Trying To Be Prolific

This weekend was full of knitting and creating. I had summoned all of my crafting power into my hands in order to finish off as many projects as I could. I was knitting like yarn was endangered. Alas, I didn't finish everything but a lot and I even found time to make some great stitch markers. Check tomorrow's post for pics of the stitch markers individually. Otherwise this would have been a very picture heavy post.

You already know I finished Buttony, and the Brother In Law Hat. I finished the Cycling Aran, zipper and all. I also swatched the Deep V Argyle Vest. I just about finished a scarf I was making to go along with His sweater and hat (I'm trying to use up the remaining 1/2 skein of Malabrigo and 1/2 skein of Blue Sky Alpaca's that I used on the last two projects, otherwise this is entirely to much coordination for me). I started the Oatmeal Jacket from Monkey Suits and I had to keep myself from starting a scarf for my secret swap partner.

Check it out! Here are some progress pics on the Cycling Aran and the finished project:

The zipper took me about an hour to put in. I didn't want to do it by machine and risk puckering or tearing the stitches ragged.

On my previous attempt I had stitched a simple stockinette lining. When I tried the jacket on a male friend, I noticed that the lining didn't stretch like the collar and wouldn't allow the collar to close. I ripped it out and decided to make the lining ribbed like the color to get the same amount of stretch.

Me modeling the finished product with hat.

Kamika

Something To Keep His Head Warm

Time: February 21st - February 22nd, 2008
Yarn: Blue Sky Alpacas Organic Cotton, 1/2 skein (150yds each)
Needles/Hook: US 8 16" circ.
Notions: None
Notes: Found pattern on Kody May Knits. It's called the Brother In Law Basked Weave Hat. Very well written pattern that can be knit in about 6 hours or less. For an adult male's head I would recommend doing, at minimum, 3 repeats of the pattern before starting to decrease. My hat is for someone who is bald so it will fit fine on him but as you can see with my hair in the above pic, it might not be long enough for someone who has a larger head with hair. For larger heads just add more repeats. Kody gives the option to decrease in or out of pattern. I decreased in pattern which, IMHO, gave it a nicer finish at the top.

I plan to make more of these.

Kamika

3 Eves Before Christmas

3 days before Christmas and I still have 2-3 more gifts to get. I say 2-3 because the third I'm not really all that enthused about getting but since this person is a sibling and expecting it I guess I need to get it. I'm trying to give this gift out of the goodness of my heart (most appropriate don't ya think) but my heart thinks no gift is better than a contrived one. My mind on the other hand is saying kill 'em with kindness and let the streets teach them their lessons.


My mind is winning the battle...


An update on the Cycling Aran. I'm just about done. I'm halfway finished with one of the sleeves and plan to start the other one tonight. After that I'm going to knit a lining in the collar with a lighter shade of Jo Sharp Silk Aran Road. I will then spray block it (sans boobs on my mannequin. see pic.) and then insert the zipper and gift wrap. Enjoy the pics. Sorry one is darker because I couldn't really catch the cable detail with the light in my room.


I'm working on some designs of my own. No telling when they'll make it to this blog or even to full completion. In the interim I think I will start on another sweater for myself. I'm thinking either the Buttony Sweater by Katie Marcus or Killybegs by Debbie Bliss. Both have been in my Ravelry que for a minute now.



If I don't see your before Christmas, have a wonderful one and be safe.

Kamika

I Am the Phantom...

I am the phantom that lives in the house

I am the phantom that walks in and out

I am the phantom that will not shout

so no one in the house will know I'm about...

Yep, that sums it up. For the last couple of weeks I have been rising early and coming home really late. Way after others have gone to sleep I've been slipping in the house and acting like I live alone. I haven't seen the faces of some of my family members in a couple of weeks but they know when I'm home. The light in my room is on and when they knock on the door I freeze like I'm invisible until they go away. At other times I feign deafness due to the earphones surgically attached to my ears when I'm here.

I know, some of you would say that I'm wrong while others may be resentful of me for being single, childless, and able to slip in and out without someone or a some thing called familial responsibility attached to my hip. I'm not ashamed. I'm tired ya'll! Hate me, I'm good at being a villain named Single. My krytonite is loneliness and longing.

God promised to remedy my plight, hence my latest project. This picture was taken yesterday so it doesn't show my progress on today alone. Double the height and you'll see where I currently am on my Cycling Aran. I decided to knit it in the round to eliminate as much seaming as possible. I'm a few inches from dividing for the armscye.

This has gone so smooth and the yarn, Blue Sky Alpacas Dyed Organic Cotton, is soooooo soft! I guess the blessings of the Lord do make me rich and add no sorrow... As if I didn't believe.
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I went shopping today and bought myself a few treats and took in a movie only to come home to an IRS wage garnishment notice. UGH! I need to go see my tax man like tomorrow.

I checked out the Golden Compass this afternoon. I know all about the reviews and the uproar the church is having with the storyline and the anti-church message. I got it. I liked the movie and I plan to go see the sequel (although I will reserve the right to change my opinion as I read more up on it). I was thoroughly amused through the entire movie. Great cinema! Nicole K is my girl. She's a bad actress and so I tend to like most of her movies.

I picked up Da Truth's album Open Book today and you should check it out. Nice grooves. It's going straight to the iPod and will be my running soundtrack until I'm tired of it or find a lyric that doesn't line up.

I'm really enjoying life. It's all been worth it!

Kamika