Hibernating

For the time being you can find me over at 2BuckeyesInCinci while I get back into the habit of blogging again.

Be sure to follow me over there! Lots of knitting and general craftiness going on!

OY!

I've been a terrible blogger lately. I'm sorry. Between starting 2 new projects, travelling to California, Hosting our annual Summer Party, and being downright tired, I've been a slacker on teh internetz. I need to be better. The picture taking has gone down as well :( But now that the weather is getting cooler (thank heavens!) and things tend to sloow down for me after summer I'm hoping to be back to normal.

I have been busy knitting though!

Sneak Peak of what's on my needles:

Back of my checked hoodie finished, currently working on the front.

Got a magic loop and am attempting socks! again! Going much better than before and I'll have a brand spankin new pair of Twilight socks soon! Yarn, Book, and Magic Loop was birthday gift from my Dad and Family :) Yarn is Knitpicks Imagination in Mermaid Lagoon.

Bella Mittens! Had to have some, just like Bella! Not The Original but close enough!

Mine

Movie

And what is OFF the needles AND blocked!

Clapotis!

yes, I've joined the masses and completed a viral knit :)

I've got quite a bit still planned for the next couple months and doing a choice few christmas gifts! Definitely need to get organized and start rolling on those!

Frogger

Well, I frogged my first project yesterday. It was bittersweet.

Remember my Happy Socks?

Well, I wasn't so happy with the first one since it was just a wee bit too small. That and I never got past the ribbing on the second one. So sadly, my first Happy Sock took a dive in Frog Pond yesterday.

I'll have to find another pattern that isn't plain old stocking stitch to hold my attention. I'll also hopefully be trying Magic Loop and 2 at a Time so as to avoid the dreaded SSS (Second Sock Syndrome)

But my birthday is this week and I've requested a few sock knitting helper things- yarn, needle, book- from my dad (courtesy of knitpicks!) so the yarn may start turning back into socks some time next week!

Check In for Fun Hoodie

So it was a rough last few weeks but I was able to get into Lambikins last Sunday (7/5) for some quality knit time with the ladies. I went with intentions to work on the Clapotis and Swallowtail, and I ended up leaving with a new project, new book, and the largest 1 times yarn purchase I have ever made. Everyone was working on this hoodie and I wanted a piece of it. I've watched countless projects done in classes and knit-alongs and I'd never jumped in. Until now. After seeing the Einstein coats, I wanted a squishy, lucious sweater/coat for myself. Enter Rowan Cocoon "aka Racoon" after a couple squeezes I couldn't let go. I went with an oatmeal and a red wine color. Knitting this up it is delightful. A little bit splitty and hairy because of the mohair but the resulting piece is unbelievably soft and warm. I've never felt anything like it. Christina swears that I will finish the object. I'm part of the Knit-A-Long on Sundays now so I have plenty of support and motivation. I can't wait to be able to wear this! (She also assures me it. will. fit!)

Oh and it's chunky yarn and Size 11 needles so it's moving along quite nicely!

This is a better representation of the color

v

I didn't tell the hubster how much I spent till later... much later.

Pattern: check-in-for-fun-hoodie-pullover from Big Needle Knitting
Yarn: Rowan Cocoon

Needles: US 11 Circulars, Metal

My Ravelry Project Page!

UFO's

Okay so let's take a minute and assess where I am with certain projects and what I have going on. I'm already contemplating frogging my first Happy Sock and trying a different pattern since it came out a teensy bit small.

On the needles:

Swallowtail Shawl Slowly but surely. Charts make me go blind
Check In Hoodie (New project I started... more on this later)
Fetching Seriously... I need to finish this. Only half a mitt to go!
Clapotis 2 more repeats and then decrease and finish off. Finish soon I hope!

Okay so that's not nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be.

Coming up... my first large yarn purchase. Help!

Whew!

Where does the time go?

A lot has been going on the last couple weeks...

I put down my knitting for 2 solid weeks and it was torture.

It wasn't until last week that I was lucky enough to go to Lambikins on Sunday and able to take the time and put needles in my hands again.

I've got a few projects going on now, along with a new one (of course) so I'm hoping I can organize myself here shortly and get back to regular posting here on Crafty Buckeye.

For now, I'll leave you with my assistant.

She'll keep an eye on things till I get back.

Swallowtail Shawl

So I have been wanting to do another lace project since I cast off and blocked my Japanese Feather Wrap. I had my eye on the gorgeous FO's of the Swallowtail Shawl that I'd seen all over Ravelry. My family has been going through some rough times since last week with my Papa who is in a nursing home. It seems that it is going to be a roller coaster ride and this project is going to be therapeutic for me, as well as (hopefully) comforting and therapeutic to it's recipient- my Mama. I chose a blue shade that reminds me of Papa's eyes, and his flannel shirts that he wore ALL THE TIME. It's light and delicate but a striking pattern that is absolutely lovely. I was able to cast on Monday night and made my way through the set up and starting the budding lace. It's my first time with charts so that was proving to be a challenge but now that I'm getting into it, it's getting easier to remember what symbols mean what.

it's already taking shape!

She has no idea that I'm making this for her so let's keep it a secret- kay?

Also, Saturday 6/6/2009, my Mama and Papa celebrated their 57th! Wedding Anniversary. They are truly amazing and wonderful people and I am so thankful that I can witness such a wonderful testament to Marriage.

(Photo from 4/6/09- Papa's 86th Birthday, note the flannel shirt :) )

Pattern: Swallowtail Shawl

Yarn: Plymouth Yarn, Baby Alpaca Lace, 1071

Needle: Crystal Palace US 4 26'' Circular
My Ravelry Project Page!