A few weeks back, I issued myself a challenge to see if I could come up my own version of this bag:
It took a bit, but, I finally finished my version last night.
I wasn't thrilled with the handles that I found at Michael's, but, all in all, I'm pretty pleased with this little purse. What do you think?
I've been having a rough time lately and can honestly say that depression has reared its ugly head and has been kicking my ass. Most days, it's an effort to even get out of bed. I'm trying to take things day by day and when that's too much, hour by hour.
I owe my One Skein Secret Pal, Christianne a major apology and a letter. I hope to have the letter and something else out to you by the end of next week.
I did have a small surprise waiting for me when I got home from work day. My Secret Pal surprised me with some yarn, knitting needles and a pattern for socks. Thank you SO SO much, Pal! You brightened my day immensely! The battery for the digital camera is charging, so pics to come.
Can you guess what this is?
I finished the baby blanket that I started last Thursday tonight. When I finished the previous baby blanket, I had no sooner gotten it off the needles when the little one decided to make an appearance--she was a month early! We'll see if my precedent still holds with this blanket.
I don't mind knitting baby blankets. I can say this though: there will be no more mint green baby blankets for a long LONG LONG time.
I was looking at patterns this weekend and found two things I want to knit. One is from the book
Big Girl Knits and the
other is from Knitty. The one from BGK is a little complicated, but, I think I could do it...it's the Curvaliscious Cardigan and involves a little Fair Isle type action. I have yet to tackle Fair Isle, but, I'll give it a try.
The one from Knitty, I really want to do. It sounds easy enough and the pattern is easy to follow. I think I could do it, rather easily. There are two things stopping me though. One (and this isn't even major, I'm willing to learn) is the crochet trim. I can find someone to teach me that though so I'm not too terribly worried. Number two (and this is the biggie) is the price of the yarn. The yarn used is $40 a skein. My size would call for 5 skeins, totalling $200. No way is a shirt worth that, not even if God himself designed it. The yarn is fingering weight. Sock yarn to be honest. There has to be a cheaper alternative that would look just as nifty, right?
My list of favorites
Actor - Tom Hanks, Morgan Freeman, Anthony Rapp, Richard Gere, Brendan Fraser
Actress - Julie Roberts, Meg Ryan, Ashely Judd
Animal - I'm going to be all girly here and put Dolphin. I've loved them since I was a little girl.
Band - matchbox twenty, Coldplay
Book - My all time favorite? Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King. If you're asking about my current favorite, that changes almost daily. I read alot.
Bubble Bath - Juniper Breeze by Bath & Body Works
Candy - Reese's Peanut Butter Minatures
Color - Pink, aqua, teal, mint green
Drink- Hazelnut Tea, Raspberry Lemonade, Peach Iced Tea or good old fashioned Pepsi
Flower -Pink Roses or Lily of the Valley
Food - Chinese food -- especially Chicken with Broccoli or Beef with Broccoli and Crab Rangoon.
Lip Balm - Anything by Philosophy
Lotion - Juniper Breeze by Bath & Body Works
Movie - Oh wow...I'm not sure where to even begin!
Star Wars (the original trilogy),
Finding Nemo,
While You Were Sleeping,
Under the Tuscan Sun,
Harry Potter (all of them),
LOTR trilogy,
Sleepless in Seattle,
The Lake House,
The Goonies,
Forrest Gump,
The Green Mile, Frequency, The Count of Monte Cristo and many, many more
Place-Washington DC. I've been there twice and loved every minute of it. I love the history there.
Song - This changes alot. Right now, I'm liking
Visits to You by
Anthony Rapp,
Far Away by Nickelback,
Crystal Ball by Keane and
The Riddle by Five for Fighting
TV Show -
Law & Order: SVU,
Gilmore Girls,
Extreme Homemakeover,
A Haunting,
Cold Case Ghost Hunters,
Ghost Whisperer,
Cross Country with John Edward,
Survivor... No, I don't watch much TV, not at all!
Yarn-Right now, I like a lot of wool--I just got addicted to felting--, but, this changes too. No specific brand.
Vacation Spot - Lake German, Minnesota! I went there for vacation this summer with some friends and loved it.
What I Did At Work Today: A Short Essay
by Katy
I started this baby blanket last evening for a friend of mine. I had just about 60 rows done before I decided to go to bed. I thought I'd take it with me to work today, just in case I had a few minutes to knit. Little did I know how far I would get. My boss was holed up in his office all morning on conference calls and then left for an afternoon meeting, my other co-worker was holed up in his office as well. I didn't have much to do today so I got what I needed to done quickly and decided to do some "stealth knitting".
I didn't do much....ya think?
Secret Pal, this one's for you!
To answer your questions about my needles, the majority of my straight needles are aluminum, as are my circs. No clue why, I started out on plastic needles then moved over to aluminum. My DPN's are bamboo though and I love them. I want to eventually try some straight bamboo needles. One of these days....when I can get past the yarn!
I have no real preference when it comes to using straights or circs. For me, it depends on the project.
Hope this helps to answer your questions!
I think I just issued myself a challenge.
I was just looking at different sites for new knitting ideas and found this:
These little bags carry a whopping $150 price tag.
I'm betting that I can make a bag like this (or a varation).
Guess what I'll be doing for the next few nights.
My bag for the International Tote Exchange II has been felted and is in the process of being blocked. I finished it early last evening and thought I'd wait until later in the week, but, I should have known better. I was so anxious to see how the bag would turn out that I felted it by hand last night. It took a good while, but, I'm very, VERY pleased with the results.
Now, I just need to find a good closure. The pattern doesn't call for one, but, I'm thinking it would look better with a closure of some sort. I'm checking Michael's this weekend and if that won't work, I'll come up with something else :)
It's been a productive weekend. I finished knitting the bag for my Tote Exchange partner today....and just started the bag yesterday (for the umpteenth time). I have insomnia so I'm sure that helped...knitting until I felt sleepy allowed me to get most of the sides done.
Today I finished the bag and in the process taught myself a couple of new things: how to do an icord and the Kitchener stitch. I'm feeling very pleased with myself thus far. Now....to felt this bad boy and see what happens then.
Until then, (and because I don't know if my partner reads my blog), here's a small tease, prefelting:
One of the hostesses of Secret Pal 9,
Shelby, answered these questions in her blog. I thought I'd post my own answers here.
1.
Where is your favorite knitting spot? Either couch in my living room or the computer chair, also in the living room. Sometimes, you can find me (in no particular order) watching TV, surfing the net and/or chatting and knitting all at the same time. What can I say? I'm a multi-tasker.
2.
If you suddenly could never knit again (shudder) - what would you do instead? Draw. Or write a book.
3.
If you could travel anywhere in the world - where would you go and why? England, Ireland and New Zealand. England and Ireland because of the rich history. New Zealand because the LOTR movies made me fall in love with that place.
4.
When you were little - What did you want to do "when you grew up?" Are you doing it? A teacher. Up until high school, that's what I was going to go to school for. Then life happened and my job today is an office manager. A friend told me that it's not too late for me to be a teacher still. Who knows? I just may go back one of these days.
5.
What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? You mean I can only choose one? I'm a serious ice cream-aholic. Favorites change all the time, but, I do like me some Butter Pecan and Tin Roof Sundae.
I finished two dishcloths last night for a KAL I joined, so I was a little more productive in that respect. I also started for the third time a bag I'm working on. If I can just get past the part where I need to pick up the stitches, I'll be ok. For some reason, that gives me trouble. Anyone have any tips?
October's a rough month for me. My Mom passed away when I was 16 on October 27th. This year marks 17 years to the day that she's been gone. On one hand, it doesn't seem like it can be that long--it still feels like yesterday. On the other, it seems like she's been gone longer...she's missed over half of my life. I miss her every day. Not a day goes by that I don't think about her in some respect. I wonder if she knows I miss her still. I wonder if I make her proud.
I dread October and the 27th (the day she died) and Halloween (the day she was buried--the day she was supposed to come home from a stay in a nursing home ironically) because of her death. The month is filled with moments of tears and just praying to make it through.
I guess that's one reason why I've filled my nights with knitting. That helps to distract me. If I can count stitches, see my hands forming something productive....I can get through this month one day at a time.
I'm actually doing this early for once! This is the Secret Pal 9 Questionnaire.
1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I like wools and natural fabrics. I've been dying to try cashmere. I'm not a fan of Lionbrand's Homespun...too many headaches with that particular yarn. I'm not picky though--I'm willing to try anything once.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I have two baskets for my yarn and needles. Trying to find a case for them though. And for my yarn? I'd love to get a three tiered stand.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I've been knitting for 2 1/2 years or so. A friend of mine taught me how to knit. Purling and everything else I've taught myself. I consider myself an advanced beginner :)
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Nope. I used to.
5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.) Candles? Just about anything, but, I really like apple, cinnamon and scents in that range. Bath products? Anything. Seriously....I can spend hours in Bath & Body Works. Favorites there include Vanilla, Apple, Freesia and Juniper Breeze.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Chocolate. If it has peanut butter and nuts? Even better.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I'd like to learn to spin. Other crafts include drawing ATC (Artist Trading Cards).
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I like pop/Top 40 stuff. Favorites include: The Corrs, Rob Thomas, matchbox twenty, Nickelback, The Fray, Five for Fighting. I also like some country, especially Dierks Bentely, Phil Vassar and Rascal Flatts. Yes, computer and stereo can play MP3s.
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? Favorite colors? Pink, aqua, teals, blues, greens, especially mint green. The colors that I can't stand are usually orange and bright, blinding yellow. Soft, sunshiney yellow is fine.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I'm single and live alone. No pets.
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? All of the above!
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Scarves, dishcloths and bags--at least the pattern I'm working on right now is turning into a favorite.
13. What are you knitting right now? The better question is what am I
NOT knitting right now? On the needles (in various stages of completion) a dishcloth or two and two bags. I've been saying that I have Knitter's ADD. I've also got two scarves on the needles as well.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yep! Send 'em my way!
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Depends on the project. I like aluminum, but, I'm warming up to bamboo. I have some bamboo DPN's and fell in love with them. I keep saying I'm going to get a pair or two of bamboo straights when I go to the LYS, but, get distracted by the yarn.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Nope, I'm looking into them though.
17. How old is your oldest UFO? A pair of socks that is at least 6 months old--since the last cast on.
18. What is your favorite holiday? I don't really have one, but, if I had to choose, Christmas.
19. Is there anything that you collect? Teddy bears, yarn, yarn and more yarn and books. I'm an avid reader, usually reading a book a week.
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? Bookwise, I want to get
Mason Dixon Knitting and
The Knitting Answer Book and
Finishing Techniques for Handknitters. I'm dying to try Blue Sky Alpacas and Noro Grosso yarns. I'm currently not subscribing to any knitting magazines.
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Sock knitting please! I keep trying to teach myself and get so far and then get stuck.
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? I'm a wanna be sock knitter. Shoe size is a 9-10...I'll get back to you on the other measurements.
23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd) February 28th
The cold is all but gone, save for the nagging cough. I got home Friday night from work and immediately went to bed--just before 6:30 pm. Guess what time I woke up? 8:00 AM the next morning. Do you think I was tired?
Knitting has started again, albeit at a slower pace. I'm working on multiple projects and have been showing signs of Knitter's ADD: Picking up one project only to put it down to work on another a few minutes later. Not so productive in the long run.
In honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness month, the fountain at a local park has been turned pink.
Pretty cool, huh? I'm hoping this lasts for a few days so that I can go and get a few pictures for myself.
I started this baby blanket last evening for a friend of mine. I had just about 60 rows done before I decided to go to bed. I thought I'd take it with me to work today, just in case I had a few minutes to knit. Little did I know how far I would get. My boss was holed up in his office all morning on conference calls and then left for an afternoon meeting, my other co-worker was holed up in his office as well. I didn't have much to do today so I got what I needed to done quickly and decided to do some "stealth knitting".
