Finishing

I actually finished a project, so I feel the need to share.

My friend T and I had been going for walks with her pup but it's gotten cooler (and is now down right cold) at night.  She made a comment that she'd like a hat with ear-flaps (and she "doesn't care if she looks silly).  Enter Simpatico.  It's a more interesting pattern than a standard ear-flap had, knit with worsted weight yarn, and would give me a chance to attempt the magic loop.  I'm not sure I did that quite right, but it came out okay.

I prefer it with the ties, which I braided instead of using i-cord.  They are more for show as the ear-flaps are plenty long to stay down on their own.

Please ignore our messy living room - moving and all that jazz

 T wanted pink, and pink she will get.  I think if I were to do it again I'd use different yarn.  The Plymouth Europa Tweed is pretty but splits a bit too easily and is a little thicker than is called for in the pattern.  I went down a needle size and that made it work, but knitting bulky yarn (I wouldn't call this super bulky at all, despite the description) on size 5 needles was a bit of a pain.

End thoughts: while I like the end look, the pattern was sort of a pain.  The decreases aren't predictable and there are only two size options - Child or Adult.  My adult head is a bit too small and M's head is a bit too big.  Hopefully T's head is just right.  I don't think I'll be making it again unless someone requests it specifically.

Bridezilla-dom

Has it really been since November?  I guess it has.  December is a busy time in my life between Christmas and year-end work related stuff it just seems like I get caught up in an avalanche.

So here's a bit of a catch up - I missed Christmas.  Or at least I missed Christmas with my family.  Instead, I spent Christmas Eve and Day with Michael's extended family in a two day, three meal, extravaganza!  I managed to only gain 2lbs and drink one entire bottle of wine.  It was really great wine.  Also, Michael referred to him and I as a family for the first time.  I got a bit weepy.  Dorky, bu true.  Overall, a very nice holiday.

Not taking a Christmas vacation from work means that I had vacation time to use - so I took last week off.  I am currently relishing the last few hours of non-work time.  I meant to update this week and boast of all the things I accomplished with my freed up time.  Here is that amazing list:

• purchased yarn for wedding stole and started said knitting project.  I did opt for Jared Flood's Autumn Leaves Stole.  The yarn color isn't showing well due to my lack of photography skills, but it is knitting up beautifully.  I'm especially proud as this is my first attempt at anything even resembling lace work.
• read two book - Heat Wave by "Richard Castle" and the 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman. Both were quick and fun reads.  Heat Wave was actually much better than I expected considering it's by a fictitious author and came about because of a TV Show.  I was so happy that Michael agreed to read the Love Languages book with me, well first actually. It was actually pretty interesting and I think that the concept - different things/action/words make people feel loved - is good to keep in mind.  Just because Acts of Service make me feel loved doesn't mean that Michael feels the same way.
• cleaning was done.  Goal was basically the whole place - it's only five rooms.  Kitchen and bathroom were actually accomplished, living room was half done as was my craft room.  I give myself a C for effort.  I could have played less Lego Indian Jones 2 on my Wii.
• finally went to the doctor about my sinuses.  Turns out I have a very persistent sinus infection.  I'm on a twice-a-day antibiotic, back on allergy meds, and lots of advil.  I'm not sure if it's medication or that my body is finally like "yep, time to actually get healthy" but I've been exhausted ever since. 
• Also squeezed in the eye doctor and dentist.  Being the vain girl that I am, contact are going to be attempted.  I really don't want to wear glasses in wedding pictures.  I get my trial contacts in a couple of weeks.  We shall see how that goes.
• Super splurged and bought Rosetta Stone Italian 1-5.  I took Italian in College, my mom speaks a dialect, I've always wanted to learn.  Bonus - Michael has promised to attempt to learn as well.  I may secretly install this on his computer. shhhh
• lastly - and what I really thought of when I decided to blog tonight - I went to my very first Bridal Show.  It was...interesting.  I wouldn't call it fun, and to be really frank about 90% of it was pretty boring. However, it did make me realize that I have a lot more done/decided for our wedding that originally thought.  Thank you Pinterest!  It's just big things - dress, Michael's suit, and rings that I haven't managed.  You know, the things that are killer expensive.

So, not too much for a week of no work, but not bad. 

Now, back to this bridal show.  Accomplished - purchased cream pashminas for the bridesmaids and Michael's groomsmaid.  I now wish I had purchased one for myself to because I love those things so much.  The dresses were beautiful and the people wonderfully nice.  But honestly, I think my mom was right - it was for a different type of wedding.  I have no interest in tablescape consultations, since I've got the centerpieces and basics on decorations decided.  A custom made wedding dress is likely more than I'm willing to spend.  I already have people taking pictures.  Michael is in charge of invitations and cake/dessert.  So, while I did enter a few contests to win a dress, money or dinner, I probably wouldn't go to another bridal show unless absolutely necessary.  I was sort of saying this to myself for most of the day.  I felt really bad at the end - like I was just as bad as all those brides on TV but in a more "oh, I'm better because they are spending ridiculous wads of money"  I was being a bridezilla in my own way.  I'm not proud of that.

  

Falling leaves...and falling temperatures

Fall is officially here.  Actually I think it's been fall for about a month now, if I got the equinox right, but it has just now started to get cold.  Friday I woke up to frost on my windshield.  I dug out my hats, gloves, and scarves.  It's my favorite time of year!  Not so cold that I am worried about frostbite, but cold enough to want gloves and a hat.

It makes me want to knit.  Thankfully I have lots of projects to keep me busy over the next few months.

First up is the sweater for William.  I'm knitting up the Grow Like a Weed jacket.  The sleeves are done and I'm onto the body.  It will be my first attempt at steeking.  I'm excited and petrified at the same time.  If it starts to unravel I may break down and cry.  I'm knitting it in Cascade Eco + is this dark green/blue color.  It's pretty awesome and I hope to have it done, steeked and blocked by Thanksgiving.  I love Cascade yarns and I was able to pick this up at my new local yarn shop.  Having a shop 2 blocks from work could be very, very dangerous.  Plus the owners is so sweet.  I may have turned into that annoying customer who's always there.  Oh my, I hope that's not the case...

Next I'm on to wedding knitting.  I am trying to make sure that none of my craft projects have to be completed.  I'm thinking of knitting a Clapotis for each of the ladies in our wedding party (two for me, one for Michael).  Looking at how long it has taken some people I'm a little nervous that I won't be able to get three of them done in time.

I also want a shawl for me and not to sound extremely selfish, but I would rather complete mine if I can only get one done.  I've got to narrow it down.  Right now I'm looking at Elise or maybe Autumn Leaves.  Then there's Umaro or this Entrelac shawl (that has gotten really bad reviews for the directions).  I'm really leaning toward the Autumn Leaves.  I love Jared Floods' designs and the leaves pattern seems appropriate for a fall wedding.  Hm...we shall see.

Now I'm off to look at healthy crock pot recipes.  Yep, it's officially Fall!

We aren't Friends

Today should have been a wonderful day. To start it's Saturday - the only thing better is 6pm on a Friday evening. To put some icing on this particular Saturday I had plans to hit up some local yarn shops. Yet, for some reason, I was racking my brain Friday night on how I could get out of going. Me, trying to avoid yarn shops. Ridiculous you may say, but it all comes down to the company.

I'm new in town and attempting to meet people, and knitting a fellow knitter is especially exciting. So when a woman I had just meet asked if I'd like to go check out the Cat and Crow, which opened a few months ago, I jumped at the chance.

She picked me up (I was pretty sure she wasn't an axe-murderer, so I didn't feel freaked to get into a stranger's car) and the interior of the car was pretty clean. I'm always appreciative of a car that doesn't have fast food wrappers, pop cans, or the like skewed about. It wasn't until we'd traveled a few miles down the road that I notice the smell - a weird musty, barn like smell. I ignored it, because really what do you say?

So we continued down the road. I asked her how long she'd been teaching - and this lead to a long rambling story. She started teaching to pay her way through grad school, and it was all down hill from there. Grad school was great, but the actual job after the fact was not what she wanted it to be - at least I think that's what she was getting at. Thank goodness the Argyle Fiber Mill was close by, allowing for a pit stop and gap in her life history.

Life had not gone as she planned - it was one disappointing position after another. Also, she knows my boss and man was she surprised that I am actually enjoying it there. Not even the Cat and Crow or the Sow's Ear could uplift the downer. To her credit she was very nice, when we discussed knitting it was a really good conversation - but it always came back around to her career and how life gave her a raw deal.

When I arrived back home all I could think was: 1) I spent too much money in those lovely shops and 2) what the heck was the smell in her car?

She's a nice woman, we have the same hobbies, similar other interests (attempts at gardening, kitchens, local culture) and I really have no interest in becoming better acquainted. It's weird to me - but I might even avoid knitting groups that she is a part of...tragic.

Yarn Shop Reviews

Cat and Crow - The women are exceptionally nice. They carry local spun yarn, and even some yarns sheared from local sheep and alpaca. The big down fall - you won't find any of the less expensive yarns - which was annoying. I could understand if the shop intended to only carry local, or even American, yarns but there was plenty of mini mochi from Crystal Palace which is spun in Asia. So obviously the goal isn't to promote Local only. The book selection leaved something to be desire as well. It's a new shop, and I understand them not wanting to put a lot of capital into the store, but I'll check back in a few months and make up my mind then. I did find a book to add to my collection, The Opinionated Knitter. Nice find I felt.

Sow's Ear - A very nice shop. Coffee in the front, with plenty of tables to sit, enjoy a cuppa, and work on a project. All around is yarn, samples of completed projects, and accessories. (I finally found soles for my cable slippers.) They didn't have as many local yarns, but did have a lot of American yarns. And my favorite yarn brand, Cascade! I know it's not the fanciest, but its good quality and knits up wonderfully. Anyway they also have a great selection of patterns - I purchased the Swirl Shawl pattern. Unfortunately they didn't have any more of the yarn in the color I wanted. I guess I'll just have to go back and check again.