Secret Summer Solstice Pal

So our knitting group decided to do a second secret pal swap (I didnt have a blog for the first, Secret Cupid). And this time I pulled Ariel's name out of the hat. Well, ok, it was a knitting wip bag, but you get the point. You have already seen the knitted gifts I gave Ariel (Zombies Need Not Apply wristcuffs, and the stars). I also gave her little starry trinkets.


Here's Ariel hiding behind her pillow wearing the wristcuff. Funny story about the pillow is that after we chose names I was walking with Alexis and Catherine and Alexis spotted this pillow in the window of Walgreens and declared that whoever had Ariel had to buy it. Well, of course I had to buy it. Too bad it was on top of a tall display case and we nearly knocked over a whole isle to get at it. Luckily Catherine is taller than I and was able to grab it.









And what is this? Why its my gift from Amanda!!

Its a beautiful reversible cloth wip bag from Blue Kitty Designs. (the inside is rolled down for your viewing pleasure)















And inside the bag was Godiva chocolates (oh heaven), Cheeky Monkey Yarn, kitchener stitch markers, and the Perdita bracelets from Knitty! Yay!
The kitchener stitch markers are super cute, they tell you how to kitchener stitch up a toe of a sock. They are shrinky-dinks! (I used to love those -- I'd always turn the light on in the oven and watch them transform).












Here is a close-up of the yarn porn. The name of this colorway is Strange Brew, yay for beer references!











All in all a super happy day. I've already worn the black bracelet, thanks Summer Solstice Pal!

FO: Stars!

Project Name: Stars for Ariel
Pattern: free at this blog: Knitting in Color by Nanette (yay for google!)
Yarn: Stash yarn, various
Needles: Various
Pattern Adjustments: None! super easy pattern!
Notes: I love them! So glad I found this pattern. They are quick and easy and will make great gift-tags and embellishments. And since they were stars, Ariel of course Loved them!




close up of my favourite one, you cant tell but the black yarn is sparkly! Its Lion Brand microspun blue and Berroco Metallic FX black.













close up of my 2nd favourite one both colors are Lion Brand Microspun.












Close up of my 3rd fav, in Debby Bliss Baby Cashmerino.

FO: Zombies Need Not Apply

Project Name:
Zombies Need Not Apply 1
Pattern: free on MagKnits, originally by PieKnits
Yarn: Dale of Norway Baby Ull, 0090 Black, 0007 Grey Heather, 0010 white; less than 1/4 skein.
Needles: US 2 and 3 metal dpns
Pattern Adjustments: Cast on in regular long-tail method instead of method in pattern (I couldn't be bothered to learn a new cast on technique). Other than that, knit exactly as the pattern states.
Notes: Love it! For my first multiple color, stranded color work it came out amazing. I'll def be making lots of these.



Project Name:
Zombies Need Not Apply 2
See above.
Pattern Adjustments: Used what I call the thumb cast on, just a different long tail that i was taught with.
Notes: This cast on method is def not as stretchy, so I dont think I'll use it for a project like this again. Good to know. Just hope I remember. Also, instead of stranding the purple thread for the bow, I cut a long piece and dangled it in the area of each bow, using 1 strand for each bow. Since I had to pull it back to the beginning when I had knitted it a couple stitches away, it got all bunched up. I think, next time, I'll just strand the third color along.

Although..... weaving in all those different ends for such a small piece is a huge pain the the a**!

Both of these were gifted to Ariel as part of our knitting group Secret Summer Solstice Swap.

FO Bonanza

Prepare yourselves,what follows is an FO superfreak party!

FO: baby blanket for Debby's boy

Not a full image since I had to cut out other items blocking on the side. Secret items!
























Project Name: baby blanket for Debby's boy
Pattern: diagonal knit blanket free on Lion Brand website
Yarn: Lion Brand Homespun; color 368 Montana Sky; 2.5 skeins
Needles: US 11, plastic, 32 inch circular
Pattern adjustments: knitted up to 107 stitches and then back down again instead of 126 stitches as pattern states. (I've knit this before and 126 sts is just too many and too large and cumbersome for a summer baby blanket!)
Notes: I know, its acrylic. But, its very beautiful, it was easy, and it can be used as a blanket either inside or outside for the kid to play on instead of hard floors or grass. So, whatever. I'd use it.
More better pictures in the daytime light tomorrow. Or, check out the wip post on this one.

Time Sensitive Knitting

Knitting on a time schedule is not fun. In fact, it can get kinda monotonous and boring, and stressful. I have Lots of projects due tuesday and weds. Oy. it will all be over soon!
Also, people need to stop having babies that are due to arrive in the summer. Or I need to learn how to knit booties and quit this blanket business. knitting blankets in the summer also not fun.

Belated Birthday Yarny Goodness!

And here you thought I'd abandoned the knitting part of my knit/craft blog!
I don't get to see my best friend Anne very often since her and her husband live in CT, but they were up in Boston for a jazz concert so I met up with them for dinner tonight before their concert. (And after already having a couple beers w/ Andreas since he has been working 12-14 hr days and needed a beer). At dinner Anne gave me a very knit theme belated b-day gift. Yay! Yarn!

There's a tangerine scented candle, the Green issue of Knit.1 and a skein of hand painted yarn!

Excited about the Knit.1 mag. Was actually contemplating buying it myself, sounded neat. And it was featured in my Sierra mag so its officially good stuff. ha.





Close up of yarn goodness!! Very pretty (:{













And that will have to tide you over until the 20th which is the revealing of the Secret Solstice gifts.

Flowers

Since I'm still doing lots of secret knitting (Secret Solstice, birthday, etc) I'll give you some flower goodness to feast your eyes on to tide you over until I have yarny goodness for you. These are from a bouquet I gave to my roommate when she graduated law school last week. I'm sure the images speak for themselves and need none of my blathering commentary.




















This last one is def my fav close up. You can see all the hairy stickyness of the flower sex parts and stuff. Neat!