UPS Purl & Knit Hat

Latest Finished Object: A cross between Stitch Cafe Basic Hat and Hip Knit Hats pattern(shown on the cover). I made this for our LYS UPS delievery person. She has been eyeing the hat on the cover "Hip Knit Hats" and I decided to make it for her.

I used a size 9 circular needle and Karabella Aurora Bulky to make this hat. I merged the 2 patterns. The Stitch Cafe Basic Hat pattern is easily adapted to fit almost any pattern.

The Hip Knit Hat pattern has you work from the top down. I just could not get the cast on so I worked it from the bottom to the top. I did the traditional knitted cast on of 66 stitches with brown. I purled for 5 rounds in brown. Then I knitted 5 rounds in black. Then I changed to brown and knitted for 1 round and purled for 5 rounds. Then once again changed to black and knitted for 5 rounds. Then again change to brown. Knit for 1 round and then purl for 5 rounds. Changed back to black and continued finishing the pattern. (The reason for the 1 knit round of the changed color is so that you get a clean color row. If you jump right into purling you get that hop scotch stitch look. Great and quick pattern. Check them out!

iPod - A face only a mother could love.

A face that only a mother could love. Here is iPod. His is my Labradoodle who is 1 year old. If the top of his head looks a little funny, well that is because I gave him a hair cut to get the hair out of his eyes and I went a little further with the clippers and did the top of his head. But this is my special one. He can drive you nutz as any 1 year old male dog can. Enjoy!

Crayon Box Start Again - New Yarn

Start of Crayon Box again. Yes after long awaited testing and swatching I have decided to give up on my "Rainbow Sherbet" Crayon Box Jacket/shrug. I have now choosen these yarns in it's place after hours of aginizing over it. From Lace Mohair to Sunshine to chenille to fun fur to fee to Hillary. I also was inspired by "Wild Stuff" Orient Express by Prism which is the base novilty yarn used. Aurora 8 Black is the Base Yarn which I love so much.

Here is the start of the Crayon Box Jacket / Shrug. I have 7 1/4 squares done. Only 40 1/4 squares left to make. I am so very happy with this version rather then the previous "Rainbow Sherbet" from previous posts. I hope that you will enjoy this one half as much as I do. The 2 favorite colors together. Red and Fuschia with Black. WOW.

My Baby going to the Winter Formal 2006

My baby! - This is my baby boy. I finially found some time to post some pictures. This was what we were doing last weekend. I was chaffer to he and his date for the Winter Formal. I have to say my lil' one cleans up nicely (as the proud mother says). My first child that ever went to formal. He is growing up.

Project Runway 2 - My lil' addiction

I am so addicted to this show. I can not beleive how fantastic it is. If you ever have a chance take a look at it. It is great. I can not believe how inspiring it is to design close like they do. The drama is so funny to watch. LOL Just thought I would share.

2006 Resolutions Flew Out the Window

2006 & Resolutions went out the window with in the first week. I thought they were going to be easy and simple this year, give up sodas, finish projects and get organized.  

Well that was what I was thinking at the end of 2005.  But since then I have had one heck of a first week of 2006. Remember I have 8 kids 2 of my own and 3 of Johnny’s and 3 of Johnny’s Ex which we love like our own.  So far this is the tally sheet for 2006.  Yes just 2006.

January 1st/2nd - 1 DUI for one kid (But it was not his fault – I am not just saying that too long of a store to go into.)
January 5th - 1 Accident totaling a $48,000 dollar car by another kid (No one was hurt Thank God)
January 7th - 1 son’s first Formal
January 9th - 1 Broken Ankle by my brother.
January 7th/8th/9th – Knitting my biggest project so far and I am stumped

Heck, who said anything about giving up sodas.

And that was just all in the first 9 days.  No wonder I can not seem to figure out my knitting. I started making that Crayon Box Jacket/shrug.  Knitting was the easy part.  I had named the project “Rainbow Sherbet” as one of the yarns inspired me to do it in colors that would be found in sherbet but after 8 blocks and lots of work on the gauge and everything.  I found that the more I did it the more the colors clashed with one another.  So I went back to the drawing board today with the help of a friend.  Thank you KELLY!  I have decided to put aside my Rainbow colors and work around a skein of Prism Wild Stuff called Lip Stick and Black.  Yeap.  Thank Kelly.  Well,  As I started this evening the first of the blocks I am once again inspired to make it. Woo hoo

CALGON Take me away!

SP7 Questionnaire

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand?
Snob and proud of it!

2. Do you spin? NO NO NO Tried it once and never again. Crochet?
Since I was 7 or 8 years old.  Love it.

3. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
A Needle Case and a Rubbermaid Bin just perfect for it.

4. How long have you been knitting?
As of January 9, 2006 one year. Would you consider your skill level Intermediate I don’t do anything half way.  I must learn it all.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes but it is not in order.

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Lavendar, Roses, Eucalypitus, Coffee, Apple, Peach, Vanilla… Can you tell I like candles.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Sometimes. Favorite candy?
M&M’s all the way baby.

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
Beading

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I am a total music ho.  I have over 1000 CD’s and my computer has over 15,000 songs on it.***I super super super love iTunes Gift Cards***

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
Black, Silver, Pink, Red, Purple.  Never earth tones.

11. What is your family situation? Several of us here. Do you have any pets?
I have a Labradoodle that is currently needing a new home. A Jack Russell Terrier and a cat that's name is "Patches" but I think I should change it to Butter

12. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Scarves Yes but Nope to hats, Nope to mittens and  Nope to ponchos

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
Hum… Aurora 8

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Have not found one yet.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
Chris Bylsma Patterns

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Shrugs Hum… anything but socks or sweaters

17. What are you knitting right now?
Too many to list… Gloves, scarves, shrugs

18. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yeap.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
Love them both.  I currently have 2 ¾ Denise Sets

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Nice Aluminum by Addie Turbo Straights or QuickSilver Straights

21. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Yeap I have both.(Doesn't every Yarn A Holic have these items?)

22. How did you learn to knit?
I took a class at our local craft store and have not stopped.  I knitted at our LCS everyday for almost 6 months.

23. How old is your oldest UFO?
Please Please this is bad because it is an afghan…. 2 years old.

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
I don’t have any one favorite.  I love Power Puff Girls and other junk like that – Sponge Bob, South Park etc..

25. What is your favorite holiday?
4th of July and then Valentines

26. Is there anything that you collect?
Yarn and more yarn…

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
None… But I have a standing order for quite a few at the LYS

28. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?
I am up for anything just not another Cat Bordhi Book... I have 4 of those.

29. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Fair Isle or Entarsa

30. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Nope…Made one and will not again.

31. When is your birthday?
July


Enjoy!

Anniversary of My Knitting Life

Well, as of yesterday I have been knitting for one year. So much has gone on that I just can not beleive that it has only been one year. From learning how to knit with Judy L. at our LYS to learning Enterlac by Karen a LYS owner. I have come along way. WOW. And if only I had never discoverd anything beyond Red Heart. Then came Lion Brand and then and I mean then came:

Prism, Cascade, Manos, Karabella, Noro, GGH, etc... I just am amazed at how everything has changed. The Red Heart is now tucked away in a corner and I just can not stop from starting more projects. I have so much yarn I can not beleive it.

Until recently I have not gotten too flusterd until the last few days. It seems for every 2 stitches I do I have to take 1 stitch out. I just can not seem to gain ground on a major project that I am working on. It seems to get me not in the knitting but I think the actual colors that I have choosen are giving me a mental block. I really love the colors together in a bowl but knitted together it just does not do the trick for me. So then I think about removing one of the primary base yarns of the three and then look at it again. I then think why not remove two of the base yarns and only use one. What to do what to do what to do??? I have decided to go back and work on another project that I have going. The colorful project is still laying all over my bed and I am still contemplating the posibilties but dang it I am stuck. I want to work on it and I can't decide. Maybe it's because it is to random and that is why I don't like it. But I love my Las Vegas Scarf. Darn it... I need a Yarn Councelor.

By the way I have created a blog to track all my projects which can be found here: Knitapalooza's Needle Projects. The reason for this is because I recently tried to do the Naked Stix 2006 and while counting all my projects I discovered that I was loosing grounds on my knitting. It seems as if I would never get my head above water with all the projects that I have going. So this was my promiss but not a NEW Years Resolution. I am going to keep track and work on them. I promiss to not let my needles get to dusty.

2 Steps forward, 1 step backwards

Have you ever had one of those days that it seems for every 2 steps you take you have to take 3 steps back.  It seems to be that type of day for me.  I have started a new project which I have written about previously “Crayon Box Jacket/Shrug”.  Well for every one row I do, I have had to take 2 rows out.  I can not seem to get a head.  I am getting so frustrated.  I think I have it figured out and get knitting and then bam… I have made a mistake somewhere and I have to take it out again.  I can not believe just how little progress I have made on my work.  I will post pictures tomorrow when I have the time.  

This also seems to be the same thing with dishes.  Every time I think I get caught up on the dishes… more pile up in the sink. How does this happen???

Calgon Take Me Away!

Start of Project 2: Crayon Box Shrug

Here is my other project. Yes another one. This is the Crayon Box Shrug an adaption to the Chris Bylsma "Crayon Box Jacket" pattern. These are most of the yarns that I have choosen to work with but I am a little disappointed on how it turned out. I have worked up the base square and the base yarn is not working like I would like it to work. I need it to be a tad bit more heavy.

Here is the sample of the base yarn bulked up with Aurora 8 but I am so not happy with the two of them together. When I doubled the base yarn it looked washed out. When I put it with this. It looked excuse me but "Junkie" or should I dare say RedHeartish/Wal-martish which is not a bad thing just not what I am going for in the look.

And here is an even closer look of the base square. I just am so unhappy with the way it looks. Darn it! Tell me what you all think please.

Dancing Crayon by Chris Bylsma - Starting

New Project: (I can do this since I finsihed my shrug last night - Remember my rule adopted from Karen's rule - Finish one project, cast on 2 more. Sot that is exactly what I did.) Dancing Crayon's by Chris Bylsma. This photo shows all the novilty yarn that I will be using for mine version of Dancing Crayons. My stats on this one:

Base Yarn Aurora 8 - Black
Decorative Yarn(s):

• Prato by Plymouth
• Touch Me by Muench
• Sunshine by Trendsetter
• Tiffany by GGH
• Magic by Karabella
• Charming by Tendsetter
• Segua by Trendsetter
• Aura by Trendsetter
• Vamous by GGH
• Fee Color by GGH
• Celine - Color by GGH
• Apart by GGH
• Combolo by Plymouth
• Another Unknown by Trendsetter

This is the first of the 5 squares that I am making. This is the center back square. I am adapting the pattern just a tad like normal for me. I am going to convert it into a shrug. Poncho's and Wraps are just not me. But so far I like what I have done so far. Stay tuned for the adventures in making this project.

Vegas Scarf Finished

Here it is as promissed. This is my version of the Vegas Scarf. I started it on Friday at our LYS with several others. The truly was the game to play and have fun. I choose very bright colored yarns but together they tamed each other down. Here are the STATS on this scarf. Size US15 - 32 in. circular needle. Casted on 140 but could have casted on approx 160. I used a total of 7 different yarns and left long tails for the self fringing. For information on how to play the game check out www.jeloca.com/game.html this is a fantastic game to play with a group of people. Try it you will love it! Stay tuned for more adventures in my knitting life.  

Start of Vegas Scarf Picture

As promissed here is my Vegas Scarf Start. This was such a blast to do that I could not beleive just how much fun it was that I got the yarn to have my mother make one.

This is the close up of my yarns. Starting in the top back row. Aura by Trendsetter, Blossom by Noro. Second Row: Sunshine by Trendsetter, Festival by Karabella, Checkmate by Trendsetter. Third Row: Kureyon by Noro and Serano by Gedifra and the last yarn in front is Fiocco by Gedifra. I used the Aura and Sunshine together since they both are so thin so I only count those 2 yarns as 1.

Here is the closeup of the stitches. It really was a blast to make. You can not tell really when it Purls and when it Knits... This is a must make project. For more information visit www.jelaco.com/game.html I hopefully will have it finished today so stay tuned for more photos of this project.