Something red, blue, and green

Dear Anna,


I have to say that I'm totally sick of the drama between Gina and Kelly on BH 90210. I really think that Dylan and Kelly need to stop fooling themselves and admit that they are meant to be.


Gah!


Well, with that confession out of the way, I present to you my Something Red:

The photo isn't great (it's hard to do a self-pic of a sweater) but I am really pleased with the way it turned out. The button band truly became a labor of love - I ripped and reknit it at least five times and it's still not perfect (the ribbing doesn't line up because I picked up too many stiches on one side compared to the other) but no one can tell unless you look closely . . . especially with it buttoned.

The angora is blissfully soft but it's totally unpractical for southern California weather . . . however, it's perfect for the air conditioned office. In fact, I wore it to work once and got a lot of compliments - the best was "I love your sweater, where did you buy it?!". I think that any knitter can agree that THAT is the best compliment ever. Another co-worker commented that she didn't know a person could knit "something stylish". Ha! We knitters are very industrious!

My Garter Yoke Cardigan is coming along really great - I'm nearly done with the first sleeve. So far, it fits great and I see myself getting a lot of use out of it when it's done. I only wish I had splurged on nicer yarn. The acrylic blend Elle Mae that I bought when we went on our most recent San Diego yarn crawl isn't bad . . . it just isn't particularly soft. But, the good thing is that I'm sure it will hold up really well in the wash.

Since I'm rounding the last corner on the cardi, I was compelled to cast on for a new project. I started the Shetland Triangle from Wrap Style. I bought the yarn at Black Sheep with a gift certificate that Ron got me for Valentine's Day. As I mentioned in my project notes, I really wanted Rowan Kid Silkhaze in a creamy white or light blue but they didn't have anything suitable. So I got the next best thing, SRK Oration which has a similar blend (75% mohair/25% silk compared to Rowan's 70% mohair/30% silk). Ravelry didn't recognize the yarn brand when I entered in the project details so I have no idea if this is a little known gem or a really bad knock off . . . I guess I'll find out!

So far, I am enjoying the Shetland Triangle pattern so much more compared to the Ene Scarf (both are lace triangle shawls). With Ene, you start with casting on over 300 stiches (which I had to do multiple times). With the Shetland, you also start at the neck but you cast on only two stiches . . . it's a really odd construction but it's kinda cool to see it grow.

Oh, I just watched Mama Mia! last night and I loved loved loved the set design. It made me want to paint my whole place ocean blue.

So. . . whose up for a girls trip to Greece in 2010? :-)

Auld Lang Syne

Dear Mmmmmargaret,

Well. I woke up this morning with volumized hair. And the blog has been updated twice in one week. I believe this bodes well for 2009, don't you? We just returned from a trip to Philadelphia, where The Professor diligently interviewed for a job at many Universities throughout the Midwest and Canada. Will 2009 be the year we move to a cornfield in Nebraska? Or perhaps to an igloo in Alberta? At this point it's impossible to say.

HOWEVER, I did get to wear my new mittens:



And take a trip to Loop, where I purchased 1000 yards of chocolate brown Lorna's Laces Fisherman Wool. I'm thinking of using it to make something from Custom Knits... maybe Ingenue?



Thanks to you and Rose for the birthday gift card!!

I just checked the Rav and apparently I finished kind of a lot... clearly I have no life. And Neal will be gone most of January, so my lack of social engagements will continue and maybe I can even finish a sweater or something. The offical list of 2008 projects is:

3 hats (Jenny Cloche, Koolhaas, Shedir)
4 shawls (two Forest Canopy shawls, Summer Lace Shawlette, Eyelet Capelet)
3 pairs of socks (Thuja, Monkey, plain Yarn Harlot recipe)
2 scarves (Haven, Yarn Harlot One Row Scarf)
1 baby sweater (Child's Placket-Neck Pullover)
1 pair of mittens (Give a Hoot)

And a few random dishcloths, but I don't really keep track of those. Phew!

I am determined to finish a sweater this year. For reals. I will do it! Maybe I will even do two. My Mother also commissioned me to make her a scarf, so I'll have to get to that soon.

Also, check out this totally Rav worthy pic from Philadelphia:



Seriously. I could be a Knitty model. It was taken in Fork - they had Coca-Cola in BOTTLES, my friend. Tiny glass bottles. So obviously I had to have one. And I'm wearing my luxe neckwarmer from Knit2Together. I love the blue and green combo.

In other news, I tried to spruce up the blog a bit so let me know what you think. I added a book list! I've been wanting one for awhile now. And I changed the background just for funsies. Feel free to edit as you see fit. I'm not really planning to take up any new hobbies but since we will be moving away from So Cal this summer I am working to get rid of AS MUCH STUFF as possible before then. It's a frightening proposition, I know. I will become a cleaning machine. Just as soon as I get out of these pajamas.