Purple Aran you are done!

Ah how can I think about knit wear when it is October and 85 degrees in Philly? Alas behold the purple aran vest! Totally finished and I must say pretty snazzy. This vest was my complex project to date. I loved the all over cableing and did learn much about keeping multiple line cable patterns straight. I actually finished the vest months ago but was having some trouble figuring out how to pick up stitches around the arm holes. The key is having the correct sized circular. Lucky me I had the needlemaster! All hail the needlemaster.

I can't say it enough people. Get some stitch markers, get the closed ring kind, and make sure they are not too big. Use them and your stitch counter! I got some great button, not too Irishy and I think they look really good with purple. (Oh how I wish it was not acrylic but maybe when grad school is over) More about the progress can be found by selecting the purple aran vest links.

School is going well. I am taking two classes this quarter one on library automation and the other on internet information resource design. Loving the web design class. My first project a knitting website of course!

Sister Scarves

I mean really isn’t my sister and I worth at least two dollars? I got some great Moda Dea Vixen yarn at Michaels in the clearance bin. I got two skeins of Licorice and The Fuchsia. I did a simple 16 stitch garter scarf of the black for myself and the fuchsia for my sister. Here is my scarf it measures well it is long.


I also ordered some great Aran and Gansey knit books. I am hoping to find some neat cable combos to use the Aran yarn mom brought back from Ireland. I am totally in love with Knitting Nature by Norah Gaughan! I have been carrying that book around for days. I know that have a KAL so as soon as I am done this quarter I need to make something from the book. I cast on for the front of the purple aran vest. I got 11 inches done this week and am hoping to finish the left panel today. I decided to invest in some snazzy celtic pewter buttons for the front. I am loving these celtic horses but may change at some point. I have to say this. My interest in these buttons has revived an interest of Charlies to dress up and go to the Renaissance Faire. Oh God! Dude I really don't think so. Sometimes one has to have a hobby alone, this one is for you my friend.

On a side note check out this contest. You take a classic book and design a knit for it. How fun is that?

Cotton Dischlothes

I used some leftover natural cotton I got from Mom to create some washcloths for gifts. The first was a basket weave stitch with a single crochet edge. The second is a trinity stitch with a crochet ruffle border. I then wrapped them around some nice rose scented body wash from Bath and Beauty Works. I really like the trinity stitch for a bath cloth. It has nice ridges to make bubbles. I want to make some for myself.

Last FOs for 2006

Here are some last minute FO's from 2006 the first is the finished purses for the girls. I made these are mini versions of the cable purse for Jazzy (3) and Amelia (9) They are lined in pink flannel and have a crochet flower pin with both. Beanie loves her purse and has made it her day to day purse. If you know Beanie and her love of purses you will know this is a huge compliment. My sis loves her purse.

The second is the Christmas Donuts! I made these for my pirate pollyanna. I put two donuts in a box with a giftcard to Dunkin. (Beloved snack place of the Hathaways) I also made a powder donut and a purple sprinkle donut for Jazzy. Oh you don't even need to ask it is RH Super Saver.

Since I got so much flak for making poor J.R. model my knitting I made the boys do it this time. Alex and Nate both love the donuts. P.S. I am loving the labels. They really appeal to my cataloging nature.

Coffee and Scarface

Ok, I will admit this one thing. I have spent my entire christmas break from work and school playing Scarface on the the PS2. I got it as a gift from my hubbie and I am so addicted to driving around in my pimped out caddy and taunting people to raise my balls level. (If you know than you know) Christmas was good but I don't really like celebrating christmas. The purses were a big success. I am hoping to post the pattern soon. So cockaroaches please enjoy the photos while I go do some dealing before I head back to the library for some real work.