And Lots More Knitting...

I'm proud of myself today. I worked on most of today's to-do list. However, I've quickly run out of time to complete the list. On the upside, I had today weighted heavily compared to the rest of the week, so hopefully tomorrow I can catch up.

I've made one shawl before, and there's something magical about them. For example, here's where my Malabrigo Lace shawl is now:



I'm to the point where I can't wait to finish it, because I can't wait to block it and see the pattern. It's at 68% completion, there are actually only 33 rows left before binding off. Of course with triangular shawls, you start with very few stitches and work your way out, so every 4 rows this shawl gets wider and wider. Unlike items knit with heavier yarn, you really can't "see" the pattern before you block it out. It's like taking a tangled mess of yarn, waving a magic wand, and transforming it into a beautiful work of art.

I had this magical lesson just over a year ago when I finished the Echo Flower Shawl. It's my go-to winter scarf. I need to re-block it, as it's had a good amount of wear, but I just love the lightweight baby alpaca.

I also worked on my half-square triangle quilt. Of 644 initial squares, I have 50 finished. I've chain-pieced a bunch of the initial squares, but then there's cutting, pressing, trimming, seaming, pressing, seaming, pressing, trimming on each one. I can finish about 12 squares a hour. It's going to be a long road. I'm very excited about this one, though. I have the feeling it will remind me of the "Babymaker" quilt from the movie, The Proposal.

Anyways, happy crafting!

Yes, it's been awhile...

Honestly sometimes it feels like I do nothing, all the time.

I still have 12 totes of yarn. I'm working on it slowly but regularly. I've knit up 917 yards of finished projects so far this month, but there's at least 1000 more yards of projects on the needles, that are closer to finished than started. I've added more than that, through Christmas presents, but it's sock yarn so it doesn't count. Or so I'm told.

I've dedicated myself to working on the quilts this year and getting a couple tops finished. I currently budget at least a hour a day to quilts. I'm working on some 2.5" scrap squares that are easy and interesting. Just making half-square triangles, matching them up into 2x2 squares that are all the same combo, and I'll put them together into a queen-sized top once it's finished. I have way too many projects in progress, though. I really need the focus.

One new "hobby" that's not really new, we are going to begin showing Tonks, my parents' black Labrador, over the spring into summer. We are hoping to have a late summer litter of black & chocolate puppies. She's going in for her OFA's late in March. She's already got her cardiac clearance and just needs another eye clearance.

That's what's been happening. I hope to have enough interesting projects to start taking pictures soon.

A Finish!

Well, sort-of. I consider a finished quilt top a finished project, then the finished quilt a second project. I had cut exactly just the right number of 1" white strips. I was pretty happy about that. I was afraid I'd have to pull out the bolt for the 3rd time...it's not a full bolt, but when you're in a small apartment, anything bigger than a fat quarter takes special work to cut.

Ummmm...So No Pictures Today....

But I have a good reason.

I just got home from work, and I have a new laptop. It's awesome! It's got some wonderful features and I got it at a great price. I've upgraded all my electronics over the last few months and the computer was the last one. It was tough spending that much cash at once, but it's well worth it.

It's faster.

I still have the desktop (and it will stay setup, since I've got some software that I can't run on Windows 7) and I'll set everything up to sync.

I'm beyond thrilled. I can't think of anything else that I need. Now the trick is not spending much more money!

If I don't See It, It's Not Illegal....

It will come out square. It'll be done before I go to work in the morning.

Hats. And More Hats.

I've been knitting hats this month. I'm planning on moving (to Madison, Wisconsin, for anyone who's interested) in December. Now I know December's a long way away, but I'd like to get my yarn stash down to two totes. Currently it takes up 12. I picked the box off the top, which was the "hats" box, and started there.

I took the Yarn Harlot's idea for the sock of the month club, and just put all my yarn in paper bags, with labels on the outside, sorted by type of project, and off I go.

And yes, I do realize my goal of knitting down 10 totes of yarn in a year is utterly non-realistic.

First Pattern!

And It's On Ravelry!

It's free. It's also a very, very easy pattern. I sort of made it up as I went along. I wanted something for my Sister-In-Law, who loves the University of Tennessee. I saw the yarn and had to make her something!

It's easy, it's newbie friendly, and you can do it in any colors you want to!