunday's Applefest. To top it off, Furry is wearing the Manly Sweater from SnB I made him!

I love fall, couldn't be happier that it's 65 degrees, and can't wait to wear sweaters, jackets and my mini Clapotis pictured here.

I've been a blogging machine - although it's mostly behind the scenes. I added my flickr photoalbum, and today I figured out how to join bloglines.com, but I didn't figure out how to list my blog so others could join...That has something to do with site feed, but help me if I know how that works!

Also, here is some sleeve progress on Blackberry. I haven't gotten far, because I have been working on the NSS Cardi...No progress pics on that, though, since it still doesn't look like much. I haven't gotten to the part where I split the sleeves, and to be honest, I'm not really sure when to do that. I'll just keep trying it on till it fits! Click to enlarge. It's dinner time, check ya later!

French? What am I thinking?

Ok, so I'm madly in love with Phildar patterns...I just joined the Colchique knitalong for this lovely sweater...unfortunately, the pattern is in French! Luckily, there are a bunch of French-speaking knitters who kindly offered to help out for those of us who are lingually challenged! I also ordered this Phildar book from Knit n Tyme for the sweater on the left of the spread (and many many other wonderful creations! Oh, did I mention, this one is...ALSO in FRENCH!!! To add to the craziness, do you see my sidebar of pending projects? I have knitting ADD! I am now up to 99% complete with Clapotis, she just needs end weaving and a bit of blocking. For anyone who has completed Le Clappy, did you steam or wet block this lady?

Lukily, I'm obsessed with knitting. I'll say it again. I'm OBSESSED!!!

Ice cream anyone?

I can't believe I missed this one! This truck crashed into the train trestle about 2 blocks from my house on Monday...lucky kids! Don't truck drivers know their own height? I hear this has happened here before. I have to thank The Barista for this one, and all my local news!

EDIT: Progress Bars are up!!! YAY!

The Clap and the Cardigan

I took a vacation (knitting) day today, since our presentation went really well on Wednesday! We actually got feedback DURING the presentation, and we have some new projects for '06 we can start now. It feels really good to be done with the planning process, whew!

First thing today, I ordered the first little surprise for my secret pal - these stitch markers from Zephyr Style! Aren't those sheep cute? They even customize one for you, so I added her blog name (which will remain anonymous....in case she figures me out!) I still haven't heard from my secret pal, but I hear she's trying to contact me...If you're out there, secret pal, leave a comment here!

In my crazy yarn spree, I picked up some Diakeito diamusee in this funky rainbowy colorway. What else to use it for other than the famous Clapotis? (Does it even need the link?) I wanted mine to be more of a scarf than a shawl, so I only increased to half the total width. I'm about 2/3 of the way done now (ok I used 2 of the 3 balls...).

Click to enlarge either image:












Anyone know how to put up those rockin progress bars? I just started working on the NSS Cardigan from Knit and Tonic, and here are some progress shots. I'm using Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino. It's so soft, and already I can tell it's going to be really drapey...surprisingly I got gague on 6's, so I didn't have to make any mods to the pattern, although I think I'm going to make it a bit longer than waist length because my waist = a waste.

When I was 10, my parents and I went to a party at my mom's cousin's house, and all their kids are way older than me (in fact everyone in my family is!). I was always a pretty loud kid, and spoke without thinking first. True to form, this day was no different. Trying to get everyone to notice me, I started in on my dad...who was eating everything in sight, and wearing a too-tight zip up cardigan...I yelled out across the pool table, expecting a chuckle from the crowd, "hey dad, you know in that sweater you have no waist!" My dad, always quick with the retort, yells back, "You're a waste!"...Everyone holding their beers cracked up. Embarrassed, I didn't open my mouth the rest of the day! So, here is the first teeny bit of the cardigan, I hope (thanks to Wendy) will never, ever be too tight on the waist.

For all of you in Texas, Louisiana or anywhere else in Rita's path, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Who is my secret pal?

Who can it be???

Hello whoever you are :)

Work sucks. Presentation tomorrow. Blog more later.

Cheers.

Cooking up some stash...and kitties!

So, after the camping trip where my father in law covered his face with marhmallows and chocolate from the s'mores I was ordered to make, I rewarded myself with a little yarn! The cats couldn't resist getting near the soft alpacas and chunky cashmere blends...either that or they like to pose for the camera...

The purple debbie bliss is for Blackberry, the winter white Polar is for the illustrious Ferragamo bag, the alpaca is for a scarf for the DH and the rest which you can't really see is for....well, I don't know!

I bought the pattern for Knit and Tonic's Not So Shrunken Cardigan...Not sure what yarn to use for this one yet...But here's a FO! Candy! I have to sew on the buttons, and she's fini!



Off going clothes shopping! Have a great weekend :)

Just in time for camping...

Fall knitty is up!!

Even though there is a birthday party and a Street Fair in Nyack, I am being forced to go camping this weekend. Therefore I MUST have a new project to work on. Maybe Flora, or Ella, or Arisaig...

My LYS is having a fall preview and sale on Sunday, so I better figure it out...

Secret Pal 6!!!

It's about time I found out about a Secret Pal before the end of the signup period! Here's my questionnaire:

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?
I enjoy working with higher quality, natural fiber yarn like Rowan or Debbie Bliss when I have a project in mind, but I will stock up on the cheap stuff like Caron Simply soft for projects I design myself.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I have not spun anything to date…just spiderwebs. I learned crocheting a few weeks ago, and look forward to learning mad skills.

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
I HATE the smell of leftover cigarette smoke. I am not allergic, but it’s gross on clothes.

4. How long have you been knitting?
About a year – I learn new techniques very quickly.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
I have one on Froogle…But it’s not really all-inclusive yet!

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
MMMM…vanilla, lilac, and pumpkin. But not all three at once.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
The sweeter the better! I also have a chocolate tooth, and a cinnamon tooth. But not a ranch tooth. Ranch!

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
I have a quilt in my closet that my mother started when I was born and never finished. I took it over last year, but I don’t have a sewing machine, so it’s slow going. I also cross-stitch and love making my own paper products, invitations and magnets.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Unfortunately, I’m a lazy CD buyer, and my CD collection hasn’t changed much since 1996. BUT…I do love the kind of music from the Garden State and the new Six Feet Under soundtracks (what genre is that?) I take my iPod on the plane and play Dave Matthews, Jack Johnson, Coldplay, etc.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
I love mixing all shades of cool colors, deep blues, turquoise, purples and greens. I don’t like green, brown and orange together. Reminds me of the mural on the ceiling in my bedroom growing up – how 70’s!

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I am married with 2 furbabies (kitties), Buster and Niblet.

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
This is a tough one. I want to travel, dream to own my own home, be satisfied with my career, and stay madly in love with my husband.

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
Debbie Bliss alpaca silk. I hear she has a new DK weight, which I’m going to try. I also love all Rowan and Karabella yarns.

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I hate itchy, bulky wool. I couldn’t wear an itchy sweater or scarf, so I won’t knit with it for anyone.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
Although it’s not knitting, I’m obsessed with learning to crochet! I am dying to make the Ferragamo bag see below…

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Raglan sweaters. Top down or bottom up, I love knitting in the round.

17. What are you knitting right now?
I’ve been working on Orangina since April…It’s always on the back burner. I finished a bunch of things this week, so it’s time for a new project. I'm also trying to convert the Lucky Clover Wrap from SnBN to a non-lace pattern for the same reason...lace takes forever. Especially with Rowan 4-ply!

18. What do you think about ponchos?
I knit one, and I liked it last year, but I think this is the year for the shawl collar rather than the poncho.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
Circular. Even for back and forth projects.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Depends on the yarn. I have both bamboo and aluminum. I’m dying to try the Addi turbos. I think I knit too slowly, and if they’ll help me speed things up, I’m game!

21. Are you a sock knitter?
No. I hate needles (especially DPNs) under size 5. I only use them for finishing hats and sleeves. But I’d give ‘em a try if I can get a hold of some self striping yarn (but not the fair isle kind).

22. How did you learn to knit?
Mostly, I taught myself. I did take a class, but I didn’t learn much other than the good restaurants in my area!

23. How old is your oldest UFO?
Orangina…UFO since April.

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
This is such a weird question…nothing I’d want tattooed on my body...Probably Stewie from Family Guy...

25. What is your favorite holiday?
Thanksgiving! I love to host it – my mother or MIL makes the turkey, and I supply all the sides and desserts! Yum!

26. Is there anything that you collect?
Can’t think of anything. I like to use things, then throw them out. Although the collection of purses in my closet doesn’t seem to get any smaller…

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
Vogue Knitting and Interweave Knits currently.

28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?
It’s not really a book, but I’m dying to pick up the past few issues of Rowan.

29. Any patterns you have been coveting, but haven't bought for one reason or another??
Rogue, Angelina from White Lies Designs, and the good ol' Ribby Cardi to name a few...

ETA: 30. What are your foot measurements, and what kind of socks do you like?
I wear a size 8 shoe...but I don't know what that translates to in sock land...I don't really have a sock fetish...It's still summer, and apart from the camping trip, I haven't worn socks since it was boot weather. And, well, you can't really see socks under boots, SO...I guess what I'm trying to say is, as long as they don't have holes in the toes I guess I like them ;)

Crocheting on the Beach

Yesterday we went to Spring Lake for the last time this summer (boo hoo). While the boys played on their boogie boards (yes, they're all adults!), I sat in my beach chair and taught myself the basics of single crochet, increase and decrease. Here are the results.

It's not quite the Ferragamo bag I wish to accomplish, but, hey, ya gotta start somewhere, right?

What's next? Ordering handles from M&J Trimming!

What a day for a FO!

It's time! I finished something...The Urban Outfitters circular shrug is done! Doesn't it look like the real thing? Except the photo has that horrible camera-in-the-shot thing, proving how unprofessional my photoshoots are...And you think that since I work in advertising, I could hire an art director to pose me and a photographer to shoot this for free...maybe even hire a skinnier model. Nah. It's 1am on a Saturday. Furry is out with the boys and the cats don't have thumbs. Therefore, it's just me, the camera and the mirror. Whadda ya think?

Project: UO FO
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft in Soft Blue
Needles: 29" #9 circular
Date started: 8/8 (ish)
Date completed: 9/3

Here are some progress shots:
Finished but unseamed...










Seamed and mighty circular!