Bad idea first, good idea second

Sometimes, ideas emerge fully hatched from my head and pour out in whatever creative medium I am using to express it. Sometimes they don't hatch; sometimes they ooze out like a ruined and rotting egg.

I was trying to take a short cut - US 17 and self fringing on both sides - hideous. Haste certainly made waste (and frogging to be done). Classified as a bad idea (but on the right track).

I reknitted this scarf as fast as I could as it realy needed to be turned over to its intended owner sometime ago (too embarrassing of a length of time to mention). I went down to a US 13, still double stranding the basically fingering weight yarns. I only allowed for self fringing on one side. Classified as a much better idea.

It then became a good idea when I decided to work the same idea in a new yarn, Aria, as the project of the week for 52 in 52. You can find the pattern here.

Ribbit, not Rippit

I bought this craft kit for $1...

...so that I could get this crochet hook.

Ringing in the New Year

First, I want to show you the custom stockings that I completed for December 2011.
For the first one, I made it up from an older stocking. I charted the tree (one on each side) and the Santa. Being asked to make this stocking allowed me to take part in a very special tradition of these stockings in this family. It turns out the the paternal great grandmother's best friend made stockings for everyone she ever met (nearly). When she passed away, everyone brought their stockings to her funeral and was photographed holding them. What a legacy!

Now is when the comedy begins. On the Tuesday before Christmas, a gentleman brought in 2 stocking kits and the hope that he might get at least one of them done. We asked, "Not this Christmas, right?" Then, he shared that it was actually a surprise for one of our knitters and his new daughter. He left thinking that he would have wait until after Christmas and I left thinking the same. Then, I found the time to squeeze them in and (after working all day on Christmas eve) I was able to get them to him before Santa made his rounds. The real punch line is that these stockings where basically the same as the one that I had already figured out. So, for the second year running, I figured out a stocking and its charts only to receive those same charts already figured out. This one seems to be a re-imagining of a the classic and got some extra embellishment.

Then, I had a very productive week before New Year's Day. I finished an entirely indulgent color stacked scarf out of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted in the best color, Zombie BBQ. It took way longer than a garter stitch scarf should have as I actually had to pay a little attention to make sure that I was maintaining the stacking. 

    

Then, I also whipped up two of Ovate, one in each size. I had already knitted the pink one but I wasn't very careful with my gauge so it used up every drip of yarn and didn't leave much for binding off properly or for the finishing. Really fun pattern. The one thing that I will say about it is that you should make things that require US 19 at home rather than while traveling, as I am fairly certain that they are the reason that I received a love note from the TSA about having done additional screening on our bags both coming and going to Portland.

Here Comes the New Year!

Here are my beautiful sweethearts. I would like to share a picture of them where they are all in focus and all looking in the camera, but that is a somewhat unrealistic wish. Bella is wearing her way too cute Christmas dress and the boys are wearing blinking Rudolph noses(as cyborg eyes).

It has been a busy year in which much creating has been done (new baby to new knitting). I am still in the midst of the 52 projects in 52 weeks at anacapaknits, with about 22 weeks to go.

I have lots of things in the works as we prepare for the next set of classes at the store. So, I am going to narrow it down and share a picture of a nearly complete Baby Surprise Jacket that will be gifted to Kevin's coworker when they return from Winter Break. It was my first time making one with a hood; it still needs an attached i-cord around the hood and the rest of its buttons.

Maybe I will feel the urge to share before 2012 begins; if not, Happy New Year! (And, of course, Merry Christmas!)

Sweater time

I have many sweaters to complete in the next two months, at least three. I can do it!!! Of those three, I'm very excited to have started a new sweater for my oldest son; making a sweater for him has reached the point I have been known to fear - I have to make it bigger than a sweater for myself. He is long overdue as I believe that the last sweater that I completed for him was pushing on 5 yrs ago. He can still squeeze into that sweater but it would be best to pass it down the line to Dante and have a new one now.

Hold me?

I have begun putting things back in my Etsy Shop, moonlightstitches. I have been searching for a perfect yarn bowl. I don't think that my invention is perfect but it resolves a few things that I had concerns over - weight and durability. This bowl is made from felt and folds up into your notions bag when not in use.

Comic Con Haul 2011

You question how the contents of the picture possibly could have come from the Comic Con? Well, when we were buying tickets, I gave my Saturday spot to a friend who joined our crew for the day (long story of how their stupid server would only allow you to buy 4 tickets; if you care, then you already know the sorted details). The "con" is an animal unto itself; I was glad to have the day away to go on my own San Diego Yarn Store Crawl.

Wanna hear what all I got? (Clockwise, using the blue yarn at the top as 12 am):

1. Baah! La Jolla Original Handpaint, A Nancy's Notions Doo Dad box, a crossstich bookmark (for Alexander); purchased from the Needlecraft Cottage

2. Scarves, a fun cardigan, and potential small project bag; purchased from the Pink Zone (on the way to the next store)

3. The Wonderful Wallaby pattern by Carol Anderson; purchased from Knitting in La Jolla

4. Alchemy Yarns Silken Straw; purchased from Common Threads

5. LLH Safari, yarn ball point protectors, and Jacquard fabric paints (payment/thank you to my mom for babysitting); purchased from The Black Sheep (GREAT parking and enjoyed the Comic con connection moment)

6. (more) Baah! La Jolla Original Handpaint, Knit Picks Straight US 8 (felt ok buying these from an LYS), and Barb's Koigu Ruffle, a Churchmouse Classics pattern (for which I am likely to use the red Baah!); purchased at Yarning for You

7. Oink Pigment Fingering "Sunny with a Chance of Peaches" and bright coral/orange Lacey Lamb; purchased at Two Sisters and Ewe

8. some gorgeous frosted pink beads (to be used with the Silken Straw in another Isobel) and really cool silver pinky ring with a plait running around the band; purhcased at The Bouncing Bead (next door to Two Sisters and Ewe)

This day was a fantastic day with 3 mini cupcakes and iced coffee for lunch (@ Cups after store 3 and before my 1 hr parking expired). All the stores had their strengths. It is always interesting visiting other stores than your home store; I am seeking an analogy and the best that I can come up with is like your first visit to a new potential friend's home and seeing if you could really hang out. If I had to choose a favorite, it popped up at the end of the day when I visited Yarning for Ewe. I knew that it was going to be a good experience when I saw the sign in the window reading, "P.M.A., Positive Motivational Attitude practiced here." (I am pretty sure that I remembered that correctly.) We had an "it's a small world" moment when they connected me to a beloved customer that is moving to our neck of the woods that I have already had the pleasure of meeting. I felt the same way that I hope she felt when she first visited Anacapa, like I could sit down and be fast friends with all of the lovely knitters at the table (and, if Bella had been nap-able, then I would have). They had Bella modeling adorable baby hat samples and she was in hog heaven with all the cheers and attention. Such a great day; yarn people are the best people.

A close second is Two Sisters and Ewe where Annie let me squeeze in just near closing. If I had been there earlier in the day, then you would also be seeing a sweater size pile of The Fibre Co. Canopy Worsted which they have on sale for 4o% off.

Best part of Comic Con so far!