Versatility Cowl

I finished this scarf right after my tonsil surgery, way back in April. Despite the massive pain meds I was on, I managed to muddle through the very end of this scarf. Luckily, it was a very simple pattern, but the results are just beautiful. My mom loves it too!

I LOVE how this scarf is wearable in different ways because of the buttons at one end. Thanks to my mom for being a wonderful model--I hope this scarf keeps you very warm!

Oh, baby...

blanket. Baby blanket. Don't get carried away, we have to get married first!! ;-) It took me just over a month to finish my first baby blanket. I went with a fairly straightforward pattern--the Big Bad Baby Blanket from Stitch n' Bitch. Turns out, however, that I was purling backwards! No matter because I did it consistently throughout the entire blanket so you can't tell that it wasn't intended.

Here's the blanket blocking on the bathroom floor (I needed a place I could close the door and keep Dixie away).

And below is Sarah, the recipient of the baby blanket at her baby shower! I spent the majority of my time working on this blanket while on the metro. It's remarkable how much knitting I can get done while commuting!

I've started working on the next baby blanket, which I will reveal when it's finished and delivered to the recipient. I'm also working on several other projects that I won't be able to reveal for quite some time. Fortunately, I also have a list of new recipes to try and Jeromy and I have a very long list of home improvement projects to share. Our style is DIY so I should have some pretty good stories and before and after pictures.

Taking Stock

My soon-to-be mother-in-law's Christmas present:

Clare's Christmas present:

My sister's Christmas present:

I've finished 4 scarves since November, one of them was ruined in the washing machine and I've started that one over again. So that's #5. I am trying to teach myself how to knit a hat, which is project #6. I am working on a gift for a friend that I started today, #7, a scarf for mom, #8, and I have yarn for a scarf for myself, another gift for a friend and another scarf for my mom. That's #9, #10 and #11. Currently, I have 4 of these projects on needles. Phew, it sounds like I have some work to do! The good news is that watching the Olympics and knitting go very well together :-)

One scarf finished!

I finally finished my first scarf! Love how it came out. Unfortunately, the washing machine did not love it so much and ripped a section of it to shreds :-( The question is, do I give in and just buy a gift for my godchild, or, do I attempt to make a scarf in 4 days? With a snow day tomorrow, maybe it's possible....

Here's a picture of Dixie modeling the completed scarf pre-washing machine disaster.

Confrontation

Over the course of 4 hours last night, I did battle with the nasty, angry knot of yarn that you see in the previous post. 4 hours of pulling, threading and winding and at the end I had 6 balls of yarn to show for it! Yes, it's true, I confronted the angry yarn and I WON! It felt like a very big accomplishment, now if only I can finish this scarf before Christmas.....

my new obsession...

My Sitoo (my mom's mother) taught me how to knit in high school. My poor sister even wore the horrible scarf I knitted for her once or twice. I made one more scarf after that and then put down my knitting needles. Recently, I decided to pick them back up. I think it was the new yarn stores with shelves upon shelves of beautifully colored threads calling my name. So I signed up for a knitting class. It was like riding a bike and I'm happy to say that the results seem to be A LOT better than the first time I tried. Once again, Kristin, I am so sorry I made you wear that scarf. The next one will be a lot better, I promise!

I have three projects going right now. The purple one is a ribbed scarf that is a Christmas gift. The yarn was in a nice, neat ball but something happened and all of a sudden it became an angry mess. The yarn and I are working through our difference and I'm confident that in the end we'll have a great scarf to show for our efforts :-)

The second one, which is almost finished, is for my Godchild, Isabella. I thought the color combination was perfect for her and I just love the tassles at the end.

And last but not least, is a scarf I'm working on for me :-)

These scarves are the result of the beginner class, stay tuned for more difficult projects as I take more classes!

Lisa :-)