Rapid Fire!

Two posts in 2 days - nobody saw it coming! Today is most definitley worth posting about because:




1) All Christmas shopping /packaging is COMPLETED!



2) All Christmas cards are in the mail!



3) 4 more days to vacation!



And last, but most certainly not least:

4) I got my acceptance letter today!





P.S. The Pinwheel jacket nears completion - joy, oh joy!
P.P.S. Merry Christmas from me & the hub

I am here.

Our new place is starting to feel a like more like home, as things get unpacked, organized & decorated. I'm convinced, based on past experience, that hiring movers was what made the move entirely tolerable and even bordering on pleasant. The dogs did not agree- all of this change was awfully traumatic for them, but I think they are warming up to the new digs as well.

Now that Finals are over, I can redirect my energy to some knitting projects again. I spent some time this morning finishing the body of the Pinwheel Jacket:

It doesn't really look like much while its still on the circular needle, but the border and binding off are done at the same time. I plan on using pink for the sleeves and border, but my pink is dwindling and I can use black or white for the border if I need to - would rather just utilize what I have on hand and be more flexible about colors.

Found those ultra-warm toe ups from the sock class and got in a picture during the unpacking - love these!

Have a wonderful week!

Projects for Gifting!

Gave the Wild Stripes baby blanket to my friend at her shower this past weekend - she really liked it! We are in the midst of packing up our apartment to move to a new place a few miles away - can't wait to start unpacking and to be able to find things again! (My yarn has been stashed away in that little plastic bin, still accessible just in case!)
Speaking of finding things, I have finished the pink toe-up socks, but they are in a suitcase so I can't quite post pictures right now! After BO for those, I started a Pinwheel jacket for my niece for her Christmas present. Its going really quickly which is good because I have a lot of projects lined up after this one; I plan to be finished with it by the end of the week.

That's about all in my little world. May be a while before I post again depending on setting up our internet again at the new place. Have a lovely December!

Worth the Effort

I got back the Wild Stripes Baby Blanket from "my" finisher today at AFY and here's the combination of our work - let me just say I'm pleased![Also, there are more close-ups for details under socalknitter on Ravelry if anyone is interested.]

I went to the first 1/2 of a toe-up sock class at AFY today and walked away from the class with this:

I'm digging this technique so far!

Minimalist Cardigan tease

Finished this last weekend - just within the same month that I began - not too bad! Its just barely getting cool enough to wear this anyways - I can believe its November already! I shortened the sleeves AND the body on this and need to find a brooch or something because I prefer the way it looks partially closed. Good thing I altered the pattern, because this is whats left:

I've been cutting it close lately!

Facing the Finishing

Just thought I'd share:
1) I conquered the zipper installation & my fear of zippers has been squashed to oblivion!
2) This FO is finally a true, wearable FO - as Husband demonstrates in his male model pose:

Have a Happy Sunday!

Return from the Big Apple

This past weekend my friend from Houston and I met up in NYC for a few days of exploring and living it up! After going through my photos, I realized out of 121 - they are all either arm-length shots of our faces or pictures of buildings. I'll only post a couple to limit the repetitiveness. We did lots and lots of shopping and a moderate amount of sight-seeing, ate really great food, and even took in a show. (The 1/2 price ticket sales are unbeatable) Must go back again!

Finished Object #1: Apple Green BlanketI finished this on the plane to NYC this weekend and although its a little on the small side, I do like it a lot. I hope the recipient parents love it too! I even like the ruffle effect that the border ends up with, makes it a little more girly. However, if I made this again, I'd probably knit the main panel and pick-up stitches for the border since the gauges are so off.

Overall picture w/ very bad lighting:

and a better one of the stitches...

Finished Object #2: Anthropologie-Inspired Capelet (Free Pattern online at: LINK) I finished this last night and I'm not sure what I think about it. The yarn choice (Baby Alpaca Bulky) is not one I'd repeat because of the fuzziness of the yarn - although it is super warm and snuggly. I'm a little disappointed because I thought I'd give this as a gift, but I'm not sure its up to snuff. For a second try, I do have another (fabulous AFY) button waiting in the wings for some Manos de Uruguay, 2 skeins of Kohl.....

Must also credit http://ysolda.com/wordpress/pictorial-guides/sewn-button-loops/ for her excellent button loop tutorial!

By the way, **Does anyone know how to update your Ravelry page with the blog updates? I can't seem to get them to link-up**