Wool + 100 degrees = Urg.

Thanks to those who left comments on my last few posts - I really appreciate it!

I've started the next gift - Unisex Gloves from One Skein for my dad, done in Cascade 220 superwash.

Even with the air conditioning going lately, it has been very warm in the apartment, and it is making the knitting difficult. Cascade is a slightly rougher wool so it doesn't glide smoothly through my hands like the Karabella Aurora 8. Don't get me wrong - I think this yarn is right for the project. In fact, I've started to think of these gloves as the "Rustic Gloves" - I like the combination of a dark neutral color, slightly coarse wool, and cables. I think they will make a nice "manly" glove for my dad.

Speaking of my parents, they are visiting my fiance and I for several days starting this Saturday. I've very excited since they live far away, and this is the first I'll have seen them since last November! The problem is our place is a wreck. Don't believe me?

Here's our living room:
And here is the dining room table:
I don't think I should go on, you get the picture (no pun intended). So I need to devote some time to cleaning this week. I don't know how much knitting I'll get done, especially once they actually get there. Also somewhat problematically, I can't start any other gifts until I buy some more yarn! Guess I need to mosey on over to the LYS (or go on a mad spree on Knitpicks).

Pictures of a cleaned up apartment later this week!

Cabled Footies - Finished!

Pattern: Cabled Footies from One Skein (One small pair, one large pair)
Yarn: Karabella Aurora 8 (One pair in white, one in blue)
Modifications: Several modifications this time:
1)I placed a purl stitch between the outermost cables on top of the foot and the stockinette of section of the bottom so as to keep the cable separate and distinct.
2) I ended the toe shaping at 16 stitches rather than 8. Decreasing to 8 stitches created an elf-like super-pointy toe.
Fairly minor modifications, but I really felt they improved the look of the final product.
Gifts for: My grandmothers.

These were a fun knit, and went really fast (it took about a week to finish two pairs). I also got to try out a new technique, cabling without a cable needle. I've definately a convert; it is so much easier and faster than using a cable needle. This yarn makes for a wonderfully soft and comfy slipper-sock. This would be a great project for someone still relatively new to sock knitting!

Blankity-blank on a blank!

Knitters Anonymous is having a fun contest right now in which you take pictures showing "_____(animal) on a _____ (inanimate object)" to celebrate the release of "Snakes of a Plane". I had a lot of fun with this idea! Behold:

Pig in a blanket! (Sorry, couldnt' resist)
Manatee in the pants!
Penguin in a cookie jar!

Onigiri on a flip-flop!

MINI-CTHULU ON MY LIFELESS CORPSE! AAAIIIEE!!!

Midwest Moonlight - Finished!

Midwest moonlight is complete!




Pattern: Midwest Moonlight from Scarf Style
Yarn: Debblie Bliss Cathay (cotton/silk/microfibre), 4 1/2 balls used
Modifications: None
Recipient: This is a Christmas gift for my fiance's sister.

I did not block it - I really don't think it needs it. I may give it a light blocking closer to Christmas, but probably not. I'm very pleased with how it turned out, and I would recommend the yarn to anyone - it is cool, soft, and beautiful. None of the pictures I've taken of this scarf have ever conveyed the beauty of the yarn in person. I'm very pleased with how this turned out. Good pattern, and very easy to learn. In fact, the only down side is I got pretty bored after a while because it was so basic!

Bliss.

Worsted weight, 100% merino socks. Life is good.

I've been blogging for a month!

Hmmm, what is this mysterious package that came in the mail?











Why, it's my new blocking wires from Knitpicks! Hooray!





Also, check out the gift counter in the side bar - the total I am shooting for now is 18. I added several gift recipients to my list, including my best friend's boyfriend, another female friend of mine, and the two dogs owned by my fiance's sister and brother-in-law.

No, I'm not crazy, why would you think that?

The pitter patter of little balls of yarn falling on the carpet.

I must confess that I have gotten very little done in the way of knitting recently. Most of my time has been spent on reading or playing Shadow Hearts Covenant. But! I recently added some new acquisitions to my stash and knitting library, so hopefully that will jumpstart things. My brother got me an amazon.com gift certificate for my birthday which I used to get Barbara Walker's first "Treasury of Knitting Patterns."

I love it! It's a beautiful book. I've heard some complaints about the old black and white photos, but I found most of the photos to be very clear - it is not difficult at all to make out the patterns. Walker's books are so inspiring, and I hope to have them all eventually - but at $30 a pop it may take me a little while!

Part of an order I made to Knitpicks came as well. I had ordered some blocking wires/pins, plus some color cards, but the wires are still on their way.

It may be hard to tell from the photo, but there are seven color cards. Some of the yarns have fewer colors and only take up one "page", while others take up two (they all cost the same amount). The samples are from left to right: (top row) merino style, (middle row) gloss, main line, shine worsted, elegance, (bottom) wool of the andes, and andean silk. I have knit with two of these yarns before actually (shine - although in sport weight, and andean silk). I've been wanted color cards for a while since it can be very hard to really get an accurate idea of the colors just by looking online - these yarns were the ones I thought I would be most likely to buy in the future.

I went to Bluebonnet Yarn Shop recently as well, and here are my spoils.

One ball of Cascade 220 Superwash and 6 balls of Karabella Aurora 8 (3 blue, 3 cream). The Cascade is to make gloves for my dad for x-mas (One Skein - unisex gloves). The Karabella is to make two pairs of cabled footies for my grandmothers (One Skein again). I made my dad a brown scarf last year, so the gloves will "match". Man, do I love going to the yarn shop. But it is almost like a form of exquisite torture since I can never afford to buy everything I want to.

Finally, some progress on the Midwest Moonlight Scarf.

It's coming along. It's very easy - I memorized the pattern after one repeat, and can do it even when watching t.v. I am already a bit bored with it to be honest. Close to 2/5 of the way done. I have to say, I am not yet satisfied with any of the pictures I've taken of it - none of them do it justice. I will be a beautiful garment when it is done. Progress will likely just get slower though, as I will not be able to resist starting another gift soon. Mmm, cabled footies...

Slow days of summer

I have been a bit remiss in my posting habits lately. Frankly, not much has happened worth bloggin (not knitwise anyway). The Midwest Scarf is coming along, a bit slowly, but surely. Not worth a new pic though! My poor print o' the wave stole has been languishing for a while now. This weekend I will be going on a trip to Oklahoma (to visit fiance's grandmas), so it is coming with me, and hopefully I will make some progress. I treated myself to new Vogue and Interweave magazines as well for reading material. Till next week!