I really do love these socks- they're soft, comfy, and a perfect fit. Hurrah!
3.02.2008
Consolation Koigu Socks
I never posted a picture of my Koigu socks... I LOVE them. I wish I could remember what colorway these are- in the skein, they looked like a rainbow but are much more subdued in person.
I really do love these socks- they're soft, comfy, and a perfect fit. Hurrah!
I really do love these socks- they're soft, comfy, and a perfect fit. Hurrah!
2.26.2008
Stripey Watermelon Socks
I finished my stripey socks over the weekend.... Another pair of wool socks just as the weather here starts to heat up. It was almost 80 here today!!!
Yarn: Knitterly Things Vesper Sock Yarn, Aquamelon, purchased at kpixie.com. I think this is one of the original skiens back from when Julia was dying with kool-aid. The colors, while certainly vivid, are not quite as vibrant as the more recent colorways....
I love them!
Yarn: Knitterly Things Vesper Sock Yarn, Aquamelon, purchased at kpixie.com. I think this is one of the original skiens back from when Julia was dying with kool-aid. The colors, while certainly vivid, are not quite as vibrant as the more recent colorways....
I love them!
2.24.2008
Big Bird Babie Blankie
As promised, though much delayed, here's the big bird baby blankie pictures:
It's made out of 5 balls of Berocco Plush, which is a really soft yarn. Mr. C picked it out- he specifically wanted something fuzzy and cuddly, and this was the one fuzzy novelty yarn I could think of that I wouldn't mind working with again (one of my first knitting projects was a scarf for my mom in the baby blue Plush.) I knit it on size 8 needles, instead of the 10.5 called for because I wanted the fabric to be firm and full- yarns like this knit too loosely can feel stringy and flimsy. The bright yellow and orange made me think of big bird the entire time I was working on the blanket....
The recipient also knits, though not quite as much as I do. :-) She was really happy with the blankie!.
It's made out of 5 balls of Berocco Plush, which is a really soft yarn. Mr. C picked it out- he specifically wanted something fuzzy and cuddly, and this was the one fuzzy novelty yarn I could think of that I wouldn't mind working with again (one of my first knitting projects was a scarf for my mom in the baby blue Plush.) I knit it on size 8 needles, instead of the 10.5 called for because I wanted the fabric to be firm and full- yarns like this knit too loosely can feel stringy and flimsy. The bright yellow and orange made me think of big bird the entire time I was working on the blanket....
The recipient also knits, though not quite as much as I do. :-) She was really happy with the blankie!.
2.15.2008
What a LOVEly day
Neither C nor I go in much for Valentine's Day. I do like getting flowers, and we both like to eat, so that's pretty much it.
Yesterday I got a gorgeous bouquet at my office:
Instead of turning on the TV and chatting through commercials, as is our norm, we spent the evening making homemade pasta together. It was so wonderful to stand in our little kitchen, cooking together, talking about life without the noise of the TV to distract us. We drank a bottle of champagne that was an engagement present from a dear friend- it has been in the fridge for 18 months!!! Dinner was good but simple, conversation was fab, and it was a lovely lovely night.
I am so happy to be married to this amazing man.
Yesterday I got a gorgeous bouquet at my office:
Instead of turning on the TV and chatting through commercials, as is our norm, we spent the evening making homemade pasta together. It was so wonderful to stand in our little kitchen, cooking together, talking about life without the noise of the TV to distract us. We drank a bottle of champagne that was an engagement present from a dear friend- it has been in the fridge for 18 months!!! Dinner was good but simple, conversation was fab, and it was a lovely lovely night.
I am so happy to be married to this amazing man.
2.12.2008
Flu, knitting, etc.
Sorry for the silence. I got nailed with the flu last week and was down for the count. Finally starting to feel better, but man! this was a nasty bug.
I finished a baby blanket for one of C's friends, and the shower was Sunday. Pics are on my camera, which is at home. Naturally. The blanket turned out really well- it was bright yellow Berocco Plush (fuzzy and soft) with an orange band around the edge. It felt like I was knitting big bird!
I also finished my kusha kusha scarf. It needs some serious blocking, and I'll hopefully get a photo up soon.
Again, sorry to have disappeared. Being sick is NO. FUN.
I finished a baby blanket for one of C's friends, and the shower was Sunday. Pics are on my camera, which is at home. Naturally. The blanket turned out really well- it was bright yellow Berocco Plush (fuzzy and soft) with an orange band around the edge. It felt like I was knitting big bird!
I also finished my kusha kusha scarf. It needs some serious blocking, and I'll hopefully get a photo up soon.
Again, sorry to have disappeared. Being sick is NO. FUN.
1.22.2008
Finally- a winner!
One of my new year's resolutions was to cook one new recipe a week, and so far it's going really well. I made a pot roast in the crock pot using the seasoning from James Beard's American Cooking and the process from Beth Hensperger and Julie Kaufmann's Not Your Mother's Slow Cooker Cookbook- pretty good. I made the Pan Seared Salmon With Avocado Remulade from Elise's Simply Recipes- meh (generally, though, I've had great luck with her recipes in the past....)
But last night I found a real winner- the Snapper with Zucchini and Toasty Garlic mojo from Rick Bayless' Mexican Everyday. It was fast, easy, flavorful, and deeeeeelish. Makes me want to try a bunch more recipes out of this cookbook!
But last night I found a real winner- the Snapper with Zucchini and Toasty Garlic mojo from Rick Bayless' Mexican Everyday. It was fast, easy, flavorful, and deeeeeelish. Makes me want to try a bunch more recipes out of this cookbook!
1.20.2008
Bananahead Hat- my new go-to baby pattern!
1.17.2008
Well, It's Official!
I started my first ever attorney job this week. I love it. It is overwhelming. I have great colleages, an awesome assistant, my own office with windows, and three cases that I will probably refer to (and think of for the rest of my professional life) as my babies. It's good.
I am really glad I have worked for 4 law firms, though. Helps me breathe as I feel like an idiot, because I understand that I am a new attorney- they know I'm a new attorney- and they don't expect me to know much. I know that the new job jitters come with each new position and will pass soon enough. And I know, without a doubt, that law is what I'm meant to do. I'm glad I'm not in private practice, because the people are friendlier, the hours are better, and we get 17 (SEVENTEEN!) paid state holidays a year. All in all, I think this is going to be really, really good.
So, that's why it has been quiet this week. I did finish the ADORABLE baby hat, and will take a picture on Saturday before I deliver it to the mom-to-be on Saturday night. Not much knitting this week- I've been fried- but as a weekday routine develops, I anticipate getting into a regular habit again. It'll be so nice!!!
I am really glad I have worked for 4 law firms, though. Helps me breathe as I feel like an idiot, because I understand that I am a new attorney- they know I'm a new attorney- and they don't expect me to know much. I know that the new job jitters come with each new position and will pass soon enough. And I know, without a doubt, that law is what I'm meant to do. I'm glad I'm not in private practice, because the people are friendlier, the hours are better, and we get 17 (SEVENTEEN!) paid state holidays a year. All in all, I think this is going to be really, really good.
So, that's why it has been quiet this week. I did finish the ADORABLE baby hat, and will take a picture on Saturday before I deliver it to the mom-to-be on Saturday night. Not much knitting this week- I've been fried- but as a weekday routine develops, I anticipate getting into a regular habit again. It'll be so nice!!!
1.10.2008
A Realization
I just finished listening to this week's podcast from David Reidy, aka Sticks and Sting. It sparked a couple thoughts...
The theme for Show 50 is "We choose"- he referenced JFK's speech about choosing to go to the moon NOT because it is easy but because it is hard. David challenged his readers to return to the challenge of knitting, because accomplishing something difficult is really, really satisfying.
Last Christmas (2006-2007) I got my BUTT kicked by the Frost Flowers and Leaves shawl from "A Gathering of Lace" by Meg Swanson. (Eunny's version is gorgeous, and here's a link to the book photo). I also Eunny's Bayerische socks and got smacked around by them as well. (Maybe the lesson I SHOULD learn is to stay away from Eunny's spectacular but very challenging projects?!?!?!)
I realized, listening to David's podcast, that every project I knit in 2007 was a reaction to that spectacular failure- I knit safe, relatively easy things. No cables, not much lace, just stockinette and simple socks are far as the eye can see.
Maybe it's time to take another stab at the Frost Flowers. I love that thing, and succeeding would feel fantastic. Hmmm....
The theme for Show 50 is "We choose"- he referenced JFK's speech about choosing to go to the moon NOT because it is easy but because it is hard. David challenged his readers to return to the challenge of knitting, because accomplishing something difficult is really, really satisfying.
Last Christmas (2006-2007) I got my BUTT kicked by the Frost Flowers and Leaves shawl from "A Gathering of Lace" by Meg Swanson. (Eunny's version is gorgeous, and here's a link to the book photo). I also Eunny's Bayerische socks and got smacked around by them as well. (Maybe the lesson I SHOULD learn is to stay away from Eunny's spectacular but very challenging projects?!?!?!)
I realized, listening to David's podcast, that every project I knit in 2007 was a reaction to that spectacular failure- I knit safe, relatively easy things. No cables, not much lace, just stockinette and simple socks are far as the eye can see.
Maybe it's time to take another stab at the Frost Flowers. I love that thing, and succeeding would feel fantastic. Hmmm....
1.09.2008
Farewell, Spin Stash!
I have officially given up on spinning. It's not that I didn't enjoy it- I did - it's just that I would rather spend my time knitting. So, through the marvel that is Ravelry, I found a local gal who was interested in buying all my spin stuff. I think she got a smoking deal (at the price I suggested!), and I hope she enjoys it! This lucky lady got my Jim Hockett Mesquite wood bottom whorl drop spindle, my Maggie mid-whorl spindle, my 80/20 llama/tussah silk blend roving, my crayola wool roving, my red with sparkles batt, a bag of red Colorado corriedale roving, and two books on spindle spinning for the low low price of $25. (Each of the spindles cost that....) And I am so glad to have that much more room in my yarn chest!
1.08.2008
Mmmm. Silk makes EVERYTHING better.
I'm behind on baby knitting (is 2008 going to be one of THOSE years where everyone I know pops out progeny?) which resulted in a bout of baby startitis last night.
Ravelry introduced me to the Bananahead Baby hat pattern (Ravlery link and PDF Pattern link), which is adorable. I cast on using Debbie Bliss Cathay, that delicious 50 cotton/35 viscose microfiber/15 silk blend. LOVE THIS STUFF. Alas, I do not love the color- mommy requested purple (not plum, not lavender, not anything good, just plain old grape juice purple). But man, does this stuff feel good in the hands. The baby shower was Saturday- doh! Fortunately, the hat is going really fast.
A childhood friend of Mr. C's is also expecting her first child in March. He picked out Berocco Plush in yellow and orange for a cuddly baby blanket for her. I started that one last night, too.
I now have 6 projects on the needles- it has been a LONG time since I've had more than 2 or 3.... Here's hoping I don't get too distracted!
Ravelry introduced me to the Bananahead Baby hat pattern (Ravlery link and PDF Pattern link), which is adorable. I cast on using Debbie Bliss Cathay, that delicious 50 cotton/35 viscose microfiber/15 silk blend. LOVE THIS STUFF. Alas, I do not love the color- mommy requested purple (not plum, not lavender, not anything good, just plain old grape juice purple). But man, does this stuff feel good in the hands. The baby shower was Saturday- doh! Fortunately, the hat is going really fast.
A childhood friend of Mr. C's is also expecting her first child in March. He picked out Berocco Plush in yellow and orange for a cuddly baby blanket for her. I started that one last night, too.
I now have 6 projects on the needles- it has been a LONG time since I've had more than 2 or 3.... Here's hoping I don't get too distracted!
1.04.2008
(Midnight) Sunrise Circle
I have finally experienced complete sweater success- I love my Sunrise Circle!
Pattern: Sunrise Circle by Kate Gilbert, Interweave Knits Spring 2006
Needles: Addi Turbo size 8
Yarn: Cascade 220, 6.5 balls, in Jet (charcoal gray)
While it is a little larger than I intended, it works perfectly as a jacket. Love it!
I've even had people say "I love your sweater" without then saying "Did you make it?"
Success!
Pattern: Sunrise Circle by Kate Gilbert, Interweave Knits Spring 2006
Needles: Addi Turbo size 8
Yarn: Cascade 220, 6.5 balls, in Jet (charcoal gray)
While it is a little larger than I intended, it works perfectly as a jacket. Love it!
I've even had people say "I love your sweater" without then saying "Did you make it?"
Success!
1.02.2008
A Very Happy New Year Indeed
2007 was quite a year- it included:
1. A new job for Mr. C.
2. Knee surgery for Mr. C.
3. Our wedding.
4. The end of law school.
5. A honemoon in Tahiti.
6. A move to Austin.
7. Studying for, taking, and passing the Texas Bar Exam.
8. Getting stung by a sting ray (not on the honeymoon....)
9. Adjusting to married life.
10. A trip to New York.
11. A trip to Florida.
12. Two trips to New Mexico.
13. Two trips to Arkansas.
14. A new job for ME!
Yes, I found out on December 20 that I will have gainful employment as an attorney in 2008. I start January 14- woohoo!
While 2007 was really amazing, it was also exhausting and brought a ton of changes for me individually and for us as a couple.
I hope 2008 will be a year of routine- settling into a daily routine with Mr. C, settling into a daily routine at work, getting back into the eating reasonably/working out regularly/reading more habits.
I haven't really fleshed out resolutions this year- I have more general goals, which include:
1. Getting healthy- eating lower fat/lower refined sugars, exercising 3 times per week for at least 45 minutes each time, drinking 8 glasses of water each day.
2. Cooking more- making one new recipe per week, cooking from at least 26 of my cookbooks this year (I have a massive cookbook collection).
3. Reading at least 6 fiction books- it was easy to skip this in law school, but I love to read and want to get back into literature.
4. Posting to the blog at least twice per week.
I hope your New Year's Day was filled with as much gratitude for 2007 and hope for 2008 as mine was- here's to a great new year!
1. A new job for Mr. C.
2. Knee surgery for Mr. C.
3. Our wedding.
4. The end of law school.
5. A honemoon in Tahiti.
6. A move to Austin.
7. Studying for, taking, and passing the Texas Bar Exam.
8. Getting stung by a sting ray (not on the honeymoon....)
9. Adjusting to married life.
10. A trip to New York.
11. A trip to Florida.
12. Two trips to New Mexico.
13. Two trips to Arkansas.
14. A new job for ME!
Yes, I found out on December 20 that I will have gainful employment as an attorney in 2008. I start January 14- woohoo!
While 2007 was really amazing, it was also exhausting and brought a ton of changes for me individually and for us as a couple.
I hope 2008 will be a year of routine- settling into a daily routine with Mr. C, settling into a daily routine at work, getting back into the eating reasonably/working out regularly/reading more habits.
I haven't really fleshed out resolutions this year- I have more general goals, which include:
1. Getting healthy- eating lower fat/lower refined sugars, exercising 3 times per week for at least 45 minutes each time, drinking 8 glasses of water each day.
2. Cooking more- making one new recipe per week, cooking from at least 26 of my cookbooks this year (I have a massive cookbook collection).
3. Reading at least 6 fiction books- it was easy to skip this in law school, but I love to read and want to get back into literature.
4. Posting to the blog at least twice per week.
I hope your New Year's Day was filled with as much gratitude for 2007 and hope for 2008 as mine was- here's to a great new year!
11.30.2007
Have you SEEN this?
AnnyPurls wrote up a post about O Wool Classic, and her before-washing-after-washing pictures make me want some. In a big way.
11.29.2007
FO: Sunrise Circle
I finished seaming up my Sunrise Circle Jacket last night... no pictures yet as I don't have any buttons- I have high hopes of getting all that handled this weekend. It's big. Definitely a jacket, which is what I was hoping for, but it is big. The sweater is a little bulky across the chest and under the armpits, and the sleeves are too long, and the neck is too wide. Mr. C has suggested (in layman's terms) to try to full or felt it a little to shrink it down a tad.... Still mulling that over. I will probably get a lot of use out of this sweater as it is, but a little smaller/firmer would be great. I'm just nervous about felting it too much and ending up with a miniature bulletproof sweater that I can't get over my shoulders....
Any suggestions?
Any suggestions?
11.19.2007
Pictures! Finally!
The iPhone camera is pretty good. Even though I don't have any mode, flash, focus, or color adjustment power, I can still take pictures.
I've knit a few more squares for the mitered blanket- here's what they look like so far.
Here's my finished Monkeys:
And another finished Baby Yoda:
YAY! Knitting!
I've knit a few more squares for the mitered blanket- here's what they look like so far.
Here's my finished Monkeys:
And another finished Baby Yoda:
YAY! Knitting!
11.08.2007
Celebrity Knitwear Sighting!
Yesterday as I was driving out of downtown, I saw a Tangled Yoke Cardigan! It was knit in the beautiful bright green color of tweed, probably Rowan Felted Tweed. I tried to get the knitter's attention so I could compliment her sweater, but she had her iPod headphones on and didn't hear me. Then I reached in to my purse to get my camera, but the light changed and I had to go.
That's the first time something like that has ever happened to me- what a rush!
That's the first time something like that has ever happened to me- what a rush!
11.07.2007
Whew!
After finding out my good news last week, I went on a weeeeeeeee bit of a shopping spree. The spoils continue to arrive and delight.
First up, Mr. C got an iPhone earlier in the summer, and it is AWESOME. So, I got one as a "YAY I GET TO BE A LAWYER AND MAKE LOTS OF MONEY ifievergetarealjob" reward. I heart my iPhone.
The iPhone has a camera, which means photos! on the blog! someday! Darn Daylight Savings Time- all decent light is gone by the time I get home from work, and there is no flashy on the otherwise perfect iPhone, so pictures will have to wait until either 1. weekend or 2. I get up early enough to do it before work.... So..... see you this weekend???
My other splurgy purposes were of the fibery variety. Hill Country Weavers had the Habu Scarf Kit with stainless steel and merino wool, so I picked one up!
(Photo from habu's website)
There are some gorgeous examples of this in the blogosphere- here and here, for example, plus on Ravelry- here and here.
I also got a skien of Colinette Jitterbug sock yarn in Fire. It's wonderful.
This firey red must be on my mind because of the Yarn Harlot's socks, because I have been stalking the Hazel Knits Etsy Shop in hope of scoring some of the Sailor's Delight colorway. And I did. WOOHOO! Should be arriving this week- will definitely let you know how fabulous it is.
The last bit of yarn booty has already arrived and is even better than I could have imagined. I treated myself to three skiens of Sunshine Yarns sock yarn. I got the Twist Sock Yarn in Costa Rica, Soft Handpainted Sock Yarn in Orange Crush, and Wool/Silk Sock Yarn in It's Cold Outside. Holy Guacamole, this stuff is gorgeous. Each colorway is a different type of yarn (that was intentional! I'm so smart!) and I can't wait to dig right in to each. YUMMY YARN.
I am knitting.... I'm almost 2/3 of the way done with my sunrise circle jacket, and I'm cautiously optimistic that the sizing will work out. I wish I had this one done already so I could wear it! It's cool here right now- mid 50s this morning- but we're supposed to be back up in the mid-80s by this weekend. Ugh.
First up, Mr. C got an iPhone earlier in the summer, and it is AWESOME. So, I got one as a "YAY I GET TO BE A LAWYER AND MAKE LOTS OF MONEY ifievergetarealjob" reward. I heart my iPhone.
The iPhone has a camera, which means photos! on the blog! someday! Darn Daylight Savings Time- all decent light is gone by the time I get home from work, and there is no flashy on the otherwise perfect iPhone, so pictures will have to wait until either 1. weekend or 2. I get up early enough to do it before work.... So..... see you this weekend???
My other splurgy purposes were of the fibery variety. Hill Country Weavers had the Habu Scarf Kit with stainless steel and merino wool, so I picked one up!
(Photo from habu's website)
There are some gorgeous examples of this in the blogosphere- here and here, for example, plus on Ravelry- here and here.
I also got a skien of Colinette Jitterbug sock yarn in Fire. It's wonderful.
This firey red must be on my mind because of the Yarn Harlot's socks, because I have been stalking the Hazel Knits Etsy Shop in hope of scoring some of the Sailor's Delight colorway. And I did. WOOHOO! Should be arriving this week- will definitely let you know how fabulous it is.
The last bit of yarn booty has already arrived and is even better than I could have imagined. I treated myself to three skiens of Sunshine Yarns sock yarn. I got the Twist Sock Yarn in Costa Rica, Soft Handpainted Sock Yarn in Orange Crush, and Wool/Silk Sock Yarn in It's Cold Outside. Holy Guacamole, this stuff is gorgeous. Each colorway is a different type of yarn (that was intentional! I'm so smart!) and I can't wait to dig right in to each. YUMMY YARN.
I am knitting.... I'm almost 2/3 of the way done with my sunrise circle jacket, and I'm cautiously optimistic that the sizing will work out. I wish I had this one done already so I could wear it! It's cool here right now- mid 50s this morning- but we're supposed to be back up in the mid-80s by this weekend. Ugh.
11.01.2007
HALELUJAH!
I have PASSED the Texas Bar Exam. WOOT!
For some reason, I want to hurl. But it's a GOOD kind of hurl. :-)
For some reason, I want to hurl. But it's a GOOD kind of hurl. :-)
10.30.2007
AURGH
So I'm knitting the Sunrise Circle Jacket (warning-PDF!!!!) from Interweave, Spring 2006. I really like it so far- hopefully it'll turn out well.
The back is done, and so far the sizing is spot on, even though I couldn't get gauge with the Cascade 220.
I had almost finished the left sleeve- knit from wrist to shoulder- when I realized that I had cast on for the smallest size, not the largest (which, naturally, is the size I'm knitting.)
AAAAAURGH. An entire SLEEVE, which is misery anyway, down the tubes. Blech. Naturally, I ripped it out and am now 4 inches into the second sleeve. Except that it's really the first sleeve.
Kill me now.
The back is done, and so far the sizing is spot on, even though I couldn't get gauge with the Cascade 220.
I had almost finished the left sleeve- knit from wrist to shoulder- when I realized that I had cast on for the smallest size, not the largest (which, naturally, is the size I'm knitting.)
AAAAAURGH. An entire SLEEVE, which is misery anyway, down the tubes. Blech. Naturally, I ripped it out and am now 4 inches into the second sleeve. Except that it's really the first sleeve.
Kill me now.
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