Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Something Wicked This Way Comes...

Wicked is off the needles! I am two months into meeting my New Year's Resolution of at least a project a month. January saw Simply Marilyn (from The Best of Interweave Knits) and February has brought forth baby items and now Wicked (purchaed from Zephyrstyle, but just saw that it's on knitlulu. What happened to Rachel and Sarah? Are they not working together anymore? Zephrystyle is still there, but Wicked is not on the site - it's on Knitlulu.com). Not sure I really like the sweater as much as I liked the picture on the pattern. I didn't really want the short sleeves. Was waffling between short and long, perusing finished projects on Ravelry, and the boy spotted a project with this length sleeve. He really liked it and promoted it. So, I took his advice. I may make it a few inches longer in the ribbing. I basically followed the pattern without modifications, knowing that I don't prefer short sweaters. Not that it's cropped or anything, but I like my rather large hips to have a bit of coverage. Wicked has not been worn in public yet as I've yet to block it. Now, it's been off the needles several days and is still not blocking. Why? you ask...
Because this is what our village water looks like right now!
Or rather it's what it looked like the day Wicked was finished and for a few days after. Our water looks good now. Maybe I'll soak and block tonight.
Is it my imagination or does the pocket look crooked?
Of course, got a new project immediately on the needles. Francis Revisited by Beth Silverstein. I'm naming it Francis Ruth Revisited, as that was my maternal grandmother's name (less the word revisited). I found this painfully gorgeous yarn. the pattern calls for seven skeins and my LYS had 6 of the same dye lot and one other. I went ahead and bought them. Figured I could do the waist and arm banding as well as the cowl in the other dye lot. Hope this doesn't come back to bite me in the butt! I could not get gauge at needle size 10 so am using 10.5, still not getting exact gauge but did not want a sweater on 11s. Thought the weave would be too open. I'm not one to wear shirts under long sleeve sweaters as I get too warm. I'm feeling like this may be too open a weave on 10.5s, but we'll see. The yarn is Cascade Pastaza in a lovely emerald green. Here's Boots visiting Francis Ruth Revisited:

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Meme - 30 Things You May (or may not) Know About Me

1. I am a rabid Who fan.
2. I teach English language learners.
3. I believe I have the best job in the world.
4. I taught on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona for many years.
5. The only phrase I can say in Navajo is "the red ants are biting me".
6. When I was pulled over once, and the police officer asked me if I knew I was going 10 miles over the speed limit, I responded by saying "It's payday".
7. I once met Alice Cooper, and he spoke directly to me.
8. I did not get his autograph (even though there was a pen in his hand).
9. I did not get his picture (even though I was holding my camera).
10. I told him I was going to The Who concert. (he said he was too).
11. I do not speak well under pressure. (obviously)
12. I have a "Who wall" in my house.
13. My favorite place in the world is London, England.
14. I cried when I went through Westminster Abbey.
15. I hated history in high school.
16. I love history as an adult.
17. I am addicted to lip balm.
18. I once dreamed of being an archaeologist.
19. I have a friend who was an archaeologist.
20. I have hiked the Grand Canyon.
21. I sing to my cats.
22. My prized possession is an autographed picture of Pete Townshend from Woodstock.
23. I read all the Nancy Drew books when I was a girl.
24. I would like to meet Pete Townshend someday, but I will probably say something stupid like "I met Alice Cooper".
25. I co-wrote my high school class song.
26. I used to own a pet sitting business.
27. I will discuss my bowel habits with anybody. (If you have even met me casually, chances are you already know this about me.)
28. I hate to bake.
29. I love to cook.
30. I have a tattoo of the feminist symbol on my body.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Resolution Progress - FOs

How Freaking Cute are These!!!
I've spent most of February working away at baby knits for a soon to arrive bundle of baby boy joy. He will be bedecked with hand knits if I have anything to do with it!
I set down Wicked for the baby shower gifts. I'll be picking up Wicked again (actually picked it back up today).
But wait!!! There's more...
The sweater is a Debbie Bliss - Ribbed Baby Jacket in Bernat Cotton Tots. Booties are from KnitSimple. The jacket has puppy buttons and the booties have matching bone buttons. Mom to be also received a baby hat and baby kimono (Itty Bitty Hats and Mason Dixon Knitting patterns, respectively).
Boyfriend wants a pair of the converse slippers. Found an adult pattern on Ravelry from another Ravelry user. Will order the pattern and knit him some, as he's broken through his slippers (which I knit last year, and which graced this blog when I did).
Here's the progress on Wicked: