WIP Wednesday

Hello knitters,

Per Ginny's request, I am going to share my holiday knitting finished project. My beloved friend is going through a lot right now. Just emotional, figuring out how to be happy and enjoy life more. Everyone needs to do this now and then. I wanted to spoil her a bit and make something a bit different and out of the box for her. She loves to wear shawls and I have noticed she wears a lot pink, greens and warmer colors. I found a pattern she loved, Duotone Cowl and found some soft yarn. I love the baby bamboo yarn by Sirdar Simply. I picked out the Jack in a box and cream colorway (I think, I did not keep the labels). It was a quick and fast knit with super soft yarn to knit with.

 I included some cute holiday stitch markers and wrapped it all in a cute little box. Hopefully she loves the cowl just as much as I do.

 I received this perfectly fitting knitting bag in the mail from her! I love it. As a chemist, this is absolutely perfect and as a physical chemist, the inside depicting the bohr model is awesome :)

 I finished my first Opal Sock. It was so much fun to knit with the adorable stripes. I cannot wait to see how the second one turns out. I am also working on my toasty twist socks still as well.

Have a happy new year knitters! Back next week.

WIP Wednesday

Quick post knitters:

I hope your 1 week until Christmas is going well. We are all set and ready for the holidays. Tonight I will be hosting my knitting group's holiday pot luck. I have tamales for the main course! I am always so nervous hosting events and I have the jitters today.
I am still working on my friends baby blanket. I love how it is turning out. I keep making mistakes and having to rip sections back. I find this very helpful because I was always so nervous about ripping back however, now I feel like a pro.

 Here, I am using Rowan Glace in the baked red colorway. I hope the family enjoys the cute piece. I am still reading The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith. It is really good and I am excited to get to the end!

Enjoy your week knitters and  have a great holiday!

WIP Wednesday on a Tuesday

Hello knitters.

Well Monday was an absolute disaster. Everything I touched, broke. My family started off the morning as usual, then the chaos started. I broke two glasses, stumped my toe, the dog got free off the leash.... etc. My day at work followed the same trend. I got to work and I thought my mouse died to find out my desktop is acting up and not working. As a computational chemist, you need your computer or the whole day is screwed. Finally, leaving work, my truck died at daycare.

This is why I love knitting, it takes away all of the issues of the day and lets you focus on something beautiful. Relaxing your mind from all of the issues of the day and letting you conquer one stitch at a time. All while creating a work of art. 

I came home to find the perfect way to turn my day around. My friend from MS knew I have been drooling over a set of needles for a long time. However, I could not justify spending money on needles that I already own. I first heard of these needles while reading SBA's blog. The Signature Needles are simply elegant looking. I love to knit socks and so my first set of needles are dpns US 1. 

This past week, I started using Pinterest. I know, I am behind... I guess having a kid will do that! I found some cute ideas for holiday stitch markers. With Santa, Christmas Trees and snowman on my mind I headed to Michael's and Joann's to find all of my beads. I ended up make several different kinds and I am very excited to use them this winter. I believe one must find joy in the little things, everyday. It may sound stupid, but cute stitch markers make me smile even when its -40 outside!

 I loved how the turned out that I even made my knitting buddy a set. She works so hard and I want her to know she is appreciated and loved. Plus, I sent her a special surprise to her work, from Etsy, to cheer her up. Ssh, don't tell.

 This past weekend was very busy. We went on the Polar Express Ride, had a friend staying with us and my husbands holiday party. Over the past several months, I have fallen in love with this man more and more. We have know each other for almost 16 years now and I would have to say these past few months have been the best. Here we are enjoying his holiday party Saturday evening.

Enjoy your week knitters. I cannot wait to see what is on everyone's needles. I linked up with Frontier Dreams and tomorrow I will link up with Ginny. 

PS I just started the Silkworm novel. I am not far enough to comment yet, but I loved the Cuckoo's Calling so hopefully it is just as enjoyable. 

WIP Wenesday

Hello knitters. I am too excited and wanted to post my new project now. My knitting buddy treated me to a skein of lovely Opal Sock Yarn. I first saw this yarn on Susan B. Anderson's blog.

 

I also finished up my hat just in time for the cold weather to hit in Madison, WI. This hat pattern is squish-squash cable hat by Tar3820. I love it. I added an additional 8 stitches and doubled the length of the ribbing section. 

 

Last night I finished I capture the Castle by Dodie Smith. The last 75 pages were brilliant.  I was expecting the book to end with either two scenarios and it completely took a different turn. I felt sad that the novel was over but I loved it. Next up is the Silkworm, the sequel to the Cuckoo's Calling. Hopefully, it will be as good as the first!

Happy WIP Wednesday! I joined Ginny today.

WIP Wednesday

Hello Knitters.

I hope your Wednesday is filled with holiday joy and excitement.

OK... Please do not judge me. I think every knitter does it, at least once. I started 2 new projects and I have not finished a single on already one my needles. I was just so excited to cast on with such pretty yarn. We have all been there, I am sure of it!
A sweet coworker and friend of mine is expecting. We all know that means baby blanket knitting. I cast on the baby blanket by Drops Design. I am not very good at understanding Drops Designs patterns and my friend found this raverly project which rewrote the pattern and made it much easier to understand.

I am 5 repeats into the first section and I am in love. I might even make this blanket for my son who is 4. It is just beautiful. My best knitting buddy, already knitted this blanket. Her knitted blanket is the most stunning and beautiful blanket ever, I am not exaggerating. Check it out here. I hope someday to have have the talent this amazing women has.
Currently, I have a lot of socks on needles. I love knitting socks but I need something with instant gratification. I decided to cast on  the Squish-Squash Cable Hat by Tar3820.  It's cold here in Wisconsin and I cannot wait to wear my hat in the winter!

I am reading I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith. I am about half way and it is a very interesting and fun read. The prospective is wonderful and very uplifting. While reading it, you experience the beauty around you and appreciate the little things that are so often over looked. I usually read fiction, scifi books but I am glad I read this one as well.

Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy your holiday! I joined Ginny today.

WIP Wednesday

Hello Knitters!

Where to start? I have cast on many projects, so there much to share. First, I have been in LOVE with the toasty twist sock pattern forever! I just wanted to find the right skein. I found this beauty while visiting a friend Chicago! Now, I am all set to start knitting.

I have been drooling over the Stray Cat Self Stripping Yarns for a long time. My friend and I bought some yarn and decided to work the Mystik Spiral Sock pattern.

This project is challenging. I had to rewrite the pattern for a smaller foot size and learn how to make German Short Rows (best youtube video here. ) I am not fond of how the short rows look but I love the pattern so much, I am starting to not care. Plus, the stripes look super cute in my opinion.... Moving on....

I started the Duotone Cowl for myself as well. I had way to many socks on needles and needed something with a bigger needle to work on. I love love love these colors. I wanted to step out of the box and try something not in my normal color scheme and this project is it.

Finally, I finished the All Souls Trilogy... I am so sad it is over but it was a great read. I am now reading, I capture the castle. It was suggested to me by a friend and I do love the tone of the book. It is engaging and fun. I would never have chosen this book myself so I am glad I asked for suggestions... I hope you are all having a wondering Wednesday. Thanks for stopping by. I joined Ginny today.

The Bear's Socks

I am proud to admit I have the cuddliest, cutest and sweet little boy ever. I have many nick names for him, the bear, nonobear, short stuff, cutiepie, sweet pea and so on.  He lives up to every name. The coolest thing, he loves LOVES, hand knit socks. For someone to be this appreciative of socks, well, he will get many pairs. I saw the Angry Birds Colorway on Turtlepurl yarns and thought of him instantly. I started by casting on 52 stitches and then k3p1 pattern for the cuff. I made basic socks from the cuff down using an adaptive version of the afterthought heel. They turned out perfect.

 

For an extra special treat, I made myself a new set of stitch markers. It's the little things in life that make me so happy. Happy Monday.

 

Yarn Along: WIP Wenesday

Hello Knitters.

Just a quick post today. I am still working on my Find a Penny Shawl. I love the color; it is so realistic to true penny.

 I found this skein at Vogue knitting and I am excited to have a shawl to help me remember the fun time I had.
As for reading, I am still working on the third book of the all souls trilogy. I love the book and I am almost 3/4 done. I will be truly sad when it ends but I am excited to find out what happens. I cannot wait to see what is on everyone's needles! Happy WIP Wednesday.

I joined Ginny today.

WIP Wednesday

Hello knitters,

I have just returned form the most relaxing trip and I am overwhelmed with joy. This past week we were in Tampa spending time with my sister-in-law and family. She recently had a baby boy and he is an absolute delight. Our kids spent time playing and getting to know each other, we relaxed and talked the whole week. One evening we spent on the gulf watching the sunset. It was breathe taking.

The vacation came at just the perfect time and it was most beneficial. I feel ready to tackle anything and prepared for a long winter. We decided to return to Tampa in February to enjoy the Strawberry Festival.

While in Tampa, I was able to finish a book and knit my heart away. I kept working on my son's socks and started some socks for myself on the poolside.

I received this yarn as a gift from my friend S while in Chicago. I decided to try the toasty twisted socks. I also started a cowl, Find a Penny...  from the yarn I got at Vogue knitting a while ago. I am excited to work on this beautiful cowl during these cold fall days. 

I finished the second book of the All Souls Trilogy and began the third and final book. I dove right in and cannot put it down. Happy Wednesday Knitters.

WIP Wensday and a little self improvement

Hello knitters.

I hope your week has started off right. This past weekend I decided to knit for my (not-so-little) guy. He adores hand knit socks so why not spoil him. Lately, I have been knitting self-stripe yarn and I love it! Therefore, N and I looked online and he picked out angry birds colorway by Turtlepurl yarns.

Instantly, when the yarn arrived, N wanted me to start his socks. How can you say no the most appreciative sock recipient ever?!? So over the weekend, I knit his first sock. I just made an normal adult sock and scaled the stitches back. I LOVE how the socked turned out. N is anxiously waiting for the second sock to be complete. I think I can manage that over our vacation. Yes, you heard right, this family is going on a vacation to FL. I cannot wait.

As written in the title of the post, I have been working on a bit of self improvement. Recent events have made me realize that I am..... well..... a bit of a push over. It is time for me to stick up and stand up. I am sick of being treated like dirt and well it is not a very good example for N to see. Over the past few months my goal was to find hobbies and make time for relaxation. I have done so by reading and knitting more. Spending time with N and my hubby instead of being overwhelmed with chores, work and life. This has made my life extremely happier but I still have one area that drags me down. It affects my work and personal life. I need to have confidence and not be afraid to speak my mind and stand up for our family when it is necessary. Oh man, I am getting nervous even typing it, but in the end, I know this change will help my family and I so very much.

FO Friday

Hello Knitters. I have a super quick post today. I have two more socks done and ready to be worn. The first set was a gift from my knitting buddy made from Quaere Self Stripping Sock Yarn in the Shower Curtain colorway. The second set is a STR yarn from Blue Moon Fibers in the Gnome colorway. I made this set a bit too big so they are now for my hubby.

Both socks have turned out better than I ever imagined. Here is to starting off the weekend right!

FO Friday

Hello knitters.

Just a quick post today. I finished two projects recently. The first is a Christmas gift for my mother-in-law. I made simple pullover mittens.

I love LOVE love how these turned out and I hope she does too. Finally, I finished my friends birthday socks. The colors are so fun and happy. She loves Harry Potter so these Horcrux Socks were perfect for her.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great weekend.

WIP Wednesday

Hello Knitters! Happy hump day. I hope your week is going well.

I cast on a new project with yarn I got for my birthday. I am simply in love. I received a skein of Quaere Fibre yarn for my birthday from my knitting buddy. I forgot how much fun it is to knit stripes! They knit up so fast because I keep telling myself, "just one more stripe". I truly will be sad when I bind off this project because they are just soooooo much fun. 

I wanted to keep the stripes on the heel flap so I used the afterthought heel pattern. I had a business trip this past week in New Orleans. I was able to sneak off and check out a yarn store while there. The Quarter Stitch is a little shop on the french quarter.  The environment is very friendly and their yarn selection is full of variety. I suggest stopping by this amazing store whenever you visit New Orleans.

 

My friend watched our dog, Ballack while we were away and as a thank you I got her this yarn:

 

She is super excited to make a cute ear flap hat. For my knitting buddy and I, I bought us some Jitterbug sock yarn. Very excited to cast on and see how this yarn looks :)

Enjoy your week, we are 1/2 way to the weekend! Until next time, keep knitting and thanks for stopping by!

WIP Wednesday

Hello Knitters.

I am working on my friends birthday present...still. I am almost to the toe. Hopefully today, I can finish the project.

I just finished the first book in the All Souls Trilogy, The Discovery of Witches. It is a fun book that is a love story. It was a fast and easy read. The end however was different the rest of the book. I am excited to continue the trilogy. Last night, I started the second book, Shadow of the Night.

I also have a bit of reading to do for class. I decided to brush up on my skills for work and take a course that I took 7 years ago. It is very interesting (for people who like that sorta thing) but is extremely time consuming. 

 I cannot wait to see whats on everyone's needles. Happy WIP Wednesday, until next time, keep knitting.

WIP Wednesday, Minnesota State Fair, and StevenBe

Two blog posts in a week. Can you handle it?

This past weekend we visited P's Cousins and his parents meet us there as well. It has become a tradition for us to visit over Labor Day weekend and attend the Minnesota State Fair. We had a great time eating ridiculous food, riding rides and seeing the animals. We went Saturday and were apart of the all time highest attendance for the state fair, over 252,000 people!

We spent the night recovering and relaxing. Sunday, the boys went golfing and the 3 ladies plus N went to a yarn store. Usually, we go to the same yarn store when I visit M, however, this time I made her step out of the box and we visited StevenBe. It was so fun. I very modern yarn store with lots of stock. I loved the fact that people came to the yarn store just to relax and knit. It was a place for knitters to come, socialize, show off their WIPS and knit. 

I love these sweet ladies!!!

Because I have more yarn then I know what to do with, I treated myself to new knitting bags. (I only have a picture of one of them.)

 This weekend, I started some mittens for my mother-in-law intended for a Christmas gift. I was able figure out her hand size and have her try it on while I was making the right hand mitten. The pattern is pop over mittens (not the pop over mittens on ravelry!) which was designed by the store where I bought the yarn, Baskets of Yarn in La Crosse, WI. The pattern calls for Panguipulli by Knitting Fever. I believe the colorway is #28 but it could be #30... I lost the tag.

Thanks for stopping by. I joined Ginny today.