Craftiness

What's Goin' On...

That song is somewhat going through my head right now...

Anyway, the back of the wrap cardi continues to grow, we're 2 centimeters shy of binding off for the neckline.  :) Oh yeah. Andy cheered, and then I said "Yeah, then it's only two fronts, two sleeves, and two ties". And then we both sat for a second pondering how much work that sounded like. Ah well. I know it'll be quicker than the back.

I'm a bit worried about it though...this is the first sweater I've made that will require seaming. My past attempts at clothing were all tanks, or were Tempting. There was one pair of shorts, but they were all one piece, just needed to be sewn together. Not like THIS will be. Makes me doubt my skills, but heck...it almost always turns out better than I expect, and if I don't try, then I won't become a better knitter.

So, when I'm using the computer to read blogs and such, I'm knitting lately...on PANTA. I figure that since I'm unsure how much my best friend will like the scarf I knit her for her birthday (more on that in a few minutes), I'd try making another accessory.

Can you see what I love so much about this project so far?

It's the pink vintage needles. A PINK PROJECT ON PINK NEEDLES.  *dies*

For some reason, that makes me happier than I can describe. Here's something else that made me full of glee today:

These REALLY cute St Patrick's Day pj pants from Old Navy. I put them on as soon as I got home from my shopping trip with Steph, and dinner with her and Mollie. The bees just make the pants.

Lastly, the scarf I made for Dee.

(Ignore me and how puffy I am. I've been retaining water, strangely enough. I noticed this morning when I noted when I put on my socks, my ankles are swollen). Dee's jacket is the black version of this (and nope, we didn't shop for them together. We found out at a dinner party when we got there. How weird is that?), and I was attempting to match the wee little deer in the corner. Made with KnitPicks Sierra, which is only slightly scratchy, in 1x1 rib, and yes I AM crazy. I hated it. I did it because I wanted something that looked like stockinette, but wouldn't curl, but all I succeeded at was the not curling. It looks weird to me, and uneven, and I don't think it looks like I wanted, but it's not bad either...I DO like it. It probably looks short to you all, but I was going for that...I wanted a scarf that would just be tucked into a jacket in the front.

And that's all the news that's fit to print. Hopefully next update will be a finished back to the wrap cardi, or a finished Panta.

Spoiled

My blog (and knitting for that matter) is so boring lately. I wish it wasn't so. I wish I could knit sweaters (for me), or pretty girl things, but I plod on (and on and on) with Christmas gifts.

Still working on Irish Hiking Scarf. It measures 42 inches now, and it needs to be 69 inches (rule of thumb, scarf needs to be as tall as your recipient, and Dad's 5'9). At least it's more than halfway through. I think it looks great, but it's fairly boring.

Click on photo to see the detail of the scarf, if interested.

I'm also still working on Andy's Philadelphia Eagles hat:

The other day, I got bored thinking about how long I have until I'm done knitting all the gifts, and I'm trying not to buy more yarn until the Christmas stash is used a bit more (fat chance, but trying), so instead, I bought four magazines and three books from Barnes and Noble in a bulk purchase to keep my brain thinking of new projects, and cheer me up a little. Here's what I bought:

Alterknits,  Knitting Vintage Socks, and Sensational Knitted Socks.  I love all three books. Well, I should modify that. I love the sock books, but Alterknits basically only sparked a bit of interest. I think it could have been better. I loved the paper lanters, and a few other things, but what REALLY caught my interest was a scarf pattern. I first saw it when the book was previewed in Interweave Knits with the laptop bag pattern, and I truly lusted after this scarf. I was afraid it was only the model's clothing, and not a pattern, but it was/is a pattern, and I HAD to have it. So seriously, 18 bucks or something for a scarf pattern. I'm such a dork.

Then I also bought four magazines:

I was excited to get Knitscene, but eh. I don't think it was that great. A few cute things, but no must knit wows. And we all know how Vogue turned out this quarter, but I wanted it for the articles and book reviews (sounds like I'm buying Playboy, not a knitting magazine, doesn't it?), and usually I like Family Circle Easy Knitting, but I really didn't care for anything except for a child's sweater with Ruldolph. Very cute. But um, no kids here. As for British Knitting, I was lukewarm, except for this one sweater I LOVE:

THAT, my knit friends, would be a must-knit, if I ever finish my very agressive must-knit Christmas list. *sigh*

ETA: Do I NEED a white winter coat just to match some knit projects I want to make? I'm seriously thinking this way. I have a black peacoat, and I think this white coat might be perfect for when I want lighter colored knits. Coordinating winter wear to knitted items...or rather, buying winter wear to coordinate with knitted items...yay or nay?