Thursday, February 26, 2009

done and done

Or, done and nearly done. First the done:


Misti Alpaca Chunky in Urban Autumn. So soft, so warm. It's a little on the short side because I only had one ball to work with, but it's so insulating that it's fine. No color pooling, I'm happy to admit.

And, as for my 'nearly done', the cropped cardigan I am working on just needs some ribbing on the bottom and the sleeves, and it'll be in the finished objects category.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Challenge

I did it. I began my first non-accessory knitted item. Thanks to the very helpful sales associate at Stitch Craft, (which is a very nice LYS that's closer than my favorite CloseKnit but without the super impressive selection) I felt prepared to take on a project to challenge my skills. I know more accomplished knitters would sneeze at the antrophologie inspired capelet but for me this is a rather frightening undertaking. Keeping track of the increases, making sure I have a consistent tension, putting the sleeves on hold then going back to them, all of these things are unchartered territory for me. I started today and my goal is to have it done in a week, which seems doable. It is a relatively small project after all, only requiring the three balls of Rowan Little Big Wool that I scored at the sale last weekend. Here's my progress so far:

This looks tiny in the picture but in actuality that hole is a neck hole big enough for my neck to fit in. I've done about 4 inches so far, starting from the top, and to the best of my knowledge no mistakes yet.

Now for Hula show and tell. She is so cute, she still thinks she's a tiny puppy, even though she's almost 2 and weighs over 60 pounds. She loves to cuddle and to be held.

She'll hold still when Chris carries her around, she loves the attention.

Look at those frog legs! She lays like that, or with her legs sticking straight out behind her, all the time.
Disregard dirty clothes, they were wrestling while I separated the laundry.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Loot.

Huge sale at my favorite yarn store this weekend. Selected yarns 40% off, all the rest 20% off. A-mazing. In addition to that, this place is in Portland (Oregon) which means no sales tax! I had a couple of projects I wanted yarn for in mind so I didn't come away with huge amounts of stuff, like the lady in front of me in line who bought over $300 dollars worth of purple Lorna's Laces. But I did get some Rowan Little Big Wool and some Misti Aplaca Chunky. These are destined for an Anthropology-inspired caplet/shrug and a ribs and ruffles scarf.
Lovely.

In other news, I GOT AN iPHONE! My most amazing husband Chris surprised me with one when he came home from work this week. He had said he wanted me to have one when I was eligible for an upgrade, but I didn't realize it would be so soon. He did it all by himself and even got me a pink case for it, which is good because I tend to drop things a lot. I like it best for all of the awesome things it can do, and least for the actual phone part. The touch screen causes me to accidentally call people. (Me in photo enjoying new toy, disregard pajamas.)


Lastly a little recognition for one of the sweetest dogs in the world, Max, who my family got when I was about 8. He was the most loyal and loving boy ever. He even learned to kill snakes for my mom, sister and I when we'd be outside in the pastures and come across one. He'd had arthritis for the last few years and it go to a point where he could no longer walk on his own. He would have been 13 this weekend.

Max (blue merle Australian shepherd) with Hula and Cloe (the other family dog, 6 year old golden retriever). Rest in peace good boy!