The tears are falling...

My oh my what a week I have had. I'm looking for a little sympathy tonight! I am trying my very hardest to get my custom knit sweater done to perfection, the second time around. Monday I had to rip out more than 1/2 of the front because the dye lots didn't match up and the colors were way off. I had to go searching Ravelry for the right dye lot because my LYS didn't have anymore in the lot I needed. I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful site with wonderful fellow knitters to trade and sell me their stashed yarn. THANK YOU so much!

Now tonight... I realized that my sleeves were not looking the same and, low and behold, I forgot to switch to the larger size needle after the cuff ribbing. I think I need a drink... my nerves are shot. I need a reason to stop me from burning my knitting needles.

OK... so I won't burn my needles but I sure would like to burn this sweater (lol). I guess it's my fault though... I know better than to knit at night when I'm tired or can't sleep and while I'm watching TV. Oh well... another lesson learned. I certainly will be flying high when this sweater is finally done. Keep your fingers crossed it will fit this time.

Hilarious knitting video... watch it!

If you haven't seen this video from Utube you should watch it... it is hilarious and will give you a good laugh. It is called 'Pardon Me (I didn't knit that for you)'.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUOgqefnt_I

Fetching isn't it?

When I was browsing ravelry for fingerless gloves I saw this pattern for "fetching gloves" and fell in love with them. I always liked the Cloud 9 yarn so I decided to make them. After finishing the gloves I wondered if there was a hat to match so I went searching. Didn't have to look far because sure enough there it was. Both patterns were easy to follow and knitted up really quick. It was fun doing some cables again and if you like soft yarn this is a great one. My only "problem" was the gloves were too short for a normal size hand so next time I would make them longer. Same with the hat, they fit a child really well but they need to be adjusted for adult sizes. Great free pattern though... try it out.

A day without knitting...

OMG(osh)... this is the first day in ages that I havn't picked up the needles all day. I'm starting to go through withdrawls. Kids are in bed, husband is snoring away, better get my butt in gear and find those needles (ok... so I don't have to look to far).

I have officially found one of my new favorite yarns. I LOVE the Cascade Eco wool, it has been wonderful to knit with and it even smells good... what's with that? I can't wait to finish a vest I started the other day. Off to my knitting now... Oh shoot, have to kick the husband off the couch first. Have a great night and a wonderful weekend!

A Charity Knit...

A local church in Port Orchard provides hungry children with backpacks on the weekends filled with food. Along with the food they want to provide each child with a warm hat. This one is made with Cascade 220 Superwash and I love the colors. I'm also going to make one in red. If you would like to participate visit the shop for the pattern or use one of your own. The colors need to be gender neutral and it needs to be washable. Have a great week!

Take Along Socks finally done...

After months and months of taking these in the car, to school, to lessons, to appointments and anywhere I could get a few minutes of knitting in they are finally done. I really like the pattern and the yarn is nice and squishy. I think these will be wonderful to wear. The pattern was in "The Little Box of Socks" along with 19 other patterns. It is a great set. The color is a little bright but they will be fun to wear.

A hard lesson learned...

Today's lesson: when making a custom knit sweater make sure your customer knows exactly what she will be getting and get correct measurements.

Although this sweater was a "one size" sweater it was supposed to be for a very petite woman. They story behind this sweater is long and I don't need or want to go into details. We'll just chalk it up to a little miscommunication and a little beginners stupidity that turned this project into my very first sweater for myself. Although the yarn and colors would not have been my first choice, I do like how this sweater fits and I love the neckline. And, I'm very proud to say I finally have my very own sweater.

Now onto making major adjustments to a "one size" sweater to make my customer happy. The pattern for this sweater is in a book from Noro, Vol. 22. It's a great book if you love Noro yarn. There are several sweater, vest, hat and scarf patterns in it. The yarn I used was Rowan Tapestry. Hopefully I will be able to make the correct adjustments. If anyone has any great ideas on making adjustments please let me know.

All Night Long Felted Boots

How do you know when you are addicted to knitting? I think, after last night, I am an official member. I decided at the last minute to change the gift I was giving a friend for her birthday. Around 7:00 pm last night I picked up my needles and yarn to make a pair of felted slipper boots for a friend who said "I like those but I'll never make them", they were for her 40th birthday. Around midnight I had the first one finished and just couldn't bring myself to put my needles down. I was determined to finish before our knitting group today. Well... my eyes got a little heavy around 5:00 am so I closed them thinking this is crazy. My early bird son woke me up at 7:15 so I jumped back into knitting and had them ready to felt not too long after that.

I felted these little puppies and when I pulled them out I almost started crying. After all my hard work they novelty yarn did something funky. One boot had really short hair and the other really long hair. So I got out my scissors and gave one a haircut. I've never seen a novelty yarn shrink up like that but, for some reason, it did. I had to remember that this friend had told me on numerous occasions that "you don't have to be perfect" so I gave them to her anyway, still wet and all. After all, she is a knitter so I knew she would understand.

After looking at them again, the haircut turned out OK and I really do like them. I'm also glad that Sue likes them too (or at least she was kind enough to say she liked them :), either way there done. I don't think I will do a repeat of last night.

But, then again, never say never right?

One positive note: I do like how the novelty yarn knitted at an angle instead of just round and round stripping.