Knitting In The Queen City

I'm Off Blogging Vacation

Okay, Okay!  So its been 4 months since you guys have seen a post from me!  Thanks to my lovely Charlotte Purls friends (Janet, Stacey, and Christi...who have so eloquently called me out for not posting on my blog...LOL), I'm coming off vacation!!  My vacation began in October due to me getting behind on my studies.  So I quickly re-prioritized my time, so my blogging definitely took a back seat.  As you can see from the picture, there is alot of memorization in Anatomy and Physiology (A&P)!!!  All the hard work paid off, because I did WELL in my class  last semester and now I'm in A&P II!   

I have a great FO to show!!  Felted Clogs!!!  This was my first felting project due to our Felted Clogs KAL for Charlotte Purls. 

Fiber Trends Feltd Clogs

Yarn: Lamb's Pride Bulky, 1 skein in Kiwi, 1 skein in Aubergine

Needle Size:  US 15, 24" circular needles

Size: Medium

Knitting Time:  This really is a quick knit!!!  I finished this in about 6.5 hours total!! Felting took about 20 minutes, and complete drying lasted 3 days.

Knit Again? Yes.  I plan to gift these to my mother after I have them monogrammed for her.  I'm sure my two sister will be jealous and request a pair.  I must say I'm not a big fan of felting.  I will have to maybe try a different project to make a final decision on that.

                                                               

Charlotte Purls Felted Clogs KAL

I love my Charlotte Purls!!  Well, gotta get back to the books, so I'll post my WIPs later this week!!  Until then..keep on knitting!

Dead-Wrong Monday

What did you see this weekend that was DEAD-WRONG?

Have you ever seen something, and thought to yourself..."That is dead wrong?"  This weekend while shopping at my favorite LYS, I came outside after making my lastest knitting purchase and saw this....

For those of you that haven't quite got it yet....Ay Bay Bay is a song out on the radio now that alot of teens are really feelin'....I on the other hand as a 30-something woman, I hate the song!  Sorry, I couldn't find a feed for it.  Its just something about it that just gets under my skin...the song as no substance AT ALL!!!  The only thing I could say to myself was....Hey, at least young people still have a sense of  spirit.  I can remember when we were about to graduate from high school, we did the same type of things.  So, what did you see this weekend that was "Dead-Wrong"?

While at Charlotte Yarn I broke down and purchased a set of Denise Needles!  Yes.....I have finally cheated on my KnitPicks....LOL!!! I'm still a fanatic about my KnitPicks, but finding there are some projects are better suited for plastic or wooden needles.  I decided since its breast cancer awareness month...why not get the Pink!!  It just happens to support research for breast cancer.  It was a "feel-good" purchase!  And I must say, so far its well worth it!!!  I've even started knitting with them already!

WIPs later this week!

TTFN!!!

I'm a Hooker and Proud of It!

LOL! That's right folks.  I now join the ranks of  "hookers" across the world.  Maybe not at the top of the ranks, but I'm in there.  I finally completed my first crochet project! No its not a FO for me...Its actually for my new niece (2-months old), Gabriella.  This really is my last blanket...... for a while (LOL).  I have my eyes on a few projects that are totally for selfish reasons.  I originally learned to crochet when I was about 12 years old, but lost the enthusiasm.  Back then, it really wasn't the "coolest" thing for a sistah to do and stay popular.  But the Bible did say, "train a child in the way they should go, and when they are old they will not depart from it"...so it was talking about Godly principles....I'm applying it to this as well :)

I've found that crochet is a great break from knitting when its needed.  Having this project kept me from giving up completely on some of my other knitting adventures.  It gives me the sensation of working on something while I'm taking a break, but it goes alot faster.   After  hours and hours of knitting, it can really get exhausting of the hands.

Now to the FO:

Ooooooh!

Ahhhh!

Gabriella's Blanket

Yarn:    Cream N Sugar

Needle/Hook:   Size I

Start:    May 2007

Finish:  August 2007

Pattern Techniques:  I used a single crochet chain to start the blanket, and 2 double crochet rows to build the stripes.  To begin the next block of color, I began the first row with single crochet across, then repeat the 2 rows of double crochet.  The edging is simply 4-5 double crochets in one stitch, then a single crochet in the next (alternating this around the edge). 

Lessons Learn:  About halfway through the project, Thanks to Connie,  I discovered that I could hold the tail of the yarn (after I changed the colors) and crochet into the row.  What a time saver...no weaving in the ends (HALLELUJAH)!!!! 

TTFN!

Pretty in Pink

Who can resist the look in your best friend's eyes when  you unveil a gift for her unborn princess?  Not me!  If you are anything like me, I love giving and doing for others when I can.  Knitting is such a wonderful gift to share with your loved ones.  Its almost like sharing a piece of your soul.  You tangibly say that you love them and you care enough to take the time to craft something special by hand.   I finally finished the embossed heart blanket for the soon to arrive Ms. Erin Elise.  I can't wait to meet her. 

Okay I had the door to my office closed trying to do this inpromptu photo shoot.  Everytime I was about to take the pix, someone would knock on the door (Ugh).  So that's why the bag is on the floor under my desk...LOL!  Noisy co-workers!

Here she is all stretched out on the chair....I can feel it....somebody is about to knock on the door again...And they did.....I'm thinking to myself, go do some work and leave me alone...oops, I need to go do some work...LOL!

I absolutely love the Ribbon! 

Its all ready to go!!

Project Specifications

Embossed Hearts Blanket

Yarn:  Cascade 220 Superwash  Color 894 (Purchase at LYS) Double Stranded

Started:   June 3rd

Finished: July 18th (its really a quick knit...I just procrastinated)

Modifications:  I used worsted weight yarn double stranded.  It would probably knit faster with a bulky yarn as suggested.

Techniques Learned:  This was the first time I blocked anything. Big THANKS to Rosi-G for giving me some advice on blocking a blanket.  I used some baby shampoo (lavender/chamomile) to relax the fibers in cold water. Then I rolled the blanket in some REALLY THICK towels to remove the excess H2O.  I laid it flat to dry on some fresh towels with the ceiling fan on high all night and 1/2 the next day (only half the next day because my wonderful husband did not know what I was doing and turned the fan off when he left to go to work)...I love him sooo much :)

Would I knit this again: ABSOLUTELY...its a great last minute gift.  Next time I will use a bulky yarn!