New things and thoughts.

As I mentioned in my last post I have been doing other crafts, not just knitting. Come to think of it, both my previous post did touch on the fact that I have several other crafts in my life. There are times when one just takes over. Lately I have been on fire about my garden, but honestly this is the time of year when you are starting little plants and hoping they survive whatever is lurking in the night. LOL Ask me why..... I lost all my bean and cucumber plants the other night!So no garden talk, I may take some pictures to share when things get really hopping. I hope they will!

Other than that I just really want to make use of all the fantastic creative items that are all over my house! The fabrics! The Paints! The sculptables! LOL

I think that my goal will be to get more all over crafts into my life, not just knitting... I haven't been doing very well. So I hope that when I re-evaluate my goals for the year next month that I can be inspired by other crafty stuff. Honestly I am trying to use this month to get as many projects completed as possible. I want to clear up a bit. so  on that note I have to finish off......

1. The Blue Top-Down Raglan
2. The Essential Cardigan
3. Christmas Stocking
4. Socks (three pairs)
5. Dover Castle Shawl
6. New Beer Gloves

Does that seem like alot? I can't think of anything else on the needles at the moment. I know that a few are less important to get finished, like the socks. I usually have a few pairs on the go so if I don't get them done, I really won't be beating myself up. The decision to re-evaluate my goals at the half year point will happen at the end of this month so I better get cracking. How is it going with your goals? I can say that I am not jogging as mush as I want and I am the only one to blame for that. How do you create a good habit. I have to look into that. Happy crafting! Let me know what you think of my list! Oh, and don't forget World Wide Knit in Public day Saturday at Douglas Park! It's Love Langley Days too, so it should be great and I think there is free hot dogs! LOL

A good fall weekend

Hello... I just keep wondering how it got to be the middle of November! So much to do and only so many hours to do it in. I am very certian that I am not alone in this! LOL


I have been considering a few things lately and I think that I will be giving myself a personal challenge this December. I have been pretty slothly on the 100 Ball challenge so you you may wonder why I would consider a new challenge. Not that I haven't been knitting for that challenge. I never seem to record it. I try to wait until a project is finished before I actually add it to my tally and several big projects like my CPH sweater and a baby blanket are progressing a bit slowly, so I have a really low count so far. It is a bit discouraging. I think that I will take this challenge on again in 2010, but with a modification on my record keeping. Stickers or something in my daytimer I think... not really sure yet. Any way the challenge I am going to set for myself this December includes all aspects of my crafting. I have to say that I kinda keep thinking about Toni's method of working through a project that she has on the go until her WIP's are gone. She bagged them, and pulls a new one out each month. Congrats Toni on being 4 project away from your goal!!


So I took my own steps..

Say hello to my WIP's bin. All kinds of things from knitting to embroidery. Looks pretty packed huh.. but it isn't really. Some things are a bit bulky, like the extra dog bed I am making. My December goals will include working through this bin. Now... I am not excluding working on new projects in December, and gift knitting will be happening as well. I just don't want them hiding in my wardrobe, or some corner of my room.. until I totally forget that I ever started them. I want to work on them. I spend my money on crafting supplies, and sometimes I never get around to the project. I want to make sure that I am making use of, and creating the thing that I have been inspire to, not to wast money on a project I will never get around to. So working through my stash of WIP's is going to help with that. I do want them done by the end of december... and if I start now, maybe that will happen.

Some knitting I am currently working on is the Magic Yarn ball project. It's a bit akward. I gotta admit, I unrolled the ball and got all the goodies out....... because the stuff kept getting caught and snagging me mid-stitch! MMMM chocolate.

I am knitting an Yvaine but I have no idea how much yarn it's going to take up. Luckily there are two skeins of the Araucania... so I can choose later. So far I really like the look of it! Seems simple doesn't it... but there is some garter and some stocking sts in there too.

So that is in the works, which I think will be ideal work knitting... easy to put down and pickup.

I also started a Minimalist Cardigan and a new pair of Endpaper Mitts. The cardigan is for me... I am knitting the body in one piece, back and forth... as I have totally relised my seaming dislike! LOL Next sweater... maybe back to steeking! The mitts are a gift. I see myself making a few more pairs again this year for those who didn't get them last year. At leas it's fast. I am rocking on mitt number two and I have really only been working on them a couple of nights this week... good progress. Having the pair done by tonight or tomorrow would be great!

Oh and I did a bit more dyeing. With koolaid. The picture really isn't exciting. I am knitting a gift with that so I will update you when there is progress. I did get up to one thing yesterday morning that I totally reccomend, Pumpkin Muffins. The recipe is from the Stitch It podcast blog. I did not add the fruit or nuts... I may try next time, but I usually don't like that in my muffins. I also did not make the glaze...... but the muffins were yummy! Funny thing though.... in Canada Pumpkin comes in 14 oz. or 19oz........ oh well. no 150z can for me! Happy weekend everyone, and bake something yummy!

OMG.... it's almost here!

So....... knitting gifts......

ya,

I'm on it!! LOL I can share a few things..... I feel safe with these.

Mitts for some lovely ladies.MY MIL among them.

Finished slippers for my sister from her birthday..... belated.

And of course..... WIP"S!! LOL

One last shot...... out the front door. Hope you have a Merry and maybe White Christmas.

Endpaper Mitts.....

HPIM3693
Originally uploaded by silverilix

Sooooo dam close....... ah yes I am..

This is fine, I will complete them today and move on to my next crafty endeavor!

I have also completed the baby blanket that is due today, for a shower. It has the Simon seal of approval. LOL So with that done I cast on for another baby blanket, this one has a farther due date howver so I can get my othert hings done.... but it's started so if I need a bit of easy TV knitting then I can pull this out and have some relaxking knitting time.

Othere than that I hae a pitful lack of goodies to show off. ah well... shopping for a bit today and the I think a book, some knitting and tea are in order!! Have a great weekend!

Had to share a few things....

So I would love to share with you the blog that links to my title.

A blog friend... who has just started her own shop up called Yarn Sprout.

YAY!

I think that I will add the button to my side bar later, but I said that I would help to spread the word so here it is! She is creating some lovely handyed yarns over ther so check her out!

I also wanted to spread around an idea that I have gleaned from other online sources and my knitting pals and I have chatted ourselves to a good state of excitement over. I can't claim total personal inspiration for this idea, but it cam about in a neandering way.... here is the story. LOL I will try not to babble.

Over on Foxy and Crafty (see my blog list) She and her gal knittas go on a yarn crawl for birthdays, and I think just for fun.... sounds great. So I have had that idea bubbing in my head, that we need to treck back out to Vancouver for a bit of yarn store adventure. This summer as you may have gleaned has a few wedding in it for me. Showers and Staggets are coming and going.... this leads to talk of previous showers/stagetts and the ideas that have been used. One that I went to a couple of years ago was lengthy and I could only make it to part of the day. We met up a a lingere shope that was booked just for us... the bride to be (to her horror) did a fashion show for us of the items and outfits that we picked for her. She claims that the only saving grace was the wine tasting before hand, so she was less self-concious. Any how, the idea was that we would all pony up fifteen bucks and then she could buy whatever she liked the best there. From the bedroom to the pool stuff....... so can you see where I am going with this?

I think we could have soem real fun yarncrawling for a birthday. Go to the store, pitch in ten, fifteen, twenty dollars.... whatever is affordable. The birthday knitter gets a to pick and choose, and we can all go out for desert after! So... for those on a budget who still want to celebrate, they may get away with a twenty dollar birthday "gift" and get to hang out with their knittas! LOL and the recipient gets some great new stash.... no guilt attached! This does apply for the non-knitters in your group too.... either they are helping to support a friends birthday, or you take them toa store they love and pamper them there!

Thanks Foxy for a great inspiration.... and I hope that we all get spoiled (or spoil our knitting buddies) on our birthdays! Have a nice day.... yes I am still knitting.... oh, what I forgot to mention in yesterday's quick update was that the Stitch it blanket is done and gone on to it's next knitter. I am not sure if it is there yet, but I hope so! I am on the third ball of the flower bud shawl too.... here's hoping I can addit to my WIP total! LOL

Startitis.... meet Finishitis (a battle for the ages)

So I have come to the conclusion that I need to stop casting on new projects...... it is getting bad. I am unsure if I am procrastinating or just getting bored easily. If I keep this up all my needles will be used and I will have no where to put every thing!! Startitis is sure hard to shake.

Le Sigh......

So I found a few other like minded people on Ravlery, and one has decided to spread her finishitis...... awesome.

Check it out at Yarn on the Side.... her blog should be linked to the title of this post.

I have no idea if I can do this, as you know I have a few weddings this summer, and I have a personal goal of knitting shawls for most if not all of them. This is not good for a begining case of finishitis..... as it means that before I complete the items I have I may have to cast on another shawl. I am still going to try. I posted a comment on her blog, but I think that I missed my purple alpalca socks... here is a pic of a few of the latest new projects....

And a better shot of the new FLower Bud Shawl.

This was the swatch I made to test the pattern

and a couple more just for good measure.... I do have a few more this summer right?!

I think that all the swatch tests were great! I am so glad that I did them, now I can plan shapes and sizes better. This is going to be great!

I am undecided with what to do about the Watery Root, not because I don't want to complete it, but because of the time frame of the shawls. It would be the quickest to the finish line, but I have no idea if the will put me really behind on the shawl or just a little bit...... dang. Thoughts? Suggestions? Hope if you would like to catch finishitis, you can get it from us.

Oh, but here is the finished blue socks.... a bit short, but hey, thats what happens when you test a new yarn.Hope you are having a great weekend and I can't wait to see your fantastic projects. I know that some people don't have issues with too many WIP's.... lucky.....

Great sunny day!

WWKIP was a great day for being outside and knitting in a park. It was fabulous! New faces, passersby who were intrested and free cookies!! LOL

Sadly I forgot my camera, but a friend had one. Check out our pics at Star Gazer's place.

I knit on a new project that day. A bridal shawl for a co-worker. I think that although I would like this summer to be a "getting ready for winter" knitting time, I am going to be cranking out lace for the four other weddings coming up. Oh well, at least it won't be last minuite. I hope. LOL
This little gem is knitting up super fast though.... that is the great thing. I started it at the KIP and I added the second ball on Sunday. I will be knitting it at Knit nite tonight for sure, I hope to add on the third ball. It may take four or five, depending..... this is a new lace pattern.

I am still knitting the blue bamboo rusted root, but I want to try it on again, before I worry about it fitting again. I am pretty close to the sleeves being done. I will get an update pic.

I am trying to get the blue socks done too. (no they aren't done yet) dam.....

Squeeeeee!!!

Oh my goodness......
have you seen the new Knitty?????

I think that with every season they get better!!!!
I have no idea what I want to start first but it may end up being Mr Greenjeans!
I just love it! The style is fabulous! And the amount of fiber to use is attractive too! :)

I have also been spyin on MagKnits and I found this fantastic pattern! Sweet way to use some of that fantastic coloured sock yarn isn't it?! I love this idea and think that the fact that my LYS is having a yarn sale is just too much torture for a girl! I have to confess I already splurged and bout myself enough fantastic fiber for 3 new sweaters!!! Yikes and YOW! LOL
So I guess there is my stash-expansion confessional! My friend at Illuminating Soul picked up her first drop spindle and is loving it..... she hasn't put it down since her first lesson! We were wicked together! LOL she is looking for some insight on a business name so pop by if you can and help a girl out! LOL

As for what I am up to with all that new, soft, wooly goodness...... not much! Dang it!
I have a few things on the needles already and I know that I want to get some stuff done so I have to get what I am working on now DONE! That top-down raglan is coming along nicely. I don't think I will have it done in the next day though..... yesterday I had to rest my are due to an injury that keeps flaring up..... I don't want to over tax my arm, so I can only get a bit of knitting in in the day...... better to be safe than sorry!
I am working on a few things that I can 't divulge due to their swappy nature, I will take pictures and have those available once the packet is in it's new home!
I also hope to have some information on other things that I have gotten up to lately.... I have a wedding fair to go to on Sunday, so that should be interesting.... and a few other crafty things up my sleeve for this upcoming week. Have a great weekend!

Here we are!!!

Told you I'd be back!!!!

First a picture of the new double knitting scarf that I started last night! I had to make one..... from Crafty Chick.....(her link is on the list of blogs)

Cool isn't it I just love it already, and I still have about twelve stars to go!

So how do you like that???? LOL I am so excited! So next up we have three progress shots! The Purple sweater! made from Eco-fil yarn, and inches away from being a worn garment!

The sleeves for "Mariah" in Patons Classic merino....... yum, woolly! I have to say that it does get easier as I have been going, now that I understand the cables it comes along faster. At the beginning however it was not so! I am hoping that I can finish at least the sleeves for this month! maybe more but I won't hold my breath! I am knitting both sleeves at once however so I will have them both done at the same time! That is the good news, you can see the second sleeve peeking in the bottom of the shot there.

My friend Cathy has been waiting so patiently for her blanket..... and it's done!!! LOL (thank goodness!) time consuming! a vibrant pink just for her!!!

So, that is the end of the pictures! No more time consuming downloading of this post! I do have a few other things that I am working on but haven't posted.... a few more of the white hats for a charity event, I am planning on starting the "Buttony" sweater that has a thread on craftster..... aka "Sweater of many buttons", and I am trying to gauge swatch for a top down raglan...... in a totally inappropriate weight of yarn! LOL I hope that I can make it work, I think that it will be great! No knitpicks package yet! That means that I cannot show you the goodies that I have ordered.

I did make a stop myself at the post office today..............to drop off the last swap packet of this month. Once kistchkween has it I will post pics of all the lovelies that I sent OUT this month!

So I hope that this meets your expectations..... I have no idea how fast I will get all these projects done! rest assured I may have a few posts light on the pics in the following week....so that the download isn't that long! LOL let me know what you think!