Turkey Day

Happy Thanksgiving! Blueberries from our backyard. Pie crust from the store.

PIE

 

 

The Christmas Hat

I haven't bothered to write in a few weeks, but that doesn't mean I haven't been busy. I was preparing for my trip and doing non-crafting things. Now I'm stuck at the KY/TN border for aprox. 2 months. This means a lot of knitting, and 'tis the season! I have Christmas presents to produce en mass.

This year will be the year of hats. Last year, my friend Sheila knit me this fabulous hat (see blue hat in previous post). It is so awesome and warm and snugly that I slept in it the first night she gave it to me. Really. I love it so much. I love it enough that I want to churn out 10 clones of it to give away, so that others may love it.

The thing about this hat is that it uses super chunky yarn and is an easy pattern. That means even a simpleton like me can produce one pretty quick. Sheila gave me the pattern a couple weeks ago, and after tracking down the right knitting needles (a story in itself) I've been hard at work.

Here's the pattern if you're interested - it's available for purchase on etsy.com.

An aside on knitting needles - I ended up buying 3 different needles for this project, because I am dumb. I've never knitted in the round before. I needed a size 11 (8mm) needle. First I bought a size 8 because I forgot the difference. Then, I bought a size 11, 29" circular needle - not knowing (or thinking) that you have to use a needle shorter then the piece you're working on if you intend to connect the ends. So I had to go buy another.
The only size 11 I could find that was the proper length was bamboo, which is of course twice as expensive as the cheapo metal ones I typically buy. So I begrudgingly made my purchase and grumbled to the cashier about how I was getting reamed (he ignored me).

I LOVE THIS NEEDLE. Bamboo is so much nicer to work with. Lighter, no awful clacking sound, warm, soft.. I feel like I'm knitting with air. So, if you really want the knitting experience of a lifetime, go with the expensive needle.

I won't mention the fact that I still have to go buy another needle because I didn't notice the pattern requires two different sizes.

So anyway, here's my progress on the first hat - this is after about 45 minutes. I had to stop because I don't have the right needle to continue.

In other news, I've made progress on my top secret present. I'll probably finish this piece today, since I can't finish the hat.

I guess its not so secret anymore.

Its a Secret...

Somebody's getting a wedding present! What could it be? WHAT COULD IT BE?!

Hint: No hints.

I couldn't find cozy grey, but I hope this palette will suit.

P.S. Yes, I do love sharpies, thank you very much.

Victory is mine! Victory and coffee!

So, my first project is getting the big fat finished stamp. The magical moment happened on Sunday, but I've been reveling in the glory of completion and (only slightly) warmer coffee for the past few days and avoided blogging about such a miniscule success. On a side note, I do not understand this concept of casting off "in pattern."

Here's the proof:

Those cute lil' buttons came from the treasure trove of notions that were stashed in the sewing machine table I rescued a few weeks ago. But you don't know about that yet, do you? That's a whole different blog post, just waiting to happen. But I'll give you a tantalizing sneak preview.

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 I know, I know. You're on the edge of your seats now.

Pengiun Sweaters

In recent global knitting news (the only global knitting news in the past 3 years), a request by a New Zealand yarn shop has exploded into a viral sensation.

After posting a request for a few penguin jumpers on their website, the store has received adorable frocks from around the world. The sweaters' purpose, they say, is to keep penguins affected by a recent oil spill from preening and ingesting the oil on their feathers. Also, its to make them look even cuter than they already are. Or something. I'm not really sure which is more important.

Their goal has been met, but you probably need to see the picture anyway.

It is exactly as it seems.

If you want to read more, check the blog for Skeinz, the yarn store responsible for all of this nonsense.

I Want Socks!

I want to knit socks so bad. After two weeks in the field and two weeks of my feet in their work boots, I am reminded of the value of a good pair of thick work socks. Winter approaches, and steel-toed boots means steel-cold toes.

My favorite knit hat courtesy of darling Sheila

One time I helped a lady sitting next to me on an airplane knit a sock. It was then that I learned about knitting in the round.

She also happened to be a psychic who could communicate with the dead, and she told me my Grandpa said hi (among other things that are none of your business). I was coming home from his funeral, after all. No joke.

Anyway, I haven't knit a stitch of a sock since then. They intimidate the hell out of me with all their turning and heels and toes and seances. I wonder whatever happened to the psychic sock knitter? Her name was Sam.

What better socks to knit to soothe my toes' woes than anthropology themed socks? See the following, among others:

Stratigraphy Socks

Indiana Jones Socks

Culture Socks

Pretty in pink

A bit impractical...

Sock monkey

So, somebody get to it. These socks aren't going to knit themselves. As you can see, I'm far too busy to do it myself.

Can you guess which one is me?

Out of Office

Hello from Mobile!

I'm in the field for the next two weeks, which means more time to knit. Sort of. It also means more time to drink beer and sleep. Mobile is an awesome old Southern port city. As one of my coworkers put it - its as if Savannah and New Orleans had a baby. I haven't had much time to explore, but we've driven by several antique shops that I'd like to duck into sometime in the near future. Mmm. Vintage. So good in my belly.

Lucky for y'all, I brought that coffee cozy to work on. I'm almost finished (if halfway is almost) but I'm afraid it's going to be too big. Instead it may make a perfect gift for a friend of mine who has a 12 cup french press. Yes, that's right. I will pawn off a homemade good I fully intended to keep for myself because I screwed it up. I didn't bring my camera, so no pictures. I know, the suspense is killing you. You'll just have to wait!

In other fun blogging news, I was accepted to the elite, exclusive internet club that is Pintrest. I don't think it is really as elite as they want me to think. They made me request an invitation - but I'm pretty sure any schmuck who requests one gets one. But that's beside the point! I am elite now!

Check out my Pintrest - I can slap whatever images I see and love on the interwebs onto a virtual cork-board.

So, in short - I only have one project to work on and finish this week, because I only brought one project. Think I can manage? Hopefully I don't stumble across any crafting stores down here.