Girl Who Knits

Can't stop thinking about this:

It is Blithe from Kim Hargreaves' new collection Shades of Pale.  I wants it. 

Here is the problem though, I can't just buy the pattern.  I have to buy the full kit.  From England.  In Pounds.  Ugh.  What a hassle. 

If I do buy it, I am thinking of one these colors...

Manderin:

Steel Blue:

Aubergine:

What do you think?

I started Glee last summer.  Like in July.  It was going to be my fab fall sweater.  I even knit it in orange to match the falling leaves.  I don't know why I didn't finish--most likely it was the monotony of stockinette stitch that distracted me.  After many months on hold I finally picked up Glee again in January.  It has been done for a couple weeks now but it took me a while to get the hooks sewn on and pictures taken.  I guess everything about this knit was meant to be delayed. 

So here you go, my perfect fall sweater, just in time for spring...

I told you it was orange.  The yarn I got at Estes Wool Market last year and spent much time holding it up to my face and pestering my sister and strangers at the booth with, "are you sure I can pull this color off?"  and "it's pretty right?  Right?  So why did you hesitate?"  Sometimes I just need to chill out.  The color is fun and I love it.  The yarn is a 100% alpaca and is oh so soft.  I wish I could take a picture that shows how soft it is.  Take my word for it will you?

This sweater is great.  You can wear it with the collar down (as above) or up (to the left).  I think I am more of a collar down girl but it is nice to know there is the option. 

Here are the details:

Pattern: Glee

Source: Zephyr Style.com

Yarn: Larkspur Funny Farm, 100% Alpaca, Yam

Needles: US 3 and 5 bamboo circs

Mods: I added some waist shaping but other than that none.

Notes: The one wish I had for this sweater is that it was longer.  The pattern calls for it to be a bit longer but I ran out of yarn in the end and knit until I literally had about 10 inches of yarn left.  Not the end of the world--just something I would have done differently if I could. Other than the length, I am really pleased with this project. 

Yea for a finished Glee!  Finally.

Kara and I have declared today "Knitting and a Saga" day.  This means we will knit and watch a saga together.  Could that sound any more fun?

I define a saga as any movie with more than one DVD.  And I love them.  Today we are watching Jewel in the Crown which is a pretty old mini-series that neither of us have seen.  But it is set in India and there are British people in it so I don't know how it can go wrong.  The saga is 13 episodes at 50 minutes each and so we may not get through it all today as we aren't getting started until around 4 or so but we sure will try. 

As for what I am knitting, I have started a new project.  I was looking for a new sweater to knit and couldn't settle on anything.  I just wasn't feeling a project enough to drop money on yarn and commit to it.  Then, in a moment of clarity, I realized that last Spring I bought the yarn and pattern for a project that I never started.  I loved the sweater but as soon as I saw that it required tiny needles I held off.  Of course, I have knit several sweaters since with really small needles and learned it is no big thing.  I like the tiny needled sweaters.  It is my thing.

So I cast on for this beauty:

Oh I like this sweater.  It is from Phildar Tendances, Spring 2005.  Phildar is really bad at naming their projects so this one is just Zip Cardigan.  I am actually using the same yarn (color and all) for mine and am LOVING the yarn.  This is how it is knitting up so far...

And yes, that is the handle of my camera I brilliantly got in the shot.

It might seem like I am taking a picture of the WS but the sweater is knit in reverse stockingette.  It throws me off a little as it seems counter-intuitive but I think in the end I will like it.  I am finished knitting the back and am casting on for both fronts today (I will knit them at same time.)  The only hesitation I have about this sweater is the zipper--specifically the fact that it needs to be sewn in.  I guess this is why I have friends...right Ann?

Next up is a finished Glee.  I promise.  Happy President's Day everybody!

...you can't even knit.  I haven't been feeling 100% for the last few days and this morning I woke up to what feels and acts like food poisoning but could be something else.  It is awful.  I don't like not being at work unless I am doing something fun--it is such a waste.  So this is torture. 

Anyway, I have so much to share...a finished Glee and a new sweater project.  It will have to wait until I have a little more energy.   

And maybe it is just sick me talking but in light of the horrific events that transpired list night in Salt Lake City, is anyone else terrified by what destruction one idiot can bring into the lives of innocent people?  This mall is 5 minutes from my house.  I shop there.  It is simply a nightmare.  Sometimes people in this world really scare me. 

I know what you all think...that Erin sure loves to knit for herself.  And it is true.  I believe most people don't appreciate the time, effort, and love that goes into a hand knit.  Most would be just as happy with a sweater from the Gap.  So I don't knit for most people.  Lucky for her (and me), Bri is not most people.

Bri is my baby sister.  She is smart, fun, good, and wearing the Central Park Hoodie I knit for her.  Bri loves anything with a hood.  So I figured CPH was the perfect knit for her.  Only problem, I love hoods too which means CPH was also a pretty perfect knit for me.  It grew more and more difficult for me to embrace my generous nature as the sweater blossomed into its finished state.  You see, more than any knit before it, this is a sweater I could see wearing all the time.  It is just so wearable. 

I love the cables (cabling without a needle=best idea ever) and the long ribbing on the bottom and the sleeves.  It was really a easy and relatively fast knit.  And so pretty.  I should just make myself another one but I know myself and I think the boredom of repeating a knit would take away from the pleasure of having it.  Must remind myself, giving is good. 

Here are the details:

Pattern: Central Park Hoodie

Source: Knitscene, Fall 2006

Yarn: Four Seasons "Classico", tweed taupe

Needles: US 8

Mods: I choose not to add buttons as I thought it was the kind of sweater that looks better open.  Also, I knit the body of the sweater in the medium size and the sleeves in the smallest size and made the two fit when seeming.  I liked giving her a more snug sleeve. 

Easy, comfy, attractive, wearable, warm...what more could you want?  I love this sweater.  I hope Bri loves it but if she doesn't I would gladly welcome it back to my hands.  Actually, that would be awesome if she didn't want it because then I would get my CPH back AND I would still get points for being so thoughtful and giving.  Definitely a win-win.  I think we should all tell Bri how gross it looks. 

So my co-worker and I started this competition at work.  The Biggest Loser.  You know, like the reality show.  I am sure you have heard of people doing it--at my work each competitor gives $20 to join and after 8 weeks whoever loses the highest percentage of body weight wins all the money.  We had 22 people sign up.  That's 440 dollars.  Yeah, I am all over that money. 

I went out this weekend and bought a heart rate monitor.  I remembered reading this post from Lolly a long time ago and it made an impression on me.  So I bought the exact same one she did.  That's not strange is it?

Anyway, this heart rate monitor is awesome.  It tells me how many calories I burn and how long I stay in my target heart rate zone.  It is like my own personal trainer yet in the form of a cute pink watch.  I love it. 

My goal on the plan isn't really to lose weight...it is to win.  Losing weight is just a bonus.  What is it about competition that gives me more motivation than anything else?  I have sized up my competitors and figured out what I need to do to win and I think I can do it.  I am doing it all very healthy-like which is more important than winning I know.  Just slightly. 

Beyond the competition, I am excited to be on a plan.  I am within healthy and normal weight ranges but I have long wanted to take things a step further and see how I could change my body.  Why not right?

So I share my plan with you to hold myself even more accountable.  I promise I will keep you appraised even if I fail.  Which I won't.  This is going to be fun.  At least that is what I need to keep telling myself.