Christmas is almost here...

I cannot believe that Christmas is next Friday! Where did all the time go?! I haven't been blogging in a while since I've been finishing up the fall semester and have been trying to finish Christmas gifts. First of all, I am so happy that the fall semester is over and that I did well in all of my classes. I am also excited to report that I graduated yesterday with my undergraduate degree! It is still trying to sink in because it does not feel real yet. I took two graduate courses this semester and am really motivated to continue after seeing the Master graduates yesterday. Hopefully, this will keep me motivated to continue when I'm ready to throw in the towel.

Now, to the really fun stuff! I have been knitting nonstop since my hubby gave me a set of KnitPicks Zephyr needles for my b-day. They are so light and the clear needle tips are so gorgeous. Also, the cables are much better than other brands I have tried. I will admit though, that I've been eyeing the new Signature circulars and I'm probably going to read every review I can find about them trying to convince myself that I "need" them (they are $40.00 a pair!).

Christmas knitting has been somewhat slow but I think I'm almost finished. Here are some of the patterns that I've been working on:

Leaf Lace Scarf by Janet D. Russell using KnitPicks Shadow Kettle Dyed in Bordeaux. This is my first lace weight project and I think I'm addicted to lace knitting now. I ended up purchasing a set of size US 4 Harmony wood tips to try with lace knitting as I read they are some of the best needles for lace. They are and they are so beautiful!!! This is also the project that I am enjoying the most at the moment so I have to make myself push this one aside to work on my other projects. :)

Strangling Vine Lace Scarf by Nicole Hindes using Caron Spa Bamboo yarn in Green Sheen. This pattern is knitting up beautifully but the yarn is a PITA to knit with as it slits like crazy. I will be happy when this project is finished and hopefully the recepient loves it.

I have a couple of other smaller projects, such as dishcloths and scrubbies. Hopefully, I'll be able to finish all of these in time for Christmas! I am also itching to cast on Citron by Hilary Smith Callis that was featured in the Winter issue of Knitty. I will use KnitPicks Shadow Kettle Dyed in Pacific using size US 6 Zephyr circulars. Maybe I'll be able to hold off on casting on this shawl until all gifts have been finished.

Have a safe and Merry Christmas!

Knitty Updates

Life has been very busy lately with only one month left in the semester. Here are a few of my latest projects that have helped me keep my sanity.

This scarf is Rosalie's School Scarf by Nancy Fry. It is based on a scarf worn by Rosalie Hale during the lunchroom scene in Twilight. It has been a very fun knit and I have four feet knit with another foot to go. I've decided that this scarf will be mine and I might have a skein of yarn leftover to make another scarf. I'm using Caron Simply Soft in Off-White single stranded on US 7 needles.

I tried my first beret! This pattern is Spring Beret by Natalie Larson. I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease, which was probably too thick for this pattern but the hat is sooooo warm. I'd like to try making another one with some cotton yarn to get the slouchy effect I was going for. This is another knit that I'm going to keep for me! I really need to focus on Christmas knitting as I still have a lot left to accomplish between now and the holidays.

Finally, a knit that was a gift. I made this scarf as a late birthday present for my cousin. It was my first experience with Caron Simply Soft Eco, which has recycle plastic bottles in the yarn, and I was surprised to find that it was enjoyable to knit with. This pattern is Branching Out by Susan Pierce Lawrence and can be found at Knitty.com. This was my first non-sock lace project and I am now completely addicted to lace! In fact, I just placed an order with KnitPicks and bought yarn (lace and fingering weights) for more lacy scarves.

By the way, my cousin loved her scarf and I had quite a few family members place orders for this Christmas. I'm already knitting dishcloths for everyone this year and am debating whether I can fit in a couple more scarves between now and then, not to mention a pair of socks for my youngest cousin who fell in love with my Sugary Sweet socks. I'm thinking about sticking with the dishcloths for this Christmas and taking some patterns with me during Christmas and letting family members "place orders" for next year. What do you think?

As always, thanks for looking and happy crafting! It will probably be a while before I post again as the semester is drawing to an end but I'm hoping to get a lot of knitting done over Thanksgiving break.

Sugary Sweet Finish

I finished my Sugary Sweet Ankle Socks this morning! The pattern worked up very nicely with this yarn and was quite enjoyable. I'd like to try this pattern again with two full skeins of yarn so that I can make full socks instead of anklets. As you can probably guess, Oriental Butterfly did not get any attention this week but I'm going to work on it this afternoon. I'm also debating starting another pair of socks, but I really need to finish my BFF Gloves or they will never get finished!

Quick Updates

Here are a couple of really quick updates! I started this sock this week as a way to do something that didn't require much thought while studying for exams. The pattern is by Wendy Johnson and is called Double Eyelet Rib Socks. I really like how its turning out! I'm using one US 1 (2.25mm) Knitpicks nickel-plated circular to do magic loop and the yarn is Patons Stretch Socks in the color Sugar.


As you can probably guess, I didn't work on Oriental Butterfly much this week. I've been in a knitting mood lately...maybe it's the cooler weather. Here is my progress so far:

Thanks for looking!

First Post of October!

Wow, I cannot believe I have not posted anything for October! This is proving to be a busy school month and I'm currently prepping for mid-terms and trying to complete assignments. I've worked on Oriental Butterfly, but all my other projects have been on the back burner. OB is really coming together nicely and I'm still really enjoying it. Well, I'm off to find some chocolate and then at least finish the scroll area around the medallion tonight. Thanks for looking!

Oriental Butterfly

Here is my progress on Oriental Butterfly. I started stitching Friday afternoon and filled in the orange area of the wing this morning. So far, I am really enjoying this piece and love the colors (even though the picture does not show them that well). This will be a nice project to work on at night after classes or work. Also, I bought a 10" Susan Bates plastic hoop from Michael's to use with this project because I was determined to like using a hoop. This hoop works very well and I actually like it, so mission accomplished!


I'm also trying to finish my first Reclamation Scarf so that I can cast on another one for Christmas presents. Assignments are starting to pile up and mid-terms are looming in the not too distant future, so who know how much free time I'll have to complete Christmas presents this year. At the very least, hopefully, I'll be able to crank out some more dishcloths!

As always, thanks for looking!

The Inspiration Behind Feline Love

Here are my two fur-babies, June (aka Junebug on the left) and Buddy (right). When I saw the picture for Feline Love online, I knew I had to make that one!



**Please note that this is a personal picture and should not be copied or used without the permission of the owner. Thank you.**