Knitting Zeal

Little of this, little of that

Why January has become such a busy month is a mystery to me.  Work continues to be a major source of stress, however I have a new project which is keeping me busy and interested.  Creativity time has been severely affected this month.  I have a bunch of ideas for crafts, yet when I am finally home at night with a little time, I have been too zonked to do anything much but knit a few rows.

I did complete a baby project today in the car on the way to a birthday celebration for my sister.  I love the baby bolero from One Skein--it is a quick knit and is just adorable.  Are newborns really this tiny? I used Paton's Soy Wool Stripes in natural pink.  This one is for one of the knitters from my group--we have two that are pregnant.  I think I have enough yarn left for a matching hat. 

My knitting group has been working on red scarves for the red scarf project.  They are due to be mailed the end of this week, after all are collected.  This is the stack I have so far.  I never realized how hard red is to photograph.  These don't do the scarves justice, but I love the variety of patterns everyone came up with to use.

I did knit up a the lacey scarf pattern from Last Minute Knitted Gifts for my secret pal.  I have to send out her final package this week.  She is an amazing lace knitter.  I am jealous!  I have no patience for knitting lace and intricate patterns.  I hope she likes this scarf, my attempt at a simple lace pattern. I used some deep plum and purple Opal yarn.  I like the subtle changes in the colors.

I have a "toe injury" that is going to require some minor surgery this Friday.  I think the recovery period will give me plenty of time to catch up on more knitting and other crafts.  Hopefully I will be able to drive/walk the next day! 

It is actually winter now in the Philadelphia area, after about two months of unseasonably warm weather.  We had our first visible snowfall on Friday morning--which resulted with multiple car accidents because the roads were not treated and there was just enough ice to make driving miserable.  I was able to go into work late enough to wait for the sun to melt the roads.  The yard looked pretty, but I really would prefer to have no winter.  The older I am, the better the idea of living next to a palm tree looks!  The news is now reporting that we should expect an overnight snow/ice storm tonight.  Going to work tomorrow may be quite an adventure!

Happy Sunday!

Thanks to Alice!

I received another surprise package this week from my SP9.  Alice revealed herself to me with this fun package of yarn.  The theme for this package was liquorice allsorts.  I had noted on my questionnaire that a treat I liked was allsorts.  Instead of sending them to me, she sent me yarn and a pattern for socks that look like allsorts--much better than the sweets!  She dyed the turquoise yarn herself, and it still smells yummy like kool-aid.  The pattern is one I have never tried before.  Alice also sent a post card with a clue, like she did for the other two packages.  This time the package beat the post card to my mailbox.  She was so thoughtful with assembling the themed packages.  Thank you Alice!  Check out her blog--she is an amazing knitter and has published a few fabulous knitting patterns. 

I have been too tired and stressed to post this week. There is way too much stress in my life right now, although thankfully nothing horrid, just annoying.  I am doing what I can to handle it, but that means knitting and blogging gets neglected in place of sleep.  I am working on several projects right now--one for my SP9 person , two baby gifts and an afghan to use up scraps of yarn left over from other projects. 

The SP9 project is a lacy scarf.  I do not know why lace gives me such trouble.  I really should be able to knit a simple scarf like this.  I had to rip back about five inches yesterday when I did a stitch count was off.  Ugh.  I have to finish this weekend so I can block it and get it in the mail.

I started a log cabin afghan--using blocks instead of a whole blanket knit at once.   I have lots of odd balls left from various projects, plus I have some single skeins of unique yarns.  This is the perfect project for using them up.  It is great mindless knitting, which is what I really need right now!

I received the new issue of Craft magazine today.  What a great day to get it--I need some inspiration and time to destress with something creative.  I want to make the voo-doo pin cushion!  Is that bad?  There are several people that need one that I know.  I don't know much about voo-doo, but could a pin cushion doll be harmless and just good for stress release?  Hmmm.  This magazine is incredible.  It focuses on a variety of crafts, has the how-to's for many of them, and has all levels of craftiness--from simple to challenging.  This is the second issue I've received--and I think their second issue ever.  It is a bit more pricey than other publications, but it is not commercial and very unique.  I have seen it a Barnes & N*ble near the other craft mags--check it out!

Chris and I are going out to dinner tonight at one of our new favorite local spots, Jonathan's American Grille.  It is located inside the train station Chris uses daily and they have a fairly creative menu.  I have liked everything I've ever had there.  The stromboli's are great--with unusual fillings like duck and wild mushrooms.  The inside of the restaurant is beautiful and does not look like the inside of a train station at all. 

Have a great weekend!

SP goodies, flowers

My secret pal sent me a package in mid-December and asked me to not open it until Christmas Eve.  She made up a faire isle scarf kit for me!  The yarn is so soft and cozy.  I think she even wrote the pattern out herself and used the color scheme that I described to her as "Monet colors."  I am looking forward to working on this pattern and developing the two color technique.  Thanks SP9!

I am currently working on an odds and ends knitting project--using a log cabin pattern--to make afghan squares.  I dug out all the bits of yarn, left over skeins, and those yarns bought that never quite had a project in mind and am using them to make an afghan.  This will be an ongoing project, but it is quickly gratifiying as it knits up so quickly.  On New Years Eve I knit up one whole 11" square.  I haven't taken any photos yet, but will this weekend.

I bought some amarylis bulbs in November and planted them hoping they would bloom in time for Christmas.  They are now blooming--a week late, but they are beautiful.  They remind me alot of the hibiscus blosoms I saw in Florida.

New Years was quiet and calm here.  I relaxed and enjoyed my last two days off from work.  I knit, read, and soaked in the tub!  A nice way to begin the new year.

I found the following on someone's blog.  When I clicked on the link, this is what my "resolution" said:

In the year 2007 I resolve to: Learn how to shear sheep. Get your resolution here.

Pretty funny, I thought!  Maybe it is a potential future career change!

Happy 2007!