Sunday, January 26, 2014

I saw the sun today

It was out for a brief period of time, but at least it was out.  Now it is cloudy and cold.  I really need to get my car washed, but I guess that will have to wait until it warms up.

I did get some new yarn recently.  I had preordered a nyan cat set from Fibernymph Dyeworks.  I probably had to wait a year and a half to get it because she took so many preorders, but it was a surprise to finally be able to get it.  It’s in her bedazzled base.  It came with a navy skein of yarn for heels and toes.

Fibernymph Dye Works - Nyan Cat

I also ordered some yarn from Webs.  I love the Flutterby yarn that I am using to make a baby blanket.  Webs had it in a pink color that I just love, so I ordered 4 skeins.

Flutterby - Pink print

I also ordered Malabrigo Rasta yarn in the color porriniho  It is a chunky weight.  I want to make a pair of mittens out of it.  I also ordered a purple color, but it is on backorder.

Malabrigo Rasta - Porriniho

That is all for now.  I am really trying to knit from stash and so far I am doing okay except for the above purchases.  But, I am allowed to indulge myself every once and awhile, aren’t I?

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Cold and snow today

I’m really sick of winter.  We have had a very cold winter here.  Today it is 21 degrees and it’s snowing.  We are suppose to get 3 to 5 inches.  I can’t wait for spring.

It’s a great day to knit today and I have been doing that.  I am currently working on the Drift sock using Sanguine Gryphon’s Tropical Shield Bug.  This color was from her Bon Bon kit several years ago.  I am using a size 1.5 needle.  The pattern is very easy to do and I love the color.  Great for Valentines Day.

Drift Sock - Sock 1 - cuff and leg

I also had to cast on for a sock with stripes.  I chose the Angry Bird color by Lollipop yarn.  It’s very bright.  Great color to cheer me up on this ugly winter day. I am using a size 1 needle with a basic sock pattern.

Angry Birds - Sock 1 - Cuff

I also started on a baby blanket for my great niece to be.  My niece is pregnant and due in March.  So, I hope I get it finished by then.  I am using Fluttery chunky yarn by James Brett.  It’s a soft chenille yarn and the colors are white, pink and purple with a size 10.5 needle.

Flutterby Baby Blanket

I finally finished the Christmas sock I was working on.  I used Lollipop yarn in the Christmas Carol color with a size 1.0 needle.

Christmas Carol - Finished

I also finished my hitchhiker using Miss Babs Yowza yarn in the night lights color with a size 6 needle.  I love this yarn and hope to make more projects with it.  I got about 39 points and didn’t have much yarn left.

Brickless Completed

Back to knitting for me today.

Saturday, January 11, 2014

We are having a heatwave

Not really, but when the temperatures go from a minus to 55, it does feel like a heatwave.  The snow is melting and we have had quite a bit of rain today, so that has helped getting rid of the snow.  I am really sick of this winter already.

Not much happening with my knitting.  I am still working on the hitchhiker and I started the second Christmas Carol sock made out of Lollipop Yarn.  I’m starting to think of other projects to cast on the needles.

Christmas Carol - Sock 2

I did buy some Flutterby Chunky yarn to make a baby blanket for my niece.  This yarn is so soft.  The color is a pink and purple confetti.

Flutterby - color B7

That is all I have for this week.  I have been working part-time.  Between that and doing errands it has been a busy but productive week.

Friday, January 03, 2014

2014–Hopefully a better year than 2013

A fresh start and a new beginning for me.  I lost my best friend – my husband.  It was sudden and I am still in shock.  So, it’s a new beginning for me.  I will miss him and so will our Maggie.

I haven’t been knitting much the last month, but I did finally complete the Glynis Sock by Cookie A.  I used Shibui sock yarn in color 1675 (Pagoda).  I used a size 1.5 needle.  I enjoyed the pattern.  The only negative was having to move stitches in the leg.

Glynis Sock - Complete

I also completed one sock using Lollipop Yarns Christmas Carol.  I enjoyed knitting this because of the striping.  Too bad I didn’t have it finished for Christmas.  So, maybe next year.  I used a basic sock pattern with a size 1 needle.  I need to cast on sock 2.

Chirstmas Carol - Sock 1 Complete

I only bought one skein of yarn.  I guess I was too busy to shop for yarn.  I couldn’t resist Gynx self striping BFL sock yarn in the color Velveteen.  Susan B. Anderson designed a rabbit using this yarn.  I don’t know if I will make the rabbit, but maybe I need to get another skein of this to make it as well as a sock.

Gynx Yarn - Velveteen Stripe

Well, I need to get working on the Hitchhiker.  So, I am off to get some knitting finished.

Thursday, January 02, 2014

Happy New Year

I am so glad for it to be 2014.  2013 ended on a real bad note, so I hope 2014 will be better.

It’s time to look back at my goals for 2013 and see what I accomplished.

GOALS FOR 2013

1. Read 65 Books – I read 76 books

2. Knit 12 pairs of socks – I knit 15 pair

3. Finish the Central Park Hoodie and knit another sweater – didn’t happen

4. Stash bust – at least get rid of one storage tote of yarn either by using it or passing yarn along or selling it. – I got rid of 3 totes

5. Finish the min ulla scarf (two color project) – Frogged this one.

6. Look into weaving (a way of stash busting?) – I still struggle with this.  I feel if I buy a loom, it will just sit there.

Goals for 2014

1. Read 65 Books – I think that is a good number and don’t want to set a goal too large.

2. Knit 12 pairs of socks

3. Finish the Central Park Hoodie – One of these years I will do this.

4. Stash Bust – Get rid of at least one storage tote of yarn either by using it or passing yarn along or selling it.

5. Clean house – it’s time to go through the house again and reorganize and get rid of stuff I don’t need.

FINISHED PROJECTS FOR 2013

I Finished 29 projects this year.  In 2012, I finished 55 projects and in 2011, I finished 71.  So I definitely did less this year.

3 Dishcloths

3 Scarves

15 pair of socks

1 baby blanket

4 shawls

1 Zombie doll

2 Cowls

UFO’s

8 UFO’s in 2013.  Last year I had 4.

2 Pair of socks

Hitchhiker

Strandwanderer

Advent Calendar Scarf

2 Sweaters

1 Afghan

That is 8 too many

Wednesday, January 01, 2014

Finishing up Books Read in 2013

Intervention – Robin Cook

Creation in Death – JD Robb

Ava Gardner: Love is Nothing – Lee Server

Where we Belong – Emily Giffen

Rose Harbor in Bloom – Debbie Macomber

To Whisper her Name – Tamara Alexander

Miss Julia To the Rescue – Ann B. Ross

Strangers in Death – JD Robb

Critical – Robin Cook

Salvation in Death – JD Robb

Ritual in Death – JD Robb

Book of the Dead – Patricia Cornwell

Almost Home – Barbara Freetity

Return to Willow Lake – Susan Wiggs

Promises in Death – JD Robb

10th Anniversary – James Patterson

Kindred in Death – JD Robb

W is for Wasted – Sue Grafton

Passing Through Paradise – Susan Wiggs

The Best Man – Kristan Higgans

 

Total Read for 2013 was 76 Books