WIP Wednesday – The Rule Of Three

I decided something recently.  I should never ever ev-er be allowed to have more than 3 WIP’s going at one time.  That’s not to say I haven’t indulged my bad habits in the past, but I’m attempting (emphasis on that last word) to change my evil ways.  I’m turning over a new leaf in my desire to simplify my life because, ultimately, simplicity is what I’m seeking and needing most right now.  Though I absolutely abhor odd numbers, 3 seems like just the right amount: 1 test knit (that rchrispy is a busy girl writing her patterns & such!), 1 Warm Woolies project, and 1 WIP which should most preferably be a UFO that needs finishing.  It’s the perfect amount of challenge, mixed with simple but karmically fulfilling, mixed with the sense of satisfaction that only comes from finishing a project (finally!).  So three it is.

And the current roundup?
 

A Pretty Hem

 

#1:  Pink Fluffy a.k.a. Bell-Sleeved Scoop-Neck Top from Glam Knits by Stefanie Japel (on Ravelry here).  I’m using the suggested yarn – Blue Sky Alpacas Brushed Suri – and it is oh so soft I swear I may never take it off once I put it on that first time.  If I could marry a yarn, this would probably be it.  Except it’s such a little bitch sometimes that I almost broke off our relationship, but luckily I came to my senses.  The body is finished and it just needs sleeves and a neckline.  I wanted to magic loop the sleeves but I didn’t have the right length and size of circs so I ordered a few interchangeable needles from Knit Picks which are in the mail as I type.  This will also give me a feel for their interchangeable needles and help me decide if I want to buy a whole set or not.  The gal at my LYS suggested I borrow them from somebody before committing to the whole set, but I don’t know anyone that has any.  Then Maryse posted about buying a couple needle tips and a couple cables to go with them and I figured – genius!  So I totally copied her :)  Thanks Maryse!

 

Another Hem Shot!

 

#2:  Mystery Sweater for Warm Woolies (on Ravelry here).  I’ve finished the hem pattern and am now in the straight stockinette portion.  I love the color of this yarn and I almost wish it was going to be for me (are you even surprised?)!  Sometimes mindless stockinette can be so soothing and I’m really glad that I have something in this stage right now so I can just pick it up whenever and knit a few rows without thinking too hard.

 

#3:  Secrety Squirrel Test Knit for rchrispy.  Sorry guys, no Ravelry linkies or pics to show.  But it’s in rotation and I’m working on it.  You probably won’t see it for a year (that’s my deadline) but I’m sure I’ll bring it up now and then.  Just ’cause I can.  ‘Nuff said.

 

Our New NordicTrack Treadmill

 

And because I’m the biggest work-in-progress of all, here’s our new toy (if you think it’s cool to call instruments of torture, toys).  Yep.  We gots us a treadmill.  I took the inaugural run last night (and then proceeded to bike 4 miles with R. Darling while he ran some trails) and spent some more time on there this afternoon.  My bikini better appreciate all the hard work I’m putting in.

 

So what are you working on?

Ocean Waves

So check it. I finally finished my first sweater for the Warm Woolies 10 for 10 by 2010 Challenge.  I decided, for now, that I don’t like how small the clickable pics were in the last post, so I’m back to the what you see is what you get images I had before.  I will probably try to mess around some more with the formatting, but I’ll keep you posted.

Maybe it’s the holiday weekend, or maybe it’s just that I’m so bone-tired these past couple weeks that I can barely stay awake long enough to go to work and go home, but I’m not feeling super chatty.  No funny vignettes to report or kooky goings on to share.  But I figure, I got an FO, so I should totally post it before I forget to.  Then, maybe I’ll go get myself some more coffee and try to make myself useful.  Laundry and dishes await.
 
 

 

 

Pattern: Ocean Waves by Peggy Boisvert (on Ravelry here)

Yarn: About 4.6 skeins of Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride Bulky in “Blue Heirloom”

Needles: Size 10.5 – 24″ & 16″ bamboo circulars

Mods: Hmmm….. this pattern is more of a “recipe” so I guess that I probably kind of modified it a lot in the sense that I just did whatever I wanted to the whole time; magic looped the sleeves

New Techniques: This was a Percentage System sweater which was totally new to me, so I learned a lot about that as I went along

Time Lapse: April 5, 2009 – May 13, 2009

Comments: This pattern was definitely “pithy” as it is self-described by the creator.  I had to do quite a bit of math and figuring out of the Percentage System (this article was invaluable), as well as guesstimation of what size would fit a 10-15 year old (How long to make the body? How long to make the arms?  Would it fit?).  Though I found that sort of annoying at first (I’m very much a “tell me exactly what to do” kind of gal) it was also sort of liberating once I’d figured out how to do it myself.  And when the sweater turned out to be something that actually looked like a sweater that might kind of fit someone, I felt just the wee-est bit proud of myself.  I might actually make another sweater using this system in the future as it was kind of fun to go patternless once the initial fear was over.  This will be my first sweater for the Warm Woolies 2010 challenge and I’ve got to make at least 4 more to qualify.  When I connected the sleeves to the body, I knit about 1.5″ straight before starting my decreases which kind of elongated the body and placed the cable further down on the sweater than I think is aesthetically pleasing. But I did it because Warm Woolies requested extra room in the underarms so the kids can wear many layers underneath their sweaters, and not enough room in that spot could cause the layers to bind up uncomfortably. I guess it won’t matter if the sweater fits with extra length since they practically wear them as coats anyway, but I’m not sure I like how it looks visually. But that’s just me. On a side note, I bought this yarn as seconds from a site I found a while back and I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised.  I expected tons and tons of knots, and out of the 5 skeins I used only the first ball had any knots at all.  Granted, it had like 3 or so, but I expected them all to be like that.  Just sayin’.  I will probably be more likely to buy yarn from there again next time now that I know what to expect.
 
And, because I got nothin’ else to say and it’s always fun to do, here’s the Friday Fill-In a day late:

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Friday Fill-In #125
(get yours here)
 

1. Moving is always a great time to get rid of things you don’t need or want anymore (including old boyfriends).

2. Love is free.

3. My best quality is modesty? Or maybe sympathy for others.

4. Don’t sweat the details.

5. In nearly 10 years, I will be way older than I even want to think about.

6. Another massage and some soft serve ice cream is what I need right now!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to hanging out with my man, tomorrow my plans include maybe going to Seattle with Miami and Monday, I want to knit knit knit!

 

Hope you all have a wonderful holiday weekend!  Eat an extra grilled food of your choice for me :)

 

And… an outtake!  No makeup, wet hair, gah!  It’s so scary I can’t believe I’m sharing :)  But check it out – my sweater fits!  Even if the arms are a bit short……

 

Playing With Yarn

That’s what I’ve been doing for over a week now.  For some reason I’m finding it really soothing to start putting some order back into the chaos my life has become over the past few months.  And what better way to start it off than with something I already love messing around with anyway?  So I’m taking photographs, I’m buying rubbermaid tubs and giving them crazy names like “For Those About To Sock”, “Worsted Wonderland” and “A Fine Mess”, to help me remember what’s what.  I’m busting out the label maker and putting every crazy detail into Ravelry.  It’s like drinking without the hangover.  I can touch all my gorgeous yarns and overindulge in every way, yet refrain from starting something new and getting myself in too deep with WIP’s (something you already know I have a problem with).  Plus, everything is contained, instead of spilling out of bags and boxes in the office.  Sometimes, it’s just good to be OCD.

I know I said I’m refraining from starting new projects, but the good thing is, this leaves me motivation to finish old ones.  And I’m trying.  Really I am.  But Cherry Fizz keeps whispering to me in the dark, tempting my willpower.  So far I’m resisting the siren call.  But who knows how long I can hold out.  I mean, I have the yarn and pattern already.  But I did say something about finishing, didn’t I?  At last, an FO to show you!   Behold!  Spirogyra!
 

(I’m trying a new thing where the images can be clicked on for a larger version.  It looks kinda small to me in this size, but we’ll see how it goes….)

 

Pattern: Spirogyra by Lynn Vogel (on Ravelry here)

Yarn: 1 ball + a few yards from a second ball, of Frog Tree Alpaca Sportweight (stash baby!)

Needles: Size 3 Addi Turbo circs & Size 2 Knit Picks Harmony 40″ fixed circs for Magic Loop

Mods: None except to use Magic Loop instead of dpn’s

New Techniques: Nope.

Time Lapse: February 7, 2009 – March 21, 2009

Comments: These were made for a Random Act Of Kindness gifty that I promised to Andrea (Agaknit on Ravelry) in February.  With all the crap I’ve been through over the past few months, they kinda languished a bit but I finally got them out to her a couple weeks ago.  I thought the lace pattern was perhaps a little lost in the fuzz of the alpaca, but both Andrea and rchrispy mentioned they liked the fuzz factor.  So that made me happy!  This yarn is definitely super soft and the cherry red is such a pretty color.  I like the pattern very much and may one of these days, make a pair for myself.
 
Now.  Back to the stash!

From Acorns To Oaks

The past few days haven’t been the best. I guess I have a lot to learn about true grief. Maybe I thought I could just cry my tears, wipe my eyes after a time, and then pack the sadness away in a box stored next to last year’s Christmas decorations. But grieving feels more like a process rather than a singular event; something that ebbs and floods, turning me over and over in the tide until the rough edges are smooth, only to dash me against the rocks and split me open to start the process all over again. Funny thing, sorrow. Whenever you are least expecting it, even when the sun is shining and life seems good, despair and melancholy will creep back in to twist your smile and dull your shine.

But here’s a little something that put a smile back in my day recently. A couple weeks ago my talented & super thoughtful bloggy friend Amy honored me with this sweet little award:

 

The Renee Award

 
I think the award came from here originally, and is described with these words from one of the originators:  “….this is a brand new award, and I have the pleasure and honor of spreading the seed, watching it grow.  I hope it finds its way to those who are like Renee: the acorn, a small package becoming a tall and sturdy oak giving more acorns, becoming tall and sturdy oaks, giving acorns…..”
 
Thank you so very much Amy, for this wonderful award!  I certainly don’t feel as strong as an oak these days, nor as full of potential as its little seed, but you touched me nonetheless and I am forever grateful for that.  I know that it’s my job to now pass it on to some deserving people but honestly, I’m going to chicken out and not name anyone specific (except for giving it right back to Amy!).  That sounds like a cop out, but I see it this way: each of you who comes here to read, or comment, or even just glance at the pretty pictures, are all in some way like both the acorn and the oak to me, and thus each of you deserve this award in one way or another.  From some of you, I’ve received the seeds of true friendship which have grown strong over time and will hopefully remain true through many storms and winters ahead.  From others, I have received the seeds of inspiration which will encourage the branching out of new endeavors and the planting of new seeds in faraway places.  And some of you, like the oak, have been strong and wise, protective and sentinel, watching over the sleeping acorn that is my heart until the warmth and light can penetrate it once again.  Each piece is important and without it, without you, things just wouldn’t be the same.
 
So consider yourself awarded!  And pass it on if you feel so inspired.  Thank you so much again Amy, you really did make my day :)

Friday Fill-In #123

Ocean Waves for Warm Woolies

 

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Friday Fill-In #123
(get yours here)
 

1. Apples are to oranges as drizzle is to downpour.

2. Bananas gross me out and that’s all I have to say about that.

3. I think I hear the hum of spring arriving.

4. Don’t be afraid to fly your freak flag.

5. Do what you want to do, but be mindful of others in the process.

6. Willy Wonka led the way and behind him was a Radio Flyer wagon; in the wagon was a bucket filled with everlasting gobstoppers.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to staying in and watching a movie with my man, tomorrow my plans include visiting with my Mom in honor of Mother’s Day and Sunday, I want to relax and work on my sweater for Warm Woolies!
 

Sheesh!  I had to work for that one ;)  Have a wonderful weekend Bloggy Peeps!

 

Psssst. I caved. I’m now on Twitter!

Tweet?

Could someone please tell me what the big freakin’ deal is with Twitter and Facebook anyway?  It bugs me that something I’m not even interested in could make me feel so left out and behind the times just for not joining in.  I mean, do you really want to know that I just found a dog harble the size of Mexico underneath my desk?  I should think not.  But I’m curious, I really am.  Please enlighten me on what you love best about Twitter &/or Facebook.  I’m dying to know!

Oh and I’ve had my finger poised over the “Join this group” button at the Hodge Podge Scarf Swap over on Ravelry for about 3 days now.  Please please please, would someone talk me out of this?  I don’t have time for a swap obligation but it just sounds like so much dang fun I can’t hardly stand it.  Or maybe we should just join it together……  Enabler?  Anyone?