I actually wore my Butterick 5260 top to work today, so I was able to get a quick snap of it before running out the door. I made this the end of January, but haven't really put it on for work like many of the other pieces I've made. It's very comfy and the fabric print is fun, while still being work appropriate. In my previous pattern review I mentioned how I modified the neckline using Fold-Over-Elastic instead of making the cowl neck. This was a Fabric.com fabric find for $9.00.
Tonight I have sewing class and need to get off the computer and cut more fabric (since I didn't do it last night) in preparation.
In knitting news - I am working on my shrug project, which I did manage to bring (and work on) at the Infinite Knitters group last night. Hopefully, I'll have a pic of my McCall's top, if I'm productive in class tonight.
P.S. - Faye's pattern giveaway package has already arrived to my house! I am psyched. Thanks Faye. What a generous gift.
I have finally completed my first knit FO of the year! Yes, it is only a hat, but it’s a step in the right direction. This step has led me to cast on for the Textured Circle Shrug from Stefanie Japel’s Glam Knits book. With the current state of the economy it’s probably wise to use a reasonably priced yarn and let the pattern stand for itself, so I’m opting for CottonEase. While I love the actual green color that is used in her book, I’m working on a cream colored version. This should give me lots of wear possibilities and will be a good addition to my wardrobe. 
Side Slip Cloche Hat Stats:
Needles: US Size 6 29” wooden circular
Yarn: 1 ½ skeins of Plymouth Yarn Royal Llama Silk (60% llama/40% silk) – this was from my Secret Pal Swap 10 partner. Yippee!
Overall, this was a good project for on-the-go knitting. I made this hat almost entirely during hockey games and one drive to Vegas! A worthwhile project for sure.
In sewing news – I messed up the top portion of McCall 5662, so I have to re-cut additional fabric for the top portion this evening. Instead of serging the top to the midsection, I’m going to use my Bernina and see if it goes more smoothly than my first go-around. I want this project out of the sweatshop, so I’ll see what I can do after knitting group at Starbucks (yup, now that I’m taking the Intermediate Sewing class on Tuesdays, I can go to the Infinite Knitters group on Mondays). I also want to cut out a pair of pants, since I’m putting my view sewed creations to overdrive with work wear. It’s time to add some to the line-up. I have some great material in my stash, so this will be a good project to work on during my Tuesday class.
This will be a heavy photo post and a possible roomie duplicate. Brandi and I had a blast last night with the Infinite Knitters group. While it usually meets on Monday nights at the Starbucks on Genesee, I have my sewing class – which I opted to skip for the meet-up. Well Brandi invited the group for an at home adventure chez nous. It was such a great time. Margaret brought her spinning wheel, Nancy brought her knitting machine, and Liz brought some Lonesome Stone Fibers yarn. The vibe was so warm and friendly. The cats were just as excited to see new faces and to attempt some yarn/roving fondling of their own….lol 
It was great to get a little more knitting progress done on my Boutique Knits hat. I have completed the headband and ruffle portion and am onto picking up the stitches for the slouchy hat. Of course I’m going to have to figure out how to sew a complimentary…something to go with this FO, once it’s complete.
In sewing news – I am failing miserably at my fiber diet. I am constantly buying fabric from multiple sources online as well as Yardage Town and Joann’s. Last week I made 3 trips to Yardage Town, 2 trips to Joann’s, and made an online purchase at Gorgeous Fabrics, Fabric.com, and an online store search for Ermenegildo Zegna fabric, as well. STOP THE MADNESS! I am going to attempt to make a nice pair of slacks tonight with one of my purchases. 
My 34th birthday was on Sunday (yup, Pearl Harbor Day). I had a nice, but low-key weekend. I was a bit in the dumps earlier in the week and was treated to a fab Christmas tree from my roomie. Brandi and I decorated it on Friday. It’s a 6 footer and smells great. It’s on our porch where Scofield is unable to get at it and knock it over. Lol. A wise compromise to not having a live tree at all.
I went for sashimi on Saturday & watched a local game with my roomie later that evening. Created a birthday top with one of my fabric finds (not my favorite FO, but cute enough to wear again to work), and finally gave my dress form a name…..Sookie Stackhouse from True Blood a household fav. My running joke is that a successful FO gets a “Sookie Sookie now”. 
That’s it for now. Back on my raw food before the holidays and feeling good about how it’s going so far. I’m already down one pattern size for my new projects. Here’s hoping to going down a few more.
In addition to feeling like I have a rough existence, my knits have not been coming to my rescue. I have had issues with every knit that I’ve been attempting for the last month or so. Very frustrating. Brandi has been kind enough to keep ripping back my projects for me, since I’ve never been able to bear it. That means Orangina has lost its length and my Aran Accent vest will be going down to merely ribbing status! *frown*. In order to keep my sanity, I started a quick project on Thursday. That day I actually went in to work, checked email and then proceeded to call my boss and say “I’m taking the day off”. I really needed it and kind of could use another, but can’t due to an upcoming trade show in San Jose I need to prepare for, instead.
Here’s progress pics of my new project, The Back to School U Neck Vest. This was taken at the Infinite Knitters meet-up yesterday at Starbucks. I’m at the bust dart section right before splitting for the front and back. It seems to be going well and I hope my next pic is not a progress one, but a successful FO.
So I’ve been a busy bee with knitting these days. I have managed to go to the Infinite Knitters Starbucks meet-up for the last 2 weeks in a row and am going this evening. Who-raw!!! I have a quick FO pic that will be re shot soon….my Ella Rae shrug is finished and worn to work, but not quite finished due to running out of yarn. I cast off for the mere joy of an FO…it’s been sooooooooo long, but am having my trusty knitting bud Brandi frog back the entire neckline. I have already placed an order for one more skein of the Shibu in Caramel along with 5 more skeins in the color blue haze. I’m really loving this shrug. The pattern is so easy to remember and the finished piece is a great addition to any warm weather wardrobe, where the temperature can drop just enough to make you wish your back was covered. I’m making one for my Mother for Mother’s day while I wait for my last skein. I had 3 skeins of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran from a previous secret pal swap. I ordered 2 more skeins to make sure I have enough to make it for her, but am loving the texture and feel so far. Here’s some progress pics of both.
Sunday afternoon Brandi and I met with the Ravelry Knit Nutz group to do a little KIP at Balboa Park. Let me tell you – it was a scorcher that day…my car said it was as much as 97°. What was so great, was that we were on the lawn, under some trees, but a fountain. Could it get anymore “picturesque”? Yes, it could – there was a man playing the saxophone nearby…not too loud, just great background music while we sat, knit, ate, and chatted amongst each other. For those in the San Diego area, please feel free to join. Next week we will be meeting at the Living Room in La Jolla at 1:00 pm. This is a nice little spot, which I was first introduced to a year or so ago when I met a Knitters Review member named Gail in person for a little KIP action. Good memories all around.
Today I had a wonderful surprise, I received the most beautiful gifts from my favorite color swap pal Laura from D.C. She is a spoiler indeed. Since I am actually both a quilter and a knitter, Laura spoiled me with both! The package includes a National Cherry Blossom Festival bag filled with:
- Washington, D.C . – Then and Now book. Perfect for my coffee table! I also love that Laura put little stickies in it sharing her experiences at different locations.
- Fons & Porters Quilting Magazine – A perfect way to get me back on the quilting wagon, since it’s been a full year!
- The Quilters Apprentice – a Jennifer Chiaverini book. I am hoping to go away for a little getaway sometime soon and this will be the perfect read.
- Yarn Harlot’s “Things I Learned from Knitting”. This baby is going with me to Balboa park this weekend!
- A cute DPN case
- Notecards
- Last but not least….(hey – she made me open this one last too! Lol)…7 skeins of Ella Rae Bamboo Silk in plum. The color is GORGEOUS and it feels so luxurious, I can’t stop touching it.
Thank you so much Laura. You are so wonderful! I couldn’t have picked out better myself!
I have a long-over due meme, but will save that for Tuesday or Wednesday, as this post may have dragged on past the normal knitter’s attention span. Plus…I’ve got to look over my blog roll before meeting with the Infinite Knitters myself to catch up. I’ve missed all of you!
I am always planning on going to the many knit groups that there are in San Diego. Last week I missed Bobmas Even at the Grove and missed Knitnutz the past two Sundays. Well - I managed to make it to the Infinite Knitters Knit Night at Starbucks after work yesterday. I had a great time. I had been missing my friend Brandi and I knew she'd be there. It was a blast and she and I stayed until Starbucks kicked us out at 10:30 pm. Here's some pics from the group, including a budding tradition...shooting pics of our "knits as friends". Gotta love the mind of knitters. Unique to the core.
So I've been plugging away at my Fusion project. I have only 8 more rows (2 pattern repeats) before I'm on the second side. It's a pretty easy pattern and I should be finished by early next week. Here she is hanging out on the bushes and then a close up of the pattern design.
