Generic Update

So, been busy. No knitting to report (boo!)

What have I been up to? Well, this weekend, my boyfriend took me on a surprise trip to Madison, Wisconsin! I had a fabulous time and it really meant a lot to me that he took the time to surprise me. I brought knitting with me, but we were so busy with other stuff I didn't have time to knit.

Fall to Pieces

I love the fall. I love the weather getting cooler, the smell of fires in chimneys and the color. I especially love the color. We have this crazy bush in front of our house. It's rather boring...green leaves, etc. all summer. Nothing special. But, in the fall, it turns into a blazing red/maroon/purple color that is GORGEOUS. I just love it. I'm kind of sad that it stays that color for only a few weeks...usually it gets so cold here that the leaves drop off before they die so then the ground is covered in red leaves.

This year, it hasn't quite changed all the way over yet...it's still got some green...

Almost Finished...

If I can manage to knit while watching Grey's Anatomy tonight, I should be able to finish these. Just in time for winter! I started the other fingerless mitt last year in October - I knit it in the waiting room while my dad was having surgery. For some reason, I get second mitt syndrome and never knit the other one. Last weekend, I started knitting on it again and am almost done - I just have the thumb and top of the mitt to do. I'll post pattern and yarn detail when I finish!
I'm sure you've noticed that the finshed mitt is right side out. When I knit with double pointed needles, I tend to have the wrong side out---strange!!

A photo of a photo...

So I took this photo of a photo of a photo in the new Dale of Norway pattern book that I bought. Finally, a yarn store in Des Moines has Dale stuff! Anyway, I love that sweater. I want that to be my first fair isle project ever...but I'm not sure if it's too advantageous for me...anybody out there with experience?

What's that?

2.2 pounds gone forever in my first official week of Weight Watchers. I'm not dissapointed, but I thought I could have done a little better! My second week is cruising along just nicely, I'm not starving, I planned out all of my meals for the week and I'm excercising! I hope it's always as easy as this.

Oh, here is a nice little snack "recipe" for those watching their weight (or those who like healthy snacks:

Combine 8 cucumber slices with about 8 tomato slices. Add some cubes of mozarella cheese, and 10-15 green olives. Add a little olive juice, mix it up and eat! Very yummy!

SP9 Q and A

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I'm not very picky. I love anything soft. Noro and Berocco are my current faves as far as brands go right now. I am dying to get my hands on some Berocco Pure Merino in any colors from 8545 to 8560.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? Various things - I have a needle case for my dpn, however, I do need somethign for my longer straight needles.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I've been knitting for two years. I would say I'm fairly intermediate, but I'm lazy in that I prefer simple things. I keep telling myself that I want to knit socks, I just haven't found the patience for that yet...
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? I do, but I need to update it - actually, I will have it updated by the end of the day today!
5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.) Vanilla and strawberry. I can't really do much scented stuff because it is a migraine trigger. But anything from Bath &Body or Burt's Bees is usually o.k.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? I do have a HUGE sweet tooth, but I'm trying ot watch my weight (actually get rid of some weight) I would still love candy (Dove chocolates, anything with chocolate and peanut butter, or nestle caramel crunch bars!) because I have to learn to moderate what I eat. :)
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I scrapbook, I love to bake and cook. I have a drop spindle and I'm slowly learning how to spin.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I'm pretty varied in my music taste. I listen to everything.
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? My favorite colors are richer colors, but really, I like everything. I'm not a huge fan of neons though.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? LIve with my boyfriend of 7 years. No pets. Well, we have barn cats.
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Everything but the poncho!
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Tough question. Right now, I'm in a baby stuff phase.
13. What are you knitting right now? Baby booties.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? I never have, but I'm sure I would love it.
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Bamboo straight/dpn or Addi circulars!Right now, I am in desperate need of short size 9 dpn!
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? I own and use both.
17. How old is your oldest UFO? really, really old.
18. What is your favorite holiday? I really like Christmas - the lights, the decorations the family togetherness - it's just great.
19. Is there anything that you collect? Yarn :)
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I don't have any magazine subcriptions, and I just about have every book I want.
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Socks. I have some books and stuff, but I need to just push myself!
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? I wear a women' s size 10 shoe.
23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd) June 27.

Show me your knitting needles...

So last night I meant to knit a bit. I fiddled around some super cool yarn my secret pal from round 7 gave me, and I think I"m going to knit it into wristwarmers.

I was looking for needles to use. I needed #9s. (I am a very loose knitter and usually always have to go up at least two needle sizes.) So, I searched through my needles:


Can you beleive this mess? They are somewhat organized, but not really. I have loads of needles, in almost every size, except for 9s! I do not own a pair of size 9s - or even 8s. I guess I have to go shopping then...

Something new...

I started something new this week. Inspired by Lolly, I have decided that enough is enough with my weight loss and (lack of) physical activity.

As of Sunday, Oct. 1, I put myself back on Weight Watchers. I am excercising NO LESS than five days per week (I have three days of activity so far this week), and I will succeed this time. I'm not losing weight. I'm getting rid of it. I'm not dieting, I"m eating right to learn to be healthy and to set an example for others.

So, here are my virtual models. The first one is how much I weighed when I started this journey (and no, I'm not yet comfortable telling how much I weigh now, but when I lose some weight, I will share) and then below that is right around where my goal is (about 150 lbs., keep in mind I'm 5'9".)

I'm not going to turn this into a total weight loss blog (after all, it is about me knitting) but I do feel that if I"m putting it out there, it holds me a little more accountable. I might pick one day a week to update my progress, but I'm not sure yet. What I can say now is that I have a kickboxing class tonight at 5:30, so when I'm done with that I have some knitting time at home tonight!! Woo-hoo!

Another finished object

So that hat that I posted a photo about yesterday...it's done:

• Pattern: Kim's Hat's from Last Minute Knitted Gifts, Infant Size
• Yarn used - Clouds, but not Red Heart...it's some sort of wool/alpaca blend.
• Modifications - made 2x2 rib for 1.5 inches at start, held two strands of red together for ribbing, then held one red and one yellow, then held two yellow together.
• Time taken to complete: roughly 4 hours with many interuptions.

Now I have to make the booties to match so my friend's baby will look good in his Cyclone colors!!

Finished objects and knitting mojo found!!

I have a finished object!! The first in a while, actually! The knit baby booties. Now, I think I wrote previously that I was making them for one of the new babies that my friends have had, but they are all cyclone fans, not Hawkeye fans! So, anybody have a baby that needs some Hawkeye colors? These are free to good home!

Pattern - Simple Baby Booties from 50 Baby Booties to Knit.
Yarn - Lorna's Laces in Bee Stripe, worsted weight.
Time - About an hour for each bootie, including finishing. Very easy knit!

I also started (and finished) a hat for a Cyclone baby. This photo is of when I started it Saturday night while watching the Iowa/Ohio game. I picked it up again yesterday and finished it around mindnight last night. Finished photos to come, but here is my start...


I do think the cooler weather has my knitting mojo reving up again. I also knit another hat, but ripped it out when I figured it was WAAAAYYY too big for its intended recipient. More photos and info to come! I'm so excited that my knitting mojo is back!!