"But why is the rum gone?!"

I've been working on this sweater for 8 days now and I am FINALLY beginning to have some faith that it is going to work! I finished the back and the two front sections.

The sweater isn't looking so great in this photo (although how great is the shade I used as a white background?!) So I decided to block the sweater before I continued. I want to try it on again and I think if it's been blocked it'll be easier to sew the sleeves on.

I had some camera issues tonight. For some reason the shots were grainy and shaky! I think that lighting issues and my own ineptness were serious factors!
The cable is hard to see unless you are on top of the sweater. But I like it. And really thats all that matters -- right!?

Next up -- two sleeves. I'm like 6 inches into the first one! It's all stockinette so it is BORING! However I like boring -- it makes watching movies easier!

I do have one concern! Which is that the arm holes are WAY WAY to big for the sleeves. But I have a plan. I'm just hoping I don't need it -- mostly because I don't know if I could explain it in here!

These men helped me get through the back of the sweater yesterday! I leave you with them! :)

Oh this sweater ....

Well I am still working on the sweater. I haven't given up yet. Which I think might be my stubbornness! The band is supposed to be 578 rows for the size I was working on. And it was supposed to be 58 inches. At 420 rows mine was 79 inches!!!!!!!! So I went to Ravelry and looked at all the other people who have worked on this. I am not the first person to have this problem! (Phew it isn't my terrible knitting!!) So I ripped back to the correct amount of inches and that I started picking up for the top.

I'm going at this sweater with the expectation that at any moment I will rip this out and never work on it again. However I did a lot of math and some measuring and if all goes according to plan I will have a sweater by Rhinebeck!

My strategy for the sweater is NOTES!!! I'm writing EVERYTHING down so that when I have to repeat it for the other side I can! I figure that way even if it doesn't fit I can always give it to someone and it wont be lopsided! As I said I picked up for the top (although the sweater says do the bottom first.) I figure that if the top doesn't work I'll rip, but I wont have done ENDLESS back and forth on the bottom already!

My mantra is from my Grandmother (Or the Fra!)

"Prepare for the Worst. Hope for the Best"

This is about 1.5 inches of the top (attached to the band). You cast off for the sleeves and work back and forth on the front. (Starting with the right.) I've done another 20 or so rows since this picture and so far so good.

Fingers crossed!

Ripped.

Suzie has been frogged! The dark color of the Berroco, the cables, and the Alpaca simply didn't mix. It look my 30 minutes to cast on 287 stitches and I did the first 20ish rows and just didn't think it was coming out nicely. So I did a swatch of just the cable (thinking maybe I was doing something wrong.) However there was no salvaging my poor Suzie! So she went to the frog pond. The photo below is a picture of her when she came off the needles and before she was ripped out.

So the next question was ..... WHAT AM I GOING TO DO NOW! I was away from a computer, my needles and only had the book "More Big Girl Knits"! So I went through the book frantically and found "Cable Love". Which is a pattern I've lusted after for awhile. The cables are MUCH less complicated and I figured since the band is what you do first it didn't really matter if it didn't look great because who cares about ripping out 22 stitches. I mean I just ripped out 20 rows of 287. 22 doesn't impress me anymore! :)

After doing the first 120 rows (of the 578 for the band) I really like it so far. The color is still dark but I think once its blocked it'll look great. And I've learned dark color = boringish sweater. But I'm happier. I don't know if it will be done in time for my Birthday. But I would be very excited if it was!

So here is a new sweater that I hope not to rip out. And that I hope to complete sooner rather than later!

Time for a new sweater!

It is time to start a new sweater! I'm going to make the Susie sweater from More Big Girl Knits. The pattern is actually the reason I bought the book and I've spent far to long thinking about making it. And now I've got the perfect yarn and I know that I would like to finish it before my 24th birthday (October 16th) and before going to Rhinebeck on the 17th. I don't really have a lot of projects going on. So I'm diving in again! :) I'm excited! and nervous! This is my friend Suzi. She is different from the photo of the Susie sweater I have posted below. I need to think of a new name for this sweater ... or a new name for my friend Suzi! :) Suzi will actually probably think of the name-- she is good at that stuff-- I am not!

I'm using Berroco Ultra Alpaca for the sweater and the color is 6269 it is a really pretty navy blue which will look very cute with a nice fallish green color! :) Fingers crossed I get it done!

Now to cast on! :)

8 Questions!

Miss Jilly linked me today! :) And asked me to answer 8 questions! So lets see how I do!

The rules are to answer 8 questions and then make up 8 new ones and tag 8 others for them to answer!

1. What would you ask for if a genie granted you 3 wishes?
   1) I would very much like to have LOADS of money to buy yarn! and a house! and to not have to work and to pay off all my bills.
   2) I know this is a silly but I would very much love to fall in love. (Although do I want a genie to pick my love I don't know!)
   3) To have the opportunity to travel the world.
2. What are 3 things you love the most about yourself? Physically?
   1) my eyes they are green and I think they are fabulous and make picking clothes out EASY!
   2) I both love and hate being 5'10" I love it because I would be a lot ROUNDER if I was shorter and I hate it because I have never dated a guy taller than me. :(
   3) I love my hands. They aren't pretty. They are always dry, but without them I couldn't do anything that I love. Hands are important to me and my knitting!
   Personality:
   1) I guess my sense of humor is good. I make myself laugh, and people laugh when they are around me (It might be at me but thats ok!)
   2) I love to love people. I guess thats a good thing!
3. Who is your style icon?
   Oh I don't really have one. I have always loved Ralph Lauren and Dior (not that I can afford/ look good in it!) I just like classic. I really don't take risks when it comes to fashion at all!
4. Do you have a favorite quote or any words of wisdom to share? Here are a few that inspire me ...
   
   
   "...the number one reason knitters knit is because they are so smart that they need knitting to make boring things interesting. Knitters are so compellingly clever that they simply can't tolerate boredom. It takes more to engage and entertain this kind of human, and they need an outlet or they get into trouble.
   
   "...knitters just can't watch TV without doing something else. Knitters just can't wait in line, knitters just can't sit waiting at the doctor's office. Knitters need knitting to add a layer of interest in other, less constructive ways."
   — Stephanie Pearl-McPhee
   
   
   "Wait for the one who will be your best friend, who will drop everything to be with you at any time no matter what. Wait for the one who makes you smile like no other, and when they smile you know they need you. wait for the one who wants to show you off when you are in sweats and have no makeup on, but appreciates it when you get all dolled up for him. Most of all, wait for the one who will put you at the center of his universe, because obviously, he's at the center of yours."
   
   
   Remember no matter what you are beautiful!
   
   
   5. When you were a kid, what did you want to become when you grow up?
   I wanted to be a teacher when I was little or a nurse. In middle school I wanted to be a writer (I even have the terrible books to prove it!)
   
   
   6. 5 years from now, when you look back at this phase in your life, what do you think you’ll say?
   I am sure that I'm going to say "oh dear!" I'm very lucky with my friends, but it seems like everything else is kind of a mess. I hope when I look back my life is different!
   
   
   7. What kind of music are you into?
   Oh everything. Classical, rock, pop, celtic, indie rock, county. I'm not offended by much musically.
   
   
   8. What is the most important lesson you have learnt in you life so far?
   Life is not that deep. Let it roll off your back and move on. That carries through my work, knitting, family, friendships, and relationships.

My 8 Questions:

1. What is the favorite outfit you ever styled for yourself?

2. If you could have any designer design a custom gown for you, who would you pick?

3. If someone offered you a job in the fashion industry, would you accept it?

4. What is the one place in the world you'd like to visit?

5. If you could tag along on a world tour for your favorite band/artist, who would that be?

6. If you could walk a red carpet, which carpet would you want to walk?

7. What's your favorite book and why?

8. Would a reality show about your life be interesting?

And I tag these ladies!

Annie

Julie

Red Knits

BadCatDesigns

Guenevere

Michelle

A post almost purely devoted to knitting! :)

Hello Bloggers,

I'm in the midst of a ton of projects, it is rather overwhelming, as I am generally someone who only likes to have a few projects on her needles at a time. I guess it isn't the amount of projects it is the amount of things that I want to get done. And I feel like I don't have to the time to do them. Which is silly I knit at least 2 hours a day. And more when I have the time. I don't know I guess I'm feeling out of sorts with my whole life and I'm trying to blame it on my knitting.

I'm currently working on:

1)a present for a readers birthday

2)the knit along at Wednesday night sit and knit at String Thing Shop (photo below)

3) Aeolian which hasn't been touched in two weeks. Even though I'm so close to being done I can taste it.

4)socks for my uncle. I literally have like 4 rounds of the toe left and I ran out of yarn. So I have to wind the second skein. Which I am to lazy to do I guess.

I made these stitch markers for a woman who goes to String Thing Shop. She likes larger ones so these will fit up to a size 11 needle. They are a little blurry, sorry!

This beautiful green Lana D'oro from Cascade is going to become this . It is for one of my best friends moms. She was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor last week. I love them both so I thought this would be something small I could do.

LONGIES! :) I will eventually be selling these lovely little pants on Hyena cart. Its a future business and I was testing the pattern to see if I wanted to buy the rights. I'm thinking yes! (Awesomeness is a business that involves me knitting!) :)

This is Fizzi which is a knit along at String Thing Shop. I'm using Zauberball. I'm not sure how I feel about the yarn. It has some places where it is kinda thin, and than it gets really thick. Anyway, I was about 9 rows into the next section (i.e. the lace) when I figured I had screwed the whole thing up and I started ripping. The girls were all shocked and gasping when Barb took it from me and picked up 250 stitches for me! I love love love her and feel like I should give her a gift for being so awesome! The shawl is now back on track and will be for my best friend Megan.

Speaking of Christmas I made a decision last week. I'm not Christmas knitting this year. That being said I'm sure that there will be a few things that I'll do for people. But mostly NO CHRISTMAS knitting. I love my friends desperately but I've got to knit for myself once in awhile! :) So I hope they forgive me, but it is a lot trying to get it all done for December 25th. So birthdays are going to be the time for knitting for my friends!

Speaking of friends here are some of my favorites! We went out for Hibachi last night to celebrate my friend Tara's birthday! They are the best and I don't know what I would do with out (from left to right) Jill , Brenda (owner of String Thing Shop), Bernadette, Suzi, Tara, Guenevere, and myself.

I would like to point out that Jill and Bernadette are the only two who managed to look half way normal in this photo. However I think it is the best shot of the night! :)

Just Married!

The museum I work at recently had an exhibit open that I can honestly say I helped with from beginning to end! A few months back Jill my boss/friend (jillybeanstalk@blogspot), Kevin the maintenance repairman and myself came up with the idea for an exhibit on Wedding Dresses. It took literally MONTHS and a constant uphill battle for the exhibit to be approved BUT in the end we beat city hall and we had approval! :)

I learned a lot about the field I'm currently working in while helping put the exhibit together. Most of that involves drama and I don't want to get into that! I just want to be proud of myself. I met an AMAZING curator from the PA State Museum in Harrisburg. I also figured out that I like textiles more than I thought I did. I also love household items, but I'm narrowing down my interests in the field. Which is good! I also learned that sometimes you just have to let things fall off your back. The fact that I think panels are ridiculous doesn't matter! And the saying "Shit rolls down hill" is very true!

These photos are by no means the whole exhibit, I of course want people to pay the $6.00 dollars to see the rest. The exhibit is titled "Just Married 70 Years of Weddings in Coal Country" and we have 6 fabulous dresses and one mens suit along with some artifacts! The museum is the Anthracite Heritage Museum in Scranton PA. If you are in the area come visit. I'm around Monday though Friday and I'll be happy to give you a tour!

This dress is a fundraiser. It is a size 12 Henry Roth gown which is being raffled off on October 24th. Tickets are $10.00 each. The dress has never been worn and looks BEAUTIFUL! And if I was a size 12 I would totally get it just to parade around my house in it! :)
Guenevere painted this mural which looks fantastic! I wish that I could paint!
All in all a great exhibit and I hope to someday be a curator at my own museum so that I can make some decisions! :)

Life is forever changing ....

Sorry it has been so long. If it isn't one thing in life it's another. My Mom moved to Ohio last week, the museum I work at had an exhibit open today (photos to come later this week) and it has been HOT! Also I haven't finished anything interesting. Aoelian is looking GREAT however I can't get any photos of it until its finished and blocked! I have a hat that I need to felt but that requires time and I HATE HATE HATE to felt!

Anyway the yarn store I spend WAY to much time at had a Christmas in July sale that I worked at. And as a gift for coming in I got this great bag. I also picked up some yarn. Not a lot ... but some. (I'm TRYING to knit from my stash. And I've been successful but sometimes we all cheat a little bit!)
I've had my eye on this gray and blue Lornas Laces for awhile. I have no idea what I'll do with it but I really like it!
This is to make my Momma's Christmas present! Which I can't talk about because I think shes going to start reading this since she has abandoned me for Ohio.
Have a wonderful week everyone! :)