I've Moved!

My new blog is offically up and running. Check it out at:

http://blog.craftychickonline.com

Please update your bookmarks, and hope to hear from you soon!

Start of the Games

I was able to finish my sleeves yesterday so I could start my Knitting Olympics project at the start of the games. Here it is so far:

This was definitely the right project to choose for a challenge. I had to learn some new techniques already, such as how to pick up stitches on the WS without the yarn showing on the RS and how to pfb. I didn't realize that Entrelac required picking up so many stitches as well, and you know how much I love that. There are a few mistakes where I didn't know what I was doing in the beginning, but my DH thinks I should leave the mistakes there. He says it makes it more endearing. I think he just doesn't want to listen to me whine while I rip it out. They are little things that probably no one but me will notice anyway.

I need to get my Cheesylove sleeves seemed today so I can wash it and have it dry by its debut on Tuesday. Although, it has been so warm here the last week I'm not sure by the time Tuesday comes I'll actually want to wear it. It's more t-shirt weather than sweater weather.

In other new, this may be the last time I post to this blog. I have been working on a new blog in Word Press, which seems easier to manage, so by next week I hope to move to a new home. I'll be sure to post a link so you all can find me.

Hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekend, and good luck to all those knitting for the Olympics.

Yikes!

Today is the start of the Knitting Olympics, and I'm not sure I'm ready to cast on! I still need to finish my Cheesylove, which takes priority because of my goal to finish it in time for Valentine's Day. I spent Tuesday night on the tedious task of picking up stitches for the neck (everyone know how much I love that. Please note the sarcasm). Now all I really have to do is finish the sleeve cap and sew the sleeves to the body, but this project has proven to me how much my seeming skills need to be improved. Of course major seeming for the first time with black yarn was probably not the best choice. It makes it so hard to see what you are doing! My plan for this afternoon is to get my physical therapy over fast so I can get home and get those sleeves done. With any hope, I may be able to cast on for the Danica Scarf by the time the opening ceremony airs on the West Coast at 8:00.

I'll keep you updated!

Yay!

Finally, my new computer is all set up with DSL and everything. I love it! I didn't realize that new computers come with a memory card slot, so I could instantly save my pictures to the computer tonight without having to connect the camera. My blogging will be so easy now! I have no excuses for posts without pictures.

Anyway, I know I have been promising to share, so here you go. First off, a picture of the Hourglass sweater.

I'm extremely proud of the way this turned out. I've gotten so many compliments, and it has encouraged one of my friends at work to learn how to knit. Last week I taught here how to cast on and knit, and she's already completed a potholder. Now she wants to knit a blanket for herself. She seems to be a natural.

Next we have the back of the Debbie Bliss baby dress.

It's so tiny! But it's the 3-6 month size, so it's supposed to be tiny. I haven't been around a baby-baby for so long, I forget how small they start off. I love this pattern though, and will have to keep it in mind for anyone else I know having a daughter. The front of the dress will have to wait until I'm done with my Cheesylove and my project for the Knitting Olympics.

Speaking of Cheesylove, here it is:

Please ignore the cat hair. My two little friends like to sit with one on each side of me while I knit. It's definitely not good with the black yarn. I'm just about done with the sleeves, and then I need to sew the whole thing together and finish the ribbing around the neck. I should be able to meet my Valentine's Day deadline. Actually I hope to finish before Friday, so I can start my Danica scarf for the Knitting Olympics. The yarn is here and ready to go:

Isn't it pretty and a little 1970's retro? I did decide to make it for my DH, and since he bought a nice, brown wool coat, I think it will match well. He promised me that if I made it, he would wear it on the rare occasions when we are out in the cold.

Well, that's it! I guess I have been knitting my little fingers off! Now I'm going to spend an exciting Saturday night on the couch, in front of the TV with my DH who has caught whatever disease I had at the beginning of the week. Thank goodness for TiVo and Net Flix.

TTFN!

I didn't know I was a lesbian until today

I was out having lunch with some co-workers today. We decided on a new Thai restaurant for something new. This was the fortune that was in my cookie at the end of the meal:

"You and your wife will be happy in your life together."

Huh? What is my fortune cookie trying to tell me? Would I be happier if I had married a woman instead of my hubby? I've never heard of such a ridiculous fortune.

This has been a very tough week for me. Not only was I sick, but there were massive layoffs at work. Thankfully I still have my job, but it's always hard to see your friends go. This is about the third time that people I have really cared about and enjoyed working with have gone, and it seems to get more depressing every time. I could go work for a more financially secure company, but despite all the turmoil here, I really do love my job. Unless I was self-employed, I really can't imagine doing anything else.

I have one more thing to add to my crappy, sad week. A couple that I am friends with had a kitten who was about six months old who had a heart attack and died! How sad! His little heart was not growing at the same rate as his body, and it just couldn't keep up any more. I know how much I love my cats (despite the fact they keep me awake at night, and chew on all my possession, and vomit on the rug while I'm at work), and how sad I'll be when they die, but I can't imagine what I would have done if they had died when they were just babies.

I've had so much knitting progress this week, but I haven't gotten my DSL package yet, so I can't share it with you. I did finish the body of my Cheesylove sweater, and am now working on the sleeves (both at one time). Can I just say that I love Fair Isle knitting? I know this pattern wasn't very complicated, but it was so much fun that I am inspired to try something a little more complex. I have been eyeing the Fair Isle wrap from Wrap Style. But, alas, I have more than enough yarn to keep me busy for a while so I am trying to resist getting anymore.

I hope everyone out there is having a better week than me!

TTFN!

Happy Friday!

Your 1920's Name is:

Jonnie Margarette

What's" Your 1920's Name?

Ok, here's something silly for a Friday. I wanted to get pictures up, because I have so much to show you, but my computer at home has stopped working. It's decided it can't perform the simplest of tasks, like staying on when I want to work on it. We bought a new computer this week, but are waiting to get our DSL package in the mail (yes we are finally upgrading from dial up), so until it gets there, my blogging has to be confined to a few spare minutes I can find at work. Anyway, I accomplished a lot last week that I'd like to show you. I finished the back of the baby dress, I took a picture of the finished Hourglass Sweater, and I got about half of the body knitted for Cheesylove. Maybe by next week we'll be up and running.

Wish me luck this weekend. My DH and I are going to a 2-year old's birthday party at Chuck-E-Cheese. I have been to Chuck-E-Cheese as an adult and with my co-workers, but that was during the week when the place was completely empty. I'm sure it will be jam packed on a weekend day. I just hope I make it out alive.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

I Coulda Been A Contender

So I decided to follow the Yarn Harlot and and a few hundred other crazy knitters and participate in the Knitting Olympics. She has challenged everyone to cast on a project during the opening ceremonies of the games and finish by the last night of the Olympics. The project should be somewhat challenging, so I think I'm going to try the Danica scarf from Knitty. I've wanted to try Entrelac, and it this project seems decently challenging but attainable in the two week time frame.

I've offered to make the scarf and give it to my DH (the only thing I've ever made him was a pair of fingerless mitts) but he didn't seem too interested. I guess because we live in a warm climate, and he really doesn't get very cold. In reality, he could probably use a knit hat to cover up his bald head. So, I'll probably end up making it for myself. I mean, who wants to knit something for someone that will never get worn? Now what colors? Of course I can't use anything from my stash, and I'll have to place yet another Knit Picks order. Any suggestions for a color scheme are greatly appreciated. I love all colors, and am thinking of using Merino Style, so e-mail or leave me a comment if you have any ideas.