28

I turn twenty-eight today. I'm excited for a day of fun including bowling with friends, lunch with three of my favorite people, a movie, ice cream cake(!), and even some potential yarn shopping!

The only thing that would make it better is seeing my momma, but we'll make up for that soon!

I had a few vacation days left, so I was able to take this week off. It's so nice to be off on your birthday!

A happy girl

I'm a happy girl. Here's proof:

That, in my hand, is my new Nikon D40. It's lovely, and we've spent the last few days getting to know one another. She (I just feel like it's a female; is that wrong?) was a gift from my special fella, and I'm completely enamored. I'm still very much a noob, but I'm reading up on f-stop and aperture, and other camera-related jargon. It's fun to learn a new language!

P.S. This is a sneak peak of one of my finished Christmas gifts
(hint: it's on my head!).
I'll post a proper FO post soon.

I won something!

Peter had a contest for his birthday in mid-November, and I won! Peter sent me a lovely package, including a gorgeous skein of Malabrigo Sock.

The colorway is Persia. I can't wait to use it. Somehow, I'd previously avoided obtaining any Sock version Malabrigo. I'm not sure how that happened.

He also included a cute card, some decedent chocolates, and some neat notions (and I LOVE the tissue paper).

Thanks, Peter!

*Yawn*

Now,

where were we?

Gift knitting: For Jill

Jill already knows about this Christmas gift, so it's safe for me to show you my progress.

I started making these socks for myself, but as the sock came together, I couldn't help but think my sister would love them as much as I do. I made her an iPod cozy out of the same yarn last year, so I knew she would enjoy the crazy colors.

This is another toe-up sock (my second pair ever!), using Wendy Johnson's basic recipe.

This time, I did a slip-stitch heel, which was a bit confusing at first (mostly because I had less stitches on the needle than necessary, but I made the math work). I'm not satisfied with the bind-off, but Peter recently posted about a no-fail stretchy bind-off, so I'm going to redo that, and then the first sock is finished.

Since Jill already knows about them, and since she's a kick-ass sister, she understands that these might not be finished by Christmas day, so I've set these aside until I can clear out some of my other gift obligations.

New photos of old FOs

Back in January, I finished my Purple Waffles, but over Thanksgiving, my sister got a great punching shot with them in action. I love the gloves (and I love my bangs!), so I'm grateful that Jill was willing to snap a few punching shots.

Additionally, I took some outside photos of Wesley, which was another January FO.

I still haven't worn this hat, but I'm glad to have some clearer shots of the lovely FO.

This was not a complicated knit, but it sure looks impressive!

Hell frozen over (aka: it snowed in Houston)

Seriously? I can count the number of times it's snowed here on one hand. That's considering (almost) 28 years of living.

The forecast for today was 100% precipitation, with a very good chance of sleet/snow. It happened! Not much accumulation, of course, because, again, this is Houston, but it was fun, and work let us out early, in case the roads were bad.

Of course, my camera battery was low, so I have no pictures to document the occasion, but Rhonda and I knit some this afternoon, while drinking Irish coffee, which was delicious.

I'm working on one of four Christmas knitted gifts, so I'm furiously trying to get through them. I will definitely be casting on for a new sweater for myself once I'm done.

I'll show off some of the gifts soon, but tow of them can't be shown until after they're given.

Oh, and apologies for the lack of Food Fridays. See above regarding my camera battery. I'll fix that with a quickness.

Black Friday Destash : any takers?

I've noticed I really like using a colon in my blog titles. Hmm. Interesting.

So, I would like to share with you all some of my stash. I don't know when I will use any of this, and I'm trying to save up some Christmas money. Hope you find something you like or need!

11 skeins of Elann Sonata in Tarragon (it's a sage green color; a little richer than the picture shows)
$20 Paypal including US shipping

Fiesta Ballet, 1 skein (wound into a cake; ball band is missing) Iris colorway
$17 paypal including US shipping

8 skeins of Merino Style in Storm
$20 paypal including US shipping

2 skeins Karaoke (variegated orange/yellow)
$11 paypal including US shipping

La Lana Streakers, 1 skein of lovely fluffiness!
$15 paypal, including US shipping

Louisa Harding Jasmine, 8 skeins (2-3 balls were knit and re-wound; all yardage is present)
$45 paypal, including US shipping
This stuff is soft and sparkly DK weight.

Three Irish Girls Adorn, 1 skein in Kelly (I partially knit and re-wound this into a cake)
$19 paypal including US shipping

I will combine shipping if you buy more than one item. Comment here and we can discuss.
I will not be available Friday, but I will answer your comments in the order received on Saturday

Thanks!

FO: Craving Cables Bag

This FO was a long time comin'.
Like, one year and four months. Yeah. Sixteen months of being on the needles.
Then, it sat in waiting to be revealed for another month.

Shame on me.

Look how pretty!

Pattern: Ganiggle's Celtic Memories
Yarn: KnitPicks Wool of the Andes in Tidepool Heather, 1.5 skeins
Needles: KnitPicks Circular, Size 2
Time: Sixteen effin' months (a few rows here, a few rows there; you know how it goes)
Recipient: Not sure. I will save it for now, but maybe it will be a gift at some point.
Thoughts/mods/notes: I didn't make any mods, and the pattern is really straightforward. There was so much time in between sessions of knitting on this that I never really memorized the cabled section (but the lace portions on either side were easy to remember). I love this, and I'm proud to finish it, as the cabling is really gorgeous in the heathered yarn. I like the three buttons I had in my stash, and how they match the yarn so perfectly. I did my first i-cord for the strap (now I've even done applied i-cord on Pauline!).

The end. Whew. Glad to have this one complete.

FO: Starry Night Shawl

It's been almost two months since my Boston trip. And that's how long I've had this shawl done. Seriously. Two months, and I haven't shared it yet.
This is the shawl I cast on while working on my Boston Marine Cardigan (I needed something to work on while I was waiting to start the button band-you know how those can go!). I finished it the morning I flew home.

My blog friend Peter recently wrote about vacationing and knitting, and the connections you can make while working on something in a certain place. I definitely think of Boston every time I see this shawl. The colors are perfect, too; they make me think of Boston Harbor, and our fun ferry ride.

Details:

Pattern: HelloKnitty's Multnomah Shawl
Yarn: The Unique Sheep Verve in Dusk Dark, 1 skein (I have just a couple of yards left!)
Needles: KnitPicks Circular, Size 3
Time: Just under a month. I could have finished it faster (see above to remember this was a procrastination WIP), but there was no rush.

Recipient: Not sure. I will save it for now, but maybe it will be a gift at some point.

Thoughts/mods/notes: The pattern is well written, and easy to follow. I'm really a big fan of the sock yarn shawl. It's easy to see why they're so popular these days. I'm sure there will be more in my future. No mods to the pattern. The yarn is awesome; my Ishbel was knit in the same yarn. I'm a big fan of The Unique Sheep.

As you can tell, there is some pooling, since the yarn is predominantly blue and yellow (although there is a lot more subtle variation than that). I like it, though. I dig it.

Last night

Jill and I went to see Glen Hansard. The Swell Season. If you don't know, now you know. Check it out if you are unfamiliar. It was one of the four best shows I've ever been to.

The best part was when he pulled this girl on stage to sing backup (she was singing out from the crowd, and it was obvious she had a voice), so she ended up belting out, and it was an amazing goosebump-inducing song moment.
Ah, I wish we were still there.

Food Friday-Boston #6 (and the last)

Quincy Market is an awesome place. Have you heard of it? It, along with Faneuil Hall, are old buildings just on the border of the North End and Downtown Boston, which have been converted into food and retail spaces. You walk through the crowds to pick your poison, and then you can eat it outside while you people watch.

This will give you an idea of what I mean. It's a little overwhelming, trying to choose, and trying to wade through the crowds. I managed to find something yummy.

It's a portabello panini, and it was delicious.

Jill and I actually went to Quincy twice.
The second time, I don't remember what I ate for lunch, but I do remember gelato I had for dessert. It was coconut, and it was yum. Sadly (and happily), it was eaten too fast for a picture.

That's all my Boston food pics!

Sometimes, a little indulgence is necessary

Give yourself permission. Give in. Just a little.

Cast on for projects with disdain for those projects that have long been on the needles.

Use yarn that you've been hoarding and thinking about when you're knitting other things.

After finishing several items in the last few weeks (two of which I still need to share with you!), I cast on vigorously this weekend.
For two things. That's right, folks. I have two new WIPs to share.

First up, Pauline, a bonnet by Knitting Kninja (the link is for ravelry-it's a free pattern!).

I'm knitting this in Malabrigo Worsted. The color is Verde Esperanza and it is divine. I already knit my little i-cord flowers, using some Zen Yarn Garden sock yarn that I bought as part of a sample pack on Etsy several months back. It was only $5, and it had five sample skeins of their various sock yarns in a lovely berry shade. I think the color will go nicely with this green bonnet.

After a few hours of knitting, I'm ready to start the short row shaping. I'm curious to try the applied i-cord edging technique in this pattern. Sounds weird, but neat!

So, since that wasn't enough Malabrigo in my life (along with my Malabrigo Mitts that I need to finish!), I cast on with some Malabrigo Lace for a second Ishbel.

This is my first time using Malabrigo Lace, and I'm using size 5 needles. The fabric is super soft, and I love the slight variations in this shade of blue (Stone Blue).

I've knit far past this picture. I'm knitting the large stockinette portion, and I'm about two-thirds through that section. This will probably be a gift.

I hope you'll find something new to cast on for soon! Live a little; you won't regret it.

Contest winner: Calling Crooked Knits

So, I haven't heard a response from Crooked Knits.
If you'd like the Malabrigo and pattern prize, please comment here with your email address or email me at parandroid7 at gmail dot com by Friday of this week.

If Crooked Knits does not appear, I'll pick a new winner from the original comments.

Thanks!

Stop the presses! Milestone FO

Socks. I made them. Let me show you.

I finished the first one on July 18th, and now, only four months later, the second one is done!
You're not impressed by my speediness??
In all fairness, I didn't cast on for the second one right away, so I'm sure I can improve on my project duration on the next pair.

Yeah, I said it. I'm going to make another pair.

Interestingly enough, as I was nearing the end of the second sock, I couldn't put it down. In fact, from the heel on, I felt like I couldn't knit fast enough.

The heel really does feel like the beginning of the end, or the light at the end of the tunnel, or some other cliche. Speaking of heels, the above photo is my second one, and I think there is a vast improvement from the first one.

There's not much more to say about this pair, but here's the skinny:

Details:

Pattern: Really, I didn't use a pattern, but I've listed it under Wendy's Generic Toe-Up Sock on Ravelry.
I cast on 16 stitches using the Turkish cast-on, increased to 40 stitches, and then added a few increases at the widest part of the foot, and decreased by a few as the foot got more narrow.
Not very technical, am I?
Yarn: Rock Creek Super Soft Sock Yarn in Cherry Blossom, less than one skein. I don't know exactly how much I have left, but it's enough to make some booties or some other cuteness, and I'm thinking of pairing it with my Ishbel leftovers (lime-green; perfect!)
Needles:KP Harmony circular, US size 1 1/2
Time: Eh, about four months. Each sock took about a week or a week and a half to actually complete, so not as long as I thought.
Hopefully, the next pair will be faster, now that I've got the hang of it.
Recipient: me me me me!!
Thoughts/mods/notes: I really kind of winged it, but it was a good experience.

These aren't perfect, by any means. Just from the pictures, you can see that my knitting is irregular in places, and the bind off is sort of messy.

I don't care. I will wear them. With pride. And I will love them so.

Food Friday-Boston #5

Planning the next day at Flann's in Boston, just a half-mile or so from our place. That's a Harpoon IPA, the beer I loved dearly while in Boston.

And the winner is....

is #7 (omitting my comment), Crooked Knits!
Email your address to parandroid7 at gmail dot com and I'll send you the two skeins of Malabrigo and some extra goodies! Thanks to everyone who participated.

*randomly selected (I asked my bf to pick a number between 1 and 10)

Food Friday-Apple & brown sugar muffins

Smitten Kitchen strikes again, this time with muffins.

Not just any muffins. These muffins are chock-full of words like chock-full.

These muffins have chunks of apple (I used Honeycrisp, my favorite!), brown sugar, buttermilk, whole wheat flour, and other yummy things.

They were so good, in fact, that I ended up making two batches in one day. That's a rarity, unless we're talking about marathon holiday baking.

If you are trying to decide what to do with those delicious fall apples, make some of these. You won't regret it!

By the way, there's still time to enter the contest!

Two years old and a contest!

Yep. Two years of blogging for me! I'm not tired of it yet, and hopefully, you're not either.
On this, my blogibirthday numero dos, I find it funny that again, my number of completed projects is twenty-one. Apparently, that's my magic number.

The breakdown for this year:

5 hats

7 shawls/scarves/neckwarmers

1 pair of gloves/mitts

2 cozies/misc. items

6 shrugs/sweaters/vests

0 socks (<----Lame!!)

0 bags

At least eight of these are gifts.

I've also got
eight
WIPs on the needles right now.

To celebrate my blogibirthday, I'm having a little contest. The prize:
Some of my stashed Malabrigo. Two skeins, to be exact.

One in powder blue, one in Loro barranquero. Additionally, I will send you a couple of pattern booklets or magazines to round out the package. And, by leaving a comment with your favorite Halloween candy, you might find some of that in the package as well!

I will take comments until Saturday, October 31st, 6:00 PM CST.

I will post the winner next Sunday.

Thanks for reading. I enjoy this little (not so little, really!) world of knitters, crafters and bloggers. I've learned so much in the past year, and I'm glad to be a part of it.

ETA: If I don't have an email or ravelry username for you, be sure to check back here next Sunday in case you win!

Food Friday-Boston #4

Regina's Pizzeria
Originally uploaded by missyecaj

Regina's Pizzeria.
The Mediterranean.
Need I say more?

Boston pics-Fenway!!

Jill scored us tickets to see the Red Sox play. I think the only way she managed was that we planned this trip months in advance, otherwise, we never could have afforded to go.
Truth be told, I'm not the biggest baseball fan, but going to a game is different, especially in a town like Boston, with so much love for the home team!

Just being at Fenway was an experience. It's hard to believe it's been around since 1912, and it was neat to think about the history of the place, the game, and to imagine all the people that have sat here, watching and hoping.

The Sox played Toronto, and unfortunately, they were down in the seventh inning, when it started raining. I was not aware that the game just stops when the rain starts.
It was fun to watch this tarp unroll to protect the field, just in case the rain let up.

After about thirty minutes, Jill and I, along with most of the other patrons, walked back to the T and headed home. It was a hilarious ride home, thanks to one pretty obnoxious drunk dude.

It was a great last night in Boston, with lots of good memories.

Boston pics-Georges Island

Being on the water is so much fun. Especially when you can sing "I'm on a boat" with your sister and laugh hysterically.

We took the ferry from Boston to Georges Island, home of Fort Warren.

Given that this was a POW camp in the Civil war (the wiki link above gives more information, if you're interested), I couldn't help being reminded of Alcatraz. It's an eerie feeling, walking through history, knowing people were imprisoned here, isolated from the world.

Jill and I enjoyed walking around the island. It really is beautiful, and the view of Boston across the water was stunning.