I have had pictures for a new post for a while now, I take new pictures, I put pictures on Flickr for Ravelry yet I don't blog. I have pictures now though.....

I started a new project I couldn't resist, Bee Fields I love that their are different sections and it is going quite well so far. I can't stop knitting it, I want to see what the next section will look like, hopefully soon!

I have been working on some other things here and there, I finally finished the front of the Cabled Boat neck, only sleeves to go!!! Before I started the Bee I was still working on Tilly's Garden, feeling the need to wrap up some of my lace. I also botched a pair if slippers, they fit me they were supposed to fit a men's 14? A little too much felting. I am off for a weekend of knitting with all the local girls I am so excited!!! Knit, eat, knit eat.

Knitting Nightmare.

What is the absolute worst thing you can think of to happen to a knitter, a knitter with a large stash? Yep water, a flood (well a shower running for hours and hours covering every floor in your single story home). I was out of town for 4th of July and while I was out this is what happened to my place:

There was carpet on that floor, all gone. Luckily most of my yarn was not on the soaked now removed carpet. There was a small amount on the floor that will hopefully dry out in time, one skien is part 2 of my Mystery Stole 3, please dry, please!!!

Just a few hours before finding out about this lovely remodel of my home, I did take some very fun pictures of current projects, here is a small taste of something optimistic to end with. Estonian Stole I have been working on.

I said I was not going to go nuts on Mystery Stole 3, Friday morning I didn't even know the first clue had come out, had not thought much about it other than signing up for it. Last year I went a little crazy, obsessed, or as I like to say efficient with it. 3-4 days of each week last year was spent on Mystery Stole knitting, taking away from other knitting. I had not even thought about yarn or swatched. But I present you..... This is attempt 2, the first one I had to rip out from row 65 or so. Otherwise it would have been done Saturday. So much for not being overly efficient with Mystery Stole 3.

The yarn is Rio de La Plata sock yarn, in a maroon bison color, I just happened to purchase this at Colorful Yarns Friday evening. How convenient. Huh?

I am in a mini funk.... I think. Last night I didn't want to knit this doesn't happen, I rarely ever watch TV without knitting at the same time. I saw whole commercials that I had only heard before and never totally seen. Who knew.

I did knit a few rows of the Madli at lunch though and hope to knit some tonight as well. I am hoping it is more about the projects I am working on Madli is to a point where you do the same 10 rows 31 times. I am about a 3rd done with that piece and all but.... Also cutaway is to the boring knit straight stockinette until it measures 11.5 inches. I don't even have far to go to the get to the 11.5. Any who I am sure I am in alarm for no real reason and all will come storming back.

It may a general funk, I need a serious break from work, I am burnt out. I am counting down days until this weekend, a 4 day weekend. A possible day off on the 7Th and then another 4 day weekend on the 14Th. I can make it until Friday, right?

The picture of cutaway is even boring. It may be my doom that I tend to like clean simple patterns to the busy aran's and ones with ton's of cables.

I am hoping to slowly catching up on pictures of my knits. Since the last post was heavy on links and light on pictures.

The 2 projects getting most of my attention are the Estonian Lace Stole, and the Tahki Boat Neck Sweater. I ripped out the stole over the weekend and started over so there isn't much to take a picture of. So I present the front/back of the Boatneck:

The yarn is Classic Silk, by Classic Elite and I love this stuff, this is my second sweater in the yarn so far, and I already have more for a 3rd sweater.

Next up hopefully a more completed picture of the stole!

I have been knitting, I promise. I have no project pictures, things have left the house before pictures could be taken. Other things are moving quite slowly, and quite honestly I would usually rather knit than take the time to take pictures and then, post (isn't that a silly idea).

But I do have one picture of the yarn I bought at Estes, I bought enough of each yarn to make a sweater.

The 2 on the outside are Plain and Fancy, and the middle one is Broosk Farm, it is a heavier weight of the viscose yarn they had last year (meaning I won't need 000 to knit it). The Brooks is even superwash, very handy.

I have started many new projects, all pictureless:

Estonian Garden

Twisted Flower socks

Boat Neck Sweater

A few other as well I am sure.

Short and sweet until I have picturs that is.

Those of you that know me, know I used to have very few WIP it drives me nuts to not have things finished. I have to admit that list of WIP has grown exponentially lately. So I am trying out a new little process with new knits. No new, big projects like sweaters, shawls ect until an old project comes off the needles. So here is the story of the first progression of Project Free the Needles....

I finished this, I have to admit I like the yoking look, less seaming I am all for it:

Particulars: Summer Set Rib Yoke Cardigan, in Summer Time Knits from Classic Elite

Yarn: Classic Silk, in Paris green, ~10 balls

Needles: Size 2 and 3's

March 04, 2007 - April 6, 2007

This was a quick easy knit.

Once this was complete I had more Classic Silk burning a whole in my knitting bag. I had a pattern in mind. But this is where Project Free the needles held me up temporarily. I had to choose something on the needles to free before I could start my new sweater. So I finished up Mystery Stole (it was the item with the least amount of work to be finished, this sucker is long, long.

Specifics: Mystery Stole 2: Scheherazade Stole

Yarn: Handpainted lace weight, doubled

Needles: 4's (should have gone smaller)

Started July 2006, finished April 2007

With this done I could finally start the new sweater.

This is the Cabled Boatneck from Tahki Stacy, using Classic Silk again. Progress is a bit slow since Mother's day is near, and I am busy making 5 sets of washrags for the Mom's I know. Hopefully I won't have to take a sick day again this year to get them all done in time. And because I post so infrequently we will add pictures of such washrags here as well.

I have also finished Seraphim for my Grandma, I am happy to admit she loves it. She even made my mother take it home so no one at the hospital would steal it. Of course no one would take it but if it makes her happy and rest easier she can enjoy it at home, which I am happy to report she is now doing.

Pattern: Seraphim Shawl

Yarn: VAlley Yarns, from WEbs, in Denim Blue (sort of purplish), 7 skeins, about 2 yards left over

Needles: Size 3

Mods: I didn't do all the repeats of stockenette before the charts began.

Started March 23rd, mailed out to Grandma April 2nd.

I have the time to blog, I just don't. I think about it, then realize the pictures I would take won't be all that different than the last ones I posted. So I get lazy, and knit instead.

I am to the point of yoking on the cardigan, I have never done a yoked item before sort of fun, or it makes you seem like you have made far more progress than you really have early on. Also it makes it difficult to take pictures as well. I really love this yarn, wonderful to work with as well. I have done about 8 rows after getting it all setup for yoking. Hopefully this part will go fast.

I am also on a race to finish a new project, how quickly do you all think I can finish Seraphim? My grandmother is in the hospital and everyone else is sending flowers and such to cheer her up, but I wanted to do something else, and she is complaining to be cold a lot. So I started a shawl for her, and want to get it done soon!! I am using a 50% alpaca/50% Wool blend I picked up at WEBS last year, so it is pretty warm, I should have thought this through a little bit before starting, this would be a great fall/winter shawl for her and being it is spring I probably should have started something a bit lighter, which I have something in mind to make her a second one. But I already started this one, and don't really have a nice, not to silky yarn to make the second one just yet. I am one ball in, and really liking the look and feel of this yarn, just worried it will be to warm by the time it is done.

The second one I am thinking might be out of this stuff Socks that Rock, Seduction, oh so pretty. I have one hank now and love it, not enough for the shawl though, expensive but my Grandma is worth it. I might have to make another STR order soon, anyone else in?

I have been stuck in a quick knit, no focus stage for some time now. I don't feel like I have accomplished much since Starsky was finished. Looking back I think I was just not really excited to be working on anything, new or old. But I have new motivation, new yarn to me at least and a fun pattern. This was all by accident, I was at the store over this past weekend, working on a scarf Friday and a sock (I never knit socks) on Saturday. Then a certain someone was looking at the new Classic Elite books and yarns at said store. I was casually looking over her shoulder, then I started telling her to go back a page, forward a page, before you know it I am buying yummy yarn to make a sweater. Wanna see!!! It is called the Summer Set Rib Yoke Cardigan of course I couldn't follow the pattern completely so I am using the Classic Silk in colorway Paris Green (the light green in the middle). I am loving this yarn and this pattern, I am finished with the back, well up to where I do all the yokey stuff. Wanna really see?

I have also been working on a Socks that Rock sock (in Roctoberfest), Monkey from the last knitty, trying to do it toe up and see if the pattern looks ok from that angle. Also working on my Vintage Velvet Scarf, I really love this scarf and wish it would just knit itself.

Not much else going on around here, working at home, trying to not turn into a hermit. I will say working at home helps me workout a ton more, I am going to finish the Runagogo challenge of a 100 miles before 4-1. So it will then be time to work on a new goal a more challenging goal.

I took pictures, last week, possibly even the week before. Yes it was the week before. I have yet to post about these pictures, the reason for taking the pictures is to post. I should take new pictures before I post, but well it isn't sunny, it is dark, no pictures. Hell it might be interesting to just see what I took pictures of.

I have a new office, I love it, it is convenient, quiet, comes with a small gym, cafeteria, nap area you name it. Seconds away from my bed, how can I not love it!

I have been working from home a lot, 4 days this week, and 4 days every week going forward, until they tell us to stop or decide we are unruly, who knows. I even occasionally get some knitting snuck in, but for the most part I think I work harder, longer hours. But the perk of being at home doing it makes me not mind so much. So why I mention and gloat about my new office space is that I tend to blog at work. I blog when I am bored at work because when I blog at home I eat up precious knitting time, so this is why I am not being a good blogger!

OK on to knitting content since we all know how happy I am about work now, really I am loving my job. I have been knitting, I don't seem to have a lot of knitting mojo though. I am liking quick easy projects, instant gratification projects, so hats. Hats for all 5 of my niece's and nephew's. But I don't think I have any pictures of that of course. That would be silly. Apparently the one item I do have pictures of is Wicked who is getting neglected. But very soft and pretty so far.

I have also started a scarf, it is pretty, it is soft I like it, yet it moves slowly, very slowly. This is braided Mischief from Scarf style, I really like how it is turning out, lets see if I can finish it before next winter!

Starsky is DONE!!!

Can you tell I am excited, I love to finish projects and love it even more when they are wearable but I love this sweater, finished project and all. It was a fun knit and I sort of miss knitting it. Even more now that someone else just started it in a beautiful color, pictures please?

I do wish the collar was a bit longer and folded over easier, but some steam blocking helped out with that some. I even think the Malabrigio gets softer after you block it.

Details: Starsky from Knitty

Needles: Size 7 addi natura's (that are now orange), 5's for the ribbing.

Yarn: Malabrigio in Rhodesian (8 balls)

Start: October 2006, finish January 2007

I have moved, and mostly moved in even. I was pretty excited for this move for one particular reason, I was finally going to have my yarn out, be able to see how much I have, what I have and all that. Not have it in bins, and wonder what I have that would fit this or that pattern. I have to admit once it was all mostly out, I thought I had more, so that is good right? I can buy more yarn guilt free, then I found more yarn hiding. It isn't all out yet, but here is a sneak peak.

To my surprise there really was not much yarn that I had to think "oh yeah I have that" so this all tells me I am ready to buy more yarn. I have been on a lag since getting back from Rhinebeck, and soon may be the time. I do have plenty of projects I want to start now that Starsky is done. I need to pair it down and go.

Should I start:

1. Hour Glass, with Noro Iroha in a navy blue

2. Wicked, out of something I might have or might buy.

3. Sunrise Circle jacket, out of some Katmandu orange.

4. Another longer car coat type thing, with blue donagal tweed.

I just don't know. Some quality time in the yarn shop should hopefully help me decide.

This too will be filled with books and yarn hopefully soon!!!

es, I know this is not 2006 anymore but I had all intentions of posting this before. But sadly I only post when at work, I won't interrupt valuable knitting time while at home to do it. Not even with a new fancy laptop, not even when I am snowed if for what seems like ever. Just how it is. The thought is to just throw a bunch of pictures out there since I have been busy and keep the words to a minimum. Yep Clapotis, and not even a damn Clapotis like some of my other attempts.

Yarn: Lorna's Lace, Lion and Lamb, colorway Black Purl, 3 full skeins and smidge of skein 4.

Needles: Size 4, addi's turbos

Surprisingly fast knit, considering my other Clapotis blunders.

Spiral Rib Hat.

Yarn: From Rhinebeck, I need to check the label on this. Not quite 1 skien, what to do with the rest of it?

Size 6 addi's. Quick one day knit here!!

This is the big accomplishment of the Blizzard Season, or so I think. Not quite done but getting oh so close, and maybe why I am starting all these smallish projects, so I don't have do do the finishing. I personally think my finishing sucks, and hopefully by the time I get a little closer on this one it will improve. That and some of the directions have me a bit baffled, pick up and knit , do I pick up then, knit, as in pick up all the stitches to be picked up then knit them all? Or knit them as I pick them up which I have never done. Maybe I can wear it like this with only the shoulders seemed and the sleeves set in but not seemed. I actually think I am going to lay it out and block it before I do any more seeming. I am working on an endless belt for this thing now though. Then I can worry about picking up for the collar right? After I get some expert advice and all.

One last thing to show you.

Fetching revised. The exact pattern just cabled all the way up. I really like how they turned out, I only only wish they were a bit taller for the fingers, I even extended the pattern a bit there. I also promise to not wear them with the Clapotis.

What else could a knitter ask for than almost 3 days of being snowed in? Technically I could walk to the local bar, and maybe I did but I was without a car for a good 2 and a half days. There was a whole lot of knitting going.

I have almost finished the back of Starsky, so so close, once the back is done the rest is all just the finishing knitting. I am excited to get this one pretty close to wrapped up.

I have also started and completed a CandleFlame scarf for myself, I was packing away some yarn and found this Rio de la Plata that I really liked, decided to start a scarf then and there. I just need to kitchener the 2 sides together and it is done!!!Not the best picture but you get the idea right?

And last on the list I started a Vintage Velvet for me at last!!! I knit on this during the holiday festivities at my parent's house. This picture really sucks, bad lighting, plus shiny yarn and a flash just don't mix well. But at least you can see the color from this picture.

I do have a couple of FO's to report as well. I will save that for another post.

Why I worry that I have not posted in forever is beyond me, since I am not sure all that many read, or even know this little blog exists. Anyway...

Now that I am done traveling, and done with all of the currently planned Christmas knitting I think I have a little time. I did think today, oh wouldn't it be nice to knit up a wine cozy to go with the wine that I need to take to Teds mother's house. Oh and wouldn't it be fun to wrap scarves for my sister, mother and sister-in-law around their stockings. Not sure any of that will happen. But it was a thought.

I do have pictures, if nothing else... I finished 4 ponchos for my niece's, 2 need fringe, unless I decide the curl method looks cute, and i just might. I also knitted up a white elephant gift for the work Holiday luncheon, that my co-worker received, boy what company pride we have here. Twisty Turns , from Wrap Style as well, I need about 5 more inches and it will be ready to be contrapted. This is a close up of the ribs, it is really long at this point.

I have been working on the

I have finished all but the zipper on my hoody from the Vogue, it is quite cute until I put it on, I am not sure the shoulders drape quite right where I attached them to the body. Live and learn I guess.

Look at all these pictures. It is crazy in here. I have a picture of me in my Klara as well, crappy picture and well I am not sure I think this sweater looks great on me but here it is. Don't I look thrilled.

I tend to only blog at work, at home I am taking away from precious knitting time. Or something like that. But since I am gearing up for a week off work, I should probably post before I go, huh? Not a whole lot of knitting has gone on as of late. I wish I could say there was more. I am plugging along on Starsky, it is slow going with the cable pattern on the right and wrong side, I have been completing about one repeat a week. Not a whole lot of progress let me tell ya, motivation to finish things has been somewhat low. Not real sure why, I am not casting on for new things. I blocked the Noro cowl again to see if the cowl would sit better since I have knitted the cowl over twice as long as it says too, I still don't think it sits right, and one sleeve is all wonky!! so more cowl and possibly a re-knit of a sleeve. No picture of that of course.

There is also the annual white elephant gift at work, last year I did a knitted tie, this year I went with a ear warmer thing, with a bad application of our logo. It didn't turn out horrible but well I like the tie better. Next year I should get to this earlier and not have to rush, then again who wants to spend a ton of knitting time away from other knitting on something that will sit in someone's cube. Fun and all but doesn't need to be elaborate or anything!

I have been working on a second Vintage Velvet as well, for Miss Tiffany of Colorful Yarns. It was a great deal we did, well not sure how is making out better I think it is me. But her Vintage Velvet is coming along, I hope to have this done sooner rather than later!!!

I have also been working on my Lion and Lamb Clapotis, in the Black Pearl color, I love it, it is soft, an easy knit and I have started the decreases. Sadly I have no pictures of this beauty. I have been busy with many things Christmas not really one of them though. I am in the process of finding a new home for me and my yarn, this is not the easiest task. It seems like it should be much easier. But my Yarn and myself seem to be quite picky we both want ample room for our things, and room to grow as well. Hopefully soon I will know where I will be moving come January!!!

I have been knitting I promise, just not as much as usual. Somewhat a busy schedule and some just kinda ehhh. A mini knitting funk. Maybe I have so much I want to do and so little time it is a bit overwhelming so I just say fu$%#@ it. We'll see if this coming weekend can prove to be more productive.

No Starsky pictures, it really has not grown much at all. I have finished a little something for Colorful it was a super fun fast knit. And ohhh so pretty!! Of course now that it is on display I worry about it, if it looks as good as it can, did I mess up, could it be softer and so on.

I have started another one for Tiffany, in a toast color, not pictures of that either. The Clapotis using the Black Purl color of Lion and Lamb is coming along, almost done with the straight rows.

Here is my current dilemma, last year for the work white elephant Holiday exchange I made a tacky knitted tie, with our company colors. I want to do something this year as well, it needs to be quick and simple. I am sort of thinking, ear warmer thing, you know the band that goes around your head. I will use chunkier yarn this year too for a quick easy knit, any other ideas? Most of the folks in my group are men so..... It was the ear thing or a hat, not sure which would be preferred.

To post or not to post... I have some progress on Starsky, but well it looks just like the picture I posted last time, it is just the right front instead of the left. Not too exciting. I had to rip most of the Irish Hiking Scarf, and it is much slowly coming back to life. Once I wound up the second ball I bought I realized the dye lots were similar but not quite the same, you would definitely notice once the second ball started up, so I ripped and am now alternating. The local girls know I tend to rip a lot, I never make a project just once, I usually make a project 2-3 times with one complete output. But I would much rather have something usable than try and figure out a way to make something usable, you know? So the progress on that is about the same as it was before.

Now I do have a little something to share, I took a toe up sock class last weekend. Well part one of a 2 part class, I mean did you all see how much sock yarn I have bought recently, I should really be making a ton of socks. I finished my homework for the week, get to the point of turning the heel, the sock went surprisingly fast on my size 0 needles. I don't love the sock, it is a bit too wide but I wanted to be at the heel for class so I didn't rip. Plus I can't find the second skein of this yarn, which I would need for the second sock, so who knows what will become of this sock(s).

I also forgot the best thing about fall on my last post. I love putting on a winter coat to find money in the pocket!!! It has happened twice so far this fall, I should run off and check all the pockets but somehow that might be jinxing myself you know.

I received ISE III scarf right on time, on the 1st. I even worked from home so the nice people of the USPS hand delivered it to me!!! It is beautiful!! I love it and the goodies my pal sent. I wish I would have known my pal Ina was also at Rhinebeck, we could have met up. It looks like she even had my scarf along. Thanks so much Ina I love everything, how did you know I love, love dark chocolate?