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.