November Goals and other miscellaneous odds and ends

I just had to share my daughter in her Halloween costume! Isn't she cute? Paul took her out back for a photo shoot in the dark to try out the night setting on his camera, and told her that ladybugs eat leaves. She was happy to oblige with this pose LOL.



November will hopefully prove to be quite productive on the WIP front. Of course, we all know I tend to think I can knit more than I actually can in the short timespan of a month. But, you know, that last day of the month seems to be so far off on the first, I just don't seem to be able to help myself.

First off, I am planning to finish the Swirly Girl socks. I am really liking this pattern, and the yarn I chose for it. The green is a wonderful merino sock yarn I purchased this past summer in Atlanta. The dyer can be found on Etsy (LotusYarns). I plan to purchase more of her yarn. It's been a dream to work with and I really like the colors. The contrast I am using is Claudia Handpaints' Fingering silk/merino.



Next on the list of WIPs I would like to finish in November is the Rose Wrap Shell. I finally got all the pieces put together and added the edging. All that's left is to weave in the seventybazillion and one ends, add the ribbon ties to the inside, and add buttons. If I don't go completely nuts weaving in ends, this should be done this upcoming weekend.



I didn't get the Dragon Scale Gauntlets finished in October, but they were my first FO of November. I like the pattern, but I'm thinking a solid color yarn would have been a better choice for this project.



I began the needle felting on the too small Ravenna Satchel yesterday while watching football. I didn't get very far, but I plan to spend some quality time with it this weekend. The ladies in the KAL were right. Even with just a bit of the needlefelting done, I can tell that it will make a huge difference in the looks of the bag. I bought some green handles at my LYS Saturday and plan to either use this as a handbag for myself or possibly gift it to someone. Along with having this finished by month's end, I would like to have the (hopefully fullsize) other one I currently have on the needles finished too.



I ran across some nifty crochet patterns in Ravelry Friday night and started one of them on Saturday. This will be a bellydance hipscarf, and it's going so quickly I should be done with it by next Monday when I start the intermediate classes. Along with this pattern, I also found a dance top, gauntlets, ankle warmers, zil covers, and a bag to carry my dance gear in. Eventually I will have all of them!



I have spent quite a bit of time with the Moorish Stripe Socks, and plan to have them done in November. Next time I want to make fair isle monstrous mutant mansocks on size 0 needles, would someone kindly kick me in the rear and remind me of all my whining about this pair?

Not pictured, but on the list of WIPs I want to complete in November, are the Sweetie Pie Cami, and a Pond Turtle for me. It's a long list, but I think fairly doable.

When I got home from work today there were 2 packages waiting for me.

I received my "Knitter's Treasure Swap" package from Lillian in Canada. She was a great swap partner. I hope she likes what's in her box as much as I like what was in mine.

I received:

IK Holiday Gifts 2008 (great pair of fingerless mitts in there I have got to make)

Japanese Crochet book (lots of great patterns I can't wait to try out)

post it notes

magnet

puppy dog bookmark

lip balm

lavender soap

mini crochet hook

hand made birch needles

Noro Sock yarn

2 skeins Blue Sky Alpacas alpaca/silk

The alpaca yarn is so yummy! I've been petting it all evening. Can't wait to find the perfect pattern for it.

The other package was my "Holiday Ornament Swap" package. Suzanne was my partner this time around and I received 2 great ornaments. The mittens are adorable and I love how elegant the gold/pearl one is.

She also sent me a bar of dark chocolate mint, which is all but gone now, and some hazelnut creme coffee which will get me going tomorrow morning. All of that was boxed up in this adorable handpainted box which will be a great decoration on a table in the livingroom for the holidays. Along with the ornaments and treats, she sent a bone dog toy she knitted for Doppler. He's making out pretty well in swaps LOL. It's so cute how he's playing with it. He almost never plays with toys, but he's playing fetch with this all by himself. Throwing it across the room, then chasing it. And when he gets bored with that, he's using it as a pillow LOL.

Below are photos of the items I sent Suzanne. The vase cover is from Vogue Holiday 2008, and I can't remember where I found the idea for the crocheter's ornament, but when I saw Suzanne crocheted too, I couldn't resist making her one. There will be one just like it on my own tree this year.

A couple FOs, a couple almost FOs, and progress on a new project

I fell a bit behind in the Monthly Dishcloth KAL with vacation and that spurt of casting on too many new projects (yet again!), but I'm happy to say that I have now caught up and finished the first dishcloth for July.



Last night I put the finishing touches on the La Mer scarf. Not sure the beads I bought are the right shade of blue, but they'll work. I really enjoyed getting back into crocheting and think I need to subscribe to Interweave Crochet and make more of the projects I like in it.



Speaking of crochet projects I like, I made a bit more progress on the Santa Fe Shawl. Now I just need to weave in all the ends from the new motifs added. I can't imagine waiting til it's all done to do all that weaving! Since I'm planning to connect the ends to make more of an asymetrical capelet instead of shawl, I'm trying to get most of the motifs done on the top edge first so I can judge if I need to leave some off to make it fit right. This might prove to be a bit tricky.



Granite is well on it's way to being a FO. The front and back are done and seamed at the shoulders. The first sleeve is over 1/2 done. I'm looking at this being done sometime next week if I keep working on it at my current rate.






Not pictured tonight is the Ab Fab Throw. One more diamond and it will be done except for the weaving of ends and possibly the tassels. I say possibly since tassels always seem to get tangled and look nasty if you have to launder a throw. Haven't made up my mind yet if the afghan really needs the tassels.

Lately it's been about the crochet

When Paul and I went to Atlanta, I taught my niece *J* to crochet. Since then, I've been a bit compulsive about starting crochet projects. I currently have 3 going, and several more are on my list of projects to complete.

*J* got herself a Ravelry account while I was there and last week she started a group for crocheted purses. How could I not join? All I had to do was find a purse or bag that was crocheted, I liked, and I had the yarn for. I found a great bag using Ravelry's pattern finder that I felt would look great in some Bernat Handicrafter cotton I had in the stash for dishcloths. Once finished, I plan to put a nice lining in it and use it to tote my projects around in. The construction for the bag is unique. I'm half done with the granny squares and it looks like a giant L right now.





The next crochet project I started is the Santa Fe Shawl from Interweave Crochet Summer 2008. I love the construction of this shawl! Each motif is simple to construct and attaching them together is a breeze. Although this is a shawl, the photo in the magazine made it look more like an asymetrical poncho. I think I may connect the ends together to achieve the same look when I'm done.



Of course, crocheting isn't all I've been doing. I've done a fair amount of knitting this past week too. As if I didn't have enough going on, I decided to cast on yet another project. Below is Eerie from Rowan 43. The pattern is very easy to memorize and it's done in only 2 pieces. Stitches are cast on to construct the sleeves so there will only be 2 seams once complete. I can't wait to get this sweater done. The Kidsilk Haze is a dream to work with.



I've just about completed the front for Granite too. Just have to do the neck and shoulder shaping on the left side.

Good Grief!!

I did one heckuva lotta knitting since my last post, but my WIP list grew!! Oh well, I guess I should give up on the idea of not casting on new projects until I finish some already started ones. I'm starting to depress myself with my complete lack of willpower when there is beautiful yarn within my grasp.

I finally have a photo of the finished Clementine Shawlette that I made for my MIL's birthday. I think she wore it every day we were there.




During the drive to Texas (yes, we're crazy and drove from Columbus, OH to Dallas, TX), I finished up Megan's Mitts. I sent them home with her Dad, who was visiting too. Should hear soon if the kids like their handknitted gifts. It's a good thing I'm giving up on that not casting on thing, since now I am itching to cast on a pair of these, complete with fingers, for myself.



Sitting in the hotel during the evenings, I finished up the knitting of the Fyne vest, with the exception of the armbands and collar. I didn't knit this flat like the pattern stated. Instead I knit it entirely in the round, adding steeks for the v-neck and armholes. Since this yarn wasn't really made for steeking, I had to wait until I got back home to sew and cut my steeks. Wore it to work today, and got some nice compliments on it.




Of course, I had to buy some yarn while there so I could make a little something for Paul and I to remember our trip. For myself I chose some scrumptious angora yarn to make the girliest mittens I have ever seen in m life. I've finished the first and should finish the second in a couple of days. These photos don't show the halo on these things very well, but I will get a shot of that once they are complete.






Paul chose to have a hat made just like the one I made Brian. I was amazed when he brought over a skein of Tonalita and told me he wanted his hat made of those colors. I think he's a secret fiber enthusiast, since that's the yarn I used to make Brian's hat. He did choose some nice colors though, no?



The new project I decided to start on the trip was a pair of gloves (which was abandoned as soon as I got that angora on the needles!). I'm hoping to have this first glove done this weekend, and perhaps I can get the second done by next weekend. Not sure though, since I'm not taking any time off work for the holidays this year.



I picked up some Rowan Tapestry about a week before we left with the intention of knitting a great tam designed by a Ravelry acquaintance. It doesn't look like much now, but I think these colors are really going to be beautiful in this pattern. A couple more knitting sessions and we shall see.

I have a couple more photos on the other camera, but the batteries died so I can't download them tonight. Those should be posted tomorrow, and I'll give a few more details about the trip and my next probably impossible goal regarding knitting.

Plan of Attack

Every day I log into my Ravelry account and see those 13 WIP I groan. It's one thing to have them all tucked away in the craft room, and quite another to have them staring accusingly at you on a daily basis. I really need to get this situation under control.

With that in mind, I buckled down and finished up all the pieces of the Amigurumi Turtle, which Paul has affectionately named Snappy Tom, and sewed them all together. Although this photo looks pretty good, I am planning on redoing the eyes and embroidery on the face. You can't tell at this angle, but poor Snappy Tom has a definite vision problem. If it weren't for his shell, he could be mistaken for a chameleon. I'll take a few more photos once I do some serious work on his facial features.



In order to get the WIP situation under control, I obviously need to do some actual knitting on some of them, and quit setting them aside when a new project takes my fancy. Unfortunately, some of these WIPs have lost their appeal entirely for me.

One such project is the Double Eyelet socks. Socks in general have lost their appeal to be quite honest. The 52PP kinda killed the magic. Instead of forcing myself to work on a project I'm not feeling the love for until it's complete, I'm breaking it down into manageable bits. Two repeats a day on this is making progress, and the charm is starting to return I might add. I should be able to put the finishing touches on the first sock this week, and have the pair done mid November at the latest. (12 WIP to go)



Another project that has lost it's magic is the Everlasting Bagstopper. Again, 2 repeats a day will have this finished up by next weekend. (11 WIP to go)



I'm seeing a trend here with patterns that have a never ending repeat of 4 rows or so as the ones I lose interest in. The Clementine Shawlette is one such pattern. I'm just glad that I decided to knit both pieces at once or this might never get done. Once again, 2 repeats is the extent to which I can work on this project before my mind starts to wander or I get the urge to go do laundry or scrub a floor. You know a project has lost it's appeal when housework draws you away from your knitting and you feel relief. This WIP is much closer to being done than it looks and I believe I can have it finished up next weekend. (10 WIP to go)



Although I didn't take a new photo (since it looks almost exactly like the last one I took), I've been doing a few rows a day on the Asymetrical Alpaca Jacket I started about this time last year. It will be awhile before it's at the top of the WIP list, but at least there's some progress.

Even with all the 2 repeats here, 2 repeats there, on other WIP, I have managed to stick with my daily quota of one background color on the Mary Tudor cardigan.



Since I know that there is no way I will be able to finish all my current WIPs before giving in to the urge to cast on one of the multitude of projects I have waiting in the wings, I am not going to even attempt it. I will instead work towards decreasing the WIP count steadily and cast on selectively.

Worrying over my WIPs always makes me want to retreat to the solace only casting on a new project can provide, so yesterday I didn't deny myself and cast on for the Fyne Vest I bought yarn for a couple weeks ago. I only worked on it for long enough to take the edge off before going back to completing my daily WIP goals.



The next batch of WIPs to receive attention will be:

• Stansfield 27 Socks
• Leg Cozies
• Lace Knee Highs

And next up on the cast-on list are:

• December Lights Tam
• Braided Cable glove with fur trim
• Russian Coat

Wish me luck!!

Turtle Parts!!

Ain't they cute? I've picked at this project a bit here and a bit there. I'll probably put a bit more effort into it this week and try to have it finished up this weekend. Woohoo one more WIP down.



I've pulled out the Clementine Shawlette recently too and am doing a bit of work on it each night. My MIL mentioned again to Paul that she'd love to have something to keep her shoulders warm. I really want to get this done soon since the weather is finally turning cool.



The Mary Tudor cardigan is now in progress. I thought I'd never get done with the border. Can I just say that garter stitch in the round in fair isle sucks! It might not be so bad if I learned how to purl continental, but I haven't had the discipline to learn that yet. If I complete one section of background color each day, I should be able to complete this cardigan by the first of February.



And, because I forgot to post this last week, and was asked to do so .....

here's a photo of the front of Knitfitt's nonmitts. I love the lace pattern and the little flair the picot hem gave the cuff.



Just in case anyone has wondered if Doppler the weather radar dog is neglected with all the knitting I do, just take a look at how he spent his Monday evening! Looks pretty comfy doesn't he?

Gifts, socks, and a mystery solved

A package was waiting for me yesterday when I got home from work. When I saw the return address, I just knew what was inside and immediately tore into it. Aren't these great! I love them .... thank you soooo much bfmomma! These are going to come in so handy in my craft room once I start decluttering and organizing.

Now I'm really feeling guilty since I haven't gotten one nibble on my offer to Pay It Forward. I might have take some creative license with the concept in order to not be the one to break the chain.



And look what else was in the box! Her daughter made me some stitch markers. Isn't that the sweetest? Tell her I said thank you. I'm sure these will be seen in photos of works in progress on the blog in short time.



There wasn't quite as much knitting done last week as I thought there would be what with Paul being out of town. My neck has been bothering me again so I didn't push it too much.

I did get one of the Solstice Slip socks done, and am 1/2 way through the foot of the second. Should be able to get these finished up this weekend.



Last night I pulled out one of the gift projects I need to get finished up in September. Don't need to worry too much about posting photos here, since I'm 99% sure the recipient spends zero time on the computer. Yep, it's another pair of monstrous mutant mansocks. This time in a fair isle pattern of my own design. Sure hope these turn out as great as I planned.



I also did a few more inches of the Double Eyelet sock. Since these are for me, I'm not too worried about getting them done quickly.



And, last but not least .... Mystery Solved!! I finally finished the last clue of Mystery Stole 3 and did the blocking last night. Ignore the mess surrounding the poor thing. The only place I have that has enough room and enough light for the photo was my horribly cluttered and disorganized craft room.



Unless I get so close you can't see but a few inches of the stole you can't see the beads, but take it on faith that they do show up and sparkle quite nicely when the light hits them.



Ooooh look! I didn't even realize my toes were in this photo until I uploaded it to the blog LOL. Drats, should have painted the toenails last night!



I chose to block the "wing" section into points as that seemed appropriate to the feather pattern. Can't wait for fall to get here now so I can wear it out.

Finished up the first Crosshatch Lace sock this afternoon. I love this pattern, and think I'll be using it again in the future. This yarn (Online Summer Cotton) worked great with the pattern. The color changes were just suble enough to not obliterate the lace, and the lace is not so busy as to detract from the striping in the yarn.



I also pulled out the Clementine Shawlette, which has been ignored for the past few days. A few more increase rows and I can put the pattern away and just knit til I run out of yarn. I'm thinking I might make a beaded ring to help my MIL keep this in place around her shoulders. The KP Ambrosia yarn is a dream to work with, and I will probably stock up on some to make myself a sweater with.



After finishing up the first Crosshatch Lace sock, I decided to pull out another pair to work on for a bit. Although I have others which have been on the needles longer, I chose the Double Eyelet socks I shouldn't have cast on last week. I'm getting close to the gusset increases. These are knitting up much quicker than I thought they would. Sock Princess asked for the link to the pattern. It can be found on The Loopy Ewe blog and is courtesy of Wendy at Wendy Knits!



Tomorrow: Mystery Stole Clue 6, and hopefully quite a bit of progress on the second Crosshatch Lace sock.