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.

Knitting lace

I've started a new lace project. Nicole from Chic Knits. It is really challenging, but I like that. I'm a little frustrated at it right now, but I'll get back to working on it soon. I didn't do much work on the Princess Wrap because of Nicole, but I'll work on her later today.

I bought a good knitting related book yesterday at target. It can be purchased here on Amazon. It is titled "Knitting Under the Influence". It is a very easy read, but entertaining. I read more than half of it yesterday.

Pictures of FO's and WIP soon!

Lace knitting = love

and hate! I had a good weekend. It was spent in McKinney/Sherman TX. It was Mother's Day, so I was with my mom and grandma. It was also my cousin's graduation from Austin College. He now has the summer to save/raise money to move to Kenya for one year to do mission work. I am so proud of him! Also during the weekend I finished my darted tank (pictures soon). My grandma was so impressed and proud of me since she's the one who taught me how to knit. It made me feel good to be able to make her so proud (not that she isn't proud of me and all of her grandchildren). I also started my Princess Wrap which is coming along nicely. Since starting it I have learned the following:

Lace knitting is.......
1) fun
2) challenging
3) slippery
4) curse worthy (at times)
5) not easy to do in the car
6) a good way to pass time while you are sitting at an outside graduation in TX at 9 AM while knowing that you are getting a sun burn.
7) something that takes a great deal of concentration and time
8) very beautiful to watch come together

Finally...

I found a lace stole/wrap pattern that I really like. I have been looking forever (at least it seems that long). I wanted a stole that wasn't too hard, free, and a stole not a shawl. I also wanted it to be feminine, but didn't look like I borrowed it from my great-grandma. It always happens to me..I get in my head what I want, and NOTHING else will do. But, I finally found it at Classic Elite Yarns, and the name, Princess Wrap just fits perfectly with what I felt like being so pickey about it. The reason I had so many standards was because (1) I've never knitted lace before (2) I'm a broke college students and (3) I like the look of a stole over a shawl (but I'm not opposed to knitting shawl). I already have the laceweight yarn at home (from Knit Picks), and I'm stoked to get started on it.

No progress from last night to now on the darted tank (also from Knit Picks). I probably won't have time this evening because I have an Alpha Chi Omega alumni meeting.

Update on my step-uncle who had cancer: He actually passed away the same day I posted about him. I just didn't feel like posting after that. His death was painless; he went in his sleep. My heart is heavy just to think about how much I HATE cancer. I don't normally use the word hate, but in the case of cancer I will use it. He is in a better place now. It is us here on earth who will have to deal with the pain of loss.

Summer is here!..well at least for ME

Last week was finals week, and now I am completely finished with my first year of graduate school! I can't believe how fast it went by. This weekend was pretty busy. I went to my best friends graduation from undergrad, and next weekend I'll be going to my cousin's undergradute graduation from Austin College.

I don't have an WIP pictures, but I am finished with the front half of my darted tank, and have about 1/4 of the back done. Not much knitting got done this weekend because I was too busy, and worn out. I think the stress of the whole semester got to me, and I just need a break from doing really anything.

I found out that I will be teaching my own class at the ELS center. I'm a little nervous, but excited at the same time. Tomorrow I have to go in to help with the new students that are coming. Each session is 4 weeks long, so every 4 weeks we get new students. Then on Tuesday I will start teaching my class. It is beginning conversation, so it shouldn't be TOO hard. They have lots of resources, so I'm not completely on my own. We will just have to see how it goes.

Chau.