Big Huge Update

Sorry it's been so long since the last post. Between the Christmas parties, traveling for the parties, shopping and all the other goings on that come with this time of year, I haven't had much computer time. Now you get to enjoy a really long post instead of the the little ones that weren't written. That being said, first...

As promised, here are the better pictures of the Henley Perfected being worn.

Pattern: Henley Perfected by Connie Chang Chinchio
Source: Interweave Knits Winter 2007
Yarn: DK 50/50 Silk/Merino by Twist Yarns - Unscoured

I love this sweater. It has already had one mishaps, ketchup on the sleeve at Disneyland. It's okay now and you will have to complain several times about me wearing it all the time before I am willing to take it off this Holiday Season.

That brings me to my Koolhaas...that has been taken over by Haley. It really does look cuter on her and she has a jacket that matches. It was a fun pattern once you got used to all the cables. I am ready to make another one for myself this time, with a matching scarf or wrist warmers, or both!

Pattern: Koolhaas Hat by Jarod Flood

Source: Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts 2007
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino in White

I have decided that I need to make more matching items. We've got a ton of winter wear between the store-bought and the handmades, but none of it matches. I've decided that if I am going to make stuff, I need to look cute and coordinated, too. The only thing is that I am not allowed to cast on anything new. I have too many WIPs laying around and have got to get them off my conscience. My motivation for not casting on, a $20 gift certificate to Twist that I received. I am not allowed to use it until the following project have either been finished or reached the predetermined amount of work.

#1-Haley's Pre-K Set. I've only finished the hat and there are mittens and a scarf to follow. These are considered one project (no "casting on") because I have it listed on Ravelry as a set. So, this must be completely done and wearable.

#2- The Prairie Tank. I'm actually am almost done with this. I just need to spend a couple of days and finish the darn thing. Then I don't have to look at it sitting in a basket on top of my dresser taunting me everyday.

#3- At least one of the Spiral Socks. Maybe if I finish one I will be motivated to finish the other. I started them forever ago in hopes of wearing them under my boots to the office party, but alas I went completely knit free. It was truly sad.

#4- The Top Dog. Seriously, another almost done project. I'm not even knitting on this anymore. I have gotten more of the sewing done recently. This dog needs to be stuffed and done by bedtime on Friday or I'm gonna cry. Then I can go shopping for a cute red collar on Saturday. Yea, shopping.

#5 and last the Lace-Edged Blanket. This project does not need to be finished. The squares that are finished do need to be sewn together. Then I can decide if I want to make the squares 4x4 or just 3x3. There is the need for some progress on the project. Plus, the recipient is off of her birth control pills.

In other news, I got to teach someone to knit. There is nothing like that, especially when halfway through the scarf they are thinking about their next project. My brother-in-law wanted to make something special for his someone special and called me. We shopped online for the perfect yarn, picked out a pattern and waited for the family get together last weekend. At about 4:30pm on Saturday, I cast on and knit three rows. Then he did the rest. At 5:15pm Monday was calling me to announce that he was done.In between, the whole family went to Disneyland. I was so jealous. Everyone was interested and praising him. "Oh wow, it's your first time knitting," "I love your yarn," "That's so cool, you're knitting at Disneyland." I did get a little fix in and knit about five minutes worth in the Pirates line. My BIL is already a pro and can't wait to learn to cast on. I didn't teach him because of the time limit on the gift.

Well, I imagine you are tired of me. So next time, I've self diagnosis myself with a knitting disease. Okay, I made up a knitting disease so that I could self-diagnosis myself. More to come.

Friends Don't Let Friends Drink and Knit

or blog for that matter. However, if you would like to crochet some wine glass markers, that would be totally cool.

I'm so buzzed on a Tuesday night and I am loving it.

Okay, you are right. You need a back story.

As a dear sweet just turned 21 year old, I had never had 1, no wait 2 gulps of alcohol in my life. But, finally being allow in the bars and hanging out with the "right" type of friends, I started drinking and learned what I didn't like. No tequila, gin, whiskey, but all the vodka and dancing I can take is totally cool. Then one day my Uncle introduced me to something new. A bottle of Merlot, bad Merlot. It was a cruel joke, but it scarred me for years. I wouldn't touch a glass of wine, a wine cooler, or anything else wine related.
I have spent years trying to think of what to drink while going out with friends or family. Does a Midori Sour go with the steak dinner I'm having with my parents? What should I drink while out clubbing with my friends? Vodka and Sprite was always a safe bet, but so boring.

Then I went to Hawaii with the dear hubby. I wanted to seem cool and grown-up, being 29 and all. Plus we were at a really expensive and nice restaurant. I felt as if the normal bar drinks would not do. I told him I would share a bottle of wine.

OMG this stuff is so good!!! I shared the story with my neighbor once I was home and now once a month we giggle over a bottle of wine while our kids play.

So, here I am on a Tuesday night, feeling good, watching Bones and my 4yr old asks me what heroin is. Great....I'm buzzed and having my first "drugs are bad" talk. Stupid Bones victim being a heroin dealer.

At least I am staying away from the Koolhaas.

NaKniSweMo Failure

I have failed at knitting my sweater by the time limit for NaKniSweMo. Though I have not failed by much. All I had left were about 20 rows of the decreasing of the last sleeve. Not enough work to excuse not finishing. That doesn't mean that I won't give you a million excuses why I didn't finish it on time:
My yarn came in late though ordered on time.
That doesn't matter cause I changed project when I gauged and the pattern came in the mail on the 6th, same day as the yarn.
I played the Nintendo DS way too much this month.
I had to frog 5 inches on the first sleeve.
I frogged 3 inches on the second; twice.
I created way more work for myself by not passing 2nd grade reading requirements.
I had to work a fundraiser during the last cramming hours and I was there longer than expected.
I bashed my leg at the fundraiser bruising my shin and tweaking my knee,I then decided I was to tired and went to bed instead.
None of this changes the fact that I didn't finish on time.
I am a little depressed about not meeting the deadline. But here is the Henley Perfected finished; December 1st, 11:50pm. Yeah. Here's a pic taken in the middle of the night, inside/flash all that. Better pictures to come after blocking and the buttons are sewn on.

The cool thing is, other than Connie's original Henley, I was the first one to finish on Ravelry!!! (I'm a very competitive person and will use any of you to motivate myself.)