We Made It!

We've finally made it to our new house, but are still very much in the middle of unpacking and fixing up the digs! Every other day calls for yet another (expensive!) trip to a home improvement store for needed items. I know, I know "welcome to being a homeowner"!!

Well, I've finished my friend's baby blanket for her little one that's due in March. I'll post final pictures on the blog after I give the gift at her shower in a few weeks! If you are especially curious or impatient, I'll put up some pictures on ravelry (I'm socalknitter). I think it turned out pretty cute - its a nice size and I'm so happy I went with a log cabin border!

Hope yall are having a wonderful Christmas Eve and Day!

Actual Knitting Content

Hello all! I made it onto Ravelry and updated photos of the gift I am making if anyone is curious and motivated enough to check that out. I also got yarn at the AFY party this weekend for another entrelec scarf which I'll share with everyone:

Details: It's a self-striping "super bulky" yarn although I've seen much bulkier - these are only US 8 dpns, and the brand is Nashua, Style - Vignette, Colorway - 0009 and I'm using 4 skeins to make a scarf. The color is pretty true in this photo, but its a dark blue/green palette.

Other than that, I'm in the midst of finals and trying to set up all of our contractors for work on the house. Two tasks I'm not particulary fond of, but the end result will be worth all of this effort!

Step 2 of Becoming a Grown-Up

First, the office chair! Now, we've sealed the deal and bought a house! I am very excited and we are planning to move next month although I haven't even begun to think about packing yet.

This week Husband, myself, and our side-kicks (the dogs) are all taking a road trip to my grandfather's house for Thanksgiving. We missed last year with them and are really excited to not miss a second time around.

There is one more week of school and then after a few finals, a few group projects, and a few papers I will turn my energy towards home renovation & creative projects. Our ideas are much larger than our budget at this point, but I have no doubt the house will be adorable by mid-2009. I will surely be posting before and after pictures of that process.

Oh yes, I AM working on a biggish knitting project and its for a friend who knows I'm working on it, but I hate to spoil the surprise with pictures. Soon enough, I'll try and post a sneak peak!

Office Makeover

After five years, finally made the giant leap from this:

To this:

We are just oh so grown-up these days - thank you IKEA!

Yowza

Golly Geez, its been a while since I've posted anything! You can tell how much fun crafty stuff I've been doing by the amount of blogging so.........not much!

We had an extended weekend trip to the MidWest to visit family a few weeks ago - so fun to see our nieces & nephews (and everyone else) - they are a blast!

I did get around to making a super-fab pencil skirt a few weeks ago and even wore it out to dinner the other night. Its made of some super-clearanced linen and finished it in 1-1/2 days, talk about instant gratification! And here you have it:

(I know I don't look to jazzed about it in the photo - I was hungry!)

I did start a knitting project and have another one in mind, but no pictures for now. Its much too early to be interesting. I finally got to head over to see my knitting pals at AFY Thursday night and it was a lot of fun as always!

This weekend I am back out looking for houses. I think I will be on the 50th or so house by the end of this trip. As far as school goes, fall semester is halfway done and we are all looking forward to getting out there for our week of fieldwork. Practice on real patients and all of that. =)

Well, that's about it for news around here...hopefully I will have some exciting house-related news ASAP! Have a great Halloween!

Checking In

Hello there - schools' been keeping me pretty busy, so all is quiet on the blog these days.

I think the only thing of any interest is that we are currently shopping for a house - send us good luck vibes!

No knitting news to speak of, but I did finish a "5-minute skirt"* . However, it took me about a week to complete it due to lack of supplies. (*pattern is on angrychicken.typepad.com) Check it out:

And I'm sure I'll make another one soon!

A Few Things...

Almost 2 weeks ago we went to Malibu, to the Getty Villa which I've been wanting to go see for well over a year now. It was cool - a very European feel (I imagine, as I have not been there). I got to wear my new FO - the Lush & Lacy cardigan by http://www.sweaterbabe.com/ I used 5 + a tiny bit of the 6th skeins of Lush by Classic Elite.Husband and I spent a few days this past week in San Diego - we stayed downtown in a cute historic hotel with very slow elevators, checked out the zoo, and also toured Old Town. Fun trip and fantastic weather! No pictures to show however, guess I wasn't in the mood for pics this week!

I also cut my hair and for the requestors, here's a peek:

I am undecided if I like it or not, but I do miss my curls...they'll be on hiatus for a while. =(

The 2nd semester (out of 6) of school starts tomorrow and I am so ready to get started. They are having us take 5 classes this semester - wish me luck!

There is one called "Medical Lectures" which I am most intrigued by... who knows what we'll learn in that one, but I bet it will be interesting.

Chance to Breathe

I made it through the semester - its been a Looong time since I've taken summer school and I don't think I've ever taken 4 week long classes.

Hi, this course is about xyz and hey, the mid-term is next week! Weird.

But, anyways - 2 weeks to recover and surely, work on some knitting, etc!

Last weekend I cranked out almost an entire Lush and Lacy cardigan - shocking, until you find out its on size 10 needles and I had nothing else to do! Its so cute and I will post pictures when its done, to do its cuteness justice. The LYS had a 50 percent off sale and I couldn't resist the previously unaffordable project purchase! I love their sales!

I'm still "working" on the green socks, but lost some steam on those.

I leave you with the last of the random craftiness from our Skills class ( I will miss that class, the crafts were like the adult version of nap time!)

Two weeks left of Neurology class & I'm trying to keep my sanity by indulging in craftiness! Got my first dress done this week...well, really close to being done :

We got to make our own stamps in Skills class & I found a super cute elephant picture and made up some postcards, gift bags, etc....drop me a line & I'll mail you a postcard!

And working on some green socks for Husband. The color came out just how it looks in "real life"...There is a CUTE sock pattern with bobbles in the new Interweave that comes out in August and I can't wait to make them. I'm not much of a bobble lover at all, but I think I could handle them on socks.

Probably more from me during the break between Summer & Fall semesters!

More Crafty Things

Today is halfway through the summer semester - it doesn't sound like much, but it definitely feels like an accomplishment! In "skills" class we've tried our hand at leatherwork and mosaics since I posted anything - nothing fantastic, but some fun mediums that I'm glad I tried out:

That's about it for me - I hope to CO for a sock (yes, something KNITTED finally) before the end of the weekend. I'm craving a big project, but I am on a yarn diet until I am working again this fall and can afford to....anyone working on any knitting projects they would recommend?

What's OT?

Just in case you're wondering what it is I'm studying - check out this hilarious "OT Rap" on You Tube that explains it pretty well!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDP1-gcDcAI

Recent Creations

Whew - the first week of school was quite the ride! It hasn't been THAT long since I've been enrolled, but there is SO much administration to take care of that I just don't remember doing in undergrad. Thankfully our days are balanced with a little art-making in the afternoons to take the edge off - behold my collage! (and a sewing project beneath it)

At home, I finished the loopy cowl which looks like it could've crawled around on the ocean floor at some point.

And....the sewing is slow but great - finished a paneled skirt and have a baby tunic on the way for a shower coming up soon. Sewing is normally really fast & fun which is a great antedote to long days at school.

Alright, must get back to studying muscles of the shoulder - yeah, fun!

Loopy News

Today was one of the best birthdays I've had in a while and these last few days of vacation between work and school are doing wonders for my stress level.

Been knitting from the stash since I am on a yarn diet. Grabbed some purple wool and cast on for a project from the original Stitch & Bitch book - the Loopy Velez Cowl. I had low expectations, but the loops were a lot of fun and I think I could work this in the winter time. Should have a FO picture up by the weekend...

Today also brought a new permanent resident to our already crowded home, but I could hardly complain: a sewing machine! Woo hoo! Been craving one of these for years - knitting's getting a little competition!

Transitions

Exams are through for the semester, I start graduate school next month, and oh yes, I did finally finish those knee-high socks!

That's all the news for now!

Aha!

So, I finally I found 5 minutes with sunlight, my finished project, a camera, and a photographer!

Project Details:

Pattern: Orangina

Needles: US 3 circulars for lace & US 2 circulars for ribbing

Yarn: Knit Picks Shine in "Grass"

Size: 34"

Verdict: Simple and easy lace with minimal seaming - fun!

Central Coast

Husband and I finally managed to finagle a weekend out of town after a bit of a traveling hiatus. Since there are limited opportunities for "getting away" these days, I was really looking forward to this one. Friday afternoon we took the pups over to their "hotel" where they are quite the celebrated guests and headed out on our road trip. On the way up to our destination, I finally eeked out the first knee-high sock which took an entire skein of Lorna's Laces and came directly below the knee - I am very pleased! I started the second one, but am in no hurry to finish.

On the way up to the Central Coast, we ate lunch at Trattoria Grappolo (thanks for the idea, Beatrice) and got to visit a few wineries before the end of the day. Saturday we took in our second tour of Hearst Castle, which was very cool! My favorite stop on the tour was this amazing bedroom at the top of a tower called the Celestial Suite that seemed to glow with sunshine.

Now, its back to the grind and I've got plenty of homework I need to be getting to!

Without Further Ado

I have written about 5 drafts for this post, but never seem to get it published because I'm hung up on getting in those darned pictures. So, today a picture-less post and soon a FO post with loads of pictures - how about that?

That FO would be the green Orangina lace tank- I am 2" from finishing the ribbing, but I just got burned out on the project Sunday evening and set it aside. With any luck, I'll have it finished by the end of the week, including seaming (a cinch with this pattern). And if the weather would cooperate I could actually wear it without freezing something off!

My friend, Candice, came out to visit last weekend & we made our way over to the beach to enjoy the fantastic weather - it was great catching up with her & trying to be a good teacher of knitting as she worked on her first scarf and her first attempt at cables. I really shouldn't say attempt, because they came out great!

Finally, we are planning a Stitch & Pitch event in early June that I am really looking forward to....I think I'll drag those knee-high socks back out for that evening - they are dangerously close to hibernation & could use the fresh air.

Weekend Update

I got a LOT of knitting time this weekend + this is Spring Break, so I'll most likely get more done during the week too!

Change of plans with the socks - I decided to make knee highs & that means I'll be doing ribbing at the top to help them stay up instead of a picot edge. This also means I worked my fingers to the bone on these all weekend and still have 4" to complete the first one. I think it will we worth it, I love how substantial they are! Here is a sneak peak at the first one, which I'm taking careful notes on because I'm making this up as I go along:


Yes, that's 17" long including the toe so far - one of the few times I'm glad to be short.

Also, CO for Orangeina on Sunday & this is one (long) movie-worth of lace knitting:

Well, that's about it from here - hope yall are enjoying the work week &/or Spring Break for some!

Hello again

Sorry for the lack of posting lately - I've been dabbling in the knitting here & there without a lot of bloggable progress. This weekend we fought major Dodger traffic to go see an exhibit at the California Science Center which was really cool.

For knitting updates, I am almost done with one of two plain toe up socks that I'm making from the Lorna's Laces that I got from Bea. To make this more of a learning experience, I am planning on making these as knee-high as the yarn will last with a picot-edge bind off. I'll post a picture of these in the next day or two.

The lace of the green chemise is not coming out at all & without any knitterly resources around I just might be switching to a new green tank project....we'll see. So far, I seem to struggle when I get anywhere beyond the basics with lace knitting.

On a final note, I'm totally obsessing over cosmicpluto's lush & lacy and have already added it to my ravelry queue. I plan on getting the yarn if I can afford it next Thursday at AFY Knit Night which happens to be during SPRING BREAK - woo hoo!

Growth Spurts

This project (Clementine Shawlette) certainly grew in spurts - 20+ rows and then nothing for days (or weeks), but that is just what I've felt up for lately.

Many knitters on http://www.ravelry.com/ that were also working on this project had a lot to say about the graft at the end, but the seam doesn't bother me at all.

I liked this project - seriously simple lace that didn't keep me glued to the chart after I got the hang of things, but if I ever made this again...I would choose a darker color I'm more likely to get more wear out of and make it a little shorter to fit my frame better. I used 2.75 balls (50g) of Rowan Cashsoft 4 ply (merino, microfiber, and cashmere) on US 3 circulars.

This weekend is the change in time so we are blessed with more sunlight every day - I LOVE coming home when its still light outside, I feel so much more energetic.

Next up for projects, I'll be putting some energy into a fish blanket for my cousin & starting a green tank from the newest Interweave Knits that has a little lace paneling. The only substitute I forsee is the cotton - maybe Debbie Bliss Cathay instead? I really liked the Summertime tunic tank I made last spring out of that yarn.

Must get back to weekend lounging & snacking on Cadburry eggs - mmmm!

Recruiting Techniques

Fantastic news - my friend has started learning to knit! I suspect her main motivation is to make a copy of the entrelec scarf I finished last Fall Mine was inspired by fellow knitter, Sandy, who was inspired by someone else's scarf (I forget who)...For some reason, the combination of colors & patterns makes knitters & non-knitters alike covet one for themselves. I suppose its all good if it inspires new recruits.

The second half of the Clementine shawlette is on the needles, this is an enjoyable project for someone that isn't a huge fan of lace - namely, me!

The original plan was to post a picture, but none of them are coming out so I'll have to keep you in suspense for another couple of weeks while I finish it.

WIP update

Finished the toe-up green Koigu socks I've been working on. They fit really well and have pretty much converted me to a toe-up sock preference. Let's me avoid picking up stitches where I tend to get gaps.

I also re-felted the Celtic Cables bag, which has drastically changed the bag in a very good way:

The handles are shorter, the bag has more structure, and is more like the finished size in the Interweave pattern.

School started today and was a little re-runnish - same prof, a second half of a course. However, he does make us all laugh and learn, so that's pretty awesome.

And finally, Superbowl Sunday inspired me to start the Clementine shawlette from Interweave Spring 2007 - check it out, knitted lace!

Ugh, Intarnsia

Finished the colorwork portion (i.e. the face) on The Monkey, but it pulls! I don't mind this technique, but it never ends up looking that great - always pulling or gapping. I hope it the roundness might be forgiving than pulling it flat. Maybe color work should be my next class. =)

Does it look like a monkey yet?

This weekend I had a genius stupid idea to rip out a cabled sweater I knitted about 2 years ago, that's really huge on me to make something from a book I received for Christmas from my lovely sister. I think I need professional help with this one...shouldn't I be able to find the end and just RIP? I found myself picking out knots and bind off stitches for hours on Saturday - I don't remember this being such a strangley constructed sweater... I just don't want to end up with a pile of useless, tangled Alpaca - wish me luck!

And....by popular demand from Knit Night @ AFY I will be re-felting by hand portions of the Celtic Cable Tote bag and will post the new improved bag hopefully this weekend.

Year in Review

I got to looking @ Beatrice's blog and was extremely impressed with her knitting accomplishments for the year. There's no way I could keep up with this knitter! But I did look back over my blog this year (handy little thing it is) and in 2007 I managed to eek out:

3 sweaters/cardigans

2 hats

5 pairs of socks

2 baby blankets

1 scarf

1 purse/bag (2 half finished projects counts, right?)

5 tank tops/cropped boleros

Right now, one of those 1/2 finished project is the Celtic Tote - here its waits patiently to be (hand) felted this weekend!

Great size & enjoyable cable pattern, its from the latest issue of Interweave Knits. Can't wait to fill it full of the [back-breaking amount of] essentials!