Christmas Knitting

1.5 Christmas gifts DONE.

I finished the first sock for my dad. I really hope it will fit him. I

am pretty sure it will, but I won't know for sure until he tries it on. I am just about done with the ribbing for the cuff on the second one. I am really happy with how the first one turned out, and I hope the second one will be even better. Am I sure that my dad will get both completed socks on time? No, but I don't think he'll mind too much. I am having Christmas with my dad and stepmom this weekend, so I have a little less time.

The purple purse to the right is a gift for my sister. The pattern is from Magknits.com, Sophie Purse. It turned out SO cute. I like it a lot better than the first one I did for me. It is still drying right now. I have one more Sohpie Purse to knit for my mom. Her's will be a little different because she wants the handles a litttle different, and for it to have a flap.

Well, I'd better get to work. Happy Christmas Knitting.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Christmas WIPs

Being iced in has had a few advantages: no school for two days dues to incliment weather and power outages, extra knitting time (however, I still haven't done a lot), and sleeping in.

My sister's purse is to the left. It is the Sophie Purse knit in Cascasde 220. I need to re-knit the handles. I tried to make them thicker, but I didn't like it. It will only take 20 minutes at the most.

Here is the scarf for my boyfriend. It is part of his Christmas gift. It is a free pattern from Knitting Daily called the Basketweave Scarf. I really love this patter. It is awesome! I am using Patons Classic Wool Merino, and size US 8 needles.

Yarn lust

I was just reading Yarn Harlot's blog. She is working on some socks with yarn from Lotus Yarn. Of course, I clicked the link to their Etsy shop, and am now lusting for this yarn! It is soo yummy and gorgeous!

I finished one of my christmas gifts last night. It is for my sister. I don't think that she reads this, but just in case she does I'm not going to post what it is. Well, it not technically completely finished, but almost. I have the few last details to finish on it. I am really please with how it it turning out, and can't wait to see the real finished product. It was such a quick knit too!

Other Christmas news!! I am going the day after Christmas to Juarez, MX where my boyfriend is from. We are going skiing with some of his family. We get to stay in a cabin. I am SO extremely excited! Now, if I could just concentrate on finishing the semester......

Peeking up from the books to say hello.

Hello. I've been lost amongst books, books, laptops, computer labs, research, statistics, and more. There is only 1 weeks of classes left and then finals week, eek! In between highlighting, lesson plan making, and writing I've managed to get a few knitted rows in here and there on Christmas gifts. Over the weekend I managed to get about 3/4 the way done one of them, so I feel pretty good about that. Plus, I actually did some studying/homework too! However, I didn't managed to get any pictures. Go figure. I'll try to take/post some this week, but I cannot promise anything.

On other non-knitting related topics, check out this blog http://micahyav.blogspot.com/. It's my cousin's blog. He is spending a year in Kenya doing different sorts of mission work. He's been there since August, and normally has lots to talk about.

Knitting will make it go by faster.

My little girl, Chloe, went to the vet today to get her 6 month check up and vaccinations. About 45 minutes after I picked her up she had a bad reaction. Her face swelled up about twice it's normal size and got bumps on her head. I took her back to the vet, and they are taking care of her now. She's going to be okay, but I feel so bad. I don't remember the last time I was home without her running around, or sleeping next to me. It's been almost 3 hours, and they still haven't called. They are giving her medication through an IV. They are keeping her to watch her, and make sure she's okay. They are suppose to call me when I can come pick her up, but it's taking forever! I just keep knitting my sock, but had to take a break because my fingers are starting to hurt. I love her, and can't wait to bring her back home.

This is the scarf that I've been working on. I just need to decided if I need to make it longer.

SOCK YARN

Here is the finished Sophie Purse. Like I said before I am a little disappointed with the way that they handles turend out, but over all I really like it. I love the color, and the size is just perfect. I used Plymouth Yarn: Boku. It took about 1 and 3/3 skeins, maybe a little bit more. I haven't shaved it like the pattern calls for, and I'm not really sure I'm going too. I don't have an electric razor, and the extra little fuzz doesn't bother me much. I want to get some pretty material to line it with, and a magnetic snap for the closure. This was a really quick knit, the pattern was free, and the yarn was on sale...so...I would definitely knit this one again, or suggest it for someone else to knit.

I went to my LYS yesterday, and bought these four skeins of sock yarn. The blue one is Regina Tweed, and the other is Jojoland. I had never heard of Jojoland before, but I really like it. It is %100 superwash wool, and it is increadibly soft. The Regina Tweed is for a pair of christmas socks. I'm not sure if the recipient reads this, so I won't say who it's for. If you want to know you can check out my Ravelry projects. I haven't decided who to make the other socks for...they may end up being a christmas gift too. I was planning on making some christmas gift socks, but this week I just had the overwhelming feeling to knit them. I've known that I needed to get on the ball to have them done by Christmas, but just hasn't had the itch. Now I do.

Well, I have another WIP, but I'll leave that one for tomorrow. It's out of the Misti Internations Chunky Alpaca.

Isn't my model cute?

I have been so busy lately I've barely had a lot of knitting time much less time to blog about it. Moving in the middle of the semester is amazingly difficult. My roommate and I did it minus being given our "new" address three times (all different).

Pictured is the yarn I about from a ravelry member, Misti International Alpca Chunky. It is amazingly soft and I want to touch it all the time. I think I'm going to make two scarves out of it, one for me and one for my boyfriend for christmas. He said that he really liked the color and feel of it. I have started playing around with it. I am doing a 2x2 ribbed scarf. This one may be a little too narrow for a guy scarf, so this one may end up being mine, or I may give it to someone else as a gift.

I really didn't plan on photographing Chloe with the yarn, but she kept stepping on it, so I made her take a picture with it. She didn't mind too much. I think she likes how it feels too. ;)

I did felt my Sophie purse a week and a half ago. I don't really like how the handles turned out; they are too long and limp. Other than that it's great. I want to line it and put something in the bottom to make it more sturdy.

Misti Fairies

Well it's been a long week, and the weekend isn't going to be much better. My roommate and I are moving to a new apartment this weekend, so that's all we will be doing. The two apartments aren't very far apart, so that's good. My parents are coming into town to help, and I have a few friends that have agreed to help. I'm really excited about being in a new apartment, but don't want to move my stuff. I wish there was some sort of moving fairy. :)

I bought some new yarn. It is Misti International Chunky Alpaca from a ravelry user. Her name is Julie. She was a pleasure to buy from. She has some more yarn for sale/trade, so go over and see if she has anything you like. The color of the Misit is black w/ a little bit of red in it. It is a very pretty yarn. I don't think I would have picked it out in a yarn shop, but I'm really glad I got it.

Farmer's Market

This morning I went to the Edmond Fall Farmer's Market. I was a lot of fun, and I thought I'd share what I got. The candle is a soy candle that smells OOOOOHHHHH so good. I lit is as soon as I got home. I would have bought more, but since I'm moving in a week I thought I'd wait to get more. It has all natural/biodigradable ingrediants, and is hand made by a lady from Edmond. She also sells soy lotions, but I've got to many lotions as it is right now. :) The next picture is of the produce I got. The apples are JonaGold, and are really good. As you can see, I also got some sweet potatoes and zuccini (sp?). The sweet pototoes are for my boyfriend. He loves them.

The knitting is just an idea. I'm not starting a new project, just trying to figure out what to do with the yarn. I love the yarn, but I just don't know what it's going to be. Right now I'm thinking is going to be a scarf.

Sophie Purse - pre-felting

I bought the batteries for my camera, and took some pictures. :)

Here's my dog Chloe posing with Sohpie. She likes to lay on my knitting, but doesn't like to get her picture taken. She jumped off the couch right after I took this picture.

Here is a picture of it slung over my sholder. I knit the I-cord on US 11 dps because I didn't have size US 10.5. However, I think I like it being a bit bigger. I'll just have to see the end result after I felt it.

Here's an upclose view of the I-cord handles.

I should have time this weekend to felt. I really hope so, because I really want to use this purse. I'm thinking about making another one as a Christmas present. If I do, I'm thinking about using Cascade 220. I forgot how much I LOVE working with wool!

FO...but still no pictures

I finished the Sophie Bag on Sunday, and I just need to felt it. Now, I have to find the time. School's picking up again, so finding free time is hard. I've had a nice break from heavy school work/classes (I only had 1 class last week).

My goal is to work on WIPs, and not to start anything new. We'll see how that goes. :) A more pressing goal is to take some pictures and post them; however, that would require me to remember to buy batteries for my camera.

Edit: The Brioche Stitch is kicking my butt. I saw it a while back, and then Wendy from Knit and Tonic gave a tutorial on it today. I tried her way, and then the 'conventional' way. I can't get either to work right. Wendy's I totally don't get, but maybe with a little more practice with the other way I might get it. I'm using the yarn I bought in August in Minnesota, Reynolds Caviar. It's a thick and thin yarn, so maybe I should try a smooth yarn instead. I want to make a scarf with it, and thougth the brioche stitch would spice it up a little. Well, I'm going to get back to my homework (reading) and oolong tea from Taiwan.

New things.

Well, I haven't finished anything yet, but I did cast on for another project. I was in Tulsa with my mom, and we stopped by a yarn/stichery shop. They had several handbag knitted up, and I just couldn't resist getting some yarn to make one. The pattern is from Mag Knits, Sophie. I had seen it first on Ravelry, and thought it was super cute. The yarn shop had it knit up with 2 skeins of Plymouth Yarn, Boku in the colorway 2 lot 8. They used one other skein of a ribbon yarn to make a bow for the front, but I didn't like it. I cast on for it today, and I'm just about done with the bottom. I think it's going to be a really quick knit. I'll post some pictures as soon as I get some new batteries for my camera.

This weekend I also made a dish cloth for my mom, but I forgot to take a picture. It was made out of Sugar n' Cream. My mom wants me to teach her how to knit dish cloths, but we didn't have time. She knows the basics of knitting, so I just need to show her.

Other news, my roommate and I are moving to a new apartment in 2 1/2 weeks!!! Eek! I really need to start packing. We've had a few issues with our current apartment, so even though this move will be difficult (right in the middle of the semester) it's a blessing. We found a really cute apartment very closeto the one we're at now, so it won't be too bad. Also, I'm going to apply for a full time job at my university as a Study Abroad Advisor. It's really scary, but I think it's the right thing. There are so many things changing in my life right now, and it's really exciting. Even if this job doesn't work out, I feel like things are falling into place.

New projects, new apartments, and (hopefully) new jobs.

I'm back with a new attitude.

Well, sort of. School is taking up most of my time right now, so I'm not knitting a lot. I'm working on research projects, presentations, reading, and working. I did get to knit some yesterday. I'm still working on Nicole and the Princess Wrap.

I'm working on my blog template...so it may be changing over the next few days. I just want something new, hence the 'new attitude'. Well, back to working on it. Hopefully I'll have some FOs to show soon, and not just a new template/layout! Please tell me if you love or hate it.

Side note: Not sure what I think of the new season of Grey's. However, I do love Dancing With The Stars!

Pictures as promised!

I don't have one of my classes today, so I have a little extra time. I decided to take a few quick pictures of my birthday shrug and Nicole.

So, without further ado......

This is the birthday shurg (that's what I'm calling it now).

Nicole from the back. (Sorry, I thought I had rotated this picture.)

Nicole from the front. (It closes I promise!)

You can see more pictures of both on my flickr page. http://www.flickr.com/photos/rachel-renee/

Decisions, decisions

I am debating which sweater I should knit...first. The Placed Cable Aran or the Tangled Yoke Cardigan. I was thinking that I wanted to knit the Tangled Yoke Cardigan first, but yarn for the Placed Cable Aran seems a little more affordable. I could use Patons Classic Merino and it would only cost roughly $25, and I could buy it locally which means no shipping charges. I've found a few substitue yarns, and Hattie has suggested some too, but I really like the Placed Cable Aran too!

I really need to finish my WIP's!!!!! I think the fall is starting to get to me, because I'm loosing interest in my summer knits. I have made a lot of progress on Nicole. I need to post pictures of it. I will. I just have to remember. I have to cast on for my second sock! I don't want it to be lonely!

I did some no-brainer knitting this weekend. It's the pattern and yarn I got from my grandmother for my birthday. I actually finished all of the knitting this weekend. Now all I have left to do is sew up the 'sleeves'. It's very bright and fun. I'll (take) and post some pictures soon too! I needed something relaxing and didn't require thinking. I had a crapy week last week, and needed to zone out watching tv for a bit. I did get some homework done in between. :)

Pictures coming soon!

Man, that's one clever title

I was reading my 'daily reads' here in blogland, and in doing so I found out the the author of my of my favorite books passed away. Madeleine L'Engle, the author of A Winkle In Time, along with many other books. I don't know how many times I read that book, but it was wonderful.

As for the sock I posted about yesterday, it's a little too small. It's wearable, but the heel sits just a little too far down on my heel. I think I could rip back on the toe, and make it longer. I think that would fix the problem. I'm just not sure. Anyone have any advice? Other than that small issue, I love it. It turned out beautifully! I want to start on the next one, but have the urge to start something new...but I really need to resist temptation, and at least finish something else that's on the needles. I have three balls of Classic Elite Dazzle that was a birthday gift from my grandmother. She gave me a hand-written pattern for a shrug. It's just knit in garter stich 54 sts across (can't remember how many inches), and then as long as you want it. Once it's all done, you sew it up length wise leaving an opening in the middle.

I REALLY want to knit the Tangled Yoke Cardigan. I would like the buy the suggested yarn, Rowan Felted Tweed, but I'm not sure if I want to spend that much money. I'm looking for a good alternative.

One sock down.

I had to take an unexpected trip to Juarez, MX with my boyfriends (that's where he's from), but it gave me some good knitting time in the car. I finished my very first sock! Now I just have to make another one, so that I have an actual pair of socks.

I'm still knitting...

school has just gotten in the way a little bit. I also had a wedding to be in and attend this past weekend. One of my best friends got married and I had to read for during it. It was a beautiful wedding, and it was a lot of fun. Knitting that I did get done this week was...one more pattern repeat on my Princess Wrap and a few inches of stock. st on a childs sweater I took of knitting for one of my aunts. She started it for her granddaugter, but lost interest. She told me that if I finish it for her she'll make me a quilt! I think that's a pretty good trade!!

Well off to study for class.....:(

Wow!

Thanks for all of the wonderful comments! I knew I like it, but I'm so happy to hear that everyone else thinks so too! You all are so sweet and nice! I'm a shy person, and oddly enough I thought I wouldn't be online. I sort of am, but I really want to meet some new knitterly friends, so thanks for taking time to stop by my little space.

I started school last week (my last year of graduate school!), so there may not be as much knitting done as I wish for a while, but I'll try to keep knitting and posting! The 3 items to the left in the "on the needles" section are items I will try to finish before starting anything new, but I can't promise anything. I want to cast on for most of the items in the newest issue of Interweave Knits, and the Irish Hiking Scarf from Hello Yarn. I also bought the Spring Things Shawl from I'm Knitting As Fast As I Can last week when she had all of her patterns 50% off. I have yarn for the Irish Hiking Scarf that I bought in Minnesota on my vacation, but no yarn for the Spring Things Shawl. I also have many items in my 'queue' on Ravelry. I am still amazed at how cool Ravelry is, and if you haven't gotten your invite yet just hold on because it's totally worth it!! If you are on Ravely already, or remember this post when you do..here's a link to my page there.

Well I'd better finish up here at work, eat lunch, and then head to the library before class!!! So much to do in so little time....and that doesn't even include knitting time!

My Sleeveless Tuxedo Shirt.....is FINISHED

I finally got all of the finishing work done on my Sleeveless Tuxedo Shirt, and it turned out AMAZING! I love it soooo much! The finishing part took me a lot longer than I thought it would. There was single crochet around all of the edges, and a crochet scallop around the 'tuxedo/lace insert' part, but all in all it was totally worth it! I found the buttons on sale at JoAnn's on Wednesday. I paid 0.50 for 2 packages of 4. They are La Mode brand, and look just perfect on the shirt.

Details.....

Patern: Interweave Knits Summer 2007, Sleeveless Tuxedo Shirt
Yarn: Filate Bamboo Yarn in colorway 11 pink, 5 1/4 skeins
Needles: Clover Bamboo in size US3
Notions: La Mode Pearl Buttons, 3/8" (9mm)
For: ME!

I'll be posting more pictures on Ravely, so if you're on there look me up: k3gRachel.

Last week I bought the Fall issue of IK, and I'm already trying to figure out which one I want to buy yarn for and cast on! I knew there were some cute things, but WOW! I also bought a Patons book with a bunch of cabled patterns in it. I've never tried cables before, but between that and the new issue of IK I'm bound to figure them out and try my hand at it. I really need to finish some of my other WIP's before I try to start learning cables........

p2tog tbl - wtf??

IT'S ALMOST DONE!

Back - check

Front - check

First lace insert - check

Second lace insert - cast on

The yarn I'm using to knit my Sleeveless Tuxedo Shirt, Filati Bamboo yarn, hasn't been easy going on the lace panel inserts. It has been fabulous for all the rest; in rev St, but since it has almost no give, doing the yo's, and p2tog tbl. Nothing against Filati Bamboo yarn, I just doubt I'll use it in the future for anything that requires a lot of lace type sts.

To the right is a close up of the front.

I did figure out what p2tog tbl was after referring to my handy-dandy "The Knitter's Handbook". At first I thought it was going to be really hard, but it turned out being fairly easy.

So close, yet so far...

to being finished with my Sleeveless Tuxedo Shirt!!! I'm getting so excited about finishing it. The back is currently being blocked. I was smart and did it before going to bed, and ignored it this morning, so hopefully by the time I get home from work it will be dry. With the heat we've been having down here in the southern midwest I could put it outside and I'm sure it'd dry in 10 minutes!!! Two days ago it was 104..yuck! I don't like cold weather, but gosh..104 degrees is a bit much! But I digress... I am just about done with front piece minus the lace insert. I am half way done with the armhole shaping.

I am holding my new yarns hostage, so I will have some easy/mindless knitting once school starts, but I want to play with it sooo bad! It is sitting on my coffee table looking so pretty and cozy! I am still trying to wrap my head around school starting next week! I do feel like I've had a nice, somewhat long summer. I did work the majority of the summer, but I got a few breaks here and there. My trip to Minnesota was very relaxing, and going to Rio Bravo, Mexico on the mission trip was an unforgettable experience.

Well, back to work....

Vacation Knitting & Yarn p0rn

I finished the back of my Sleeveless Tuxedo Shirt, and I've started on the front. I'm really excited to get it finished so that I can wear it! I finished the back while on vacation, and would have done more, but I forgot to take more yarn....duh. I worked on other WIP's, but nothing got finished. I did realize that I actually have to work on Nicole for her to get done. :) I did pick up some yarn while on vacation too from Yarnworks of Minnesota. I got two skeins of Patons Classic Wool Merino, and two skeins of Reynolds Caviar. I don't remember their colorways. The wool is brown, and the caviar is mostly purple w/ shades of pink/blue and gold thread throughout. Both gorgeous, and great prices!

Vacation

I'm finally taking one. I'm leaving this afternoon to meet my parents, and then we are driving to Grand Rapids, MN. I'm super excited to have a break from work. I am also excited to have LOADS of knitting time!!!!! In the car and at the lake. We have a family reunion at one of my aunt's cabins.

See you in a week! Hopefully I'll have a few FO's when I get back!

Sewing for knitting needles

A new holder for my circular knitting needles. A close-up of the outside.
A close-up of the inside.The inside.

The outside.

I made this last night using extra material I had laying around. Fully open it measures about 15 1/2 inches wide and 11 inches high, and closed it measures 6 inches wide. It is made out of 100% cotton material from my local fabric store, and the ribbon is sheer with white polka dots. I just made up the pattern to loosely hold my circular knittin needles. I am really impressed w/ myself. I wonder if anyone would buy something like this?

Yarn p0rn

Classic Elite Dazzle, this was a birthday gift from my stepgrandma for a shawl/stole/shrug thing. She also gave me the pattern.

Rowan Kidsilk Haze. I bought this from a Ravelry member.

Filati Bamboo. I bought it at Ewe & Me in Grove, OK.

Sleeveless Tuxedo Shirt using Filati yarn.

However, it is giving me nothing but headaches. I frogged (the first time) after 10+ inches and thought that my gauge was off......needless to say after restarting and about 2 inches in.....I had been correct on my gauge, I just miss read the gauge. Now, I'm at the same point, pre first frogging, and my number of sts is wrong. Flat out wrong. I should have 104 sts, but only counted 89 sts. HOW CAN I BE SOOOOO OFF????? I put it away, after checking my gauge and measuring the bottom (which is spot on w/ the pattern) and will return when I don't feel like burning it.

On a lighter side, this has given me time work on Nicole. I've been working on my slip up sock, slowly, but there is progress being made. There hasn't been any progress on the Princess Wrap though.

On a non-knitting not, I'm trying to decide if I want to take of work for a week to go with my dad and stepmom to visit my family in Grand Rapids, MN. I have about 1 week to decide.
Pros
LOTS of knitting time in the car and while I'm there.

Two yarn stores. 1 I've been to and 1 I found on the internet.

Seeing most of my dad's side of the family that I don't get to see often.

Seeing my cousin who is pregnant for the first time

Not having to work.

Lake time (on the boat, not in the water - OK girl in MN lake = no way!).

Cons

Not working = no money (not good for a college student

Missing my friends/boyfriend

9 days with my family with no excape (they can be a little nutty at times)

Last weekend was my birthday and one of my friends bachelorette parties. Friday I went out with friends, but between my apartment and downtown OKC I lost my ID. Had to drive back, look around, and eventually decide that I was not going to find it and grabbed my passport. I was able to get a new one on Monday and it didn't cost too much, but on Friday and Saturday I got odd looks from club/bar bouncer's because of my passport. I didn't have any trouble, but it was funny. Note to self: check back pocket/purse BEFORE getting out of the car.

Well, as always, I'll keep ya'll posted on the WIP's. Have a good Thursday!

Bamboo all over the place

I am in love with my Clover Bamboo Premium Circular Knitting Needles, and the Filati Bamboo yarn. Both of which I am using together to knit the Sleeveless Tuxedo Shirt from IK Summer 07. The yarn is sooooo smooth and silky soft I just want to touch it all the time! The needles are size US3, and they are such a pleasure to work with. I have petite hands, and they seem to be just the perfect fit for my hands. I'm about 9 1/4" into the back piece of the shirt, and it is sailing along. Probably because it's rev St, but it's also just such a pleasent knit that it's all I've been working on this week. I have 2 more decreases to go, and then finish up a few more inches, and then it'll be time start the front.

I wanted to knit the Josephine Top, but it didn't come in a small enough size; however I found someone on Ravelry that modified it to a smaller size, so hopefully I can too!

I've tried to go back to Nicole, but I haven't gotten the patience to figure out my mess up.

I promise picture soon!

**Edit: Ok, it's not so pleasent...I just had to rip it ALLLLLL out. I know. I know that i checked my gauge, and it was spot on, but I just check it and it was WAY off...my 34 sts was 5 inches not 4! I already ripped. It was painful. But had to be done.

My WIP's grew and are still growing!

Oops! I started a new project and have yarn for another that I will probably only be able to resist the urge not to start only so much longer.

I have continuted progress on Princess..7 repeats down..who knows how many more?! I really am beginning to like her more and more, and have been told that she'll block out wide than she is now. She's being born out of Knit Picks Glimmer which is 100% merino wool. My socks are still slow growing, but I'm getting more scared as the rows grow that they will not fit my foot even though my gauge is still spot on. Nicole hasn't been worked on in a few weeks now (man that's hard to admit). I was working on her a while back and set her down because of a missed (dropped or lost [MIA]) stich, and just haven't had the patients to try and work it out....too many other things that are coming along well I guess.

This takes us to this past weekend. I had a long one because my mostly full time job at the university gave me last Thursday and Friday off because of having to turn off the water/ac. I did have to teach on Thursday afternoon, and then had the rest of the weekend off! My step-grandmother is an avid knitter and who, like my other grandma, loves that I'm knitting so much, bought me yarn for my bithday. I got it this weekend even though my bday isn't for another week and a half because I don't see her much. My step-mom and I drove to see her Friday. We had lunch, shopped a wee bit, and then hit the LYS. My grandma can be spotted there often, and knows the owner well. Aparently the owner, Fran, just knew how to knit when she was young and has been knitting even since ( I have no clue how long that is). She was amazing, fun, and oh-so knowledgable about knitting, yarn, patterns, etc. The yarn my grandma gave me is Classic Elite Yarns Dazzle in the colorway Kaleidoscope, and a pattern for a shrug/shawl pattern. It was desinged by a local, so it can't be found other than at Ewe and Me. Also, while we were there I picked out yarn for the Interweave Knits Summer 2007 Sleeveless Tuxedo Shirt. The yarn is Filati Bamboo in the colorway Pink. I'm about 3 1/2 inches into it, and I'm LOVING it! The yarn is amazing. I'll try to get some pictures up soon.

Let FREEDOM Ring

Today I went back to the eye dr., but did not see the lady from last week who said I was too young to be knitting. No one else said anything either, but I did knitting happily in public.

ON TO BIGGER NEWS!
I will be teaching my own ELS class as of TODAY! I will be teaching Travel English to intermediate students. I was a little nervous at first, but it went by not so slowly, and they seemed to like me. One of the students after walking in exclaimed "What a beautiful teacher we have". That made me feel good, and gave us all a laugh. She is from Tailand...very sweet and not shy girl.

Knitting is still going on, but not pictures. The Princess Wrap looks the same only longer. The socks are going well, but still slowly. Nicole hasn't gotten much attention as of late, but mabye this week/weekend since I'm off until Mondy - minus my class on Thursday afternoon-.

Well off to happy hour for a friends birthday gathering!


HAPPY EARLY 4TH!

BTW: Happy birthday to everyone who's got a birthday this week...I know 4.

I'm not too young to knit!

Here are a few picture updates of Nicole and the Princess Wrap. I've done more work on the Princess Wrap since this picture was taken, but not any on Nicole. I've also been working on my Slip Up Socks. I have turned the heel and I'm now working on the gusset. It's going well, but slow.



Oklahoma has passed its previous record of days in a row with rain = today makes it 15 or 16. I can honestly say that I am sick of rain not to mention the 15+ bad hair days. My hair does not like the humitdity....because it is still in the uppper 70's to lower 80's. I want it to be summer weather...HOT!









I went to the eye dr. today and since I know I will always be in one waiting room or another I took my sock with me to work on while I was waiting for the dr. I was sitting there happily knitting away (it's a good thing I'm near sighted since I had already had to take my contacts out) and one of the ladies who runs the front desk walks by and say's "you are much to young to be knitting". I didn't take offense or say anything. I just smiled as she walked on by. I love knitting. I know a lot of people still think that knitting is for grandma's and such, but she looked to be in the age group that could have grandchild, and I would think she would like to see a young woman knitting. Well, I have to go back in a week so the dr. can check these new contacts on me, and I'll be happily sitting in the waiting room again with my knitting.

Ravelry

I just got my invite this morning! I've added a few projects, but I'm still working on it. If you're on there too look me up and add me to your 'friends'. My name is k3gRachel. I was going to be k3togRachel, but it just looked too long. I also got myself a Flickr account, so I'll be changing my photos on here over to that too...sometime.

Have a great day! See you around the net!

I started this last night.....

This is my re-start "first" sock. It is knit out of J-Knits Superwash-Me Light sock yarn which is 100% superwash merino wool. I bought it at my LYS, but they have an online store too. The colorway is Cincinnati. I'm knitting it on size US1's....aka....toothpicks. It's sort of slow going, but I like it a lot. The pattern is a free one from Posh Yarn. I like it a lot. It is a good, easy pattern to follow, but it's not boring.

I have other WIP pics, but not here at work.


My mission trip to Rio Bravo, Mexico was amazing. I had so much fun, and our group was able to provide two new homes to two families. One of the families was around my age (early 20's) and had two young children. The other family were in their late 40's and also had two children, but one was 20 and the other was 4. Both families were so grateful and happy to have a better place to live. I just hope that they can see God's work and now our mission teams.

I didn't get as much knitting as I wanted to get done on my trip. I was just way to exhausted every night to knit much.

More pics soon. I promise!

God bless!

Ribbit, Ribbit

Was that a frog that just hopped across my screen? Oh wait, no. It was all that frogging I did on my sock. I got about 3/4 of the way done (past the heel flap), and decided to try it on.....it didn't fit...by any means possible. It was my first sock, and I didn't really buy sock yarn.... I do want to try my hand at socks again..soon, because I really enjoyed it! I just need to buy some actual sock yarn for SOCKS. ;0)

Question: Does anyone have any sock yarn that they just absolutely love?

I have been knitting away on Nicole. She is coming along beautifully, but somewhat slow. I don't mind though. I am really enjoying the pure simple act of knitting...the yarn and needles working ever so gracefully between my fingers. It's love. I'm also making slow progress on the Princess Wrap. I have 4 repeats + 2 rows. Hopefully I can get some pic's up soon.

I won't be posting for a bit because I'm leaving Friday to go to my parents house and then bright and early (I'm not sure how bright I'll be) Sunday morning we are leaving, along with a group from my dad's church, to go to Rio Bravo, Mexico. We are going on a mission to build 2 houses. They will be 12' x 12' concrete block homes for at lease 2 families. Along with building 2 houses, my father and I will be our group's translators. I hold a bachelor's degree in Spanish, and my dad has been self-teaching as well as attending classes at a local community college for a few years. We have both been to Mexico several times, but I've had a bit more practice. E is from Mexico, and not all of his family speaks English, so when we visit I'm trying my hardest to keep up, and try not to look too confused. About 2 summers ago I spent 1 month in Mexico studying. It was the best thing I could have ever done, and would LOVE to do it again. Needless to say, I should get lots of knitting done on the plane along with practicing Spanish with my dad.

If I don't post before I leave; have a great weekend, week, and weekend. If where you live is still somewhat tolerable weather-wise, enjoy it because I'll be HOT, but loving it!

Chau

In Memory of Our Fallen Soldiers

Question: Has anyone had problems taking knitting needles in carry-on's in the United States?

This weekend was so beautiful that it was spent all outside, and no knitting was knitted. Friday evening I went to my big's (from big sister from the sorority) bridal shower. The theme was 'celebrity couples', so we were all assigned to dress up as half of a celebrity couple and then find 'our other half' when we got to the party. It was so much fun! On Sunday I had an alumni sorority outing to a local vineyard. We were given a tour of the vineyard from the owner and then he did a wine tasting for us. It was such a gorgeous day filled with sun, friends, and wine. What more could one ask for? Then on Sunday E (my boyfriend) and I went to early church (well early for us, 9:30), went to the lake to go roller blading, which didn't go too well. He had brought his roller blades back from his mom's house, and then bought me a new pair. I guess my feet are just too narrow, because I couldn't get them to work properly. He tried them on (they are adjustable) and verified that I was doing it correct, but that the roller blades were bad. So instead we pick up my dog and took her to the doggie park for a bit and then went to the pool.

As for the title to this post. My best friend lost a cousin very close to her. He was killed in Iraq on Memorial Day along with 9 other soldiers. Please keep all of their families in your thoughts and prayers.

Memorial Day WIP's

Happy Memorial Day!

I am making progress on three projects; 1 new one and 2 old.

Here are a few pictures of my WIP's.

Purl Barred Shevron Socks. From I can't Believe I'm Knitting Socks.

Princess Wrap w/ 3.3 pattern repeats done. In the background is the latest issues of KnitSimple.

Nicole.

FO: Darted Tanks from Knit Picks.

I'm really happy with how my first tank (or any other thing that closely related) turned out and fits. It's a little wider than I wished, but it still fits nicely.