Goal Trackers

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Ravelympics Cast-on!!

OK, I wasn't a die-hard fanatic that got up at 8 AM just to cast on. Sorry folks, I slept in as my per-normal healing period, till about 11. Then I had to pack for a drive-by weekend with the folks. My older sister and her family were going to NY for my baby sister's birthday and to drop the kids off with Nonni and Grandpa for the week. My parents are so good to take the kids not just for one week, but TWO different weeks over the summer!! Earlier this summer they took the grandkids to Florida for a week!

The trip was a little hard on me. I wasn't used to sitting for such a long period of time. Not even the first day I was home from the hospital, but then again the swelling was pushing against my bladder which had me in the bathroom every couple of hours. We got stuck in HORRIBBLE traffic in Delaware. It was even worse when we came home on Sunday!! Sunday we were stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic from the Delaware Memorial Bridge (entering Delaware) to the toll booth LEAVING Delaware!! Sunday was BRUTAL!!

This traffic was horrible on one bum and patience, but great for the non-driving knitter, ME! Though I had a few sharp belly pangs Friday night to remind me that it wasn't so great on the body.

Anyhoo, I cast on for my Horcrux Socks at about 2PM, after I was done packing. By the time we got to NY (9:30 PM) I was 2 rows away from the heel flaps!! I went ahead and cast-on 2-@-a-time. Silly me forgot that book at home and didn't want to screw up the heel flaps, so stopped there.

Horcrux Socks

Saturday was my sister's birthday. I help my Mom a little in getting ready for the party. She was having family over (25 people total) for a cook-out for Stefania. When she saw me draggin' ass she sent me to take a nap. I passed out on the couch for a few hours. It was just what I needed.

Doesn't she look cute pregnant!

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Sunday I cast-on the Cashmere Cowl. It's just a simple 2x2 rib. By the time we got home Sunday night I had knit through about 1/2 the skein of yarn. I think this just might be a one-skein wonder!! Now what do I do with the other skein that I have?!

Cashmere Cowl

Other Knitting News:
I am almost done with all the pieces for the Moss Bark Short Sleeve Cardigan. I just have one more sleeve to complete, block and sew together. I hate sewing pieces together! Anyhoo, I love how it's turning out. It's a tad heavier then I was expecting, so I doubt I'll be sporting this indoors, but it will be a nice jacket on brisk days!

Moss Cardigan

Dad's socka are coming along nicely. They will probably get the back burner till I am done with my three Ravelympics projects, but that's OK since Christmas is a bit off still. These were the first pair that I had cast on using the 2-@-a-time method. I have about 5" on the leg, the pattern calls for 9" before starting the heels. Notice anything about the needles on this project?? No, I'm not talking about the fact that they are Harmony needles, but they are nice aren't they! Look closer.

Dad's Socks

It snaped in half! *waaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh* I have never broken a needle before and I haven't even had these a month yet!! *sniffle* These were a gift, so KnitPicks won't replace them because only the person who bought them can do that. So, I decided I'm going to write them a letter and enclose the broken needle at proof. Hopefully they will replce, but in the mean time I had to order a pair in that size to finish the socks! I ordered the Options in hopes that I won't break them!

Luckily it isn't the working needle that snapped, so I can still knit, but I will need to switch out the needles when I get down to the heel flap.

Broken Harmony needle

Lastly, remember that yarn were the colorways was sooooooooooooooooooooooo off the order site picture. I went ahead and finished the Shetland Shawl for my sister and a fellow knitter, who is also a professional dyer was going to help me overdye the shawl. Turns out I didn't get to do it before my sister's birthday, so I wrapped it up as is with the intention of telling her that I would have to take it back with me to dye it again. Turns out, she LOVED the color. No need to dye! So I just blocked it and gave it to her when it was dry. Finnitto!

Shetland Triangle

Monday, August 4, 2008

More Christmas in July!

This post is a little late. I received my final package from my secret pal at the end of July. She's moving and didn't want my package to get lost in the move, so she sent it early, but I still don't know who she is!

Check out this loot!! DNP holders, Yarn Harlot's new calender, a knitting journal, a personal journal, a book of Friendship, a Sivia Harding shawl pattern - Hanging Garden Stole, two skeins of gorgeous Liisu alpaca lace weight yarn for the pattern AND beads!!
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Look at this cute felted bowl!! My pal said the bottom half of a 2-liter bottle fits inside nicely to keep the shape. So, I went out and bought a bottle of soda and just need to finish it so that I can wash and cut it down to fit!

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Look at the color of this yarn. It is just so GORGEOUS! So my color!! And oh-so-soft!!

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Lastly are the pretty beads that go with the yarn and the pattern!

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Thank you Pal!! You've been a terrific spoiler!!