{FO} Ulhuru Sunset

Rather than do one large post for all of the knitting I've been doing since I last, last updated my blog I'm going to do individual posts here and there.  In no specific order.

I finally finished my Multnomah shawl and love it.  It is a little smaller than I had wanted - I had made the smaller size because I didn't have enough yarn to make the full size...but I think when I finished it I could have added a few more rows.  Either way, it is beautiful and I love the colors.  I may re-block more aggressively. 

Poorly lit and Instagramtastic 

For current works on the needles I only have two.  I'm participating in my very first Mystery Knit Along - Wendy Knit's Summer Solstice Mystery Shawl KAL 2012.  It is many firsts for me: first lace shawl, first MKAL, and first time working with beads.  I am using some super squishy beautiful Cascade 150 Heritage Sock yarn for it.  See poorly lighted swatch on the left.  


Clue 1 was released on the 20th, and I'm almost done with it.  Adding the beads is slow going, but pretty.  There is a lot of stitches, since it is a bottom up shawl, and I'm thinking I will probably fall behind on the clues, but i'm not too worried.  Just going to knit my best and pray for the best. 


I am also working on Nate's alpaca scarf.  With the yarn we bought in September during our 9 year anniversary.  I'm hoping to finish it by the time our 10 year anniversary comes up :)  I'm actually surprised at the amount of knitting I'm getting out of this yarn...I still am only on the first skein.  Hopefully we will not need to make an emergency trip to Maine! I do not have a picture of this item yet. 

Save the Ravelympics!

I have no excuse as to why I haven't posted in so long.  Really.  I have still been knitting...up a storm, actually.  So, I'm due a post on what I have actually been knitting.  More on that later. 

I have just now heard of the ruckus going on with the Ravelympics over on Ravelry.  Mostly I'm oblivious to various hoo-ha...and pretty bad at being a frequent visitors to the forums.  I still have yet to master the art and technique of knitting while reading.   But, today I saw a couple of articles that upset me very greatly. 

It seems that the US Olympic committee has their panties in a twist over the use of other people using the word Olympics.  They won one court case in the '80s that pretty much gave them exclusive right to a word - which I find utterly ridonculous (and if we can claim ownership of a word, I would like to own that one, ok?) So these corporate suits who apparently have NOTHING better to do with their time sent Ravelry a cease and desist order over the Ravelympics - for those who do not know, this is an event for knitters and crocheters that can be a fun contest while we watch the Olympics.  You join a team (I'm team Random Act of Monster, FYI) and while the Olympics run you knit. Simple.  And fun.  We'd be doing this anyway, but now we have a fun event to participate in - and who doesn't love an event?

Apparently the USOC, that's who.  They feel that by calling it the Ravelympics knitters are making a mockery of the games.  Honestly...didn't the naked ancient Greeks already do that? Or, y'know...the countries that violate the rules and put in underage competitors in the events? No? Bueller? Bueller? And seriously.  Does the USOC know any real life knitters? We're about the least likely to make a mockery of anything. Unless it's graffiti. And then we make it pretty.

And don't even get me started on them wanting patterns that show the Olympic rings taken down.

Shame on the USOC. 

Yes, I understand trademarks and copyrights.  But I still say Shame on the USOC. (Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer; I work in human resources)  I am not an athlete - and yes, those people train hard while I sit on my ever increasing bum and knit - but that is not really the point is it? I'm sure if the USOC had thought up the idea of a Ravelympics sort of thing where they would charge people to participate they would have been all over that like me on a piece of chocolate cake.

And we knitters are unamused by the USOC's shenanigans. We have pointy sticks and we're not afraid to get stabby - just ask any loved one who had the misfortune of interrupting us as we count valuable lace pattern stitches.  Addi Lace tips are sharp...

To say we denigrate the hard work of true athletes is ridiculous.  And I would love to see the head of the USOC attempt to knit an intricate lace pattern since he is basically saying that knitting is so easy a caveman could do it (Hey...Geico? If you're reading I do not mean to infringe on your slogan and will give you full credit for ever coming up with that phrase ok? Would you like a pair of knitted mittens as a sign of my appreciation?)

I am truly disgusted by the USOC's reaction to a harmless, fun activity.  Do they go around the country and tell camp kids they cannot participate in their summer Olympics (you know 8 out of 10 camps have such a thing)? Do they go to all-inclusive resorts and cruise lines and tell them they cannot have Olympic games? No.  So why discriminate against knitters? Dear USOC Suits did someone once knit you an ugly sweater and you are now taking out your revenge?

And USOC? Your weak-tea statement does not help you out in any way shape or form...

Feather and Fan Until the Cows Come Home

My multnomah shawl is almost done! I just started repeat 9....only one more to go! I am looking forward to finishing this so I can start something new. I feel like I've been knitting this f.o.r.e.v.e.r.  Granted...I did get into a car accident and put it up for awhile. But still. F.O.R.E.V.E.R. 

Right now it is looking a little scrawny, but I'm fairly confident that it will grow when I block it.  Besides the pattern being pretty easy and memorable, I am bored knitting this.  There are just so many stitches per row - it takes a good 30+ minutes per row! So even though a repeat is only 4 rows....it takes forever. 

I am trying to think of what I want to knit after this.  I'm thinking a purple ruffle scarf for my friend Sadie for sure (read: I already bought the yarn).  I joined another swap with the Danger Crafts group on Rav so there will be whatever pattern I decide on.  And then....I'm thinking of tackling my first sweater.  Rachel gave me three skeins of pretty green Mirasol yarn and I'm thinking maybe I might try Tiny Tea Leaves for my niece Anna.  We shall see.  

Forever and a Day

It feels like forever and a day since I last updated my blog.  In my defense the projects I was working on were secret ones.  We also moved to a new apartment.  And I've been enjoying my new found "life" these past few weeks.  

Nate and I moved to a cool, converted old mill (we think it's haunted!) on the Rhode Island/Massahusetts border.  And my commute has shortened drastically.  Now, instead of leaving at 5:30 every morning for work and coming home at 8, I am leaving at 6:30 every morning and coming home at about 6:45.  I feel like I have a life again :) I can do stuff after work and not immediately want to go to bed.  It's amazing!!

View of our new living/dining room and kitchen. 

Hoo Hoo

 On the knitting front, I've been working on a few things.  I finished up a swap gift for a new found Ravelry friend.  I made her an owl from the Owls Two Ways pattern which I was not absolutely in love with.  My owl did not really come out too owl-y I don't think.  Maybe I didn't stuff it enough, or I didn't seam it up right...but to me it looks a lot like a purple blob.  Not my best project, that's for sure.

I also made a super cute little hair bow from the Mini Sunbow pattern which was super easy and super cute.  Really. Perfect for beginner knitters and perfect for using up scrap yarn.  While I made this one for my swap partner, I am definitely going to be making up a bunch more - for me!! There is also a larger bow pattern by the designer which looks fun too.

And I finished up and gave my friend Jackie her Christmas present!  I used the Twist and Flounce pattern and it was a lot of fun.  I started the flounce part when my wrist was still mending from it's shattered state.  I did a Purl Front and Back in this pattern for the first time which was interesting.  And the pseudo-cable was ridiculously easy.  This was a relatively quick knit, and one I would probably do again.  It is a key hole style scarf which is the first one I have ever knit.  I used Berocco Vintage Chunky yarn and it was so vibrant and squishy and pretty.  And Jackie seemed to really enjoy it too -- Granted, she should have had it at the end of January.....but y'know.  We do live in New England, maybe we will get one last cold spell? 

 

Bunnies for Joplin

Last May, Joplin, Missouri was devastated by tornadoes.  As these families are still trying to rebuild their lives, this Spring is a stressful time for these people.  I am a member of the Random Acts of Monsters group on Ravelry, and there was a post requesting bunnies to be knit/crocheted/sewn to send to affected children this Easter season. More information can be found at the Elephants Remember....Stuff group if you are interested in participating. Touched by the generosity of the people on Ravelry, I quickly undug my Rebecca Danger's Bunny Nugget pattern and looked in my stash for a gender neutral yarn. In seriously 2 hours, I had this little fellow done and I cannot wait to mail him off to make a new friend in Joplin.

{FO} Stop Your Monkeyin' Around

In Memory of the Greatest Monkee of them All : Davy Jones (1945 ~ 2012)

What? A new post? *brushes dust off of blog* I am so sorry for neglecting you.  My knitting is still limited, so nothing really new to show.  Not because of pain, per se, but because I'm back at work...and am pooped by the time I come back home. I also cannot juggle too many thing on the commute at the moment - so no train knitting.  BUT, despite all that I have something new to show! A finished something new.

Meet Starburst the Candy Monkey!  So named because the yarn reminded me of starburst candy....I kept sniffing it as I knit him.  

I knit this cutie the week before I went back to work...and with a mostly still owwy arm. But, I'm very proud of him.  The actual knitting wasn't too painful but putting him together kind of was a little tricky. When all was said in done, there were 2 ears, 1 mouth, 2 arms, 2 legs, 2 feet, 1 tail and the body.  Surprisingly it didn't take too long to knit.  

I used the BEST yarn for this monkey.  I caved (mainly because I really wanted to buy some) and purchased a Jerry kit from Dancing Dog Dyeworks - which has some of the most amazing, vibrant yarns ever.  Seriously. It was worth it. So worth it.   I have enough to make either another big Jerry the Musical Monkey or 2 mini ones.  Eventually I will make one for myself.

As I hinted in my last post, this monkey was part of a swap in the Danger Crafts group on Ravelry.  And I think my swap partner was super happy with her present.   My Swap partner has an awesome Etsy shop selling handmade soaps and stitch markers - the soap is amazing. She included a owl soap for me in my present, and it's amazing.  Check her out :)

All her goodies

I have another swap coming up in April for the Random Acts of Monsters group on Ravelry.  This is an amazing group that has been set up for knitting toys for people in need of a pick me up.  It's super cute and sweet and it's amazing to see how wonderful and giving this community can be.  As for the swap - I still don't know what to knit for it but I need to get my butt in gear - my swap partner is basically another me, so it should be easy....

I also need to finish Jackie's Christmas present....maybe I will work on that this weekend.  And the multnomah shawl.  

And on top of all that.....our lease is up at the end of this month! and we still have yet to find a new place to live! *deep breaths*  I'm hoping everything will work out.

Anyways...I've bored you all enough.  Here is the project details:

Starburst the Candy Monkey

Pattern: Jerry the Musical Monkey by Rebecca Danger

Yarn: Dancing Dog Dyeworks Waltz Worsted Jerry Kit in Be My Valentine and Tangy Orange

Needles: US4

Accessories: Safety eyes, polyfil, and scrap yarn

{WIP} Updates and Knitting

So, I know it's not Wednesday...and that there is a football thingy happening today (or so FB and my father tells me)...but I just wanted to give an update on things.

I am still hurting...but it's getting a wee bit better. Or, it was until I was given my new removable splint a few days ago and I'm still ironing out the kinks. Needless to say, last night was the first time I took pain meds since my surgery.  Want to see what my arm looks like now? Take a look at the picture on the right...

I definitely nerded out at the orthopedist's office when I saw that.  It's just so...cool.  There is also a side view that shows the 8 screws holding it to my bone.  

I still have very limited mobility in my wrist.  I can barely make a fist, I can't really rotate it, and I can't put my left arm in a palm's up position.  Needless to say it's a bit frustrating and I'm still pretty emotional about the whole thing and stressed that I'll never, ever have a normal arm free of pain again.  Like I said...emotional.  BUT, I did get cleared to go back to work on the 13th...so soon I can add stress about driving and black ice to my daily routine again.  Now if only my car would finish with its repairs.


Now...I did promise some knitting news.  I'm doing it!! Slowly....but knitting none the less.


I am participating in another swap on the Danger Crafts board and it's a Love Luck Leap theme...so my partner chose Leap (which is my choice) and I am making her a ___________.  Wait? What? Yes, my friends, like at Christmas time there is a return of the sneakiness.  I ordered special pretty yarn from Dancing Dog Dyeworks to spoil my swapee (not her fault I broke myself literally the day we were assigned as partners) and I'm in love. Absolute love.  I not only got to finally use my Addi Clicks but also my project bag from Slipped Stitch Studios.  The bag I love, the Clicks are OK - love them, but since I was doing the magic loop the yarn was snagging on the joins a bit.  I'm withholding judgement since my knitting is a wee bit wonky at the moment.  Not the needles fault.

This will probably be the most complete picture you will see between now and the finished object as I think my swapee is a pretty good stalker and don't want her to figure it out ;)

I also started on my Merry Birthday present for my friend Jackie.  This is what I started with when I decided to try knitting and the big needles are a little bit more painful for me...that and my left wrist does not like doing things through the back loop at the moment.  Hopefully it will get better. Again, have to be secretive on the details of this as Jackie reads my blog :P


And finally, my birthday was on Monday and we went out to western Massachusetts to visit Nate's family.  We went to Web's and I used my gift card Nate had gotten me for Christmas and bought myself a skein of Madeline Tosh Vintage to knit myself a hat with eventually.  Once I can handle casting on a big number of stitches.  And figure out which hat to make for ME.