Girl Who Knits

Moving Day

2008-02-11T00:31:46-07:00

Like bloglines, I have decided to cast aside this here blog and start posting in greener pastures. From now on you will find me here:

http://girlwhoknits.wordpress.com

i would love it if you would join me in my new home so please change your links, subscriptions, feeds to my new blog. Visit me now for full coverage on my latest FO. Here is a wee little peek...

Hope to see you soon. And goodbye blogspirit. Forever.

Did I mention I was knitting Gathered Pullover?

2008-02-04T23:11:07-07:00

I didn't think so. Well, not only was I knitting it, I am done. And yes, I know this picture is upside down (I tried rotating the picture but it looked freakish right side up):

This sweater knit up FAST. It took me around 2 weeks to complete. (And I wasn't even monogamous.) I guess that is what happens when you have lots of stockinette in the round and size 7 needles. I'll give you the full reveal and all my notes after the sweater is blocked but I will say now how good it feels to finish something. For me.

I really am a quite selfish knitter at heart.

What keeps me from blogging

2008-01-31T19:12:07-07:00

What is up with my blogging lately? Or I should say, my lack of blogging? If I really think about it there are several contributing factors. They are as follows:

The gym: I joined a gym in early December and ever since have been working out, a lot. When you factor in my commute (2 hours a day) and then 2 hours at the gym 3-4 times a week, my free time starts slipping away from me.
Obligatory knitting: I have been doing a lot of what I call "obligatory knitting" in January. These are projects I committed to knit, am gifting to people, or have a deadline for. This doesn't necessarily mean it is boring knitting or knitting I don't want to do, it just limits me from casting on and working on whatever pleases me at any given time. I HAVE to knit these projects, and thus they become obligatory and often squelch my interest in blogging about them.
Stupid blogspirit: I joined blogspirit when I first decided to blog because a blogger I really liked used them. I signed up for the free service but after about a year and a half they told me that I couldn't continue without paying them to host. I didn't have the time or the inclination to switch at that point (all my photos are hosted through them) and so I thought I would pay for 6 more months and deal with it then. Well, due to a mix-up on their part with payment, they charged me twice (for 2, 6-month periods) and refused to give me a refund but instead told me it would be applied to a year of hosting. It didn't matter how many emails I sent asking for a refund, they only answered a fraction of them and those that were answered were annoyingly simple and never addressed the content of my emails. So I gave up. My paid for year is about to reach it's end and so I have been working on launching a new blog--stay tuned for details on that soon. Oh, and maybe the new blog will finally start showing up in bloglines. One can only hope.
The departure of a most beloved sister: Kara left, this week in fact, to start her grand adventure abroad. I flew home last weekend to see her off and to help her pack. She called me from the San Francisco airport on Tuesday right before she got on the plane to Hong Kong. After our call I realized I don't know what I am going to do without our regular check-ins. It is rare that a day goes by without me getting an IM, text message, or phone call from Kara. I am not sure if I like this international living situation she has planned. It is just not the most ideal situation for me. Plus I am painfully jealous. But I am very proud of Kara for what she is doing and support her all the way. May (the month of Kara and my London/Scandinavia/Paris trip) can not come soon enough. Miss you Kara!
Hunger: This is a little misleading, I have not been going hungry. But the whole no sugar, no white flour/rice/pasta pledge for the month of January took a lot of planning and energy in order to not go hungry. It much easier to order a pizza then cook healthy meals. Why that has to be I wish I knew. Well, today is the last day of January. I survived and feel great. Especially since tomorrow I can eat a cookie if I want. I am not saying I am going to, but the fact that I can is very comforting.

In my last post I mentioned that there was an award for completing this January eating goal. Over the holidays, Kara and I went shopping at our favorite SLC LYS, Black Sheep Wool Co. As often happens when Kara and I shop together, we 1. enable each other to buy more and 2. often end up buying the same thing. On this visit I fell in love with the Norah Gaughan Vol. 1 book by Berroco. Oh my goodness, I love these knits. Kara and I both bought yarn for a first project from this book. Justina is the first knit skirt/dress I have seen that I think I could actually wear. The length is flattering and the a-line shape is a good style for me. I believe I finally found the project that I could use to take my first deep dive into what is uncharted territory for me: the knitted dress.

So for my reward, I decided that I would not cast on for this project unless I completed my January goal. Part because it is something I was excited about and part because I wanted to loose a little weight before I started a knit dress. Well, I did it. As of tomorrow I am free and clear to cast on for my reward. More on this project, other WIPs, my new blog, make my day thank yous and anything else that crosses my mind soon.

(yeah, yeah, I really mean it. more blogging soon. promise.)

First FO of 2008

2008-01-12T19:23:52-07:00

So it is a baby knit, but it is still a Finished Object.

A Bananahead Beanie for Isabelle

I love baby knits. I get to try out new patterns and never get tired of knitting them before I finish. Oh yeah, and I actually finish them.

I first saw this pattern (Ravelry link) on a blog and thought it was the perfect hat for a baby to be born in the middle of winter in Denver. Lucky for me, I know of such a baby. I knit the beanie with Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino which is decidedly one of my favorite yarns. Knit up, this hat has a great squishy fabric to it that makes it look like it will be really comfortable. I almost wish I could try it on.

I made something else for the baby shower. Oreo Bon Bons...

Sister Bri shared this little treat with me while I was home for the holidays. SO yummy. I thought I would share the super easy recipe with you all.

Bri's Oreo Bon Bons

Mix one package of Oreos with one package of cream cheese in a food processor or kitchenaid mixer. Roll the Oreo mixture into one inch balls. Melt chocolate and dunk Oreo balls into melted chocolate. Dry on wax paper. Optional: drizzle melted white chocolate on cooled bon bons for decoration and fun. You can even spell things.

See, that is it. Go make yourself some Oreo Bon Bons today.

Side note: I am sure you are all concerned that me making this treat means I have gone off my goal of no refined sugar for the month of January. I am happy to put your minds at ease. Although it was hard, I did not have a single morsel. Next post I will tell you what reward I am promising myself for completing my goal. Believe me, it is worth it.

A Cobblestone Pullover for Brett

2008-01-07T21:17:05-07:00

This is my brother Brett. I have written a lot about my sisters on this blog but yes, we have a brother. The oldest in the family by two years (I am next) Brett was lucky enough to be raised with a bunch of girls in the house. Yes, he was SOOOOO lucky. Then again, so were we.

The Cobblestone Pullover was the first guy sweater that I really wanted to knit. I had never knit anything for my brother before and I thought it was about time. The Cobblestone would be his.

I really enjoyed knitting this sweater. It was that perfect mix of mindless and interesting knitting. And the result...well, I don't think I have seen a bad looking Cobblestone. It is modern, has really cool details, and it fits great. I just knew it would look great on my brother and I was so right.

I think my favorite part of the sweater is the side panel.

It is funny to think that a simple garter stitch side panel can make me this happy. But it just does.

There are many reasons why I love my older brother. Like how he is kind, loves his family, opens his home and kitchen to his sisters at any time and fathered three of my favorite people in the whole world. Oh, and there is also how he let me put a picture of his backside on my blog. I told you he was a good brother.

Project Stats

Pattern: Cobblestone Pullover

Source: Interweave Knits, Fall 2007

Size: 43 1/2

Yarn: Classic Elite Skye Tweed, 1206 (Gray)

Needles: US 7 Circulars

Mods: None

Notes: A perfect starter sweater and a great one to practice and/or learn techniques like short rows and seamless sweater construction.

I resolve...

2008-01-01T12:50:44-07:00

...to not eat white sugar, white bread, white rice, or white pasta in the month of January.

...to organize my work/craft room.

...to travel domestically and abroad.

...to remember birthdays.

...to sew a pair of lounge pants.

...to not over-commit myself.

...to finish things I start.

...to be a more thoughtful friend.

...to be more bold and less afraid.

...to send cards.

...to learn a new skill.

...to refresh my blog.

...to knit something completely fabulous and challenging for me.

...to have better abs then my brother-in-law Adam by July.

2007 was good, bad, difficult, happy, scary, full, lonely, not at all expected, but all in all pretty great. Still though, I am kind of excited to see it go. So goodbye 2007. 2008, I am so ready for you.

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

The Twelfth Day of Christmas Blogging: Gift Knits Revealed

2007-12-26T10:37:21-07:00

I know, I am a day late. No real excuse, just too busy being festive I guess. For those who celebrate Christmas, I hope you had a wonderful one. For those who don't, I hope you had a great day too. Mine was filled with lots of family, food, and gifting.

If you have been reading you know I gifted some knit items this year. Did I finish everything?...well, no. But it turned out okay anyway. First up, we have a scarf for Emma.

This is the Noro Striped Scarf made popular by Brooklyntweed. For this little girl version I shortened it to 29 stitches and knit it about 4 feet long. This was an impulse gift that came about when I recommended this scarf to a coworker who just learned to knit. He would show me his progress and I became just as addicted as he did. I had to knit this scarf. Emma wears it beautifully.

This is a Log Cabin Sock (ravelry link) I knit for my Mom. Kara and I decided to each knit one of our parents this sock so they could walk around in matchy socks and know we love them. The other one still needs to be knit so I will give you all the project specs and take a better picture when it is completely done.

Finally, there is the project I was desperate to get finished but just didn't...My brother's Cobblestone Pullover. When he pulled the sweater in progress out of the box it kind of looked like an 80's off the shoulder (a la Flash Dance) sweater and I believe he is still reserving his judgement. But I think once it grows a yoke it is going to look great on him. I already told him he is modeling it for the blog so you will see finished pics as soon as I can finish.

Well folks, blogging (almost) everyday has been fun. Doing it has given me some thoughts on my blog and what I should be writing or not writing or want to write or not want to write. I will share my thoughts will you all soon and get your feedback. Thank you all for reading my blog and taking the time to comment and share a bit of yourselves with me. Happy Holidays!

The Eleventh Day of Christmas Blogging: Christmas Eve

2007-12-26T10:39:14-07:00

Christmas eve just might be my favorite part of the Christmas holiday. Christmas eve is a day that in and of itself is full of fun and tradition but when it is over...it isn't over yet you know? I am not sure if it is the thrill of what is to come the next day and the hugely anticipated family party the night of, but I love every second of it. Tonight was no exception. Great family party where we ate too much, shared talents and stories, sang our favorite songs, and laughed just the right amount.

The girls in the aprons my mom made.

Now that the evening festivities are over, I am starting to feel a mixture of exhaustion and exhilaration. Many thoughts are going through my head: I hope my family likes what I got them. Please let me stay up late enough to finish my knit gifts. Maybe I could go to sleep now and wake up early with enough time to finish. Maybe...I'll report back tomorrow. Merry Christmas everyone!

The Tenth Day of Christmas Blogging: Sugar Cookies

2007-12-23T21:56:44-07:00

My mom hands down makes the best sugar cookies ever. She also had the best cookie cutter ever: a gigantic pair of lips. I don't know what it was about those huge sugar cookie, pink frosted lips but I would die of happiness whenever she made them. Her kids have not yet perfected the art of the sugar cookie, but tonight, we tried.

Not giant lips but our cookie cutters were of similarly impressive size.

Our first batch came out a wee bit poofy.

Ryan decorating a HUGE snowman.

I have to say, I did a nice job with this colorful lady.

So no, we are not experts. But we sure had fun baking. What is it about Christmas and cookies? When did that tradition get started I wonder? Not that I am complaining mind you. Making cookies=fun.

Of course, our afternoon activity has slowed my gift knitting progress. Must. Finish. Christmas eve allnighter anyone?

The Eighth and Ninth Days of Christmas Blogging: Knitty Plans

2007-12-22T09:54:22-07:00

Sorry I didn't post yesterday. I fell asleep before I had a chance to. I guess travel and Christmas preparations are tuckering me out. Tonight, I get to fly to Utah to spend the holidays with my family. I can't wait!

I need to get packed right now but I am having some indecisiveness on what to bring. Namely, what do I bring to knit? I have two secret projects that are coming with me but if all goes according to plan those will be done by the 25th. I am kind of in the accessories knitting mood lately and so I am thinking it would be fun to work on some socks or a new hat. But maybe in a couple days I will be ready to tackle some of these bigger projects that have been looming in the back of my mind. And what about my WIPs?...it might be nice to finish something before the new year. So after some thought, here are my knitty plans for the holidays:

1. Finish Gifty Knits: More on these on the 25th.

2. Exchange Yarn for Autumn Rose Pullover: This project has been put on hold since I wasn't feeling the color selections. While I am at my SLC LYS I can work on a perfecting my color selection.

3. Accessories knit of choice: Socks...Hat...gloves. I am letting myself choose what I feel like working on. So I will be bringing my Twisted Stitches Gloves and Eleanora socks just in case.

I am actually just dying to finish something. I feel like I have tons in the works but nothing is getting accomplished. It is starting to get to me. This year has just not been as productive knitting wise. I am itching to accomplish something big. It will just have to wait for 2008 I guess.

Well, that is all for now. Talk to you again when I am on the other side of the Rockies and after I have had a chance to hug these little ones.

I am the luckiest Aunt ever.