So many squares!!!!

Is there an end to these squares? I have completed almost half of the squares and I just purchased the Vanna' s Choice in Silver Blue. I have finished 7 of 12 light blue squares. Making all these squares are a royal pain in the butt, but I know the blanket will be a wonderful gift to my baby in the end. Well, more knitting to do!

Interweave Knits Magazine Winter 2007 Preview

Well, the new Interweave Knits Magazine Winter 2007 preview is ready for viewing. I love the Henley Perfected by Connie Chang Chinchio.

Here are some of the details for the pattern:

Henley PerfectedConnie Chang Chinchio Finished Size: 32 1/2 (35, 39, 42 1/2, 46 1/2, 51)" bust circumference. Sweater shown measures 35". Yarn: Blue Sky Alpacas Alpaca Silk (50% alpaca, 50% silk; 146 yd [134 m]/50 g): #131 kiwi (pale green), 8 (8, 9, 10, 11, 12) skeins. Needles: Body and sleeves—size 4 (3.5 mm). Bands and hems—size 3 (3.25 mm). Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge. Notions: Stitch holders; markers (m); seven 1/2" buttons; tapestry needle. Gauge: 24 sts and 32 rows = 4" in St st on larger needle; 22 1/2 sts and 34 rows = 4" in lace patt on larger needles.

I may have to buy this issue just for this pattern!

Progress on the Garter Stitch Blanket

Here is some of the progress I have made on my Garter Stitch Blanket. I have completed six blocks so far. I only have 45 blocks to go! I started knitting two squares at once last night on my straight needles. It is working out pretty good! Well, I have to go. Much knitting to do.

Plans for a Baby Blanket

Well, I was looking through my baby knitting book last night and thought the baby will need a baby blanket. I crochet both of my other sons a blanket and they are still using them. I came across the Garter Stitch Blanket that looks fairly simple, it just has a lot of squares to knit. This will be my first attempt at knitting a blanket. Another person has knitted the same blanket on Ravelry and it is gorgeous!!

I purchased some Vanna's Choice by Lion Brand Yarns to make the blanket. I only purchased three colors today, Dusty Purple, Linen, and Dusty Green. I will get the other three colors {Taupe, Sliver Blue, and Dusty Blue} later. In total, the blanket will cost me less than $20 to make!

Completed Project: My Perfect Ivory Baby Booties

Cast On:

October 19, 2007

Bind Off:

October 23, 2007

Yarn:

Moda Dea Washable Wool in Ivory

Inspiration:

Ruth's Perfect Baby Booties

Needles:
US size 3 straight needles

Yardage:

A little over half the skein{145 yd per ball}

Modifications:

Not many. I used garter stitch for the cuff instead of the K2P2 rib and I didn't do the eyelets for the shoe laces.

Enjoyment Factor: 10

Good Things:

This is a wonderful little pattern and is super easy to knit! These are the second pair I have knitted this month.

Bad Things:

The yarn does split some as you knit with it, so you have to be careful.

Ugly Things:

I can't find anything wrong with the pattern!

The news is in . . . Boy or Girl?

Well, today was the big day! I had my ultrasound this morning and the verdict is in!

It's a boy!

I can't say I am shocked by the news. I was hoping for a girl since I already have two boys, but I had a feeling early on that it was a boy. He is growing and health according to the ultrasound.

We called some of our family members and gave them the news and I have to say that my brother-in-law had the best reaction! He and his wife have two girls and he would like a boy. He told me that if this was a girl, that he then knew he had hope of having a son if he and his wife tried again. So when my husband told him we are having our third son, he was totally surprise and could not believe it! He said that himself and my husband needed to talk to find out what we were doing to make 3 boys.

I am happy to know he is doing well and growing . . . now what in the world are we going to name him? Well, we have a few more months to come up with something fabulous!

Completed Project: Top Knot Seed Hat

Cast On:

October 15, 2007

Bind Off:

October 16, 2007

Yarn:

Moda Dea Bamboo Wool in Chili Pepper

Inspiration:

My own creation based on my Perfect Baby Booties.

Needles:
US size 8 circular & double pointed needles

Yardage:

What was leftover from the Perfect Baby Booties skein & I still had yarn left!!{145 yd per ball}

Modifications:

I can't really say there were any modifications since I was doing it out of my head.

Enjoyment Factor: 8

Good Things:

A cute simple little hat that matches the baby booties. Plus, it was a quick knit.

Bad Things:

The yarn does split some as you knit with it, so you have to be careful.

Ugly Things:

There are little gaps at the decrease points from the double pointed needles. I don't know if I didn't pull the yarn tight enough or what, but the hat is still cute!

The Greensboro Ebony Elite Meet-Up

When I received an email from two of the members of Ebony Elite informing me of a group meeting this past Saturday in Greensboro, I really wanted to go!!! I didn't know if I would be able due to my husband's work schedule, but everything worked out and I did go!!!! We all met up at Yarn, Etc in downtown Greensboro. It was the first of three yarn shop stops. I met two other women from Greensboro, two from Charlotte, and one from Raleigh. Here is a photo of all but one of the ladies at Yarn, Etc. I didn't see anything in this yarn shop, but I knew lunch was next on our stop and I was hungry!! Here are photos of the inside on Yarn, Etc. and of some beautiful Classic Elite Wool Bam Boo.

Everyone loved the food and the desserts at Ganache. If you are ever in Greensboro, NC, you must visit this restaurant and bakery. You won't be disappointed! After lunch, we visited The Stitch Point. Here is a photo of all the ladies in front of the store.

Once again I didn't purchase anything, but this shop seemed to be more dedicated to stitch crafts not yarn. Now the last stop was the best stop! I have shopped at This and That before and they have a wonderful selection of yarns. I was not able to stay in this shop long because it was getting close to time for my husband to go to work, but I did purchase two balls of some of the prettiest tweed I have ever seen!!! It is Tahki Yarns' New Tweed. It is 60% Merino Wool, 14% Silk, and 26% Viscose. Just look at it . . . the color says everything!!! I think I will make the Hawkeye hat I discovered on Ravelry.

I really had a great time this weekend and I can't wait until the next meet-up!! Thank you ladies for the invite.

Completed Project: My Perfect Red Baby Booties

Cast On:
October 10, 2007

Bind Off:
October 14, 2007

Yarn:
Moda Dea Bamboo Wool in Chili Pepper

Inspiration:
Ruth's Perfect Baby Booties

Needles:

US size 3 straight needles

Yardage:
A little over half the skein{145 yd per ball}

Modifications:
Not many. I used seed stitch for the cuff instead of the K2P2 rib.

Enjoyment Factor: 10

Good Things:
This is a wonderful little pattern and is super easy to knit! I did make the I-cords for shoe laces, they just are not in the photos.

Bad Things:
The yarn does split some as you knit with it, so you have to be careful.

Ugly Things:
I can't find anything wrong with the pattern!

Completed Project: Pink Mary Janes

Started: Feburary 8, 2007

Finished: Feburary 12, 2007

Yarn: Bernat Satin in Petal Pink

Yardage: 1 skein

Needles: US size 7

Completed Project: Pink Baby Wrap Sweater

Started: Feburary 14, 2007

Finished: Feburary 25, 2007

Yarn: Bernat Satin in Petal Pink

Yardage: 2 skein

Needles: US size 8 straights

Pattern: The Little Luxury Kimono on the Lion Brand site FREE!

Waiting and What to do until it comes?

I have been working on my Juliet for the SKC knit-along and I am having trouble managing all the stitches on the 32" needles. So, yesterday I ordered the 40" interchangeable cable from Knit Picks and I also order some size 1 dpns for the Saartje's Booties I plan on making later. Now, I have to wait for them to arrive before I continue on my Juliet.

I the mean time, I did start working on the Ruth's Perfect Baby Booties pattern I found on Ravelry. I started them late last night. Maybe, I will have them finish before my package comes.

My Juliet and a new love!

I started my Juliet for the Sexy Knitters Club a few days ago. I have to admit that for the past few days, I haven't been knitting as much as I would have liked. But either seem to fall asleep as soon as I start or I have been trying to get my knitting organized on Ravelry. I casted on this sweater in one yarn, and then changed my mind and went with something totally different. The first color was a light taupe and a bulky yarn. The new yarn is a heathered charcoal gray and I had to double the yarn to make gauge.

I still don't have all my completed project listed nor do I have all my yarn stash listed. When you take the time to organize your things, you really get a good idea of just how much stuff you have! I didn't know I had so much yarn in those bins.

Let my just say if I haven't already . . . I love Ravelry!!!!!!!!!

Ravelry!!!!

I finally got my Ravelry invitation yesterday and I am all a buzz! I joined the waiting list back in July. I have been busy trying to get all my yarn and projects organized to enter on the site. This site is wonderful!

Completed Project: Boat-Neck Baby Sweater

Cast On:
September 26, 2007

Bind Off:
October 3, 2007

Yarn:
Moda Dea Washable Wool in Ivory and Moss

Inspiration:
Baby Knits for Beginners by Debbie Bliss

Needles:
Clover Straight Bamboo Needles in US 7 for edging & US 8 for sweater body & sleeves.

Yardage:
1 ball each of Ivory and Moss with lots left over.

Modifications:
Not many. I changed the type of yarn and I added the two green stripes.

Enjoyment Factor: 10

Good Things:
This yarn is a great yarn to knit with. It is machine washable, but suggests you lye flat to dye. The project only took 7 days to complete and I think it turned out great!

Bad Things:
The yarn does split some as you knit with it, so you have to be careful.

Ugly Things:
I don't know if it is because I am pregnant or what, but the smell of wet wool is not pleasant!

A new purchase and Boat-Neck sweater progress.

Well, the word is out on the Sexy Knitters Club's next two projects. They are the Juliet and the Tree Jacket! I knew I may want to knit the Juliet, but I wasn't sure how it would look around a pregnant belly. But I have to decided to knit it anyway. I purchased the pattern today and then made a mad dash out to the craft stores looking for some bulky yarn to knit it with. I did find some that wasn't too expensive and I will start it after I finish the current project. Plus, this will give me the chance to break-in my new Knit Pick Options needles!!!

The Boat-Neck Baby Sweater will be completed in just a few days. I have finished the front, back, and one sleeve. I can't wait to finish so I can post the pictures!

Well, lots to do. Later.