Black Sheep

Leonora

Pattern: Leonora from Berroco 231
Yarn: berroco Monet in Espoir (I think. will check on this tonight.) 5.5 balls.
Needles: Denise Interchangeables, size 10
Started: July 3rd, 2005
Finished: July 9th, 2005

Here’s Leonora! As I mentioned, extremely easy knit. I probably didn’t need the pattern book for it, but whatever. It turned out cute, I think. I shipped it on it’s way this morning to my stepmom. Hope she likes it!

In addition to casting on for FBS over the weekend, I also casted on the last sleeve of the Lucky Clover wrap. I’ve made a pretty good start, too. The guilt was too much. I couldn’t let this sit any longer.

I’m making good progress on FBS. I’ve made it to repeat 5 of the lower flower basket chart with no major issues. There are some, but not enough to make me want to pull my hair out. This is my first real lace project, and I have to say, it’s not all that bad - so far. (knock on wood and all that). I will take pictures and post them later this week. I also have some other fun yarn and pattern aquisitions to show you, too, so stay tuned….

My bag passed the “take all of your crap to work” test. I was able to fit my lunch and my digital camera with it’s cables in there! I am so loving it. I also took it hiking with me over the weekend, as well. I liked how it didn’t bounce around while I was walking.

I’m starting to feel very sad about leaving Santa Cruz. I didn’t think I would feel this way, but it’s all kind of hitting me as I pack up my life. I even cried on my way to work this morning . I’m getting teary-eyed just thinking about it. I’m going to miss the beach and my hikes in the Redwood forest. sigh.

Well, better get some work done. Have a wonderful Monday, everyone!

5 comments July 11th, 2005

Could this be the One?

I bought a new bag. Yes, another new bag. This time it’s a custom-made Timbuk2 bag, classic messenger size small. What made me decide to get this bag? Well, I’ve been wanting one for about 8 years, since right before I started going to school at UCSC. They were just starting to get popular, especially with students. I kept deterring myself because of the cost. They are kind of expensive. But are worth it, if you believe the reviews they have gotten. Apparantly they last through all kinds of crazy things. I decided that I needed a bag to carry ALL of my crap to work. Everything. I’m sick of carrying three bags with me. And I wanted something big enough to carry my knitting project, my lunch for work, my little purse, and anything else I might need for the day. It was really hard to choose between the medium and the small. But I finally went with the small because then I could take it hiking with me and just take the essentials. So am I giving up my knitters purse and my Asian inspired diaper bag? For the moment, yes. I had issues with both. The knitters purse was not big enough to carry all of my stuff, and the diaper bag is not very good quality. It feels like it could fall apart at a moment’s notice.

I was also attracted to the “build your own bag” feature. I HAD to have a bag that I customized myself. So I picked out the colors that I wanted on the outside, navy and light blue (and y’all know how much I love those colors), and then I went with orange on the inside. Which i love. It suits my personality, you know? I’m navy and light blue on the outside, but on the inside I’m orange. If you know what I mean. I also got to pick the color of the little timbuk2 embrodered label on the outside. The default is yellow, but I chose orange to match the inside. Some other features I decided to add were a handle and a center divder, and I’m glad I did. click here to see what I have stuffed in there. here is a mirror-in-the-bathroom shot of it on me, so you can get a visual of how big a small is. Just in case you stumble on this page and are in the market for one of these bags. I know it would have helped me when deciding.

Here is Leonora. This is a terrible progress shot. Here is an example of how not to take a progress picture. I’m almost done with this, tho. I’m hoping to be finished with it today. It’s an easy knit. It’s just purled in the round with a bit of shaping at the ends.

I felt the need to start on something a little more challenging. So I decided to finally start the Flower Basket Shawl. I couldn’t wait anymore after seeing Cara’s. So I totally frogged the Widow’s Shawl (remember that project?), since I’m going to use that yarn for FBS. Casted on and knitted through to 1 repeat of the lower flower basket chart. So far, so good. No mistakes. It looks like a glob of nothing at the moment, but I will have faith that when it’s finished and it’s blocked it will be beautiful.

Have a nice weekend everyone!

6 comments July 9th, 2005

Vintage Cami

Pattern: Vintage Camisole by Artisokka.
Yarn: Endless Summer Collection: Sonata by Elann in the color 2137, a light blue. 4.5 balls.
Needles: Cheap aluminum circular needles, I think they are made by Susan Bates. They even have a tinge of pink. Love the tackiness.
Started: June 25, 2005
Finished: July 4, 2005
Click here for a view of the back.
I guess this turned out okay. I’m not super excited about it. I would definately like it more fitted. I think that I should think about making the next size down in tanks from now on because the ones that I have made have been a bit too big. I had another bonehead moment with this one. When I was practically finished with knitting the body I realized that I placed my second marker in the wrong spot. I counted 88 stitches, instead of 100 (half of what I casted on). I was looking at the extra-small size when I placed the marker. so the front is a little bit too wide. But it didn’t turn all that bad.

The yarn has much to be desired, but you get what you pay for. I think all of the yarn for this project cost me about $16.00 including shipping. The cotton is more twiny than soft. And at one point it was over spun. You can totally tell because on one of my rows the gauge is off.

I still need to block it, but thought I’d wear it today, anyway. Maybe I will like it better after I wash and block. I Usually do, except for the Chai sweater disaster.

Okay…Next! On to Leonora, which I am making for my Stepmother. Haven’t gotten that far into it yet. I’m hoping that this will be a quick knit so I can get on with Lucky Clover.

Thanks so much for all of the well wishes, guys! I am so happy! this is going to be a great move.

9 comments July 5th, 2005