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Well I started this shawl on the first day of Blizzard I and I completed it the first day I went back to work. Pretty fitting I’d say

Pattern: Conifer Shawl by Kate Gagnon Osborn from Knitscene, Winter/Spring 2010
My Ravelry Project Page
Yarn(s): Sundara Yarn Aran Silky Merino
Colorway(s): Black Cherry
Needle(s): US 8 / 5.0 mm
Casted On: February 5, 2010
Casted Off: February 16, 2010
Modifications: none

Knitting the cables on the wrong side, at first, was tricky but I managed to follow the pattern fairly well. At first, when I completed this shawl, I thought the cables made the shawl bunch up, but blocking comes to the rescue once again!

I loved the edge lace motif on this pattern, it was a great ending to a lovely shawl. I might even want to make another shawl only a little bigger. For now, I will enjoy this one, made out of a lovely Sundara wool/silk blend.You can always count on knitters to be productive, even during a horrible snow storm.

Up next, the Starlight Starbright cardigan. I need to sew one more sleeve in and do a border then I have one more WIP complete for the Ravelympics.

On the day, I finally return to work, I finished my Snowcopolypse Shawl. Here it is pre-blocking:

This color is a little difficult to capture so I might take ten minutes out of my day tomorrow to photograph it. More details on this project will come later with better pictures.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the Ravelympics project I picked, Seneca, by Jared Flood:

I’m enjoying the hell out of this project. The yarn is scrumptious and I have a lot of faith in Mr. Flood’s pattern. I just dont want to knit this sweater competitively. Sure this is a personal competition for me that I’m doing with a bunch of fantastic ladies and gents but I want to enjoy this project a little more and, ya know, I’m getting in touch with my inner process knitter. I don’t want something hanging over my head as I try to enjoy knitting this.

So what’s a gal to do? GET RID OF SOME WORKS IN PROGRESS

Jermaine doesn’t ask for much. He doesn’t. So when he asked for another pair of fingerless gloves, I said sure. That said, knitting five finger holes…..weelllllllll I’m sure many would agree it’s nothing that keeps you up at night. And, truth be told, this is the third pair I’m making him. There was his first pair, then I tried to surprise him and made him a pair and epically failed so working on fingers 21-39….head/desk. But he’s my pookie and deserves double knit gloves so, Laura, tackle ‘em!

Secondly is a scarf for a doctor if you can believe it. After a conference in Philadelphia in August, I strained/sprained my shoulder. (I honestly don’t remember the exact diagnosis but the doc used those two words. Whatever….it hurt). Anywho, I decided to make him a scarf because he’s good people.

Thirdly, this GORGEOUS cardigan just needs half a sleeve done and some finishing components. Seriously, if I don’t finish this within a week, you have my permission to come kick my ass. Cuz I would need it.

Knitters would think of any reason to start a project and/or have a knitalong. So….there are two blizzards headed your way?? Yes, I think it’s a great reason to cast on something.

I present…….my Snowcopolypse/Snowmageddon 2010 Shawl:

This is the Conifer Shawl from the Winter/Spring 2010 issue of Knitscene. It would have probably been done if I didn’t leave it at mom’s house when I was at her place on Sunday the 7th. opps. But I got it back and hope to finish it soon.

I also finished the first sleeve on Abby’s Starlight Starbright Cardigan

and I finally finished Courtney’s socks.

Pattern: Serpentine Socks by Wendy D. Johnson from Socks from the Toe Up
My Ravelry Project Page
Yarn(s): Fiesta Yarns Boomerang
Colorway(s): Sapphire
Needle(s): US 2 / 2.75 mm
Casted On: December 23, 2010
Casted Off: February 11, 2010
Modifications: I did a short row heel instead of a heel flap. no biggie

This was my first time knitting with Boomerang. It’s a warm thick yarn for socks and I’m sure Courtney will love them. I have another skein in my stash and I’m sure they’ll making warm socks. But it wasn’t the most flexible or giving yarn. The resulting socks will be warm and very appreciated so that’s all that matters, right?

Ravelympics

The opening ceremonies for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver will be starting at 9pm EST and that is the precise time the Ravelympics will commence I have decided to knit Seneca out of Stonehedge Fiber Mill Shepherd’s Woo. Progress pics to come!

Happy Ravelympics everyone! Be safe!

Seriously, as someone who has had her share of tendonitis issues due to flute playing, if your hands hurt, STOP!

On Friday February 5, DC got hit with a record breaking snowstorm. See…lemme show you it from space

I did some research and found this out

Our big weekend storm surged Reagan National Airport’s seasonal total to 45″ with the balance of February and March yet to go. This places our current winter in position number three for the snowiest winters on record, behind 1995-96 (46″) and the big one, 1898-99 (54.4″). Of course, that all-time record was set at a more downtown location (M Street), so some may argue the higher elevation and location away from the Potomac was an easier accomplishment. But in my mind, that makes this potential record season all the more notable.

And on Friday night, at about 2250, Jermaine and I lost power that we did not get back till Monday morning. It was fun on Saturday. Jermaine and I played a hysterical game of Trivial Pursuit. But I have to say, as our apartment’s temperature was dropping, the fun was dissipating. I felt how cold Layla and Luna’s paws were through multiple blankets!

Mom and Ray got their power back on Sunday morning and invited the whole family up to their house. So Jermaine and the kittehs and I went up to mom’s house. I have to tell you it was the most stressful car ride of my life! Roads still weren’t clear making it so so stressful. I got out of the car, shaking and simply said two words to mom “booze please!” I have to say that my mom is pretty damn hip but it still had to be weird for her to hear her little girl request demand that!

I have to say, it was stressful being at someone else’s house. Especially knowing that they’re breaking their rental agreement allowing kittehs to stay the night. (I was nervous they would view the carpet as a scratching post ) That said, it was also great spending the night at home with my mom like old times, something I haven’t done since I graduated from college. We enjoyed watching the Super Bowl (Congrats, Saints!!) and said nighty nighty, like old times…I woke up and my sweet mom made me pancakes. How amazing was that? So there are parts of me that want to go back to my old life–working, relaxing at home….but there is a another part of me that really enjoyed the time I spent with mom and Ray. And popping by Dad’s place to make sure he was ok too. It was like we were all a team helping each other out. I went over to dad’s to help him out and we, in turn, borrowed his metal shovel.

Now I have a poll for Ravelympics 

Should I cast one of these sweaters?

Seneca (Ravelry Link)

or Henley Perfected (Ravelry Link)

These would be for the Sweaterboard Cross event. Only one, mind you. It is either I cast on one of those lovely pullovers or I finish one Lace Cardigan in the WIP Dancing Event

this yarn.....so so so lucious

I am a sucker for these polls, so tell me what you think!!

Pattern: Uptown Boot Socks by Jennifer Appleby from 25 Favorite Socks
Yarn(s): Tess’ Designer Yarns Super Socks & Baby
Colorway(s): Purple/Blue
Needle(s): Size 2.5. For this yarn, I don’t think I would typically use needles this big because the yarn is fairly thin. But since this pattern is ALL cables, I figured it would be a good idea to use a bigger needle size so the end result isn’t so condensed.
Casted On: June 28, 2008
Casted Off: August 24, 2008
Modifications: I composed this pair of socks from the toe up and did a sherman heel.

I know that this pair of socks took about two months to make but I feel that was because yours truly was truly distracted by the strings, as I like to call it. I absolutely love how these socks feel because my feet feel very snug and comfortable.

During the first annual Ravelympics, I’ve received two medals in WIP Wrestling and one in Colorwork Cross Country. I’m quite proud of myself! I am now working on this a second Marilinda for this poor sock.

I seem to be making a lot of them!

My swap pal loves fingerless gloves. Her exact words were “They’re the best thing evar.” I love color work and have always had my eyes on the Endpaper mittens so it’s a perfect match

Pattern: Endpaper Mittens by Eunny Jang from See Eunny Knit
Yarn(s): Happy Feet from Plymouth
Wool Bam Boo from Classic Elite
Colorway(s): Deep Red & Cream, respectively
Needle(s): No simple answer here. For glove #1, I didn’t think size 0s were necessary for the cuff and I used 2s. Well I didn’t like how they ended up. I used 0s for the second glove. (There is something to be said for following directions )
First Glove
Size 2’s – Cuff and colorwork to the thumb gusset
Size 3’s – Thumb guesset to end of colorwork
Size 0’s – Cuff area near the fingers
(needless to say, the first glove was very experimental)
Second Glove
Size 0’s – Cuffs on wrist and finger areas
Size 3’s – All the colorwork
Casted On: August 15, 2008
Casted Off: August 29, 2008
Modifications: I did a sew cast off instead of a kitchener one

These puppies flew OFF the needles and I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed knitting them. Happy Feet was a very soft yarn. Pardon my cynicism but when I bought the skien for all of $6.50, I couldn’t help but wonder if something was wrong with the yarn or if I was buying crap. I haven’t found a thing wrong so I’m very pleasantly surprised. The softness of Happy Feet plus the bamboo content in the Classic Elite, made a very nice and smooth pair of gloves.

I asked some of the women in my SnB on Wednesday to try them on as I am very nervous that they won’t fit my pal but, luckily, the pair fit about three or four of the women’s hands so I’m more confident. I hope my buddy likes them.

I seem to be in a colorwork craze of late. Perhaps I’m ready for a steek? a sweater? hmmmmmmm

I joined the Ravelympics as a method through which I can get done with a lot of my works in progress.

Hasn’t worked. I get distracted so easily in my ordinary life. Knitting is no different. Last night I got the urge to do some colorwork so I started Endpaper Mittens for my Secret Swap pal (She loves fingerless gloves and I’ve always wanted to use this pattern so…perfect match )

And might I just say? These puppies are flying off the needles! Won’t be surprised if I get these done relatively quickly if (and that’s a big if) I stay at this pace.

I also received some Lorna’s Laces roving that I’m spinning for a shawl for the person who loaned me the spinning wheel. Oh lovely fiber…..me likey!

Then of course there is the Homeless Vets drive on the Obama group that I want to do more things for. I queued Wavy the other day with hopes I can do this for the drive because they’re running low on scarves.

And finally my mom gave me a book, Knit One Felt Too, with a Christmas gift suggestion (don’t you crafty folk just love how that ends up?? hehehe) so who knows….maybe next week at this time I’ll be a felting queen.

Notice how all of this has nothing to do with the Ravelympics? I’m a disappointment!

And my cheering section, taken about an hour ago.

She has a headache, it appears

I finished a pair of fingerless gloves for the Knitters for Barack Obama knitting drive for homeless vets.

Pattern: Dashing by Cheryl Niamath from Spring 2007’s Knitty
Yarn(s): Paton’s Wool Merino
Colorway(s): Green
Needle(s): Size 7 KnitPicks Options, Magic Looped
Casted On: July 30, 2008
Casted Off: August 11, 2008
The first glove was finished a day and a half after I casted on then I started the second glove on August 9, 2008.
Modifications: The pattern called for eighteen rows in the ribbed pattern, then a cable round, nine rib rounds, cable round, nine rib rounds then a final cable. After the final cable, the pattern calls for 24 rib rounds and I only did nine. 

At first I hesitated doing a pair of fingerless gloves. I might be in the minority here but I wonder about the point of them if there your fingers aren’t covered but I just realized it’s a simple matter of preference. The only thing Jermaine has specifically asked that I knit for him are a pair of fingerless gloves. He really liked having them on shipment days at the bookstore he works at. Then there was a question about their length. Should they be that long? But after some investigating on Ravelry, I saw that many men like these gloves. Plus, we’re knitting for homeless vets in cold states such as Michigan and Minnesota so I’m sure they would appreciate the extra warmth! 

If I ever need a pair of fingerless gloves, I’m sure I would come back to this pattern. It was a quick knit and they fit fantastically well! I would be very honored for a vet to wear these. If they give them some degree of comfort, I would be happy. Hearing news reports like this just enrages me…that I live in a country that forces its people into a war and once they return they’re ignored. When I get mad, I just knit more. Pretty positive I think

I wouldn’t know because I’m part of….

There are 31 events one can join with a ton of teams. I’ve entered quite a few of my WIPs to the WIP Wrestling event. Thanks to Summer of Socks, I’ve casted on far too many socks and it’s about time I finish some of these puppies up. My WIP number is going beyond funny and heading into ridiculous. Things in our team captain’s life have gotten a little insane (don’t you hate it when life gets in the way of knitting?) so I’ve stepped up to help organize things for Team OBAMA (Image thanks to my dear boyfriend Jermaine

And I’ve also joined Team 51 but we don’t have a banner but YAY! GO DC!

For Team Obama, here are my WIPs.

Courtney’s Christmas Present, Ann Budd’s Mock Cable Weave socks

My Marilindas. I need to knit the second sock (that would help right?)

And for the Knitting/Crocheting for Homeless Vets project:

And I hope to make a hat too but I’m not holding my breath. Going to definitely do it but whether or not I’ll do it for the Ravelympics is questionable

For Team 51:

Emma’s Sundress…this project will be my escape from socks project. hahaha

and my Uptown Boot socks that are going surprisingly fast.

I can honestly say that I don’t care how fast others knit or how many projects they finish. I’ll cheer them on, of course, but this is more of a personal challenge for me. This might prove just how insane and overly ambitious I am but I also hope it decreases my WIP number. Even if it’s by a little.

Summer of Socks certainly has helped me with some Christmas knitting and I’ve made and plan to finish some awesome socks. That said, I’m looking forward to knitting some different kinds of garments too. I think after I get some WIPs out of the way, I should pick up Rogue and play with some sweaters. I’ve bought some yarn off KnitPicks for some baby sweaters and am looking for the perfect project for this

The possibilities are endless!

As per Carrie’s post, I leave you with pics of my cheering section

(I purposefully picked pictures of them snoozing for the sake of irony and then I picked pics of them doing what they usually do as I knit–crave attention or look regal. Luna kinda reminds me of Bob here.)