...and the prize for least necessary purchase goes to...

Me!

I have had and loved my Lady B bag for about 9 months now, but when I saw that new "Baja" print (pink, white, and black floral with little skulls) I had to have it. As you know, Hubbo got me the new little "Gem" bag for Xmas, and I promptly spent my Xmas money from Grandma and Grandpa on a matching Lady B. Here they are together (my other Lexie Barnes bag, the "Flo" in the Little Miss Perfect print, did not get in the picture). I'm willing to let my old Lady B find a new home, you can email me if you'd like details- I really don't need them both.

I've been knitting my little brains out the past few days finishing up old projects and working on new designs (and got to see Spamalot at the Fisher last night too- plus a quick shop at City Knits while hanging around in the theater lobby). I wore Lady Eleanor and got pawed and awed by all the employees there, which was fun. In the interest of the CONTEST I'm got going to share any pics or info on my knitting just yet! If you haven't posted your guesses, get going! (Since blogland seems really quiet this week you'll probably win no matter what!)

CONTEST!

The end of the year is here again, and with it, a contest. As I did last December, fabulous prizes (shiny new knitting books!) will go to the lucky readers who are closest, but not over, to the correct:
1. Number of finished projects in 2006
2. Number of skeins in my stash
3. Number of unfinished projects still waiting to be finished

I have until the 31st to try to finish another project or two, of course! Winners will be announced January 1. (I probably should have said this earlier, but you have until you go to bed December 31 to get your guesses in.)

Good luck!

And now we sprawl on the couch, yes?

What a week! Monday and Tuesday I had rehearsals for tap, Wednesday was our tap performance, Thursday was Emma's school program, Friday was last-minute preparations for the holiday, Saturday we drove out to Grand Rapids to see the Nutcracker (a friend's daughter was in it), Sunday we went to the in-laws, and yesterday we went to my mom's for brunch and then my grandma's for dinner- whew!

I have only knit 1/2" all week, but I'm planning on doing something about that starting today! Hubbo and Emma have presents of their own to play with, so I'll be enjoying mine:



I also got a little Christmas money, which I've already used this morning to order a new Lady B bag to match my new Lexie Barnes purse (it's the new "Gem" bag). Yes, I already have a Lady B, but I ABSOLUTELY LOVE this new print- you can't tell but there's little skulls hidden in the flowers. As you can see, people were paying attention- my mother-in-law even went to the Knitting Den (in South Lyon) to get my gift- the Silk Garden, Addis, and 2 of the books). Hubbo got the rest, and yes those are pink Denise cords! My students also got me about a million Borders and Barnes and Noble gift cards so I think I'll be set in books for quite a while!

Everything was really nice and it was great to see people I don't get to see as often as I'd like. Emma remembered to thank everyone (she has a cute habit of exclaiming, "Just what I always wanted!" whenever she opens a gift) and is having a ball trying everything out. As for me, I have 2 sweaters on a deadline so I'd better get busy!

The Yarn Man Cometh

Yesterday I came home to 2 boxes, each bearing gigantic cones of SWTC yarn for the next 2 projects I'm doing for them. One was pink Love (one of the new Vickie Howell yarns) and the other 2 Inspiration (alpaca/soy) in some coordinating tealy-blue colors (I took a picture but Blogger is giving me a hard time at the moment).

Since I only have a few more days until school is out (and about a million things to do in the meantime- I have to go to rehearsals or performances on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, work all of those days, and finish 2 big heaps of paperwork), I decided to start on these on Friday.

I'm trying not to think about the gift knitting that remains unfinished.

Or the rising squalor levels around the house.

Guess I'd better get busy.

Sick!

I have spent the last 2 days in an unconscious, germy funk. This afternoon, however, I managed to stay awake long enough to put the finishing touches on Henry Rollins from Stitch n' Bitch Nation (Hubbo had better not be reading this!!) What a messed up pattern though- lots of mistakes!! Oh well, it turned out okay.


I also managed to finish the thumb of this (I started it over the weekend- I'm thinking these might make a good quick gift for someone...) It's a made-up-as-I-went-along pattern in the Zara Plus I picked up a few weeks ago on sale. I think I can finish the pair out of one ball. I'm thinking I'll do a pair for myself in Malabrigo.

Off to take another nap before dinner! Hopefully I'll feel a lot better tomorrow.

One down...

Finished a sock (this is the one in Brooklyn Handspun's Chocolate Covered Cherries) at Knitter's Night Out on Friday. It started out as a gift but got tired of making it long enough so now it's mine!

I also finished the swatches for TNNA- they're blocking quietly now. I'm on Hank's head and planning to start some fingerless gloves for moi right away because I keep wishing I had a shorter pair.

Over 8 pounds of yarn is on its way from SWTC- I've got until Thursday to work on my stuff before I'm up to my armpits in design projects!! I can't complain though.

Also, have you seen this? Now THAT is my kind of marathon! I just signed up-- let me know if you are going too!

Scarf Style, how I love thee

First it was Blue Collar. Then Lady Eleanor. Then Vintage Velvet (okay, it's not finished yet, but still) and now Ruffles. I've gotten so much use out of this book- must be that I'm a sucker for scarves (and yes, I'm wearing my bathrobe- so what?) It's long enough to wrap around twice and still hang down to my waist- and it's quite a bit shorter (about 12") than the pattern calls for- guess that would have been overkill, and would have taken another ball of yarn besides.

One more thing

I finished the scarf (the Ruffles one) last night. Didn't quite get the swatches done, but I'm working on it!

Plugging Away

First of all, I've been working on the Ruffles Scarf, now on the last ball of yarn (it won't be 80 some inches long like the pattern, but it will be long enough, I guess about 65 inches or so). This is in the Nashua Wooly Stripes I bought on the Yarn Crawl last weekend (color is Citrus).
Speaking of the Yarn Crawl, I'm proud to say I've knit 10 skeins already from my purchases last Friday. Nothing like new yarn to get you going, I guess! (I also have LOTS of yarn coming for design projects in the next week or so, so I'm loading up on personal knitting while I can!) Today I'm finishing up my swatches for the Great Wall of Yarn at TNNA and also a submission for Creative Knitting, we'll see how that goes.

What? A garter stitch scarf? Okay, okay, it's a little gift for someone who likes these things. I put together one of the balls of Trendsetter Dune I got on clearance last week with some Lambs Pride from my stash (on size 19 needles, no less) and voila! It's actually quite pretty in person, the colors match perfectly. Also, it took like 90 minutes to knit.

Last but not least, Emma decided to go for a new look- a "big girl haircut", she called it.

Better picture of the capelet, plus I'm starting to feel like I'm showing off

What's this?

Why, it's the new book Quick to Knit: Great Gifts (from Publications International )with my little scarf pattern inside! I'm starting to feel a bit boastful- there have been an awful lots of designs come out lately. You'd think I'd get used to it, but I don't! It's always a thrill.

Here's a better picture of the capelet, now dry and capable of being modeled:

I think I like it! And something new I started last night:

The pattern is Ruffles from Scarf Style (I have gotten so much use out of that book!) and the yarn is Nashua Handknits Wooly Stripes, color Citrus. The pattern is so intoxicatingly simple, yet cool looking. I'm having trouble leaving it alone.

Another FO

The little hat I finished for Emma on Tuesday- it's nearly one skein of Berroco Plush. I think she'll like it.

Yarn Crawl

Friday I enjoyed a Yarn Crawl with Beth and Sonya. We made the rounds to Old Village Yarn Shop in Plymouth, Knitting Den in South Lyon, Knit a Round (my favorite ever) in Ann Arbor, and finally a quick stop to Busy Hands (also in Ann Arbor) followed by eating too much chocolate fondue (not bad, eh?) I bought lots of Diakeito Diamusee, some other Diakeito yarn, some Koigu, SWTC Amaizing, something that ruffles when you knit it- I think it's from Online, some sock yarn, some Dune on clearance, some Zara Plus on clearance, some Nashua Wooly Stripes, some Malabrigo, and who knows what else. The only problem is I spent WAY more than I should have, though I didn't pay full price for much. My haul is pictured above (I already knit nearly 5 balls of the Diakeito Diamusee into a little capelet- see below- it's still damp and blocking). Obviously I spent the remainder of the weekend mainly knitting and lounging- pretty nice.


The pattern is roughly based on the "Grand Plan Capelet" that was in some old issue of Interweave Knits- there is a top down version I think in Wrap Style. I put a cable panel down the front, the bottom and top edges are just 2X2 rib. The cable is impossible to see in the picture though.

Also on Friday the mailman brought the yarn I have to swatch up for the Great Wall of Yarn at TNNA in January (get to keep the leftovers though!) I usually get stuck with a lot of novelties so imagine my delight to get a skein of cashmere and the rest either merino or alpaca.

New yarn and stuff

Okay. First the purchase, the new sock yarn "Jitterbug" from Colinette. The colors are all gorgeous!! The only problem is the yardage is a bit light- if you're feet are relatively small you might be in trouble. As mine are Quite Wee I think I'll be okay.

Second, I got a ball of STWC's new yarn CRAFT from the upcoming "Vickie Howell Collection." It's a cotton and MILK PROTEIN blend (yes, I said milk). Pretty neat, huh? It feels like cotton, only with a nicer hand. I don't normally like cotton but I think I'll like this. Right now I'm in the middle of discussing with them what sorts of designs I'll be working on for this and the other 2 yarns in the collection, ROCK and LOVE (and also working on some design ideas for SWTC's other new yarn, INSPIRATION (alpaca/soysilk). Looks like I'm going to be very busy soon!



Speaking of busy, I'm trying to crank out some gifts. These socks are in Brooklyn Handspun in the color "Chocolate Covered Cherries." The yardage is fabulous- nearly 500 yards per skein- so I should have more than enough for the bigger-than-usual socks I'm knitting. I'm also trying to finish Hubbo's long-awaited Henry Rollins doll from Stitch n' Bitch Nation and a little hat for Emma (almost done) out of Berroco Plush (her kind of yarn!) I'm sure I'll try to squeeze in a few more too, we'll see how it goes.

So it's Thanksgiving, and I finally have time to answer Scout's meme that she tagged me for, so here it goes:
Scout’s Meme:
1. How and when did you learn how to knit/crochet? Who taught you?
I taught myself to knit 7 years ago, from a book- I think it was the Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Needlework or something like that. An old boyfriend taught me to crochet though, in high school- I think it was about 1990 or so.
2. How has this craft impacted your life? (besides financially!)
I have learned a lot, found out how patient I can be sometimes, and got to realize a dream of designing stuff and seeing it in magazines and books. Too cool!
3. Pick at least one person to talk about who you have met through the knit-world and why you are thankful to have met them. Feel free to get all mushy.
I'd have to pick all the lovely ladies of the Detroit Area Knitters- it's been great to have knitting (and yarn shopping!) pals to meet with every week. It forces me to make time for myself and for friends, which even Hubbo thinks I really needed to do.

Okay, so I'll be patient

The January 2007 issue of Creative Knitting arrived yesterday-- without my sock pattern. One polite inquiry later, I found it has been moved to the July issue- there were space issues and socks are more year-round than heavy winter sweaters!

I've got shopping to share and finished stuff to show- more soon.

More happy things

Remember how I got those big boxes of yarn recently from Nashua Handknits and Classic Elite? Well, just now I was going through the papers that were with them (submission guidelines, etc.)and found they had included 2 posters showing Fall/Winter 2006 and Spring/Summer 2007's designs-- and on the Spring/Summer one was the tank tops I designed for them! I didn't think I'd get a look until closer to spring when the pattern books come out. What a treat!

New Jaywalkers, Blue Jaywalkers

All done (at last- these were put on hold so many times to finish something else). Done in Socks That Rock Lightweight (Lapis). I was worried I wouldn't make it since they seemed to be consuming more yarn than usual, but there was more than I thought left over (there should be- I have really small feet!) The stripeyness turned to blotchiness through the feet, but what are you going to do? Oh well. I find the STR washes better than the Koigu I used for my other pair, although the Koigu maintained its stripeyness better. I think I'd rather they wash well- I'm not one for pampering my handknit socks. If they can't survive the washer and dryer they're not for me, I'm afraid (although I am nice to my sweaters).

Look!

Right here! The new Knit n' Style is out, with my sweater in it- scroll down to the blue one called "Chunky Cables." Yay!

At last!

Okay, I'll admit it. I've been obsessively checking knitting and crochet magazines, looking for the SWTC ad with my pink sweater in it, and every time, it's the "other" ad- the one without my sweater. Sniff.

Last night, just when I thought I'd never find it, I got home (and feeling really sick, too) to find the latest issue of Yarn Market News, with the ad I've been looking for- and full page, too! :)

I'm happy now.

Tofutsies socks are finished!

Talk about a quick project- I cast on for these at Knitter's Night Out (at Have You Any Wool in Berkley) on Friday and finished them today. They are a quick and easy design for SWTC in their new Tofutsies sock yarn- the one I mentioned before that is Soysilk/wool/cotton/ with a dash of crab and shrimp shells. It looks and feels like sock yarn- soft and nice.

I found out that the sweater I did for SWTC that is appearing in the new Knit n' Style (February issue, out later this month) is on pg. 65. I haven't seen it yet myself but I know that much.

Oh, one other thing. At Knitter's Night Out I was poking through the trunk show sweaters and saw my own Simplici-Tee (a design I did for SWTC last spring, in Phoenix)! First the teddy bear kits and now this. Made me smile (and buy some yarn, but I would have done that anyway, right?)

Totoro!

He's done! I finished embroidering/crocheting his face last night. The pattern was not without its frustrating moments (needs a bit more editing, I think) but was quick and easy. I think Emma will be delighted when she wakes up in a few minutes.

This is the weekend's progress on the Touch Me scarf, which I worked on after I ran out of yarn to finish Totoro while I was gone. Now it's going to have to wait while I crank out those socks for SWTC.

I'm back!

I'm back from the conference I went to for work- I've been gone nearly a week! I managed to get very close to finishing the Totoro hat for Emma, but I didn't bring both balls of yarn and ran out while knitting the ears. I'm planning to finish it tonight, either at home or in Dearborn if I can get to SnB (I have a meeting of undetermined length to attend, plus some other things to do, so we'll see). Luckily I also brought along my Touch Me scarf, and got as far as starting the second ball. I got the yarn Jae sent to finish it yesterday, which is great, so my scarf can be its full intended length without additional yarn shopping (as much as I like it). I managed to lose both my favorite earrings (they were just from Target, don't worry) AND my little green clicky row counter at the airports (one there, one back) which added some frustration, but overall I had a pretty good time.

I got a big ball of Tofutsies while I was gone too, and am going to start on a sock design for SWTC tonight. Should be fun.

Pictures later, when I get to taking some!

Oh Frabjous Day!

Did I go completely insane at the yarn store? No- LOOK what I found on the porch when I got home!

Sample boxes from BOTH Classic Elite and Nashua Handknits for Fall/Winter 2007- 30 skeins in all! Even fancy stuff like Classic Elite Lush! I'm totally loving this. Now to come up with a design idea or two in return...

Oh the agony, and new projects

Monday I was so sore I was waddling around like a pregnant lady- and then I had to go to tap Monday night and ice skate with my class for a field trip yesterday-- what a combination!

Yesterday I also got the grey yarn I needed to make a Totoro hat for Emma, from this pattern from Hello Yarn. Emma is a huge Totoro fan. I am using the yarn called for in the pattern, from Knit Picks. I also bought just one of their circulars to try out, since they're so cheap. I also got the news that Jae will trade some of my merino sock yarn for the two skeins of Touch Me that I need for my scarf! Hubbo will be glad I'm recycling stash instead of shelling out for more.

I'm still working on my blue Jaywalkers- though I'm tempted to start a new pair for the trip I'm going on (a conference for work) tomorrow. Soon I'll be busy with design projects for SWTC again and in the meantime I'd like to try out that new skein of STR I bought!

3:22:50

Believe it or not, I actually finished the half marathon! I even did a lot better than I thought I would- 3 hours, 22 minutes, 50 seconds- 4th in my age group for walkers!

We went downtown Saturday night to pick up my number at Cobo, then stayed at the Ren Cen for the night to avoid an extra early wake up and drive in that we wanted to avoid, especially with Emma in tow. I had a nice short walk to the start from the hotel. Hubbo took this picture, which shows a good portion of the course (including the Ambassador Bridge, which I got to walk over). I also got to walk back from Canada through the Detroit-Windsor tunnel and run out on to Ford Field like one of the Lions (except I actually felt like a winner). At the start it was in the mid 30s with high winds, which of course were in my face more than it seemed they should be! The sun really helped though.

Hubbo also got a shot of me wandering around cluelessly after finishing- I felt kind of delirious (that's me in the pink tiara, of course!)

Emma and I at home (she made a tiara too) afterwards, and getting ready to eat a lot of lunch (I was soooo hungry).

Last but not least, the medal!

Yes, you can make yarn with crab shells, baby

Cool surprises from SWTC today in the mail. First, a nice present of Pure (what will I make??) in a pretty deep teal-y color. The main event, however-- samples of their upcoming yarns Tofutsies and Inspiration! Tofutsies (the variegated one) is a sock yarn with a nice feel- it's a wool/Soysilk/cotton/and CRAB & SHRIMP SHELLS blend. I'm dying for them to get more in so I can see more than just a little piece. You know how much I love to knit socks! The other new one (the natural colored one) is Inspiration, a Soysilk/alpaca blend- seems to be about a DK weight or so. I'm also looking forward to seeing samples of their new Vickie Howell collection yarns, one of which is made (no lie) of milk protein.

In other news, I've finally decided what to do with my stash of Touch Me- the Vintage Velvet scarf from Scarf Style. I've never done a reversable cable before- it's pretty neat. I don't have enough to make the whole scarf right now- so I'll probably have to suck it up and buy another ball or two (when it comes to Touch Me, that's quite an investment!)

Finally, my latest purchase of Socks That Rock- it's my first foray into mediumweight. The color is Sherbet, and while it is pretty bright I just couldn't resist it.

Socktoberfestiness

Finishing the pair is more likely to be a "Sockvember" activity though- we'll see.

Last chance!

The marathon is in a few days, and I'm only $86 short of my fundraising goal. I've got yarn and other goodies for anyone who helps me make it to $500- click here to donate before Sunday. THANKS!!

Top Secret Project #2 is done, at last

Being top secret, I can't tell you much, but it's done. It's in the new SWTC Pure yarn, which really puts the silk in Soysilk. Really. It's spun like "regular" yarn, not a tape, and is really hard to distinguish from silk, except for the fact that it has a wooly warmness to it that real silk does not. It has a lovely sheen, drapes beautifully, and has nice yardage per ball. I love it.

Look!

What I "borrowed"- the SWTC ad featuring my sweater!

10 days to go, plus part of a sock

And I'm feeling a little nervous. Injury + Back to School Stress (MUCH worse than normal this year) + 4 Weeks of Nasty Cold, Ear Infection, etc. = One Girl Who Has Slacked Off and Gotten Soft (put a few pounds on too, unfortunately!)

The Marathon is in 10 days, and I think I have done about 2 weeks of workouts in the past 2 months. One thing after another, lame excuses I know, but here we are.

I did go out this evening though (I'm shooting for daily workouts until then, nothing too strenuous)- I can still maintain a decent pace, I'm just hoping I can last the whole 13.1 miles and not be so slow as to get picked up by the slacker bus. The timeframe for getting to back to the Detroit-Windsor tunnel is not exactly generous! I'm sure it will be fun, no matter what-- I just really want that finisher's medal. Wearing my sparkly tiara. We'll see. Wish me luck.

In other news, I have been working on my Socktoberfest Socks:

Yes, Socks That Rock again. I think the color is Lapis- I started these a while back and forgot about them. I even ordered some more- I'm going to try the medium weight next time.

Just a bit more to go on Top Secret Project #2- hard to get in the mood to finish though, isn't it?

Super Quick FO

Lace Up Fingerless Gloves from Alterknits, less than one skein of Malabrigo in #226 Melilla (that I got in June when we went to Traverse City) and Hanah Silk Ribbon in Briar Rose (that I bought at Have You Any Wool with no particular reason in mind at the time.)

Cranked these out yesterday- the color is a bit off (the green is not as hideous as it may seem!) Guess the SNOW the other day made me do it.

Lady E Hits the Town

I used Noro Silk Garden color #205, 11 balls, and size 9 needles. I worked 43 tiers instead of 35 since the yarn was finer than that called for in the pattern. It ended up (I blocked it FLAT) being 24" wide and 73" long not including the fringe- slightly longer than the original. It was about 65" long before I blocked it, and about 21" wide. Pattern in Scarf Style (duh!)


Last night (after a lot of frantic last-minute fringe tying) Lady Eleanor made her debut at Knitter's Night Out at Have You Any Wool in Berkley (followed by a round or two of fancy martinis)with Dana, Beth, Sonya, and Amanda. I got to see the teddy bear kits that I designed for SWTC in the flesh (I am posing with it), which was nice, and also a trunk show from the One Skein book. The most amazing part? I didn't buy any yarn, though I was REALLY tempted to get some of that new Regia Silk sock yarn. I've never been in a yarn store before without buying something so this was quite a feat.

In design-y news, tomorrow I just might finish that second top secret project for SWTC. I also did a submission, something I haven't done for a while. Soon I'll have lots of fun seeing my work in print though- Quick to Knit Gifts should be out soon, and I have items in the next issues of Creative Knitting and Knit n' Style- whooo!

Block well, fair Lady

She's almost done- just needs the fringe.

Yay!

Go Tigers (way to paddle the Yankees behinds) and go Lady Eleanor- only 6 inches to go!!

R.I.P.

Dead already. But at least I like the socks!

Lady Eleanor Progress

Real quick while Emma takes the last bite of her breakfast before we run out the door- progress on Lady Eleanor.

Socktoberfest, part 2

I joined Lolly's Socktoberfest for the second year- this time I'm hoping it will give me the energy to finish the Jaywalkers I started last month out of STR in the Lapis colorway.

Still not much to say, sorry!

Got a few more rows done on Lady Eleanor this week amid gross sore-throatiness and too much to do at work. Missed out on more than one fun knitting-related excursions due to a combination of those factors. Right now it's about 2 1/2 feet long, maybe a bit more. I left my camera at work or I'd show you- maybe later.

Sock Wars has begun- I have cast on but not much more- I'm going to try my best but I suspect I will not survive long!

I hear my Secret Project #2 for SWTC is almost knit, so I'll be able to put the finishing touches on and grade the pattern soon- that will feel good!

Still waiting for my special dyed-just-for-me yarn from Kerrie so I can get going on the project for her book- I have a feeling some frantic late night knitting is ahead for me on that one!

No knitting around here...

Mostly because I've been spending WAY more time than usual with Hubbo, which has its charms, of course. We went to the Melting Pot Friday for a (severely) belated anniversary dinner (it was June 26, okay? 11 years! plus the 5 before we got married) but the cozy and romantic fondue-ular goodness was worth the wait. Besides that, we squeaked a second evening out in the same week, which when you have small childr(ren) happens about as often as a comet passing by. Today (since he's out with the guys) I'm back on track ignoring my housework and getting some knitting accomplished-- I'll update when there's something worth taking a picture of.
Although I didn't knit this week, I did go yarn shopping Tuesday after work since I had a late appointment near Knitter's Kove in Commerce and a little time to kill beforehand. I bought 3 lovely balls of Kidsilk Haze, another skein of Crystal Palace Cotton Chenille for a potential holiday gift, and 2 skeins of Cascade 220 for who-knows-what at this point.

Progress, at last

I got home late from work EVERY night this week and even went in on the weekend to get caught up on a few things-- despite all this I finally have some progress to report on Lady Eleanor- behold!

What I've been up to lately

As you know, I've been up to my armpits in design projects lately. Without giving anything away, here's what I've finished in the past 3 weeks (yes, I have been knitting a lot. Thanks for noticing!)

Top Secret Project #1 for SWTC. This is all I will say about it. Use your imagination, okay?
Top #1 for Nashua Handknits. I finished this baby in about a week. Ah, summer vacation.
Part of Top #2 for Nashua Handknits. I just finished this one today- it's blocking!
The yarn for Top Secret Project #2 for SWTC- their new Pure (all Soysilk baby!) It's not like Oasis and Phoenix- it has a "typical" yarn construction rather than being a ribbon-type. Verrrry soft. Also my first design project for which I've hired a (very talented) knitter to do the dirty work. I'm not subjecting her to the finishing though- I'll do that.

The yarn for the project I'm doing for Kerrie Allman's new book has been a bit delayed in getting to me, but since she's dyeing it herself it will be more than worth the wait, I'm sure. It's going to be a pretty fine gauge sweater, hence the reason why I've sought some help on the other project-- work just started again and I REALLY need a bit of a breather to handle all the extra stuff I have to do there.

Tomorrow I'm planning to actually get some exercise (I have really been slacking off lately- I even slept through a 10K I was supposed to do yesterday- that's what happens when I work 17 hours, I guess), clean house, get ready for the First Day o' School and knit some more on Lady Eleanor. Should be good.

Knitting soon, I promise

School starts Tuesday, and I've been at work late every night getting ready (last night I got home at 11:00, for example). So very little knitting. I did get the front piece finished for the second top for Nashua at Caribou on Tuesday and managed to seam it Wednesday night- so just the trim, blocking, and pattern writing to do tomorrow and then it's off. Yay! Yarn is coming for a second Top Secret project for SWTC, luckily this time I have some help lined up to get the knitting done fast.

I'm hoping to give Lady Eleanor some attention over the holiday weekend- pictures will be forthcoming. Really.

Breaking News

A little bird just told me that a certain sweater I recently finished for SWTC is going to appear in the February issue of Knit n' Style.

A Real Live Picture

Lady Eleanor, so far. I did most of this last night with the knitty girls at Caribou in Dearborn. I also went to see the group in Troy (hi Dana and Amby!) at that Caribou tonight, which I normally can't, so I've gotten a lot of knitting done the last two days despite having to actually go to work. Tonight I worked on the second top for Nashua instead- the deadline is coming up and I couldn't justify indulging myself with the Silk Garden again when there's things I have to finish. Now I'm totally coffee-crazed- so in lieu of sleeping I think I'll knit some more in front of the tube.

P.S. Rachel, have you finished the crochet yet?

Additional Finishments

Over the weekend I finished the Top Secret project for SWTC (obviously, since it's Top Secret, I can't show you) and one of the tops for Nashua, which I don't think I should show you either. They both turned out nice, if that helps. Sorry.

Back to work today. Extreme slowdown in knitting progress expected. Sniff. Pout.

My True Yarn Loves

(In no particular order)
1. Koigu KPPPM
2. Karabella Aurora 8
3. La Luz Silk
4. Malabrigo
5. SWTC Karaoke
6. SWTC Phoenix
7. Socks That Rock
8. Noro Silk Garden
9. Nashua Handknits Cilantro (new found love- it's the Aurora 8 of cotton)
10. Noro Kureyon

What are yours?

And I didn't buy anything

Emma and I made another trek to Dearborn today, so I could finally check out Neighborhood Knits when it was actually open (by the time I can leave for Caribou on Tuesdays they are already closed- which stings since I drive past it on my way there!) There was a lot of nice things, but in light of my recent purchases I didn't buy anything (I was prepared to if I saw something I really needed, though!) To make things fair for Emma we stopped at the Burger King on the way home that has a big climbing thing. Now we're both happy. The first top for Nashua may be completed tonight- we'll see.

More shopping, I'm afraid

Look what I got! I've put off buying Touch Me forever, but I finally gave in last Friday when I went to Knitters Night Out at Have You Any Wool. I can't wait to do something with it. Also, in the mail today was this cute Mango Moon needle case (zippered, with loops inside to hold needles) that I ordered from The Yarn Grove. There was a little note inside that answered a question that has been bugging me since TNNA- and that is, who was looking for me at the SWTC booth? (They told me someone had come by, but didn't know who). Mystery solved! Apparently, they are faithful readers of this here blog. I was tempted to order something after learning that they 1. Have free shipping, and 2. Said nice things about my designs on Knitters Review. So thanks ladies! Now to work a bit on Nashua Tank #1 before going to Caribou to work on it some more with the girls. Got to live it up a bit on my last few days off from work!