Not a DQ blizzard

We've received probably the most snow I've ever seen.
It's pretty incredible.

This one makes me laugh because it makes us look like survivors of The Day After Tomorrow.

Sledding!!!

(There are no pictures of me because I manage to look like both a coat marshmallow and an idiot while sledding :P )

Happy Blizzard of 2010, everyone!

Act naturally

In between speed-knitting a birthday present for a friend, I've been petting some yarn.

Two skeins of Araucania Nature Wool in an earthy celery color.

My favorite thing about yarn cakes is the whirpool on top!

And two skeins of Noro Silver Thaw.

That I really want to knit up.

This yarny news is a bit late, considering these four skeins were purchased over the New Year's holiday in Pawling, NY, but as the weather around here has been so utterly gloomy it's been hard to take pictures that aren't drably colored. All the snow melted and everything just looks…blah. It's my least favorite part of winter :/

Spaces

I HAVE A DESK AND TODAY THE WORLD IS ORGANIZED AND GLORIOUS.

And it's full of things I like :)

Not to mention the desk itself is very pretty.

I am a bad, bad blogger and I will most likely never improve.

FO: Dinosaur Skin

Now that finals are complete, I could fit in some blocking.

Behold, an evolution!

(Color is most accurate above)

So long ago, I made my first sock. And while it was impressive for a first try, it wasn't quite perfect; the leg was too tight, the eyelets didn't show, the heel wasn't picked up very well. And I never quite got around to making the mate.

About a month ago, I needed something to knit at work. I had the unused second skein of Koigu. I had a simple shawl pattern.

Then I needed more yarn. So…a-frogging I went :D

(It is at this point I should say that my friends in knitting club think I like to torture them by frogging perfectly good FO's in front of their very eyes. I do not, but I must admit, it is pretty funny to watch.)

The scarf…shawlette…thing was actually finished in December, but as previously mentioned, I've had no time to block it until now.

Oh, and as for the project name? I have fallen deeply in love with the smooth, yet textured garter ridges that feel just like our skin fossil at the museum. And after all, no one does know what dinosaurs looked like ;)

2009

Not a bad year!

I'm up in New York again for the holidays (sorry for lack of posting!), and I can't wait to show off some swag once I get back. Plus, more time to knit ;)

Happy 2010

FO: Ma Cherie

<3 <3 <3 <3

DONE DONE DONE and DONE

Pattern: Cherie Amour

Yarn: Manos del Uruguay Wool Clasica in colorway 115 (Flame)

Time: a little over a year (oy)

Why yes, it is very difficult and ridiculous to take pictures of yourself.

I am gaga over this thing. It is warm and soft and awesomely pretty.

Some specs! I made the body in the small size, but when I had knit both sleeves in small, even with blocking they were not nearly big enough to wrap around my arm, though my gauge was spot on. So measuring the armholes for accuracy, I reknit the sleeves in the large size, only to find they were much too long! I ripped them back a few repeats from the top before seaming.

Overall, this pattern is delightfully simple for a first sweater, and mighty cute too. I've gotten great compliments :D

Double the FO's: Stalking Socks and Oreo Mittens

Slipper socks in women's size 9 for my cousin for Christmas. The yarn is Jo-Ann Sensations Angel Hair, which is an absolute pain to knit with, but OMG SO SOFT. And they are the very neon-est of neon blue (which is why they're called Stalking Socks…fuzzy blue things instantly remind me of Monsters, Inc. :P )

Mittens for myself! I've been needing a pair. They look sort of large because, well, they are large. They're warm, but too thin to wear alone in Pittsburgh's windy winter, so the largeness leaves room for a pair of gloves to be worn underneath.

Both patterns were improvised, which makes me kind of proud, since I haven't designed a pattern in…let's not even count, ugh.

And speaking of accomplishments:

IT'S THE HOMESTRETCH, BABY.

Halvsies

Socks for my cousin

and mittens for me

Getting my winter knitting in gear with these projects, as well as my brainpower. Since these socks and these mittens, I haven't improvised a design in a loooooong time :P

FO: Delusional Shoes

Shoes made by a factory most likely in China, art made by me

Mo gave these to me forever ago, but I managed to finish them in time for her birthday this weekend (surprise!). Now that the cat is out of the bag, it's safe to post pictures of these up here :)

Left shoe



Right shoe



She absolutely insisted on a dinosaur somewhere in the design, so…

All in all, they took forever, but the recipient loves them. Mission accomplished

Meh

Since I am the most boring person in existence, have a list!

Things I Have Not Gotten Around to Reading Yet:
~The daVinci Code
~Life of Pi
~Three Cups of Tea
~Looking For Alaska
~Flush

Things I Really Want to Reread for the Possibly Billionth Time
~Fairest
~The Tale of Despereaux
~Chasing Vermeer
~The entire A Series of Unfortunate Events set
~All of the Harry Potter books
~Twilight (for mocking purposes only, I assure you)

I Really Need to Finish:
~Little Dorrit

That One Teen Romance Book My Cousin Recommended:
is getting pushed to the very, very back of the queue

Yes, most of these are kids books. I'm judging you too.
The problem with books is that they require a lot more time allowance than say, homework or checking email.
Thanksgiving break, meet paper cuts and decreasing vision!