Funky Knits: Say hello to my little friend.

It's a photo extravaganza today! Some FO's, a little yarn porn, and a bunch of a hot, cranky zoo animals! Really, what more could you ask for?

So to start, the pig is done!

Pattern is from World of Knitted Toys and the yarn is Lion Brand Microspun. The knitting is not hard at all, but the seaming and the making up was a pain. For one thing, all the increases/decreases are performed right on the edge. Also, the microspun is nightmarish. Too be fair, I was aware of this before I used it, based on other reviews on the net. And it is not all bad as a yarn - it is insanely soft and the stitch definition is amazing. But trying to work with it while it splits into a million plies is a headache. The result, however, is a soft and cuddly piggy! How I love pigs...just like this guy here!

Dies...of....cuteness!

Next I have a finished modified Zeeby's bag. This was something I knit over 2 years ago. The pattern is from Stitch 'n Bitch, and the yarn is Cascade 220. The color is a marled red and black. As I mentioned in a previous post, I was never happy with the result (bad seams, really floppy/stretchy). So I decided to felt the sucker just for the heck of it.

It shortened more heightwise than it did lengthwise, but other than that the felting was fairly even. It is very fully felted so it is thick and sturdy, and the straps don't really stretch much at all. I'm pleased with the result, but in all honesty, it still won't be used much since I prefer a bag with a zipper (and I really don't have the stamina to try and put a zipper on this bag). I think it will be good for times though when I am going on a trip and want to carry projects/clunky objects.

It was my birthday on Tuesday, and I was fortunate enough to receive a lot of wonder ful gifts from family and friends. But the best gift of all was from my fiance - he set forth on his own the yarn shop on a mission. A mission for laceweight and sock yarn. This was what he surprised me with. Behold!

Cherry Tree Hill supersock and LORNA'S LACE HELEN'S LACE!!! (hyperventilates slightly) The sock yarn is a color called "Peacock" and the lace is "Black Watch". I was completely floored when I opened this gift. Knitters, if your significant other buys you Lorna's Lace, you know they are a keeper! It will be a while before I know what I want to do with the yarn, but for now it is nice just to stare at it reverently. By the way, although the sock yarn is the one that is called "peacock", doesn't the lace remind you of the colors of that fabulous bird? See what I mean:

The rest of birthday was fun as well. I had dinner that night at Buca di Beppo's with my fiance Aaron, my best friend Mary Ann, and her SO Alex - it included a free birthday dessert, the Chocolate Vesuvius, a giant mountain shaped brownie covered with chocolate and caramel sauce.

I spent that morning at the Austin zoo with Aaron. It was about ten zillion degrees, and clearly the animals were not pleased. We had a good time though - here are some of the more entertaining photos.