Girl Who Knits

I wonder if I could revive the single glove trend...

I must personally thank you all for recommending the frogging of my first attempt.  Doesn't it look so much better? 

Now I have to cast on for the second.  Although first I may just cast on for another project--I really can't help myself.  But eventually this gauntlet is going to get lonely.  I'll keep you posted.

I am trying to imagine a time when I was uninspired, struggling to find something to knit.  This is not that time.  Normally, this wouldn't be a issue.  But guys, I have a serious problem.  I can't stop casting on.  Or wanting to cast on.  Add to this my inability to finish anything and you see my problem. 

THIS is what I am talking about...

Projects casted on for

Cherry--75% of both fronts completed. 

Tangled Yoke Cardigan--body to underarms done.

Twisted Stitch Gauntlets--frogged 1st attempt, re-knit about 7 inches of first glove.

Autumn Rose Pullover--like many others I am starting with a sleeve, I have about 1 inch of progress so far.

Projects I want to cast on for--like this weekend

Oblique--have you guys seen this one?  Sigh.  That Veronik Avery is genius.  

Gathered Pullover--love the gathered bit in the middle.

Thermal--haven't seen a bad looking finished one of these yet.

Turtleneck with no pattern--I have a sweater in mind that I want to figure out how to make.  Perhaps my first foray into design...?

Plus various socks, hats, scarves, and whatever else suits my fancy on any given day.

Projects I need to cast on for 

Secret Christmas gift knit--I really got to get moving on this one.  

I can't figure out what to do about it--it is just too much.  I can't just keep casting on right?  At some point I am going to have to finish something.

Oh, and lest I not forget, I also have an empty foot to cover.

See the beautiful Eleanora sock knit for just one of my feet by the very talented Amy.  It fits perfectly and I love it.  Amy is super thoughtful, a really good baker of brownies, as well as very talented (just check out her finished Tangled Yoke Cardigan for additional proof.) Amy, thank you so much.  I can't wait to cast on for the second.

(see?  I really do have a sickness.)

So many things to cover that aren't really related.  First off, thank you, thank you for the birthday wishes. For a birthday I thought was going to be awful, it turned out pretty awesome and all the blog love sure helped.  You guys are the best.  

You know what else is the best? Coffin racing. (yeah, that's me, working the segue.) 

This past weekend I went to the 13th Annual Emma Crawford Coffin Races.  This quirky town actually dresses up in all manner of costumes, builds coffins on wheels, and races them down their main street following a hearse parade.  I am not making this up.

Meet team "Fat Elvis'"

My favorite guy in the competition was the one in the white shirt.  The shirt said "I'm Bad" and he warmed up by doing lots of high knee running.  This was pretty much my most favorite festival ever.  

Now onto some knitting content.  Yes my friends, I actually finished something. 

I really wish you couldn't see one of my toes in this picture, but all the others came out blurry. 

One sock.  I did my part and now it is on it's way to the talented knitter who will knit the other one.  I really hope she likes it.  And that it fits.  And that she likes it.  I really feel in love with this sock and particularly the yarn.  Here are some quick stats:

Pattern: Socks for Veronik

Source: Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts

Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock, Firefly 

Needles: US 1 double points 

And finally, fitting in with the theme of this post...I was tagged by Julie for the "8 Random Things about me" meme last week.  Here goes... 

1. Most 80's music depresses me. Generally I am talking about pop 80's tunes like "Let's Hear it for the Boy" and "Love is a Battlefield" and anything by Paula Abdul. Carnival Cruise Lines commercials depress me too.
2. I like to "plate" my food like they do in restaurants and on Top Chef. I am not saying I am good at it or anything, just that it pleases me to try.
3. My "game name" is Jem (as in the 80's cartoon character, Jem and the Holograms). Not sure why I chose it except that I think Jem is pretty awesome.  I was even Jem for Halloween this year.
4. Because of the spray-on pink hair I used for Halloween yesterday, anything that came out of my nose today was hot pink.   
5. I love popcorn at movies and for years I would not allow anyone with me to eat any popcorn before the lights went dark. This rule stemmed from years of going to movies with my Mom who also loves popcorn but would always eat it before the movie started. I felt it was more festive to wait but if I waited then the popcorn would be gone. I have recently relaxed my rules because trying to enforce them makes me seem "demanding" and "OCD". But deep down it still pains me to eat popcorn before the trailers begin.
6. I am strongly influenced by marketing. How something is packaged, sold, and advertised greatly determines what I buy.
7. I got glasses in second grade. I earned my first Barbie a few months earlier by reading the 80 books my Mom required me to read in order to have Blue Jeans Barbie for my very own. I read all the books in one night and one morning. In hindsight, I am not sure the Barbie was worth my expedited near-sightedness.  Although in the end, I am proud to say that I liked books way better than I ever liked Barbie.
8. I have been told that my sneeze sounds like a karate chop. My friend and old co-worker used to call me on the phone after she would hear me sneeze at work and when I would answer she would say "hie-ya".  It never got old.