astor

I called my mother after I finished this one and told her it was my new favorite. Of course, she laughed and said that I say that after every sweater I finish. Ha. Maybe I do. Please don't think I don't have issues with some of my knitting (and life), I do, just like everyone else. However, this one? This has all those things I look for in a sweater, while making AND wearing.
I like it worn closed. I like the big needles that make you feel like you have made all sorts of progress in a short time.
I adore a sweater with pockets. The 3/4 sleeves are great especially since this yarn is heavy and warm. Not to mention that they can be knit in a couple of hours.
I like it worn open. It sort of flows when you walk. You know, it just feels "cool".
The back is good 'ol stockinette. It felt like a little blanket draped across my legs while knitting. Bonus.
And of course, the design of the wickerwork pattern is truly my favorite. Just enough detail to make it interesting.

Pattern: Berroco astor
Yarn: Berroco Peruvia Quick, 9 hanks, #9170 fumar
Needles: size 11
Mods: None.
Notes: I was a little confused with the sizing when casting on. The model is wearing a size L:48 inches, and in the pattern notes it mentions that this was designed with a slightly oversized fit. I ended up making a size 40.

cowl girl

(You see it. I know you do.)
The winner of the cowlgirls book is #221, Lucia. Please email me with your address and I will make sure you receive the book.

Don't you just hate that bloglines is closing! It really is such a bummer and is totally confusing me as to what to do with all the blogs I subscribe to. Is google reader our only option?

Hope the sun is shining where you are.

calling all cowl lovers

I should be home right now.
However, I took my annual trip out west and decided to spend an extra day in San Francisco with a great friend. (That's Noreen!)
We did a bunch of fun stuff which of course included a trip to ImagiKnit. Allison couldn't be nicer... oh, how I love knitters.
Of course, a bazillion photos where taken of the city and the bridge. (And everything in between.)
I mentioned I would be talking about this fantastic book. Unfortunately, since I am en-route, I have no other photos than this to show you. (Sorry!) I can tell you that there are a bunch of cute cowls in this book. (Forty to be exact.) They range from quick and easy on chunky yarns to a little more advanced with intricate designs on finer yarns. Some are knit in the round, some back and forth. Lace, cables, striped. Really, a cowl for every cowl lover.
If you are interested in receiving a copy please leave me a comment between now and September 27th at 12 p.m. EST and I will have the random generator draw a name.
Happy Weekend!

two

The random number generator chose two numbers:
49, Cami
444 Anonymous: such a nice, nice book! -Jan
Please email me (address in side bar) and I will make sure you receive the book.
I'll be back on Friday to talk about cowlgirls.

fifteen

Chocolate croissants, chocolate chip pancakes and fifteen balloons. (Fourteen really, cause one popped.)
12" ham and turkey sub for lunch.
Chicken Parmesan, spaghetti with marinara, iceberg lettuce with tomatoes and wishbone french dressing.
Chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and fifteen candles. (FIFTEEN!)
See you tomorrow.

knitting at home

This book is like the all purpose knitting book. Projects for your home, your kids, your friends or yourself. There are 60 projects (SIXTY!) something for everyone that is for sure.
Hats, gloves, mittens and socks.
Sweaters for adults and children. (This hooded house coat looks like something I would live in.)
Hot water bottle covers, tea cozies, cup warmers and place mats.
Felted bags, baby slippers, dolls and baby blankets.
Pillows, wraps, throws and totes.
Honestly, there is a project for everyone. (Oh, there is a little crochet, too!)

I have a couple to giveaway. Leave me a comment between now and Monday the 20th at 12 p.m. EST. The random generator will choose the names.

Happy Friday!

comfy and crisp

I cast on for a new project earlier in the week. (The big girl version.)
I must say I am loving the color which seems to fluctuate between brown and deep plum depending on the light, as well as working with this yarn on size 8 needles. There is something about the needles sizes 6-8. They just seem to be super comfortable in my hand. Sort of like I am hanging with an old friend. I like that.
We also made these cookies, twice to be exact. I knew they were a must after seeing Alicia's. They may be the most delicious crisp and airy cookie I have ever eaten. A couple of things to be noted about the recipe. It calls for a good quality white chocolate bar. Not the white chocolate chips. Well, the only thing I had was a bag (I used half) of the white chocolate chips. I can't believe that these cookies can actually get any better.
I also found out (simply by forgetting) that there is no need to flatten each ball. They turn out exactly the same either way. I did find that they came off the cookie sheet easier if left to cool for a few minutes first.
Do you see that? That silver thing up there?! My new favorite kitchen tool. A mini ice cream scoop made just for cookies! How (and why?!) in the world did I live without it?

I'll be back tomorrow... I have a book to tell you about.

what's new

Since the last time I posted:
i loved learning things about you :: i realized that I still can't throw a football :: i thought a lot about tricia u and how she taught herself to knit with unsharpened pencils :: i watched a family of turkeys cross the street :: i finished both fronts of my sweater :: i felt happy :: i got a haircut :: i collected pocketfuls of acorns :: i had coffee with friends :: i gave kisses :: i walked trouble, a lot :: i made more pesto :: i got caught in the rain :: i went shopping :: i bought this (in dark grey) :: i had lunch with friends :: i realized that the back of my sweater was shorter than the front :: i ripped out the back of my sweater :: i made chocolate chip cookies. 3x :: i said good bye to summer :: i welcomed fall :: i re-knit the back of my sweater :: i tried a few new recipes :: i felt sad :: i cast on for the sleeves for my sweater:: i went to yoga :: i had dinner with friends :: i learned a new technique for weaving in ends, thanks shelly :: i laughed until i cried :: i went to an air show :: i gave hugs :: i took photos :: i spoke to an old friend.

happy monday!

you

This is a little "step out of my box" sort of post... but I guess I'm going with it. I repeatably receive comments and e-mails on some topics. So, I thought I would go ahead and address them all in one post. A little about me, because you asked.
How do you choose your patterns?
Well, I am not one to peruse ravelry for patterns. Although I love it to death, I have found that like anyone that signs on to ravelry, I am lost in the pages for hours. (I use it to see if anyone has ever had questions or problems or let someone know if I did.) So, I generally find my patterns either through the actual yarn company site, blogs, tnna or flipping through books at my local yarn store. Oh! And my friend, Kim, also keeps me in the know.
What white t-shirts do you wear?
It's true. I usually layer every sweater with white. I actually only buy white, brown, black and grey t-shirts. I love the j-crew tissue tee's the best. However, can't justify spending that much on a bunch of tee's so find the the tissue tee's at target are all world. LOVE them.
How did the green smoothie challenge turn out?
Well, back in May I tried to drink a green smoothie (add some green veggies to your fruit smoothie) every day for the entire month. I ended up missing about 5 days. I can't say that I actually "felt" better. I also realized that I like to eat my food rather than drink it. However, I am still making green smoothies at least 3x a week. Usually with a frozen banana, 1 cup frozen berries, 1 cup green tea (yep... make a big pitcher and keep it in the fridge), 2 cups kale and 1 scoop of protein powder. I always feel like I need more protein (see eggs above) since I don't eat red meat or chicken. (I do, however, love bacon and fish.)
What camera do you use?
I shoot with a Nikon d50. My favorite lens is my 50mm 1.4. The only other lens I have is the 18-135mm.
Tell us about the 365 project.
Currently, I am in the third year of shooting a photo a day. (This life of mine in sidebar.) Although it can be a super huge challenge, I highly recommend it. Even if you don't want to post your photos onto flickr or another site, you can keep them all on your own computer. It captures a single moment of each and every day for an entire year. Teaching you a little more about your camera and opening your eyes to the beauty of the everyday. You seriously can not go wrong with this project. There are no rules... start today, you don't have to wait for January 1.
Do you eat everything you bake?
I love cookie dough. More than the actual cookie. So, I always eat a big spoonful (or two or three) of dough. I usually only eat the cookies right out of the oven.

Ugg. Enough boring about me. Please tell me something about YOU!