Black Heels & Purls Knitting Society

Twinkle, Twinkle

2011-10-10T12:26:00.004-06:00

Hi there.

I've been making stars. I was thinking I wanted to make some Christmas ornaments for gifts this year, and decided I wanted to understand how stars work.

See:

The six-pointed red and green one is a pattern called Star with Hearts that I found on ravelry. I used red and green mohair that's been in my stash for several years on US2s. The pattern was really well done, but I didn't really enjoy the process very much.

Then I started thinking that I might be able to adapt it to make a five pointed star using the same principals. Hey, as it turns out, I'm kind of brilliant and it worked. The five-pointed star was knit on US8s, with some acrylic worsted weight I've been trying to get rid of.

It's not perfect, because I'm bad at picking up stitches, and I need to make an adjustment to the body, but I think I understand what I need to do. I might, in fact, try again today and see if I can improve the design.

Apparently, my dog enjoys this star as much as I do. She kept trying to pick it up while I was taking pictures, and she finally got a hold of it while my attention was focused elsewhere. see:

<3 uhlissa (and tiny dog)

A blog post by Ambrrr! Who is not dead!

2011-09-17T14:17:00.000-06:00

Guten tag, everybody!

So somehow I am still around? I don't know. I have no good reasons/excuses/panicked thoughts that would explain my extended absence. I get distracted, and then I go do other things. Knitting-wise I mainly post my projects on my Ravelry page, so if you can access that hurrah! Life-wise I am still unemployed (although at one point I was working three part-time jobs at once; that was crazy) and still sad about it. I was in California from March to July looking for something out on the West Coast but NOPE. So if you know of someone who needs a knitting intern architect, I am your lady.

Mainly life-wise I have been taken over by the BBC series Sherlock. Have you watched Sherlock? If you haven't just stop right now and go look it up on Netflix. I'll wait.

OK, are you doing it? Have you done it? Good.

THIS SERIES, GUYS. I love it so much. I'm trying not to talk about it until Uhlissa has seen it also (AGAIN, it is ON NETFLIX INSTANT, just three 90 minute episodes so far) so I'll just say that everything about it makes me super happy.

A PICTURE OF KNITTING:

This hat is one of the few things I've actually knit recently. The other things are still waiting to be photographed. (I have never been good at pictures, have I?) My pal Sam likes Firefly, and so do I, so I made this for him. Then I took this picture when we went to a rodeo in California! Crazy times.

OK, I'mma go get some knitting done. Actually, I ripped off my fingernail last night, so knitting might have to wait a bit. But I'mma go do SOMETHING.

LOVE, Ambrrr (and a llama)

(Llamas have fur that we use in knitting sometimes, right?)

Here We Go Again

2011-09-15T12:58:00.004-06:00

So, ya, I disappeared for a year and a half. But, I've just moved back to Oklahoma and have lots of time for knitting and blog updating, so be prepared to see some beautiful new work.

I'm on a mission to make all my second socks that I've been putting off. Last night I finished a pattern called Fawkes (which can be found on Ravelry). I knit the first sock Jan/Feb 2010.

I just knit the second one in six days. Boredom really can inspire productivity as far as knitting goes.

I'm pretty happy with the results. They're knit in Knit Picks Imagination in the color Frog Prince on circular #2s. I don't really like the color, but that's what I get for ordering yarn off the internet. Actually, I've never been disappointed with any knit picks yarn before, but this color just wasn't what I was expecting. I loved working with the yarn, and the result is a super comfy pair of socks. the pattern is great. Highly recommended.

I just realized the only projects I've completed in the past year haven't been documented. Expect another post in the next couple of days. The wind here has been crazy, so I can't take anything outside to photograph at the moment.

<3 uhlissa

So, Once Again I'm Sorry

2010-02-01T21:55:00.008-06:00

I'm fairly certain we don' t have any readers, but I'm going to apologize anyways. First, I apologize for doubting your existence in case someone does actually read this, and secondly I apologize for the serious lack of updates. You'll hear no excuses from me. I know it's unacceptable, and will attempt to rectify my slacker nature regarding posting.

Now, onto the good stuff.

For Christmas, I finished my mom's Glynis socks. They turned out wonderfully and it was really hard to wrap them up and hand them over. As I mentioned in my last post, this pattern is great, but there is a mistake printed in the book. Definitely check out the errata on the Interweave site (link above). I knit these using the magic loop method on 2s with Knit Picks stroll. I love the color, which I believe is called "Sparkle." Overall, I loved the pattern even though it was a bit of the challenge, and the yarn was great to work with. My mom was so excited to receive these. She constantly is telling everyone how great hand knit socks are, so I think just about all of our family members have asked for some socks.

The only other Christmas present I managed to make this year was for my brother. I make him something every year. I try to make something useful, such as gloves or scarves. He doesn't like useless stuff, but I ignored that and decided to make him a toy this year. As a native Texan, he's loved armadillos his whole life. I found this (sorry, ravelry only link) pattern and immediately knew I had to make it. He was a blast to make, and I'm now on the lookout for other cute toys. I believe I knit his body and appendages on 2.5 dpns. His shell was knit with 8s. His body is made out of Bernat Bamboo. The pattern called for another Bernat natural blend that I couldn't find. The bamboo actually worked out perfectly. He's very soft and cuddly! His shell is Bernat Alpaca. The eyes were the most challenging part of the whole project. The pattern linked to a great tutorial. The method sounds a little crazy, but the results are ideal.

I was in Dallas for a wedding at the beginning of January. Every trip to Dallas means a visit to Hobby Lobby. By far my favorite large chain craft store, I miss it dearly when I'm here in Arizona. So, anyways, a trip to Hobby Lobby led me to pick up some fuzzy Yarn Bee Surprise. I'd been wanting a mindless knit, and immediately cast on for a simple garter stitch scarf. I made it a bit too wide, so even using every yard of the skein, the final result is a bit too short, but I think it works well tucked into my coat. It was knit on 10 1/2s for a super, super quick, instant gratification sort of project. The width I randomly chose worked really well with the self-striping nature of the yarn and it's very cozy. Super satisfied with the result, and the skein I bought in a different color is going to very quickly become a very similar, if slightly narrower, scarf.

So, I've had a skein of Manos del Uruguay sitting around for very close to four years. It was sitting on my table tempting me a couple of weeks ago, and I finally decided on a pattern for it. I chose the Big Blue Beret. I love the pattern, though I made some pretty severe changes in the decreasing. The pattern tells you to knit for about 8" before beginning to decrease. I knit about 5" and then decreased very gradually for a few inches. I used the last scraps of yarn to make the pom pom because I firmly believe that all hats are better off with pompoms.

I've got a couple of different sock projects on the needles right now, but I'll save those for sharing later when I have something worth showing off.

In other exciting knit news, if you're on ravelry, I just got asked permission to have a photo of one of my projects used on a pattern page. I'm really psyched about it. Check out the Toasty Twisty scarf pattern here on ravelry.

Again, I apologize for our extended absence. I hope no one missed us too much. I might promise to not disappear again, but you know what? I feel like we'd never succeed in that mission.

<3 uhlissa

Socks and Such

2009-11-25T13:02:00.007-06:00

As usual, Ambrrr ahed both of them within a two week time span, which is pretty impressive for me. Not only did I knit relatively quickly, I knit bothnd I have both proven to be exceptionally good at slacking off about posting. But luckily, there has been knitting progress made, and now the inspiration to post has finally struck me.

First off, I finished my Aquaphobias. I mentioned them in my last post. They've become my favorite socks. Super comfy, though something's vaguely wrong with the cuff. It's a little bit loose, but because of the strength of the rest of the sock, they don't sag down at all. I finis socks without taking a break in between. I made a lot of progress on these while knitting at the bar. They were a great conversation starter since they're so bold and fun.

I bought Cookie's book Sock Innova tion and immediately started a project the moment the book arrived. I chose Glynis and used Knit Picks Stroll in Sprinkle Heather. I had a little trouble in the beginning with the stitch pattern. There are a lot of K3tog and SSSKs. Once I got the hang though, it was decently easy to understand. If you're knitting this project, definitely check out the errata on the Interweave site. There's a typo in the gusset (which I didn't come across, since I substituted a short row heel), and one in the 8th row of the foot, which if you don't catch disrupts the number of stitches you have at the end of the row. I love the result, but have decided to be generous and gift these to my mom for Christmas.

The only other thing I've finished recently was a beer cozy. One of my friends asked me if I thought I could knit one. I took the challenge and found a pattern. I adapted it a bit. I used US7s and Lion Brand Wool-Ease, and made the body in seed stitch. The recipient was pretty psyched about it, and I was pretty happy with the result. It was a very quick knit, and I'm thinking about knitting a few more in different colors and patterns for Christmas gifts.

Right now I'm knitting some more fingerless gloves. I knit a pair last year for my brother, and my dad was envious. So, this week while I'm in Tulsa for Thanksgiving I'm trying to his pair finished up. It's going very quickly when I sit down and work on it. When I finish them, I'll go into more details about the adjustments I made to the pattern.

Well, that's about all folks. I talked to the lovely Ambrrr earlier this afternoon and if she follows through on her word, she'll be updating soon too.

Happy Thanksgiving week to everyone who celebrates this great glutinous holiday. Looking forward to all the turkey and mashed potatoes and the food coma that will be sure to follow.

<3 uhlissa

Summer, where did you go?

2009-09-11T15:39:00.007-06:00

So, every time I'm pretty determined to update more frequently, I end up disappearing instead. I haven't knitted too much this summer. When it's over 100 out every day, cozying up to a ball of wool isn't the most appealing of ideas. Despite the desert heat, I managed to knock a few projects out.

1. Shawl. My grandmother's birthday was at the end of July and a big family gathering in California was planned. My mother told me that my grandmother would be very appreciative of something hand knit and suggested a shawl. An unfortunate turn of events canceled the California plans, and ended with a hospital visit in Nevada instead. I managed to finish the shawl in time, and she loved it. Unfortunately, because (as usual) I cut it so close, there are no finished pictures. Only the very beginning was documented. It's a basic stockinette shawl with some garter stitch edges and a futile attempt at lace at the ends. It's Lion Brand Homespun because it was the only thing I could find in the colors my grandmother for some reason adores.

2. Whitney's Pillow. Around my birthday my good friend learned to quilt and embroider and made me an amazing pillow. I decided to repay the favor for her birthday, though I decided to not learn any new crafts, since I already feel like I have too many. I tried first to do some color work and include a heart on one side and a big "W" on the other. The heart looked acceptable, but the W was a mess, and I tore out everything. I ended up just knitting a pillow case plain in the round, stitching on some felt hearts and sewing it shut around a pillow form. Not my greatest moment, but the recipient seemed appreciative.

3. Bad at Color Work Pillow. After my failed attempt at color work on the first pillow, I decided to try again. I had a vision in my head, and a hell of a lot of free time, since I was stranded at my family's house in rural Oklahoma. The colors weren't exactly what I wanted, and there are some serious issues with the color work, but from far away it still looks pretty cool.

4. Twisty scarf. While I was in Nevada, I taught my little cousin to knit. Her mother (my aunt) has been asking me for a scarf for a very long time. After seeing them, I decided I should probably actually do it. I found this great reversible pattern and started knitting. It's not as thick as necessary for the recipient who lives in Ohio, but I'm so in love with it, that I'm making this one for myself. It's knit with naturallycaron.com Country, which is pretty nice to knit with. I'm planning on making this very long and wearing it the minute it gets below seventy here in the desert. (I'll take pictures when I get some more progress made).

5. Aquaphobia socks. While stranded in Oklahoma, I entertained myself with online shopping, including a visit to Knit Picks. When I finally returned to the Old Pueblo, I had a bunch of yarn waiting for me, including a hank of Stroll in the colorway Cartoons. Not usually my color palette, but I love it sooooo much. It took a while to find a pattern to compliment the yarn, and I finally settled on Aquaphobia. I've knit one sock, and it is glorious. Knitting on 1s for the first time wasn't as bad as I expected. I'm being surprisingly good and have actually cast on the second sock instead of starting the other projects I have planned for the rest of my knit picks purchase.

So, that's what I've been up to since I posted last near the end of July. I'm supposed to be cleaning and rearranging the house I just moved into a few weeks before my almost-month stuck in OK, but I've been distracted by yarn and the internet.

I hope everyone's read Ambrr's last few posts. I don't get quite as philosophical as she does, but I definitely encourage some introspection on our own knitting habits.

What's everyone out there on the interweb been knitting this summer? Any grand plans for fall? My goal is to find a job, and actually knit the pairs for all my lonely socks.

<3 uhlissa

Let's talk about socks, baby

2009-07-26T17:58:00.003-06:00

(I refuse to believe I'm not the first blogger to come up with that subject line.)

ANYHOO, I was just thinking about how strangely divisive socks are in the knitting community. There are those who hate them and would never even think about knitting a pair, and there are those who can't imagine actually buying a sock from a retail store when they can make their own. The latter group has divisions of its own - DPNs vs Magic Loop vs Two Circs, fiber wars, the works. Socks is a crazy subject.

I am the Switzerland of socks.

I've been knitting off and on since I was 8, really getting back into the craft in high school and college. By the time I was 19/20 I'd made potholders (both on purpose and accidental), sweaters (ok, just the one huge one), scarves, hats, fingerless gloves, lots of things. But I'd never made a sock. Until the Knitty of Winter 2006, when a pattern called Monkey caught my eye.

I was awestruck, both by the beautiful pattern and colorful designer/model Cookie. If I made this pair of socks, would I too become as hip, knowledgeable and supremely well coiffed as Ms. A? Short answer: No. Longer answer: HELL no, idiot! But I WOULD become fascinated with an item of clothing I'd never thought to make before. My first pair of Monkeys was knit in Knit Picks Memories, and because I knew pretty much nothing about yarn (haha, still don't) they felted after a few washings and were unwearable. But I was hooked.

That first pair was knit on DPNS, and I continued to use them until I found out about Magic Loop, which I regarded as some kind of miracle magic. Non knitters seemed to feel the same way, staring at me like I was creating clothing out of thin air. I don't recall having trouble turning a heel (which seems to be the main complaint of the anti-sock group); when I got confused Ravelry and the internet had abundant amounts of information regarding the caring, keeping and knitting of socks.

I became the Switzerland of socks when I realized that people became very, very particular about the way you knit your toe toasters. I say (as they say in Switerland*) do what you gotta do. Hate knitting socks? Then don't, dude. That's cool with me. Love socks only on DPNs? More power to you! Magic Loop's the only way? As long as you don't strangle me with your circ we are fine. Knitting is knitting is knitting, so as long as there's fiber in your hands and needles in your closet (or something like that) we are all on the planet Knitting Nerd, capiche?

I know that there are lots more Switzerlands (Switzerlii?) in the socks community. I say be proud! If not, come on in, there is cocoa and cheese and very nice knives and clocks.

- Love love AMBRRR (who promises some photos soon, as soon as the bees stop scaring me out of the backyard)

*This is a lie.

Say Whaaaaaat?

2009-07-19T14:36:00.004-06:00

It's amazing! I'M ALIVE!

Yes, dear readers, contrary to popular belief I am not hidden away in a bunker somewhere so Uhlissa can take over the blagh. No, no, the truth is much sadder - I am graduated, unemployed and sad. D:

But I HAVE been knitting a little! Mostly my attention is divided between:

- a present for a cute couple I know, half of which I worked with at the Tulane Regional Urban Design Center. Is this all an insidious plan to steal their adorable mini Dachshund? Maybe. I can say no more.
- a shrug that used to be my February Lady Sweater and is currently a Little Peacock Shrug (although my inability to read the pattern properly means I'll probably be frogging it to make something else soon).
- a Montego Bay scarf that I cast on and knit one pattern repeat of approximately... a month ago. I didn't even put it up on Ravelry, that's how much attention I've paid to it.
- An Amineko crocheted cat for my little cousin out of some yarn I've got hanging around. I have not worked on it for a month and a half. (Rav Pattern Link)

So clearly the blagh isn't the only thing suffering from my ADD. Job searching takes up a lot of my time too, as does all the crying and sitting in the fetal position. You know, busy times.

As if I didn't have enough to think about and do I've started hula hooping to loose weight. It's extremely fun, and if you listen to music time passes like you wouldn't believe. I just started yesterday and I am going to have bruises, let me tell you.

OK, off to look at patterns for the Noro sock yarn Uhlissa bought me for my birthday last year. Wheeeeeee!

- Love love AMBRRR

Jaywalkers = done!

2009-06-24T20:04:00.005-06:00

So, in my last post, I spent a lot of time talking about my Jaywalkers. In the past couple of days I got inspired and determined to finish them. Today I rode my bike to my favorite bar/pizza place and finished up the foot. When I got home this afternoon, I finished the toe. I'm very happy with the result. They are super comfy, and I look forward to weather where socks are appropriate (probably months from now). Arizona, 103 degrees and bike riding don't really lend themselves to hand knits, but I usually ignore that and knit as much as I can anyways. I do however, have the definite sunburn to prove I love being outside even in this ridiculous heat.

Also, dear readers, comment and encourage Ambrr to update. My text message pleas are apparently falling on deaf ears, and I am very anxious to see all the glorious things I know she's been working on.

<3 uhlissa

I Pretty Much Only Knit Socks

2009-06-19T16:02:00.009-06:00

In case y'all didn't see, I just updated my last post (three months later....) with some pictures. And that motivated to post again. Ready to catch up on four months of knitting?

1. Jaywalkers. One day in March, on my way home from lunch I decided I had earned a treat. I stopped by my LYS (Kiwi Knitting) and bought some Crystal Palace Pand a Superwas h. It's this really cool mauve color, with bright orange and blue and green and yellow. I decided I'd finally try out the infamous Jaywalker (ravelry link) pattern. The yarn is a little bit splitty, but otherwise feels amazing. The pattern is so easy to memorize, which makes this pattern very transportable. The only adjustment I made while knitting was to make the leg several inches shorter than called for. A few weeks ago I was in Kentucky visiting my brother, and I got invited to a craft night, where I cast on the second sock. Everyone was really impressed, which is always a great feeling. In the past week I turned the heel on the second sock and will hopefully get them done pretty soon.

2. Juggling balls. My friend Amy has always really like the juggling balls I knit myself, and requested some for her birthday. Of course I obliged. I think I made them out of some magenta Vanna's Choice.

3. Kindness socks. I finally decided to learn how to do magic loop socks. It's amazing, and I'm trying to never go back to dpns. I ordered some Knit Picks needles and this Essential yarn (colorway is Fruit punch, which makes me smile). It took me a while to find a pattern that was simple enough to learn magic loop on, and looked pretty good in the yarn. I stumbled upon this pattern via ravelry. Like my Jaywalkers, I shortened the leg. I don't really like the toe that the pattern calls for, but I did it anyway. If I were to make another pair, I'd definitely change it up. This was also my first experience with a three needle bind off. Loved it! Might incorporate it into more of my knitting. I haven't started the second sock, but plan to once I finish my jaywalker and maybe the pomatomus I haven't mentioned yet....

4. Pomatomus. I have been in love with this pattern for as long as I can remember, and finally developed the courage to try it out. I bought the yarn at a Christmas sale in December at the Stitchworks in Tulsa. It's Plymouth Happy Feet, which has quickly become one of my favorite sock yarns. The subtle color changes make this sock so sexy. I don't know why, but the word "sexy" just constantly comes to mind when I'm looking at this sock. I'm absolutley in love, though it's taking forever, and after two and a half months I'm just now turning the heel on the first one. Oh well, it will be completed, it will have a mate, and they will be glorious.

I also want to give dear ambrr a shout out for the best birthday present ever, which I've been meaning to blog about. Of course she bought me yarn, but not just any yarn. Dream in Color Smooshy, which is wonderful, and I mostly just cuddle with it. I think it will become Blackrose socks, but I'm open to other pattern suggestions.

Once again it is summertime, and I have endless free time. Hopefully the knitting and blog-updating will both increase. What's on your needles this summer?

<3 uhlissssa

We're Baaaccckkk!

2009-03-16T08:07:00.003-06:00

Hello!

I'm well aware that we have been silent for a very, very extended period of time. Unfortunately, neither Ambrrr or I have been off having amazing adventures. Ambrrr's working on her thesis, and I'm struggling through grad school. Also, the fact that we live more than a thousand miles apart has apparently had some effect on our blogging. But, we're currently in the same city! (on Spring Break for me) and have been inspired to fill you in on what's been going on, knitwise anyway.

This summer I was knitting like a fiend, and updating pretty well. In August I moved to Arizona to work on my masters, and school has stolen all the time I used to spend doing things that make me happy. Despite being incredibly busy, I was able to get a few projects knocked out.

I might be missing a few items, but I'm not even in the same state as all my FOs, so we'll just have to hope I get them all in. And apparently I don't have pictures of most of these readily available, so bear with me until later in the week when I'm home and can fix that.

Wedding Shrug. My uncle got married in October, outside in Northern California. I had a perfect dress, but it was going to be far too cold, so I knit myself a shrug. I used the "Posh Wedding Shrug" pattern, knit with Bernat Alpaca in a slightly off-white color. The yarn made it very soft and cozy, but was a little too fuzzy and kept leaving fiber on everyone. Being the amazing procrastinator that I am, my brother was driving us to the wedding, and in the valet line I was sewing in the loose ends. Unfortunately, I wasn't completely done (I hadn't managed to get the lace edge or the ribbons done), but it looked pretty good. I was actually the flower girl (a dream come true!) so all eyes were on me, and I was overly conscious of how unfinished I must look, but I got a lot of compliments, especially from other knitters. I've been meaning to finish the last few details, but keep getting distracted by other activities.

Every year I knit my brother a christmas present. He's a very practical guy and hates useless junk. A few years back I had knit him fingerless gloves. He destroyed or lost them in some way, so I made replacements. I decided to go all out and use sock yarn and a really fine gauge to hopefully inspire him to take care of them. I used this pattern for inspiration and some math help on the fingers, but a lot of it, I just kind of winged. I used Red Heart Heart & Sole sock yarn. as usual, I needed to find a yarn I didn't think he could destroy, and I was interested to try this stuff out. It was surprisingly nice to knit with. I was nervous about the size of the first one, and waited until I was back in Tulsa for Christmas and had my dad try it on. It fit perfectly, so I cast on the second. Then my dad demanded a pair, which I barely started after the first pair was completed. I want to make some for myself.

About two weeks ago, I decided to cast on my second Charade sock. Yes, it's been almost a year since the first one was completed. I only knit about an inch before my life caught back up with me. Luckily, spring break is here, and I've been sitting in New Orleans enjoying my break and knitting non-stop. In the past four days I've knit almost the entire sock. All I have left is the toe. I'm in love with the pattern, and the yarn (my first Koigu experience). I can't wait to have the sock done today so I can wear them soon.

<3 uhlissa

Well Well Well

2008-11-07T14:54:00.004-06:00

Long time no post! And look, me with absolutely no knitting photos. My sidebar is completely shot, guys... I'll have to do a complete overhaul sometime during Winter Break.

I'm actually posting to talk about one of my OTHER favorite things: PENS. In particular, JetPens, and their amazing selection of Japanese and otherwise hard to find pens, pencils, brushes and other fantastic items. I was lucky enough to get to review two colors of the Uni-ball Signo DX UM-151, in Lime Green and Mandarin Orange. Both are the .38mm size.

The main reason I haven't posted this review sooner (I am ashamed to tell you exactly when I got these, it was way too long ago) is that I've just been constantly using these pens. Uni-ball Signos are fantastic, I ordered one in Black (.38mm) and Green (.28mm) over the summer and use them constantly. I wasn't too sure about their new colors, they seemed way too bright. Again, because JetPens is so awesome they sent some samples out to reviewers, and I was chosen! It was like my birthday, Christmas, and some sort of pen related holiday all in one.

While they look bright at first, both the Lime Green and Mandarin Orange (the orange a bit more so) mellow out a little on paper, without the ink in the barrel being "deceptive" in color. I enjoy using them to write in dark classrooms. As with the other Signo DXes I own the ink flows smoothly from the first time you put pen to paper, with little to no bleed-through (even though I held the pen in place for three to four seconds). The line is thin and clear, and niiiiiiice.

Without reservations I recommend these pens, and any in the Uni-ball Signo DX line. Fantastic pens, great price, everyone wins.

Photos are forthcoming! And maybe one day some knitting.

<3 Ambrrr

Bad Pooling or Psychedelic Trip?

2008-09-07T10:51:00.005-06:00

So, several months ago (middle of July-ish) I decided to knit some little socklets. I was inspired by the BMG Footies, but didn't really feel like reading a pattern. I just winged it. I obviously made a few mistakes, but they turned out pretty well, and are reasonably comfortable.

The yarn is Plymouth Happy Feet, which I had never seen until I bought this at the Stitchworks in Tulsa. It was really fun to watch as I was knitting. The individual colors are so much more vibrant than when you look at the finished project. There was a green that happened everyonceinawhile that I loved so mschool. I have a lot of long breaks in my schedule, that make great knitting time, assuming I don't have too much work to do. I had quite a uch, I almost wished the whole sock were that color. Also, there was the weirdest pooling I've ever seen in my life. I think I like it?

I knit the first sock this summer, on evening's after work. The second, I cast on while I was at school on my first day of grad few positive reactions on the several days I was sitting around knitting.

This is the first time I didn't meticulously count rows or make notes. I think I got the short row heels identical, but I'm not sure about the length of the foot. It's not noticeable even if it's not exact.

Details:
Pattern: My own, mostly
Yarn: Plymouth Happy Feet, less than one skein
Needles: US 2/ 2.75 mm.
Cast on: July 23, 2008
Cast off: September 6, 2008
No reason they took so long except that I moved, started school and had 8 other projects going in this time frame.

That's all for now.

I've done a few other things recently, so I'll update again. And I'll yell at miss ambrrr to update, cause I know she's got some good things goin'.

<3 uhlissa

Ravelry has Kidnapped our Devotion to the Blog

2008-07-21T18:19:00.012-06:00

Dear Readers,

I apologize for our lack of posting. I'm blaming ravelry. Also, the fact that Ambrrr and I both work and are very easily distracted by the tv and rest of the internets.

Anyways, on to the knit goods:

I dyed my first yarns! I had dye and yarn sitting around for over a year, and finally used it. I did three different combinations of the three colors of dye (Lilac, Violet and Gunmetal). Something weird happened to one skein, so we won't be talking about it.

The darker skein has contributed to half a pair of sock. It's would be a whole pair of socks, but I get distracted. The sock is Catherine on US2s. The yarn, which is Knit Picks Bare, would have showed the pattern better if it weren't so dark. The colors managed to self stripe a little, which actually looks surprisingly cool. I also threw in a short row heel, which is my new passion. I love the pattern, and am pretty happy with the overall result.

My brother called me one night while I was working on abovementioned sock, and when I told him I was sock knitting, he demanded a pair. "demanded" might be too strong a word, but not really. All he said he wanted was black. I needed to find something he could wash and dry, since I have no faith in his ability to take care of things. I also needed a pattern that wouldn't bore me to death, but would be subtle enough for him. Per usual, I've only got one sock knit, but I'm so excited about it.

It's very difficult to photograph, and also looks silly as it was knit for a foot about three inches bigger than mine. That's part of why I haven't knit the second. He'll be here in a few weeks to help me move half way across the country. I will have him try the sock on, and then on the two day drive, I will knit the other sock. Or that's the plan.

Details:
Pattern: Rudy Got Sole
Needles: US 1 1/2 dpns. The smallest I've ever used. I love them.
Yarn; Regia Silk. I love it sooo much. I want to make myself something out of it.
I added a short row heel, because that's what I do now.

Every year I knit Whitney a birthday present. We were roommates both freshman and senior year of college, and she's one of my favorite people ever. Well, anyways, back when I knit my bolero, she kept trying to steal it, and suggested I make her a turquoise one. I totally intended to do it for Christmas ( I even went to Garden District Needlework and bought the yarn), but just now had the time and right occassion. I finished at about 130 this morning. I was determined, and needed to get it mailed today. But that's going to be my excuse for the crazy picture.

Pattern: Ribbed Lace Bolero
Yarn: Cascade 220 in Lagoon (7812)
Needles: US8 and US10 1/2 (which is why I think it took so long---the 10 1/2s were super slippery and not sharp enough)

I finally finished my bag. Last time I posted I mentioned I was in the mood to knit a bag. I actually started one, and it was sitting around for over a month just waiting for me to finish sewing up the strap. I just finished it, and am so excited, I already threw all my purse contents in it.
Pattern: Bag
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease in White Multi (IT SPARKLES!)
Needles:
Lining it was pretty difficult, and the strap was a nightmare. Mostly because of my choice of construction. I didn't just want a garter stitch strap, so I knit a strip of stockinette, cut a piece of fabric, and sewed the fabric into the knittin (if that makes any sense...which it doesn't).

One more sock:
The artichoke sock. In lovely, lovely drops alpaca. This was my first short row heel, and how I fell in love with the technique. The sock looks strange and disproportionate, but it's so comfy.

Whew. That was a super post. I'll be back before too long. For now, I'm off to cast on something new.

<3
uhlissa

Oh Dears

2008-06-20T22:33:00.003-06:00

First off, let me just say how much I love the foto of Sheeps! in her pearls surrounded by yarns. This accurately depicts how Uhlissa and I spent our final times together at Tulane, but with more tears (in my case).

No knitting has been going on in these here Ohio parts, I've also hit something of a standstill in Uhlissa's graduation present. Hopefully it will be finished tomorrow and mailed soon... I sort of suck.

BUT! I know what I want to do for my next knitting project - Ene's Scarf left me drained and weary, I still haven't blocked the ends and it's been done for about 20 days now....

MONKEYS! Again! I knit Monkeys as my very first sock project, out of Knitpicks Memories in Yukon. They sadly felted and can no longer be found, and I was upset about this. BUT (AGAIN)! I have discovered Dream in Color Smooshy, in the shade of Lipstick Lava, and will soon (like in two weeks) order a skein to make Hot Hot Monkeys and everyone will be happy, most of all me.

So that is what's the what. Catch you later, my babies!

(Incidentally I too made a horrid 1930's housewife, which might be better for everyone in the long run)

<3 Ambrrr

Uh Ohs

2008-06-10T18:41:00.004-06:00

So, Ambrrr found this quiz, and I am proud to report I would have been a failure as a housewife in the 1930s. Honestly, this result is perfectly inline with my goals for myself as a woman.

As a 1930s wife, I am
Very Poor (Failure)

Take the test!

I'm sure if it asked more about knitting, I'm sure I wouldn't have been such a failure. However, I would apparently make a pretty awesome 1930s husband. Good to know.

129

As a 1930s husband, I am
Very Superior

Take the test!

Just thought I'd share with ya'll. No knitting update right now, even though I've made some progress on a bad I'm knitting. I'm pretty psyched about it.

<3

Stash-Down Update

2008-06-09T17:58:00.005-06:00

So, I've finished yet another project.

I made toeless socks. I'd been intrigued by the idea, and I have found them to be pretty much the best thing ever. I love knitting worsted weight socks because they go so quickly. I love toeless socks because I love flip flops. All of these things are wonderful. I love the color green I used. Check out some pictures, and then the details:

Pattern: Pedicure Socks from Knitty
Yarn: Cascade 220 in a gorgeous apple sort of green that's been in my stash since who knows when
Needles: US7 dpns

Took about two days to complete both of them. I tested them out by going to the mailbox a little while ago. They're totally great, especially on summer days like today, when it rained for eight hours and is about 20 degrees cooler than it has been the past few weeks.

Also, wanted to show my stashbusting progress:
The Baby blanket used 1 whole skein of cream colored baby soft and about half a skein each of blue and green. That's a total of 2 skeins.
The homespun hat used almost every bit of the skein of homespun. That makes three so far.
The quant used almost a whole skein of SWS. We're up to 4.
This beautiful specimen of footwear used about 75% of a skein, and I like to round up. 5 skeins!!

5 skeins is small when looking at it as a percentage of my stash, but still, it's a start. I'm in the mood to make a bag. I'm scouring the rav right now to find something inspiring.

<3 uhlissa

I Am A Knitting Machine

2008-06-06T18:39:00.007-06:00

Hello World.

The past few days I've been knitting like crazy. I have also declared it THE SUMMER OF THE STASH. I'm going to try my darndest to resist purchasing any new yarn. I can't make any promises and it will definitely be an exercise in self-control, but I'm sure going to try.

Yesterday I finished a hat made from the homespun I received last year as part of the Secret Pal 10. I kind of winged the pattern based on my experience with Purl Bee Berets and the Mary Jane Pithy Hat.

I started with some 1x1 ribbing on a US4 circ. I changed to US7 and increased into every stitch. I decided it wasn't what I wanted and switched up to a 10 1/2, which I used for the rest of the hat. The yarn was a very interesting thick and thin in yellow with swirls of blue and red. In some spots the colors are gorgeously vibrant. I'm pretty happy with it. As a blonde, I really shouldn't wear yellow hats, but apparently I can't help my self.

Today, I finished my second quant.
I used Paton's SWS in natural pink on US8s. It went very quickly. I cast on last night and finished this afternoon. I'm totally enraptured with the joy that is entrelac. I can't wait to do some more. I'm not thrilled with how it turned out. It's almost too wide for my head, and I don't like the way the pattern ends. I'm not anticipating giving this a lot of wear, but it was indeed a stashbusting project, so no regrets.

As far as stashbusting goals go, I have four giant tubs of yarn, and keep finding more every time I unpack a box or dig through a bag. These projects almost completely used up full skeins. The baby blanket I finished used up a total of 2 skeins of yarn. I'm going to set my goal not in objects made, but in skeins used up from my stash.

So, here goes: Official Goal for Skeins Used This Summer*:3o

This number might be unrealistic or a complete underestimate. We'll see.

Share your goals, and let's all de-stash together!!

*Summer being defined as the period between graduation and the first day of graduate school.

<3 uhlissa

Baby Knits

2008-06-04T13:39:00.007-06:00

The blanket is done! Well, the knitting is done. It has some ends to be woven in and I'm going to attempt to block it. But overlooking those things, IT'S DONE! It took about two months, from casting on to binding off. Of course, in those two months, a lot of things other than knitting took place, like finishing college, graduating and moving.

Details:
Pattern: Round or Pinwheel Baby Blanket (found on ravelry, just like everything else I love)
Needles: US6, dpns, 16" and 47" circulars
Yarn: Lion Brand Baby Soft in cream, bluebell and pistachio. I used almost exactly the whole skein of cream and about half of each of the others.
I used a border that another raveler came up with, that a lot of people have used. Mine's not lying flat really, but I think the slight curl/ruffle is kind of nice.
I talked to the mommy-to-be yesterday and told her I was knitting her something. She was really excited, but I refused to tell her what it was. Apparently the blanket matches her color scheme. As soon as I get it all blocked I'll be taking it to her.

I'm really happy with the outcome, but I'm glad to be done. Near the end it became pretty tedious, and I'd take breaks to wind balls of other yarn and plan out future projects. Look forward to a handspun hat, another quant and various other beautiful things.

<3 uhlissa

p.s. congrats to ambrrr on being employed.

Oops, oh my!

2008-05-25T12:09:00.003-06:00

Dearest Chickadees and Chickadudes,

My humblest, humblest apologies for neglecting this blargh for as long as I have. Dearest Uhlissa has been after me to update, so I must confess it is my own lackadaisical nature that led to the dearth of updates on my part.

As if stands, the BHnPKS has been temporarily disbanded due to two things: Summer Break, and the Grandest A+ Adventure of All: Uhlissa's Graduation! On May 17th Uhlissa graduated from Tulane with a fancy fancy degree and neat hat. There were robes involved, as well. There will soon be pictures of this grand event, and of us and BHnPKS mascot Sheeps! looking our smiley best.

On the knitting front, it is probably best if you can join us on the Rav. Most of my updates go there now, although soon I will start a summer internship (June 1st, to be exact) and we'll see what working from 8 to 4:30 does for knitting time. The real world! How does one deal with it?!

On the needles now: Ene's Scarf. I KNOW! Here are the notes I've posted on Rav:

Needles: Knitpicks Harmony Circs US 6, 47"
Yarn: Knitpicks Gloss in Dolphin, bought 4 skeins

5/19/08: Arrive home from Tulane. Drop by library to pick up “Scarf Style.” Cast on. 375 sts later, wishing self to be dead.

5/20/08: Row 3 of Chart 1 is confusing me. I am sad. May stab self with sharp, sharp Harmony circs.

5/20/08 B: Have figured out sekkrit. Is most sekkrit of sekkrits - the markers must move. SCIENCE!

5/21/08: Am now onto Chart 3, having finished Charts 1 and 2. Three shalt be the number of the chart, and the number of the chart shalt be three. Chart 4 shalt thou not knit (yet), nor either reknit thou Chart 2. Chart 5 is right out. Once Chart 3, being the third number, be reached, then, lobbest thou thy Scarf of Ene towards thy foe, who, being naughty in My sight, shall snuff it.

As of today I'm onto the second repeat of five total of Chart 3... I can't say it's getting easier but I've definitely established a rhythm.

So keep cool, my babies!

<3 Ambrrr

We Meet Again

2008-04-21T12:37:00.006-06:00

Dear Blog and Readers,

Ambrrr and I didn't mean to neglect you, and we are very sorry. Our lives have been overrun with things like school and trying to decide what to do with our futures. No big deal. In exciting news, I just got my acceptance letter for graduate school today. I already knew I had been accepted, because of some e-mail correspondence that had taken place, but having the physical letter is such a validation and thrill. Unfortunately, what this means is that Ambrrr and I will be separating ways in about a month. That does not mean the Black Heels and Purls will perish, it will just be written from cities 1400 miles apart. I promise you this distance will not affect our dedication (which exists, despite recent lapses in posting). And now dear readers, I update you on what's actually been accomplished, as far as knitting goes, in the past month of my life:

Charade Sock

Yes, just one. I finished it, and can't be inspired to start the other. I had a horrible time with this. I knit two inches knowing that it looked wrong before I figured out what I was doing. I ripped back and restarted. It went pretty quickly, and it's beautiful. I'm not really a big fan of the toe, but that's ok.
Made in Koigu KPPPM on size 2 dpns.

Spiral Baby Blanket

I've had my eye on this blanket for a long while, not really sure who I could make it for. A woman I worked with a few summers ago recently let me know she was having a baby boy in August. I decided immediately that a blanket was in order. I just started a few days ago, and am very excited about it.
It's knit in three colors of Lion Brand Baby Soft of US 6s. I'm worried that when it gets a bit larger in diameter I'm going to regret using something with such a fine gauge, but right now it's not so bad, and I'm really excited about how pretty it seems to be.

Sadly that's all that's been accomplished. Hopefully more soon.

With Love,
uhlissa

Hello World, How Are You?

2008-03-09T11:00:00.010-06:00

Hello blog. I'm sorry I neglect you. I've been busy! I'd love to tell you I'm just focusing so much on school right now that I don't have time for anything else, but that would be a blatant lie. I play a lot of cards, juggle, knit a bit and am generally lazy.

But here's what I've been doing:
I knit juggling balls. They work. I love them.
Pattern: Oh Ba lls!
Yarn: Vanna's Choice in colors I just had sitting around
Needles: US7 dpns
I just used beans instead of fluff. Eventually I'll get a picture of my mad juggling skills for all of you to witness and appreciate.

On Valentine's Day I posted a picture of the Heart Bouquet, but didn't say anything about it. My friend Amy was my valentine. She put together a scavenger hunt and cooked dinner. I knit a bouquet of hearts and made desert.

There were a total of 16 hearts made from this pattern.
Yarns: Cascade 220 in Ruby; Red Heart Soft Yarn in Fuchsia; Vanna's Choice in Dusty Rose, Mustard, Purple, Brick, Dusty Purple, and some blue/green color; Wool Ease in dark rose heather, blue heather and ranch red; bernat cashmere blend in rain and ocean; karabella aurora 8 in some dark purple; and Berella 4 in burnt orange and rich pink.
Needles: US6 dpns

I also made some heart sachets for my roommates. The heart pattern is from the earflap of a hat in an old Knit.1. I stuffed them with fluff and added some potpourri.

I'm currently working on Charade socks. It's been an interesting adventure, which I will explore further once I finish them.

Happy Knitting!

<3 uhlissa

Oh. ... Whoops.

2008-03-07T11:29:00.003-06:00

So, how about that knitblog? I vaguely remember something like that, where I would post pictures and talk about what I was crafting. That was nice.

Oh, what? That's here? Amazing!

I'm trying to remember what I've finished/worked on since we last spoke FOREVER ago.... I'l just go with what's up on the Rav.

THINGS THAT ARE DONE:
- Clapotis (post photos)
- Artichoke Sock (needs photos)
- Deathscythe and Secret Santa Axel Mitts (take/post photos)
- Cheap-O Thorpe (take/post photos)
- Happy Fun Lime (post photos)
- Koolhaas (post photos)
- Ou y Quant? (post photos)
- Mini-o-metry (take/post photos)
- Hearts for Merith (take/post photos)

THINGS THAT ARE WIP:
- Casey's Brioche Scarf (pretty much on hold at this point, haven't worked on it since December)
- Other Jellyfish Smooshy
- Jaywalkers - nearing completion and quite nice (take/post photos)

THINGS I MIGHT FROG:
- Glittens on Kittens Also Wearing Mittens - kind of tight; yarn is annoying me

OK, now I shall go back to paying attention to this Digital Media lecture.

Ciao, bella(s)!

<3 Ambrrr

Happy Valentine's Day from the BHNPKS

2008-02-14T12:36:00.001-06:00

How Ambrrr and Uhlissa Spent Their Mardi Gras: A Photo Essay

2008-02-07T10:56:00.000-06:00

Ok. You caught me. This isn't really how we spent Mardi Gras. It's how we spent about four minutes of Lundi Gras (or "Monday" to all ya'll who are unfamiliar). Making faces. It's what we do. Actually, we did lots of other things. There were parades. And a wee bit of knitting. And more than a few drinks. We'll update soon with an actual update. Maybe. I just like to keep you guessing.
<3 uhlissa

I have so much free time I should have knit more than this

2008-01-28T17:00:00.000-06:00

So, I find myself in my last semester of college. Bizarre. It's one of the strangest feelings I've ever had. It means my real life is fast approaching. It also means I'm only taking 12 hours and have a lot of time to do the things that I enjoy. This semester I've been doing a lot of things I enjoy, not just knitting. Sadly, that means there's not much to blog about right now.

But here are the things I've accomplished in the three weeks I've been back in school:
1. Malabrigo Mary Jane

Yarn: Malabrigo in violetas
Pattern: Mary Jane Pithy Hat
Needles: US9 ( I think..) that I borrowed from ambrrr
I'm in love with this hat. I love the pom pom. I did the decreases slightly more gradually than written in the pattern, to smooth things out a bit, but it's still a bit too gathered for my taste. I've worn it a couple of times, and it's mostly fun to pet.

2. Amelia Earhart Aviator Cap

Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Worsted in Dark Wool Heather.
Pattern: Amelia Earhart Aviator
Needles: US 8 (I think...) I should probably pay more attention.
My roommate describes this as my 20s swim cap. I kind of agree. It keeps my ears warm. I also added some braids. I'm debating on a pom-pom, because I seamed pretty poorly. Any opinions?

3. The never ending purl bee beret

Yarn: Lion Brand Microspun in Ebony
Pattern: Purl Bee Beret
Needles: US4
This hat has taken me longer than the one I made on 2s did. I just can't get into it, and the yarn splits a lot. The splitting has gotten better, but the first several rows were unpleasant. It was supposed to be for my aunt's birthday, but that was yesterday. I really like how it's looking, I just can't get it done.

My other free time has been spent homeworking (not so much) and painting. I don't normally paint but I was consumed by the desire, and have been working on this New Orleans collage.

Also, learning to juggle. (Damn those attractive boys and their ability to convince you to learn things you'd probably never even consider) There are no pictures of this. Thank god. I'm bad. But I'm convinced that one day I will be fantastically talented. I'll let you know if that day ever arrives.

Next on my list:
My mom really wants another pair of socks.
I promised my mom some baby knits for a colleague.
I really, really want to make Endpaper mitts. And I have the materials.
I want a lacy scarf. And I have the materials. I'm thinking maybe column of leaves or marnie's scarf. thoughts?
I also want another purl beret. I'm addicted. I can't help it.

Well, that's all. Just wanted to check in and let ya'll know I'm still alive. Ambrrr's alive too. I'll get her to post some time soon. I know she's been doing some crazy knitting.

Happy Monday ya'll.

<3 uhlissa

Birthday Scarf, Malabrigo Mary Jane, and more

2008-01-10T15:33:00.001-06:00

My dad's birthday was on Monday, and I tried to get this done for him by then, but it was impossible. He only decided three days before that he would be interested in a handknit scarf. I cast on with a different yarn, knit an entire repeat, and realized it just wasn't right. So, I headed to my favorite Tulsa lys, The Stitchworks, and got the Encore that worked fantastically. Right now it's blocking on my bed. I'm pretty proud of it. There are kind of a lot of minor errors, but nothing that really jumps out.

Pattern: His Scarf
Yarn: Plymouth Encore Worsted (love!) 2 skeins, gray.
Needles: US8 (which is why it took so long. I think the fabric would have ended up nicer had I bumped it up to a 9)

And, as promised last post, here's my quant. I just like how crazy I look in this picture. And yes, my hair just kind of defies gravity from time to time.

The specs::
Pattern: Quant
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft Shadows (I love the color, it was just a poor choice in this pattern), about half a skein.
Needles: US8 dpns
I have decided I want to make a quant in a fingering weight version, kind of a narrower headband. If I remember correctly, I have some Knit Picks Memories left over from my Monkey socks that would be gorgeous. I'll have to hunt for it.

And finally - my brother gave me a skein of malabrigo for christmas! I'm beyond in love with the stuff. I'm making a mary jane pithy hat out of it. Unfortunately, because I was so focused on my dad's scarf, I haven't made much progress on it, but I'm already excited.

I've got a lot of fun projects planned. Mostly gifts that have been promised to people, because I pretty much can't say no. But, we can look forward to : a pair (or 2) of mittens, a muffler, some socks, a pocket scarf, a beret, and a very spirited scarf. And my stash keeps expanding, so who knows what'll happen next.

I'm headed back to school tomorrow, so the next update will be from New Orleans, where Ambrrr and I will be discussing some reader fun and other exciting adventures.
Until then,
<3 uhlissa

Oh mi gah!

2008-01-03T12:49:00.000-06:00

I HAVE FINALLY FINISHED CLAPOTIS!!!

Pictures? Ha, you're funny, internet! Ok, ok, I promise (PROMISE) to have some up by this weekend. It is currently 16 degrees, not factoring in wind chill, and my mother categorically refuses to take my foto outside in the snow.

But yeah, the Clap is finally done. Thank the sweet, sweet baby Jesus. I ended up with 20 repeats of the straight section, as opposed to the 12 recommended. D:< And I still have the tiniest smidgen of Wollmeise left over, so we'll see what happens there.

I have the urge to finish that Artichoke Sock now. Hm.... we'll see. I'm somewhere in the short-row heel, I lost my place. Oh God, I don't want to have to rip it out.

UHLISSA, DARLING - I found my other issue of Interweave! And I have been promised a trip to Birds of a Feather in Avon, so I'm thinking some Mmmmmmmmalabrigo might be headed mmmmmmmmy way.

<3 Ambrrr, who kind of sucks at knitting things for other people

How I Spent My Winter Vacation

2008-01-02T10:22:00.001-06:00

Ok, so the break's not over, but I can sum it up for you with one fabulous picture.

Me and my mom's dog spent approximately 95 hours in this exact position last week. I was cold, she likes to cuddle. It worked out. I did get some knitting done, despite any doubts you may have.

Finished all my Christmas knits! It's a miracle. Of course, there really weren't that many, but I did it.

Unfortunately there are no pictures of the two I finished while lying with the dog - my mom's ladder of life socks and my brother's balaclava.

But here's my step-sister's scarf. I'm in love with it. She leaves it hanging over the banister, and I almost take it every time I walk upstairs. It's just a simple one x one rib, in SWS. A beautiful purple color. There's also some sparkly stuff in the tassels. Pretty much, it's awesome. Ignore my chins. Yes, I know it's sideways. It's my good side.

In other exciting news, I finally got my own camera! There will be no more waiting for ambrrr to let me steal hers! I'm so excited. I've taken kind of a lot of pictures of myself, because there's not much else going on here, and it's 16 degrees outside, and there's no way in hell I'm going out there. I looked at a weather map a bit ago, and who would have thought colder in Tulsa than in parts of Washington, New York or Wyoming.

I also knit a quant. It's not very pretty, and I don't think I like it. I'll post about it more some other time.

Hope everyone's enjoying the new year and all that jazz.

<3 uhlissa
p.s. - look forward to some interesting activities for all you readers ( there are readers, right?)... And just for fun, here's me being a sassy knitwear model...

If today had a theme, it would be "new year. new camera. new contacts. new hair." As these are all the things I'm currently excited about.

Late/Early

2007-12-26T16:34:00.000-06:00

Merry (Late) Christmas, and Happy (Early) New Year!

Also, Belated Happy Hannukah, Current Happy Kwanzaa, and what else happens this time of year? Ah yes, Whoops, Forgot Winter Solstice!

Knitting? Yeah, we've been doing that too. We promise!

<3 MUCH LOVE from the Black Heels n Purls Knitting Society

Longest Update in the History of the World, Part II

2007-12-08T14:13:00.000-06:00

I LIVE!!

Dude, it has been a million billion years since our last update. I barely made it through studio again, and now I've got the pleasures of finals to wade through. Hurrahhhhhhh.

Anyways, KNITTING. LET'S DO IT.

1. Artichoke Socks

I'm still not done with these, I haven't actually worked on them since... uh... October? Awful.

2. Basketrib Headband

I slightly hate this thing. It's not to gauge, because I don't believe in swatching (the only swatches I'll own are the ones on my arm, etc). It looks interesting, though. I think a little blocking will do it some good.

3. Squishy the Jellyfish

I love Squishy the Jellyfish so so much. He's made mostly from random yarns in the stash, on the wrong size needles (as per usual), so he's tinier than the Jellyfish in progress, currently unnamed.

4. Moo's Bunny Hat

Here's a pattern I had to make up on my own, since I don't own the book the original pattern came from. It's for Marilyn's daughter, I think I was supposed to have finished this yonks ago. Haha, "yonks."

5. Wollmeise Clapotis

This photo doesn't do this yarn or pattern justice. And good LORD it is taking forever. I should have used size 6 or 7 needles, not 4s. BLERG.

6. Baby's First Noro

It's what I'm calling my first Noro scarf. I could probably knock it out in like a day, but I'm distracted as usual. D:

7. Dr. Who Fetching

Made for Sharon, who sent me Series One and Two of Doctor Who with the 10th Doctor. DAVID TENNANT! I love him. Ambrrr Tennant has a nice ring to it, yes?

8. Cottonease Funtime aka Bamboozled

This is a really fun and quick pattern. It's been through the washer quite a few times, and is still fantastic. Love it!! I actually took this photo with my iSight on my MacBook Pro.

9. Foliage

Here's Hott Steve rollin' and strollin' with my Foliage. I don't question what Hott Steve does.

Well, I think that's it. I could be completely wrong, we'll see.

WORD TO YO MOMMA.

PS - Squishy says be sure to check the blog these last few weeks of December, as we'll actually have time to update now!

(Project links and whatnot coming soon)

- Ambrrr

Longest Update in the History of the World, Part I

2007-12-08T13:35:00.001-06:00

Hello blog-land.
I'm not quite sure if this will actually be the longest update in the history of the world, but I feel there are many, many wonderful things I must share with you.

Ambrrr and I have survived another semester of college. I'm not quite sure how we pulled it off, but I'm glad we did. Yesterday was our last day of classes, so today we finally found some time to have the photo shoot we've continually delayed due to school-related obligations.

We fought the ridiculously muggy 80 degrees that New Orleans has adopted this December and discovered a balcony of the business school that was more than willing to participate in our shoot.

I am proud to present "Things I've Knit This Semester But Haven't Really Posted About Yet Because School Owns My Soul":

1. Sock
I have only knit one of my Hedgerow Socks. I have utterly no motivation to knit the other one.
Here's ambrrr graciously modeling for me:

Details:
Pattern
Yarn: Katia Mississippi 3
Needles: US2

2. Rae's One-Row Scarf
I needled a mindless break from some more complicated knitting and tried out this one-row pattern. My friend Rae is allergic to wool, so I knit in acrylic. Vanna's Choice. Mostly because I'm beyond amused that Vanna has yarn. The color is pretty. I love the pattern. And anything with tassels has my heart.

3. Super Fetching
I made some fetching with a few added cable rows at the cuff and hands.

I also like to call them "fighting fetching"
I used Bernat Cashmere blend. I really like the yarn, but on the 6 DPNs, the fabric is so dense that they're almost too inflexible. They are effectively warm.

4. Ribbed Lace Bolero
This is one of my favorite things I've ever made. Unfortunately I've only worn it a few times, because it's either much too warm or much too cool. Silly New Orleans.

Yarn - Cascade 220
Pattern

5. Purl Bee Beret
This is my favorite thing ever. The color is nothing I would usually wear, but something about it is so wonderful.

pattern
Yarn - Knit Picks Palette
Needles - US2 Addis borrowed from Ambrrr. It was the first time I'd used Addis. I love them. I want them. It hurt me to return them.

6. Bamboozled!
I realized I really love headwear. I want nothing more than to have fantastic head accessories every day of my life.

Pattern
I clearly had to copy ambrrr and use Cotton Ease. I really liked working with it. Trying to come up with a new head band design for the left overs.

7. A Scarf Askew
I found this pattern on the Rav (my username is uhlissa. friend me!) and really liked the simplicity. I thought it was very sophisticated, without being complicated. In a fit of ambition I planned to knit all my Christmas presents. This is for my step-dad, who has the most intense blue eyes ever. I hope the color will be complimentary.

I used Wool Ease on US8s, and it went pretty quickly. I'm having some issues with getting it to lay flat. I left it pinned down while I was out of town for Thanksgiving, and sprayed it with some water, but the acrylic blend resisted the water. I'm going to have to try again with a greater quantity of H2O.

8. Diagonal Lace Scarf
This is for my step-mom. It seemed like a good opportunity to try out a yarn I would never really buy myself. It's Bernat Bamboo blend. It's one of the softest things I've ever felt. I'm not too wild about the color choices, but I felt like this pink is something my step-mom would enjoy. Knitting with the Bamboo blend was nice. I was apprehensive about the knobbly yarn texture for a lace pattern, but decided to go for it. I'm happy with the final result.

Gratuitous photos, because clearly I haven't posted nearly enough yet.

Scarves!

Ambrrr modeling my beret and my sock! She's pretty awesome.

That Is All!
<3 Uhlissa

Post #100!!

2007-11-10T21:14:00.000-06:00

Hello World!!
Contrary to popular belief, I still exist.
And this is the 100th post to the Black Heels and Purls. I'm pretty excited about it.

In a much needed day of personal space and alone time, I finished off a few WIPs today. And by a few, I mean two.

The first is my purl bee beret. It's my new favorite thing ever. Ambrrr keeps trying to trick me into committing to wearing it every day until the end of the semester. I'm afraid to commit, but not convinced I won't wear it every day anyways. I made it out of Knit Pick's Palette in golden heather. I was afraid the color would be atrocious next to my face, but I'm so in love. I'm about to cast on for another one in some other Palette I have laying around. Purple and greenish-bluish stripes, I believe.

Secondly, I finally finished the second of my fetching gloves. I've had 1 1/2 done for over a month, and finally just sewed in my last loose ends. I'm not particularly thrilled by them, but then again they never had a chance being finished just hours after my new hat love.

I've finished a few other projects since my last post (September 27...whoops).

- ribbed lace bolero out of cascade 220 in a light gray( I love it so much I have cascade sitting around to make myself another and one as a christmas present for one of my roommates)
- one of my hedgerow socks in yellow katia mississippi 3
- a one row scarf in vanna's choice in a beautiful blue (for a friend who's allergic to wool)

Trying to get started on some christmas knitting, but I just want to make myself more berets.
Plans include worsted weight socks for my mom, maybe in the bernat cashmere natural blend, a ribbed lace bolero in turquoise cascade 220 for one of my roommates, a scarf for an aunt who has been asking for one for at least a year, and I'll have to come up with some more things, like knits for my two other roommates, and something for ambrrr, of course. For right now though, I'm about to dig through my stash and cast on for another beret....

Oh, and, ambrrr and I just ordered from knitpicks. I got a bit carried away. I decided I wanted to try my hand at some lace knitting so I've planned a few scarves and shawls. ambrrr's making jellyfish, I believe.

Ok, that's all.

Pictures coming as soon as I get around to taking them. Tomorrow? Ambrrr and I keep discussing photo shoots and then not having them. Whoops.

Happy 100th post,
<3 uhlissa

So, how's about that Halloween?

2007-11-01T10:56:00.000-06:00

Yeah, that was crazy. Pictures this weekend? We'll see.

In other news, I'm running a sale at my Etsy shop Green Lotus - 50% off shipping and FREE SHIPPING for additional items for the entire month of November. Whoo!

Acting like a crazy used car salesman, Ambrrr

Not Dead!

2007-10-31T11:03:00.000-06:00

I swear. It's been a crazy month, blogland. Cra-zay, even.

I've got a bunch of WIPs for you, as well as FOs, so hopefully I'll get those up this weekend. Studio is kicking my butt, and tonight is Halloween!! I am going with a group dressing up as holidays, and I am Kwanzaa. More specifically, the Kwanzaa Liberation Force, from The Hebrew Hammer. I will most likely offend someone.

So, since for some reason I can't change the settings when posting from this account, my WIPs are:

- Wollmeise Clapotis
- Casey's Brioche Scarf
- Baby's First Noro (Noro Scarf)
- Artichoke Socks

And now, I guess I should go back to paying attention in class.

Gettin' her money right,
Ambrrr

Mwahahahahahahaha!

2007-10-01T14:11:00.000-06:00

For an early birthday present (it's tomorrow, ok?! it's not THAT early) I ordered a skein of Red Hot Chili sockyarn from Wollmeise the SECOND her new shop opened. I am WAAAAAYYYYY excited about this, as it is going to become my Clapotis!!

In other news, here are things I've finished and have yet to photo:

- Dr. Who Fetching
- Camera Sock
- Basket Rib Headband
- Bamboozled

Ooooops. I'm actually in Studio right now, I should probably be working on the GAMOD (Giant-Ass Model Of Doom).

You can't tell me nothin',
Ambrrr

Oooops

2007-09-27T20:09:00.001-06:00

Hello Blog!
I realize that it has been quite a while.
School and whatnot has gotten in the way of crafting.
Today I finally finished my Classy Slip Up Socks, which were started in May.
I've also knit one fingerless glove out of a beautiful cashmere blend recently. I will probably attempt to knit the other one this weekend and get it of my list of things to do.
This weekend I went to Seattle, and I cast on for a new pair of socks. Hedgerow Socks in Katia Mississippi 3. I'm not sure how I feel about the pattern or yarn yet.
Also this weekend in Seattle, I visited a lys called the Weaving Works (I think...). The store was beautiful, with an amazing stock, but the service was so horrific, I'd almost consider never going back.
I will update again soon with pictures and links, but for now, just wanted to let you know we're still alive.
<3uhlissa

Rarghrarghrargh

2007-08-28T14:33:00.000-06:00

So school is back in session. Well, almost, classes start tomorrow. In either case, I've been working pretty much non-stop at Card Services for Freshman Orientation. And the only project on the needles right now is a pair of Fetching I'm doing in exchange for some pirated Dr. Who episodes. That 10th Doctor. I loves him so.

Picatures and whatnot soon, I hope! It's been rainy and gross and just no fun to be outside.

Poor and sad, Ambrrr <3

Nanna Fanna Fo Fetsy

2007-08-18T18:24:00.000-06:00

Yet another update to my Etsy shop, Green Lotus! Eight new bags, check 'em out. Support my Wollmeise habit, which I don't really quite have yet, but am looking to develop.

Also, send good thoughts our way for Hurricane Dean to weaken and not bother New Orleans. In fact, let's hope for NO hurricanes to bother us, except for the kind that we drink.

Hoping to get drunk soon, Ambrrr

Insanity strikes again

2007-08-15T13:45:00.000-06:00

So today I walked out to the mailbox to get, well, the mail. And lo and behold there was some sorta package waiting for me!

Oh Jesus, I thought. Did I order yarn in my sleep? Who do I know in Pennsylvania?

And HEY! It was the US 2 DPNs Kate gave away! I actually forgot I'd asked for them, and since she is an extremely wonderful person they came with two skeins of Classic Elite Yarns Lush Angora Wool! EXCLAMATION MARKS!!! I'll get some photos when the sun actually comes out.

So that was a super awesome start to the day. Thanks again, Kate!

The "insanity" part of this post involves Wollmeise yarn. Have you heard of this stuff? It appears to have pure, sweet crack spun straight into the fiber. There is simply no other explanation for why I have been staring at the website for the last hour, drooling. I am going to get my hands on some of that Red Hot Chili sock yarn and make a Clapotis if it kills me.

Let's see... *whips out accounting books* 14 Euro for the yarn, and approx 8 for shipping...WHO CARES?! *throws accounting books into air* There are 574 yards in a skein. I will gladly pay for that, sir.

And using some random method of Clap-making (which I currently cannot find to link to), if I pay close attention and weigh the yarn as I go 574 yards should be more than enough for the Scarf-o-tis I want. Oh ho ho baby.

OK, time for more Wollmeise droolery.

<3 Ambrrr

Socks, etc.

2007-08-15T10:10:00.000-06:00

So, we'll just ignore that last attempt at a post, alright?

I've been working on a pair of birthday socks for my friend Cara.

Pattern: Best Foot Forward from Knit Socks
Yarn: JoJoLand Melody in a color that I'm disappointed in. I thought it was all greens and purples, but turned out there was a weird orange bit. I do like working with the yarn a lot though.
Needles: bamboo US2 dpns
This is the current state of the second sock. As Cara's birthday is very soon, the first sock is getting mailed today along with this picture and the promise that I'm working on it as much as I can.

I chose the pattern from this book which I received from my Secret Pal for Secret Pal 10, and this is the second pattern I've used. Well, technically, I've only finished one sock from each pair, but I promise the mates are in the works.

I think I already posted about the other sock from this book that I was working on, but didnt' take pictures after it was finished. Here it is, along with the pitiful beginnings of it mate.

Well, that's all I wanted to share for now. My current goal is to finish both these pairs of socks,and get back to Sara's sweater for a while before getting distracted by something else.

<3 uhlissa

Long Time No See

2007-08-13T15:29:00.000-06:00

I know it appears that I have disappeared, but that's just not the case.

I'm in Oklahoma. It's about 103 degrees outside today, so clearly I was inspired to go to yarn stores, and play with wool. Of course I bought some sock yarn, and upon returning home realized my stash has pretty much been growing exponentially this summer. Only complaining, because I'm running out of room, and am tired of dragging all my yarn with me from city to city on my journeys. Well, I took some pictures of my expanding stash, and of some projects I've been working on, and unfortunately picture quality was poor. So here's what I think's still worth sharing for now, and later this week I'll do a proper photo shoot.

The yarn I acquired today:

A very blurry sock:

The laundry basket of yarn I have gathered just in the past three months:

I will post more later this week when I have the time and energy to get better pictures.

<3 uhlissa

Wow, another FO post? And it's ALL KnitPicks? MAN.

2007-08-10T23:21:00.000-06:00

I have this feeling of impending doom about being able to knit during the semester, so I just knocked out the rest of my UFOs.

Pattern: "Third Time's The Charm" Purl Bee Beret
Needles: US 2 32" circ (KnitPicks)
Yarn: KnitPicks Palette in Orange and Green (waaaaaay less than a skein each)
Modifications: Made stripes, used jogless join found here, second one listed

OK, unless Anna becomes an Irish Rasta I doubt she will wear this much. In fact, I fear that it is too small (what is this GAUGE you speak of, internets?), but whatevs. It can become a drinking hat, or something utterly ridiculous. Look, I have seen some of the outfits those Vassar kids wear for funsies, and this hat will not stand out. MOVING ON.

Pattern: Sam's Space Invaders Hat
Needles: US 7 16" (Addi Natura) and US 7 DPNs (Clover, Takumi, one of those)
Yarn: KnitPicks Shine Worsted in Grass (1) and Ebony (2)
Modifications: I completely made up this pattern, with the exception of the Space Invaders characters from BMP in Knitty

So I promised Sam I'd made him an awesome knitted hat for his graduation present. AND HERE IT IS. Sam likes video games and things that are neat, so I thought he'd enjoy this. In a state of frantic domesticnessosity I knit this in like... two days. It was pretty fun.

Pattern: Delicious Cell Phone Cozy
Needles: Bryspun US 5 straights
Yarn: KnitPicks Wool of the Andes in Snickerdoodle and Pink Cheeks
Modifications: I used strings of 3 seed beads instead of tubey ones, no biggie

THIS IS FOR UHLISSA!!!! This was the surprise I was trying to keep from her, and FAILED, because I got too super excited about it and had to post it. I've plenty (PLENTY) of WotA left, I think I'll make a larger one to hold my iPod. WHEEEEEEE.

OK, I'm tired. THE END. More photos can be found on my Flickr.

<3 Ambrrr

Happy August!

2007-08-01T18:33:00.000-06:00

I just ordered some yarn and needles from KnitPicks for two upcoming projects. I'd tell you what they are, but that'd just take all of the fun out of it.

...

That's really all I had to say. I can't believe it's been almost 8 months since we started this here knitblog up! I'm surprised we haven't been distracted by something shiny (although to be honest Ravelry has really taken up a lot of my time recently, it is FANTSTICALLY shiny). Or that we haven't broken the internets. It's happened!

I'll stop while I'm (vaguely) ahead.

<3 Ambrrr

Man, that took a while. In other news, lots of photos!

2007-07-31T11:33:00.000-06:00

And now, for an FO post to end all FO posts (or possibly not, I'm variable on these things):

Pattern: "Baggage" Elisa's Nest Tote
Needles: US 10.5 straights and US 6 DPNs for handles and edging
Yarn: Lion Brand Lion Cotton Solid in Seaspray, 236 yds/ 140 g (Definitely didn't use the whole thing)
Modifications: None

This was a quick and easy knit, once I figured out what I was doing wrong stitch-count wise (forgetting to put in a YO, oops). I'm definitely going to make more, just perhaps in the round instead of flat.

Next project!

Pattern:"Rattlesnake Bones" Purl Bee Beret
Needles: US 2 32" circ (KnitPicks)
Yarn: Super Awesome Handdyed from Secret Pal, 200 yds/50g (with a smidge left over, should have made it bigger)
Modifications: Used a smaller needle size 'cos I don't have any US 3 circs. MEH.

I freaking love knitting this beret. It's easy, fun and looks really neat. Mum won't let me wear it 'cos it's summer, and in her words I'd "look crazy." D: I'm using the same pattern to make Anna's "Third Time's The Charm," 'cos I frogged those AWFUL socks and started this in a stripey pattern instead. Whoo! A quick look at that:

Alright, she'll only be able to wear it on St Patrick's day (and if she ever becomes a Rasta), but whatevs. I am tired of this yarn, I never want to see it again. Oh, dang, I have a black and green skein each down in NOLA. Methinks... Destash? Anyways, there it is. I have done essentially nothing with the Chevron, but you can check out the latest photos of it on my Flickr.

Ambrrr out!

Bear Hat and more

2007-07-24T22:13:00.001-06:00

I've been knitting. and working. and being socially awkward.

I knit my friend a bear hat for her birthday.
Here she is:
Clearly she's very excited about it, as I was making it. It's the siberia hat pattern from Stitch 'n Bitch Nation. I used a variety of eyelash yarns from Hobby Lobby, so it's actually pretty sparkly, and the inside of the ears are bright green.

Also, currently knitting some socks for another friend's birthday that's coming up. I've decided to take a break from Sara's sweater, which is progressing rather slowly and focus on birthday knits.

<3 uhlissa

Um... whoops.

2007-07-23T00:03:00.000-06:00

So, remember how there was that new project, and I was having issues, and I was going to blog about it?

.... I finished it. Today.

Whoops!

I even took pictures, and now have to do a FO shoot as well. It turned out nicely, once I got over the fact that I can't count/make YOs to save my life.

Also, I may have started something else.

A REAL UPDATE SOON, I SWEAR!

(shamefacedly), Ambrrr <3

Fragments.

2007-07-19T21:21:00.000-06:00

Have started new project. Will blog about soon. Am mildly infuriated by it.

Chevron still going. No photos, my bad. Have been getting some work hours, which is good. Ambrrr loves money. Photos soon, Ambrrr promises. That was not a fragment. Or that! Oh, dang.

<3 Ambrrr

Oh Dang!

2007-07-13T02:02:00.000-06:00

Hey y'all. I promise that I am still Chevroning, and also working on a new round of baggages for my Etsy shop(pe). I just talked to Uhlissa today, and she too is workin' and knittin'. Peektures for you soon!

busy like both a bee and a beaver, Ambrrr <3

Etsy Etsy Bo Betsy

2007-07-05T18:55:00.000-06:00

Hey knitblogosphere! I (Ambrrr) have just opened up my very own Etsy shop, where I'm selling handmade project bags. I'd be ever so grateful if you would check them out*.

* ~~And perhaps make a purchase?~~ :D

Still Working on Her Chevron Scarf, Ambrrr

Secret Pal <3

2007-07-02T11:55:00.000-06:00

My secret pal has revealed herself with yet another wonderful package. Carol has been absolutely amazing, and I've been very lucky to have such a great pal.

Check out the package:
Animal Crackers, Gummy Bears (that did not last long), a beautiful shawl, Creative Knitting magazine, pattern for sock shaped bookmark, two skeins of marks and kattens clown sock yarn, piggy shaped soap, a little pillow of potpourri, and a crossword dictionary!

I am lost for words to express how amazing my secret pal has been. And, to make it even more special, we're birthday buddies!

In other news:

Started my roommate's sweater. It's based off of this pattern, but I've changed a lot. Mostly, made it cabled. It's bright pink. I've only made it through a couple of inches of the back, but I'm very, very excited.

While she was trying to decide what she wanted, I started on my razor cami. I've been dreaming of it for quite some time, and finally decided it was time. Mine is black and a little bit sparkly. I've not done much of it, but I'm hoping it'll look good.

There will be pictures when I make enough progress to make cell phone pictures worthwhile.

I really need a camera.

<3 uhlissa

Oh Snap!

2007-06-30T12:34:00.001-06:00

Jeez, I must be getting senile with my old age... :D I finished Mata Hari Drowned on ... Thursday? WHAT. Here are some peektures.

Pattern: Mata Hari Drowned (with Mods listed below)
Needles: Clover Bamboo DPNs US 2
Yarn: Koigu KPPPM, colorway 850 (2 skeins at 175yds/50gr each)
Modifications: Since Mata Hari is really just a stitch idea made into a sock, I cast on 64 sts (my usual bigfoot size) and tried to figure out how the pattern went from there. Slip stitch heel, gussets, etc, and my first star toe (to give that 'swirling down the drain' feel). Whee!

- Ambrr out

My Freakin' Awesome SP!

2007-06-30T12:09:00.001-06:00

I received one more package from my Secret Pal, who revealed herself to be Ms. Beth C of Numerical Knitting. It pretty much goes without saying that it is freaking amazing.

Three KP 32" circs, in 0,1 and 2, THREE skeins of GLORIOUS handdyed superwash merino (about 600 yds total), a cute lil quilted heart-pocket, and Nicole Miller fanciness. WHAT!! Too awesome. Mum tried to steal the Nicole Miller, but I caught her.

Beth, you are too amazing for words. Be on the lookout for a package of your own soon!

In total awe, Ambrrr

OH, I almost forgot that I cast on for my Chevron Scarf. Here it is when I'd first started out:

It's about 14 3/4" long now. Wheee!

I'm so excited!

2007-06-23T19:54:00.000-06:00

Britannia is done! The pictures are crappy, but she's done.
It fits up top, and then the waistband is actually a little loose, and it's way too short, which is just a result of my being*ahem* well endowed. I'm still very excited. I think if I put together the right outfit, she'll be perfect.

Pattern: Britannia
Yarn: Classic Yarn's Soft Lux in Mist. Almost 7 balls.
Needles: US7 for the trim, US9 for the majority
Started: May 17, 2007
Completed: June 23, 2007

Yea!

<3 uhlissa

Sweater Update #2

2007-06-20T20:27:00.000-06:00

I just spent a few days up in Tulsa where I had access to a camera. Unfortunately no knitting got done, but here are a few shots of the current status of my Britannia.

This one's dark, but shows the progress. I'm still working on the other sleeve, but I went ahead and sewed the other pieces up, because I'm impatient:

The back in a much truer color representation:

Collar detail:

Sleeve detail:

I'm really proud of how it's turning out. I'm about half way done with the second sleeve as we speak, and my plan is to not sleep tonight until I have a new sweater.

<3 uhlissa

Hey Kids.

2007-06-20T01:15:00.000-06:00

Minor site update - I added all of the blogs that I read. All of the knitblogs, anyway. Check 'em out, they're all really neat.

Also, I forgot to mention before that my user name on Ravelry is Ambrrr. So add me if you're on there, and I will extend that courtesy back to you!

Mata Hari Drowned is almost done. Hopefully by Friday? Saturday?

<3 Ambrrr

New Obsessions: Ravelry and Clapotis*

2007-06-13T18:44:00.000-06:00

Hokay, I have seen two things that I already have & love/must have & love.

1. Ravelry

2. Clapotis

The first can be blamed for the second. I've seen Clapotis (or "the Clap" as I've fondly taken to calling it in my head, although the less frightening nickname seems to be "the Clapper") a million billion times before, and never really thought twice about it. Oooh, a shawl, I thought. How fancy. OMG SOCKS. And then I signed up for Ravelry about a month or so ago, forgot about it, and went about my "bidnezz," as the kids are calling it these days.

Then I got the invite in my email, signed up and WHAM. Ravelry is AMAZING. Perhaps because I am inclined to things that help me sort out my v busy and v complex internet life (har har) Ravelry is perfect for my knitting habits. You can organize your projects, stash, needles, everything on here. PLUS you can see what other knitters/crocheters are up to, talk about projects and yarn, it's awesome.

AND THEN! I noticed how utterly, utterly amazing Clapotis is. Perhaps the yarn used for Knitty just didn't set right with me (I'm not really a magenta-bright-pink-yellow kind of lady, you see), even though the model is adorable and the setting amazing (PARIS FRANCE?! YES). But all of the different yarns, and color combos, and WOW. I have to make this thing. I've already added it to my "queue" (which is another reason Ravelry is so neat, you can add a bookmark to your browser and bookmark patterns on the interwebs) and and and!! I want it!

I can't decide which yarn to use, ie BUY, ie OH GOD I HAVE NO MONEY, ie CRY. :D I've been looking at WEBS and Elann and various and sundry places. In all actuality this is my queue:

1. Mata Hari Drowned (Slowly coming along, am still on the foot of the first one)
2. Sam's Space Invaders Hat (which I will talk about in a future post, I don't actually have the yarn for this yet)
3. Anna's Oh-My-Stars Socks (>:C)
4. Clapotis

You can see how far down the list it is! This is sad. I have spoken to dearest Uhlissa about Clap, and she, like a sane person, was like "knit something else from your stash, work on your current projects," all that common sense that no one wants to hear. Well, my lack of fundulation make cause Dearest to get her wish. Curse you, Uhlissa, and your Voice of Reason!

Also, here is a picture of Yazoo, sitting on my bed next to some found US straights in sizes 8, 9 and 10 1/2. WEIRD!

His sneer says "Go work on MHD, and get off the internets!"

Sad over lack of monies and Clapotis, Ambrrr

*An accidental rhyme, I swear!

What what!

2007-06-10T19:37:00.000-06:00

So I did it. I FROGGED POMATOMUS.

I was staring at it, and it seemed to be mocking me, and the long, pointy DPNs seemed to be daring me to do something about it. SO I DID.

I am now working on what I'm calling "Mata Hari Drowned," using the Mata Hari pattern from Craftoholic. Instead of evoking bullet holes, the yos look like escaping air bubbles in the blue/purple Koigu. Oh, was that too morbid? I can be strangely morbid sometimes.

So here's where I am so far. I am slightly making it up as I go along, since there's really no pattern.

It was a nice day outside, so I did a bit of fresh-air knittery. I've just finished the gusset, actually, and am taking a break before I tackle both job hunting and working on the foot tomorrow. SIGH. Won't someone give me money to knit? Knit things for myself and for fun? Not for anyone else? D:

And now for a farewell photo of Pomatomus. Pomatomus, we hardly knew ye. Perhaps we will meet again someday, when I have more patience, sock yarn and circular needles.

In need of cash, Ambrrr (<3)

Sweater Update

2007-06-06T21:21:00.000-06:00

I'm very sad that I have no way to share pictures of the progress I've made on my sweater.

I finished a sleeve today.

So all that's left now is the other sleeve, and the edge around the deep v-neck.

I started to make the edge but I was working it backwards and had to rip it out.

I'm not yet discouraged. It's in fact been a pretty easy knit. I'm not looking forward to seeming, though. I'm not feeling inspired to knit the second sleeve though, so I might try and finish the sock that's waiting for me.

sigh.

<3 uhlissa

Le Sigh.

2007-06-05T12:41:00.000-06:00

Hello, Friends.

Not much knitting has been going on in these parts of Ohio. Anna's Oh-My-Stars socks have made essentially no more progress, nor has Pomatomus. Since those are the two pairs of US 2s that I own I can't start any more socks (a good thing?). I was counting on a job that fell through to get more needles from KnitPicks, probably a pair each of US 0, 1 and 2 in 32" circs. I had such high hopes! High hopes that are now dashed!

Ah well, here are some pic-a-tures.

I finished another Dreamswatch, this time for Anna. This one has a lot more modifications than mine, sort of.

Pattern: Dreamswatch, with mods listed below
Needles: Clover Bamboo straights US 8
Yarn: Lion Brand Yarn Incredible in Copper Penny (Art. # 520, Color 208), a LOT less than a whole skein (110 yds/50gr), 100% nylon
Modifications: So Anna saw mine and demanded one as well. That's cool, I guess. I mean, I still haven't finished her birthday socks, so ok. Her specified mods - thinner and short. This came out to mean only two repetitions of the pattern instead of four, and I added a stitch on both sides that was only knit in garter to discourage curling.

A close-up of the pattern and how the loops look in this yarn.

And here it is on Anna!

Ok, I'll try to work on Pomatomus (although I seem to have lost my printed pattern and have no idea where I am in the heel flap), even though I am often struck with the urge to frog it and try another pattern. Uhlissa and I have discussed this, and though I long to do another Monkey if I DO frog Pomatomus I promise I'll only do it to try another pattern. Jaywalker, perhaps?

(<3) from the Queen of Whatever*, Ambrrr

PS - I highly encourage clicking on the pictures to embiggen them. You can see the stitches and color a lot better! Plus a big 'ole picture of Anna's head.

*"The Long Way Around" - The Dixie Chicks

Camera-less in Dallas

2007-05-30T09:20:00.000-06:00

Hey all.

I would be updating more, but I have no camera, and see no real point in just talking a lot.

Well, that's a lie. I like to talk too much. Ambrrr can testify to that.

My sweater is coming along quite nicely. I work on it pretty much whenever I'm home. I'm done with the back and about a third of the front. I'm getting anxious to be done, but I'm enjoying it very much. I'm hoping it'll fit. I feel I'm much bustier than the pattern was intended for, but we'll just have to see how it works out. (and as of this morning, when I weighed myself at the gym, I've lost a couple pounds, and if I keep that up, maybe it'll fit fantastically.)

As for the socks I was working on, one is complete. The other is about an inch big. I'll finish it up after my sweater is either complete or makes me need a break.

That's all I really had to say. I just felt like checking in. and my dear Ambrrr, please post new pictures of things. I know you've been knitting something.........

<3 uhlissa

More from Ambrrr, unsurprisingly. :D

2007-05-26T14:57:00.000-06:00

It's been going around the knitblogs recently, and I've decided to jump in myself (and copy various other knitbloggers I've seen by posting in lists of 10. I'm nothing if not consistent. I think.), so here we go!

100 Facts About Ambrrr, #1-10

1. I'm actually a very secretive person. This is surprising to some people, as I've two internet blogs (and some people don't even know about the other one!), multiple social networking accounts, and have a tendency to blurt out personal things when I should not. The difference is that I'll tell absolute strangers secrets about me and never let my closest friends in on it.

2. I don't think I'm photogenic at all. I hate 98% of photos of myself, loathe 1.5%, and barely tolerate .5%. If I tell you I "love this photo" and I'm in it, I'm either secretly mortified or there's someone else in the photo I think looks great.

3. I'm a single child of a single mother, and for the most part we get along famously. (We've our dust-ups now and then, but who doesn't fight with their parents?) We started watching the Gilmore Girls when I was in middle school because we felt they were very similar to us. (The main difference is Fact #4.) I tell my Mum practically everything, and I think we're closer than a lot of my friends and their mothers.

4. My grandmother had my Mum when she was 33, and Mum had me when she was 33. I've got 13 years to go, so I'm figuring I've got a few years before I start thinking about bebes.

5. Even though I've been knitting for 12 years I don't consider myself a very advanced knitter. I've knit a sweater (Skully from SnB, but I have no idea where it is right now) the summer before my sophomore year of college, and multiple pairs of socks and various other items, but I'm very reluctant to start another "big project" as I'm quite poor at the moment and fear knitting something I wouldn't want to wear in the end.

6. I love the internet. Love love love it. Most of the fights Mum and I have had this summer have been over the fact that I'm constantly on my computer. I can't help it, I'm bad at the phone and Facebook is the easiest way for me to keep in touch with my friends. I also love having so much information at my fingertips. I really should have changed my major from architecture to computer science.

7. I'm super lazy. Or, as I like to say, laze. That's the other thing Mum and I tend to fight about. I usually feel awful about my pure laze, it's something I'd like to fix about myself. It's also mainly in personal time, at work I'm very into whatever I'm working on. Honestly!

8. Hm, some basic stuff... I was born in Nashville, TN and raised in Ohio on the west side of Cleveland (North Ridgeville, near Elyria). I've also lived in Pittsburgh, PA (when I attended Carnegie Mellon University during the semester Tulane was closed due to Hurricane Katrina) and New Orleans, LA.

9. Other countries I've visited include Canada, France, Greece and Italy. Every single one of those trips was through the school I went to 6th-12th grades, Lake Ridge Academy.

10. Other than Mum the other "person" in the house is my teacup Chihuahua Yazoo. I got him as a puppy when I was in 6th grade. He is fat and lazy too, so I loves him muchly. Today I walked into "his room" because he'd been fussing at me as I walked around and discovered that he'd put a whole bunch of newspaper in his bed, forming some sort of little cave. He's a little crazy, too.

Whew, that was harder than I thought! Next post from me will have actual knitting, as I finished something Anna-related. Not her socks, oddly.

Ambrr, who talks way too much. <3

SP LIKE WHOA!!!

2007-05-24T10:49:00.000-06:00

OH MAN, YOU GUYS. OH MAN. SECRET PAL IS AMAZING. I AM STUCK IN CAPSLOCK LAND.

I have received the most amazing Secret Pal package in existence. YOU CANNOT ARGUE.*

For some godforsaken reason Blogger will not let me upload photos. So you must venture, dear friends, over to my Flickr page and start from this photo:

Secret Pal 10 Package!!, originally uploaded by Wakeful Dreamer.

You can then click on my photostream to see all of the wonderful, yarn pr0n-y shots I took of the STR. I almost melted all of my chocolates, they're chillin' in the fridge. Literally.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU SECRET PAL!!!!

Compulsively squeezing her STR, Ambrrr (<3)

* I mean, you can disagree, and I'll nod to pacify you, but you will not be believed.

Hm HMMMMM...

2007-05-19T21:29:00.000-06:00

So I am looking at yarns to send to my SP. I know, I am woefully behind. Let's keep in mind that I haven't actually left the house for a week. So yep.

Anyways, the SP Yarn Search. I was going to send some STR, possibly in the Mustang Sally colorway, but my concerns over pooling are holding me back. Also, STR is expensive! Crazy! So I began combing the interwebs looking for less expensive but still awesome options. I found some great sites, but they were either more expensive or all sold out. And then it struck me.

What could be more 'indie' and unique than hand-dyed yarn?!

So I of course turned to KnitPicks and their trusty Bare line, and am currently looking at this variety. I'm also thinking of using their easy to understand Kool-Aid (TM) dyeing technique, and a quick Googling reveals a wealth of info on the process as well. So. I think I'll do it. I'll test-drive it on a skein for myself* and then I'll rev through one for SP. Whee! This also frees up some major fundulation for the Black Phoenix Alchemy Labs oils I was also looking into for SP, based on some cities she said she'd like to visit.

So yeah. I think I'm gonna do this. I'll try to get to Marc's or another grocery store this week, and order the yarn tomorrow. How terribly exciting!

And you guys know the drill by now - no knitting pics means a picture of Kitsune!

Kitsune sometimes enjoys eating sushi for lunch. As do I!

Doing-the-Blue-Steel-Look-but-you-can't-see-it, Ambrrr (<3) (Who promises to knit soon. Honestly.)

*Ok, maybe I just really want to hand dye some yarn. You know y'all want to too.

!

2007-05-17T21:15:00.000-06:00

Oh noes, SP - when you left a comment you forgot to post as Anonymous! I have been an extraordinarily good girl, and did not (NOT!) click on your name, but you might wanna change it before the temptation overtakes me. Woe!

Also, why do I find out about all of the good yarn stores when they're all sold out? Knit Happens had a CRAZY SALE on every yarn I could possibly ever want, and by the time my check gets in tomorrow it'll all be gone. It mostly is already. WOE!

And oh my LORD, did anyone else catch Grey's Anatomy tonight? WOE WOE WOE IS I.

I am going to go lay down with a cold towel over my eyes, and try to recover from this woeful day.

<3 from Wednesday's child, Ambrrr

Housekeeping

2007-05-17T10:58:00.000-06:00

These are the projects I finished my junior year of college (August 06 - April 07). I believe this is a complete list of projects that I have pictures of, or should get pictures of soon. Other than this I knit several scarves, more baby booties, and a couple pairs of wrist warmers.

Hedera Socks
St. Charles House Cross-Stitch
Mom's Birthday Shawl
Monkey Socks
Gryffindor Scarf (this links to a picture of the 1st one, not the one I finished this year)
Whitney's Calorimetry
secret present sorts of things (baby inchworm pillow!)
Aunt Beth's Calorimetry
Karissa's Calorimetry
Calorimetry
Karissa's Birthday Mittens
Mommy's Christmas Mittens
Baby booties for my boss and my roommate's friend
Kyle's Christmas Scarf (a.k.a the never ending scarf of doom)
Amber's Birthday Hat

Hello again!

2007-05-17T10:52:00.000-06:00

I'm back in the OH, which is somewhat like the OC except that the beaches are usually cold and deserted and we get about 100 days of sun a year instead of like 300. Hurrah!

Still nothing happening on the knitting front. I'm waiting with bated breath for my check to deposit into my account tomorrow, because right now I'm walking the thin wire of overdrawing my account. :<

Once that's settled, though, I can buy the neato things I've been eyeing for my SP, which I will then send forthwith. Oh, to be poor and in college. Is this one of those "character building" things I keep hearing about?

Of course, no knitting photos means a random photo instead!

Here is Kitsune, fast asleep at 2 AM. How he loves to taunt me.

But oh Mario, we're only to Ohio.*

<3 Ambrrr

* "Pavlov's Bell" by Aimee Mann

Quite fancy!

2007-05-10T16:46:00.000-06:00

I'm very taken with Uhlissa's list 'o things to do! I've been a little slow with the knitting, even though I have "the time" now. I've been working on (finally) Anna's knitted birthday present. Instead of a pair of Fetching, I ordered the wrong yarn size (fingering instead of worsted, haha) and now she's getting socks. They're going to be green with orange cuff, toes and a star. Fun times.

This is the first pair of socks I've done basically without a pattern... I'm sort of mashing things together and really learning how socks work. Fun times, yes.

Pic-a-tures!

I'm actually a bit further than the photo shows, I'm working on the star on the foot and the sole. Wheeeeee. You can see my amazing placemarkers that Secret Pal sent in use. I didn't realize they'd match Anna's socks so well!

I do believe I'll call them Anna's Oh-My-Stars Socks.

Later, alligators.

<3 Ambrrr

summer to-do list

2007-05-10T14:17:00.000-06:00

My summer has officially began. I left New Orleans, and I'm at home visiting right now before I head to Dallas to spend the summer.
I've decided to make a list of goals for the summer. Some of them much more achievable than others.

1. Go to the gym.
2. Learn to cook.
3. Have a summer romance.
4. Make a sweater out of this yarn:

5. Finish these socks:
They're called "Classy Slip-Up" from the amazing book I got from my secret pal. The yarn is jojoland melody. I'm in love.

6. Read more.

7. Finish this cross-stitch:

8. Make these into socks (including hand dying that stuff in the middle):

9. Play my flute.
10. Knit up a good portion of my stash.
I'm sure there are more things I've decided to do, but can't remember right now. I'm also open to suggestions of other life-enriching activities that I should be introduced to in the next several months.

While I'm making lists, let's check the progress on those New Year's Resolutions I made.
1. Knit a sweater - not yet.
2. Knit something with lace - yes! Check out these and these.
3. Sell something - yes. booties and a scarf.
4. Finish some WIPs - oops.
5. Make something cool - I think so. The inchworm pillow, which I don't think I ever posted pictures of.
6. Donate scarves - nope. I think they only do this in the fall, so there's still a chance.

And have I made any progress on any of the things I was knitting on January 2nd?
1. Hufflepuff scarf - only knit 2 stripes since then.
2. Gryffindor scarf - finished
3. Birthday mittens for Karissa - finished
4. Ugly wristwarmer - um, no.

This game was fun. I'll have to do it again at the end of summer.

Also, here's the cross-stitch I finished for my mom for mother's day. It's a house in New Orleans, that I actually see quite frequently.

<3 uhlissa

FO Compilations

2007-05-06T10:58:00.000-06:00

Pattern: Clementine Shawlette (Interweave Knits Winter 2007)
Needles: Clover Bamboo straights US 4
Yarn: KnitPicks Shine Sport in River, 4 skeins at 110yds/50gr each
Modifications: None

As we all know I was fascinated with this shawlette. I figured it'd be a good way to get into shawl making, and I was right. It only took me so long to do 'cause of studio work and life getting in the way. I love it! It's super comfy. PS - that is me at my White Rose Formal. Fancy fancy!

Pattern: Dreamswatch
Needles: Clover Bamboo straights US 8
Yarn: Crystal Palace Yarns Mikado Ribbon, less than a whole skein (112 yds/50gr)
Modifications: I quickly grew tired of making this thing. I mean, it's really pretty and all, but something about it... I only made it about 24" long instead of the recommended 49". I don't want to use it as a scarf, just a headwrap. I guess it's some mindless knitting to do when bored. It has a tendency to roll at the edges, perhaps because I have not blocked it. Meh.

<3 Ambrrr

SP Is Unbelievable!

2007-04-30T19:18:00.000-06:00

Thank You Thank You Thank You Secret Pal. You are beyond amazing.

Just check out all this awesomeness I got today:

What you are seeing is a beautiful Estee Lauder gift set, three skeins of awesome red Kolibri ( I think?) yarn (it's Norwegian), a picture frame, Knit Socks! Book, Vogue Knitting Felting On the Go Book, and a very cute pattern and blocker for a mini sock. This package is so unbelievably generous and wonderful. Words can not express. Here are some close ups.

I haven't been knitting much. School's getting a little crazy here at the end. I want to knit, but feel like the minute I start something, I'll refuse to do any school work, and that's really not ok. I've been knitting a little of the Hufflepuff scarf, but really haven't made any progress.

Ambrrr on the other hand is amazing. Check this out:

It's Ambrrr and her currently blocking Clementine Shawlette. Check out more here.
Also, so she doesn't get mad that I put up this ridiculous picture of her, here's an awesome one of me that she took while I was trying to talk to my mom.

<3 uhlissa

Hurrah!

2007-04-30T18:06:00.000-06:00

I have finished my Clementine Shawlette! Here it is blocking on my bed:

I pinned it down and spritzed it, I didn't want to risk stretching it out with a water soak. Also, our sink is kind of small. D: I am horrible at blocking, though. I hope it doesn't mess my shawl all up.

This is all I pretty much did today. Now, I guess I'll finish up that Dreamswatch.... perhaps. Or I'll give my hands a rest.

Oh, who am I kidding? Dreamswatch, here I come!

<3 Ambrrr

Blarghle!

2007-04-27T20:22:00.000-06:00

Haha, Final Review is finally over! Hurrah for that!

The Knitty Surprise(s) are out too, but I'm not really into any of them. This one, Arietta, seems nice, but I don't have the patience for that. It uses KnitPicks Shine Sport, which I'm using in my Clementine Shawlette! It's a good yarn.

Man, what I really want to do next is the Chevron Scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. Specifically, in STR Farmhouse and Watermelon Tourmaline. It seems to be popular for that project. Also, I just want some STR. D:

Whew, time to sit on my bed and work on this Shawlette. Tomorrow is much adventuring, to IHOP and Two-Story-Targets and dress shopping. Perhaps photos? WHO KNOWS?

PS- As always, here's a pic of Kitsune, this time chillin' with his lantern. Kitsune is so awesome!

Keep cool, my babies.

<3 Ambrrr

I am simultaneously spoiled and cursed.

2007-04-25T12:46:00.000-06:00

Wow, another amazing present from my SP - a Papa John's gift card! Whoo! Now I don't have to worry about food while I'm putting my final document together for Studio. Thanks so much, SP! :D

The "cursed" part of the title is the fact that my final review for Studio was cancelled today, and moved to Friday due to massive printing errors and plotter failure. Normally people are excited when their due dates are pushed back, but Studio is another matter. I have been up for many days, working very late hours and working very hard to prepared myself for today. It's almost a slap in the face to everyone who worked so hard. But I digress.

This schedule rearrangement doesn't bode well for me. That means... I have to go to work on Thursday and finish up some sketches there, and review on Friday. I guess knitting is put off until Friday night and Saturday! Boo.

<3 Ambrrr, who is going to take a nap.

Excitement!

2007-04-23T13:00:00.000-06:00

The yarn I ordered to make the sweater I've decided is my goal for the summer has arrived.

9 beautiful balls of Classic Yarns Soft Lux in Mist.

The sweater I've chosen is called Britannia.

I'm refusing to buy the appropriate needles until I am at home and done with school, or else I'll just fail all of my exams.

Pictures will happen later this week when Ambrrr's review is over and I can steal her camera.

So Excited!!!

<3 uhlissa

Alive, I Promise

2007-04-19T15:03:00.000-06:00

Once again, I disappeared. I'm sorry.
Not much knitting going on round here.
Been working kind of on a scarf from some yarn I bought at a sale last weekend. It's alright. Not too excited about it.
I've been crossstitching a bit, but I'm onto the backstitching, which just isn't fun, and therefore takes forever.
My yarn is being shipped today for the sweater I've decided to make. I'm not starting it til after school and I'm back in Dallas. Or I'm going to try and resist the temptation and actually study and do well on my finals.
I'm so ready to be done with this school nonsense.
Only 14 more days! I think. I might not be able to count.

<3 uhlissa
I'll update again next time I actually do something useful.

Not even poking my head in, just my hand...

2007-04-18T13:54:00.000-06:00

Quick update from Studio - I got my SP10 package today! Some really beautiful stitch markers, beaded to look like little flowers. They're amazing. Thank you so much, SP!

Again, here is my foxy friend (whom I have named "Kitsune," and the first person to tell me why in the comments gets a post dedicated to them), this time looking at the stars. I got this image at 2:30AM. D:

<3 onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" ahref="http://bp2.blogger.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/RiZ3-bSNMRI/AAAAAAAAAL8/0-IKjTuRHxw/s1600-h/Picture+13.png">

Edited: Some quick photos of the placemarkers and the awesome card that came with them!

Uh, whoops.

2007-04-16T15:14:00.000-06:00

Uhlissa and I have been conspicuously absent from The Blogger recently, due to overwhelming studio work on my part and business school madness on hers. I didn't even get a chance to knit this weekend, and this upcoming weekend is the one before Final Review. So after I recover on the 26th, I'll finish that Clementine Shawlette like a madwoman. I'm at the "repeat the pattern for 15 inches" part, so that'll take around a day and a half, or two.

Oh, I should probably book my plane ticket home soon. So much to do!

PS Because I have no knitting photos for you, here is the little fox that lives in my Google homepage, playing the ... lute? I love him!

<3 Ambrr

A Reasonable Explanation

2007-04-08T10:00:00.000-06:00

Y halo thar, guyfs!

I am bad at posting. So here are the two things that are just mega:

ONE: I got my first SP10 package, and my SP is AWESOME!!!

What you see here are a very sweet card, two skeins of Patton's SWS in Natural Earth, One Skein, a ridiculously funny bunny-stacking game, a candle, a row counter, a tape measure, assorted stamps, a cute spool of ribbon, place markers (green and purple! eee!), two Easter Egg ornaments,a pile 'o choco eggs, a choco bunny and lots of plastic eggs, which hid most of the choco eggs. I am eating some of the chocolates as I write this. Uhlissa and I have been going through One Skein, trying to decide what to make. I'm wobbling between trying to figure out crochet to make one of the purses, and the Cable Footies. Hurrah! A start to my knitting book library!

TWO: I'm halfway done with the Clementine Shawlette! Knitpicks Shine Sport is amazing to work with, very smooth and pleasant. Since, as mentioned before, I have gross sweaty hands everyone once in a while I have to take a break and let it cool down a little, or else it starts to get a little resistant to knitting.

This was before I finished the first half. Two skeins of yarn per half, it seems. So I was right on the money with 4 skeins.

A closer look at the stitch pattern. The second photo washes out the blue, which is deeper. The first photo is a better. It's a quite fun and easy pattern, I'd recommend picking up Interweave Knits just for it!

Have a Happy Easter, everyone!

PS Here I am being a turtle on Uhlissa's bed. TURTLE!!

Hedera Socks & Updates

2007-04-06T19:32:00.000-06:00

I finished my Hedera socks today!

Pattern: Hedera from Knitty
Yarn: Knit Picks' Palette in Hyacinth

Also, check out the following posts that have been updated with pictures:
http://bhnpks.blogspot.com/2007/04/glorious.html
http://bhnpks.blogspot.com/2007/03/thank-you-secret-pal.html

<3 uhlissa

Glorious!

2007-04-05T14:06:00.000-06:00

I was very excited when my accounting professor let us go early, because it's a long weekend, and no one wanted to be there. Then, my day got even better when I checked my mail and got a package from my secret pal! She has outdone herself. It's so amazing. Yarn spun especially for me, mints, a very cute picture/card holder (hard to explain, but adorable), piggy tissues!, a book of crosswords and a very nice edition of Willa Cather's My Antonia. And once again, everything was wrapped beautifully. I'm absolutely in love with the whole box. It's so springy and fun.
Ambrrr should be available this evening for pictures, so hopefully I'll finally get pictures of this box and the last!
Thank you so much, Secret Pal, you have made this one of the best days ever.
<3 uhlissa

Update! Pictures:

Post #50, 50th Excuse

2007-04-04T11:34:00.000-06:00

Whoo, 50 posts! Muy exciting.

Sadly this post is mostly fulla excuses. Uhlissa and I are both knitting, but rather sporadically around classes. I'm working on my Clementine, as the yarn finally arrived a week or so ago. It's going pretty quickly, but I fear I am not making gauge. I would not really know, as I am Anti-Swatch. The only swatch I'll own is the one that goes on my arm.

Anyways, yeah. That's about it for me. I'm gathering things and whatnot for my SP10 this weekend, when Uhlissa and I have our A+ Adventures.

Mas mas photos in an upcoming post, and also maybe less excuses! Maybe.

Peace up, A-town down,

<3 Ambrrr

Thank You Secret Pal!

2007-03-26T10:59:00.000-06:00

I arrived home last night, and found I had received a package. I finally got a chance to pick it up today, and it's from my Secret Pal! I'm so excited. It's soooo cute and St. Patrick's day themed (which just happens to be one of my favorite days.)
I got a wonderful candle, Jelly Beans (!!!), Cascade Sierra, a teddy bear (!!) and stickers,all in delightful shades of green.
I wish desperately I could post pictures this minute, but that can't happen until I steal ambrrr's camera, perhaps nearer the end of this week.
The yarn is absolutely gorgeous. I don't actually think I've ever seen Sierra. I have no idea what I'll do with it, but it's already inspiring me to hunt for the perfect pattern.

Thank you so much Secret Pal! You're amazing.

<3 uhlissa

Update! Pictures:

Sleepless

2007-03-26T00:42:00.000-06:00

Hi. I know it appears once again that Ambrrr has taken over completely, but I'm here, I promise. I was out of town for the past week, which is why it's almost two am and I'm not tired. I was in California, and I thought I had done a great job of not getting too adjusted to the time zone, but I was wrong. Actually, all the caffeine may have something to do with my wakefulness.
The trip was super fun, though not at all productive.
The day I got there, I finished my first Hedera sock. I barely knit after that. Today I did about eight pattern repetitions. It's coming along. Slowly.
On a more positive note, I finished reading a book I've been reading since school started in August. I didn't mean to be so slow, I just never have time to read for fun. Or if I do have time, I choose to knit.
Hopefully later this week I'll have more interesting things to say, and perhaps some Hedera pictures.
I did deliver the shawl to my mom, who absolutely loved it. So, that was awesome.
Also, I had knit my friend Whitney a calorimetry, and now her boyfriend is begging me for a hat. Fun, but not on the top of the priority list.
Priorities this week include:
-actually doing all my homework
-not failing my accounting test on thursday
-finishing this sock, cause i'm tired of it?
-getting re-adjusted to central time
I think that's it. There are probably other important things.
Oh! Like sending my secret pal gift! I found some super fun secret presents on my trip, and I can't wait to get them sent. Maybe after Secret pal is over, I'll fill y'all in.
Also, knitpicks updated their site, and all I want to do is buy yarn. Uh oh.
<3 uhlissa
I know this post is all over the place. I'm feeling very scatterbrained. It might be the time thing, it might be my overactive mind thinking too much about things it just shouldn't even consider. Who knows.

You guys. Really.

2007-03-25T22:59:00.000-06:00

Guys, we need to talk. Seriously.

I was so enthusiastic about Pomatomus! I was all "Oh my gah, I simply cannot wait to knit this sock. Cookie A. is a genius. Honestly. And all that Koigu! Fantastico!"

Guys. I have failed us.

While Ms. A is still an amazing genius genius, Pomatomus is kicking my arse in a serious, intense fashion. The pattern itself was not hard after the first repetition, but it takes me so long to do one that I just cut out a pattern repetition of Chart A entirely. I've just started on the heel flap, which seemed so much easier using Magic Loop. I forgot how much DPNs tends to poke you and try their hardest to slit your wrists. Oh man.

I'm putting it on the back burner for now, as not only do I have some intense studio work due this week but there's a Brotherhood Retreat for my architecture fraternity Alpha Rho Chi this weekend. Anyways, enjoy some pictures of me knitting on the way to and from the APX National Convention in Memphis this weekend. Hurrah and sadness!

I took the photo above on the way there. I'd only just cast on a week before, and done the ribbing. I think I mentioned this already, what with the messing up and whatnot. That's at one pattern rep, I believe. And also something like 4 hours.

Here's Pomatomus on the way back, at two pattern reps and the beginning of the heel flap. My hands were hurting so bad I thought they'd fall off. I stopped soon after this.

A little close-up of the stitches. I really love the way they look all scaly, it's really fascinating. In the sun it looks like I am making some sort of fabric fish. Weird.

<3 Ambrrr

Stitch For Senate

2007-03-20T21:09:00.000-06:00

I believe, truly believe, that this is a worthwhile project. No matter where you fall on the matter of the war in Iraq, you can only support your position this way. Or at the very least express your position.

I think next time Uhlissa and I order from KnitPicks, I'll be picking up three skeins of Swish Superwash in Coast Grey and a 32" US 6 circ. That way, if Sherrod Brown (the Ohio Senator I'd like to send my helmet liner to) decides to send his to a soldier (as I hope he will), they don't have to worry about any special washing or something.

Please support our troops! They need all of our prayers/good thoughts/handmade knits to help them through.

<3, Ambrrr

A Contest! I love contests! Drinks all around!*

2007-03-19T19:46:00.000-06:00

So Mme Shelby informs me that to participate in a CONTEST (which I love to do) I must do two things:

1. Make sure you know where my SP10 Questionnaire is, and
2. Post one of my current projects.

Well, as Uhlissa mentioned in an earlier post, we put links to our SP10 Questionnaires in a sidebar item, right near the top. Mine is here, and I'll try to remember to post when I update it.

And my newest UFO (sigh) is Pomatomus by Cookie A. Again with the Koigu, as well. God, I love this yarn. It's so soft and cushy and knits up so well. I'm using my US 2 Clover Bamboo DPNs again, which feel a little off after the Addis. Much stickier than I remember. Which is good with this sock pattern, as I am having a heck of a time with it. I just started today at work, so not much has gotten done. I think I'm on.... row 7 of the Chart A pattern. I messed up the twisted rib by doing k1tbl, p1 instead of p1, k1tbl. It's not a huge deal, but just aggrivating.

Mas mas photos!!

I'm experimenting with the settings on my camera, trying to get a more accurate color. This Koigu has a lot of variated blues, from bright sky to violent violet. It's gorgeous. I'm hoping it'll bring out the scaliness of the Pomatomus pattern.

For some reason (probably the fact that I have sweaty, gross hands) this particular Koigu stained my fingers a little. Nothing major.

*And if you can link this to the quote I destroyed to make it, you win my own personal contest.

<3 Ambrrr

Mas Photos! Mas Photos!*

2007-03-19T08:41:00.000-06:00

Pattern: Bob Marley's Grandma's Footies
Needles: Addi Turbo Circular US 2, 32"
Yarn: Koigu KPPPM, dye code P118A dye lot 603, 1 and 1/4th of a skein
Modifications: Instead of DPNs I gave Magic Loop a shot on this one. It IS Magic. I adore it.

So these are the Magic Loop Bob Marley's Grandma's Footies. I am in love with Magic Loop. As you can see in the photo above the way I had them situated on the needles allowed me to have the very small, very slight ladder running down the sides instead of down the front and sole of the footies.

Even though they look like different sizes they actually are the same, and fit really really nicely.

Here's my god-awful Kitchener stitch, which somehow always starts with a purl stitch (on the left) instead of just knit across the row. *tear*

And I figure, it IS the Heels 'n Purls Knitting Society, right? They're not black, but they'll do. Also, they're made of pure awesome.

<3 Ambrrr

*As always, click to embiggen the pictures.

Ready, Set, Knit

2007-03-18T15:57:00.001-06:00

Ready, Set, Knit, originally uploaded by Wakeful Dreamer.

The summary of our Saturday A+ Adentures!

Pictures and Updates.

2007-03-17T15:37:00.000-06:00

I updated some older posts with some beautiful pictures.

Pictures of the shawl and progress on my Hedera socks

Actually, I realized I haven't really posted about much else. Here's the Monkey socks that I finished a while ago. They're made of of Knit Pick's Memories in Pansy, which I love.

Also, the weather here is gorgeous. Ambrrr and I enjoyed an adventure of sitting on the balcony enjoying the sun (among other things, that I'll let Ambrrr update you on.) Here's me basking in the glorious sun.

I'll update later this week from San Francisco!

<3 uhlissa

Bob Marley's Grandma's Footies FO (and some in progress)

2007-03-15T16:35:00.000-06:00

As previously mentioned I actually finished these a few weeks ago and have just now gotten around to posting photos. Also included are some photos of the in-progress pair I've got on the Addis.

Pattern: Bob Marley's Grandma's Footies
Yarn: Koigu KPPPM, one skein, dye code P118A, dye lot 603
Needles: Clover Bamboo DPNs US 2
Modifications: I accidentally made my second sock shorter than the first, nothing very aggrivating. That way I also have a little bit of yarn left over in case my second pair goe haywire on me. You can see the finished one from the second pair on the right.

I've already washed these in the washer and then threw them in the dryer. As you can see they're not as gem-bright as they were when they were first finished, but they're still deliciously soft and comfortable. Koigu is amazing.

These were a fun little project, they go very quickly. I'd be done with the second pair if I didn't have so much work to do. Here's a shot of the last sock still on the needles, in Magic Loop, working on the heel flap.

<3 Ambrrr

KP Update

2007-03-14T23:03:00.000-06:00

Firstly, I don't mean to scare anyone off of KnitPicks with my last post about my laziness and inability to check things before I send them. KP is still way affordable and the customer service lady emailed me back explaining that "pending" meant it was somewhere on a truck about to be shipped. Which it has, and the whole "Grovecity is the exact distance away from where I live in Ohio from Leetsdale, PA" situation is going down again. Hopefully Mum will get it soon and can send it to me.

So, of course, I'm wondering what to work on over Spring Break. Most likely I'll be giving Pomatomus a crack, as socks are easy-peasy to knit in the car.

Back to studying for my midterm tomorrow, I guess. D:

<3 Ambrrr

Done!

2007-03-13T18:45:00.000-06:00

This week is productive...at least as far as knitting goes. (School's a whole 'nother story.)I just finished the shawl I was making for my mom. I'm kind of disappointed because as soon as I bound it off and picked it up, the weight of the shawl created a whole new shape. I measured it while it was in progress and it was working out correctly, but now it's more square than rectangular. I just laid it out on my bed, and stretched it out right , and it's about 26" x 46" which is perfectly fine, but when I try to wrap it around myself, gravity makes things complicated. I think it'll be ok, because my mom is a much smaller person than I, but I'm still irritated. I'm choosing to focus on the positive though. The positive is that it is very soft and cuddly, and will make a good lap blanket if nothing else. I used Cameo Bulky by Hobby Lobby's brand Yarn Bee in the color "azure stone." It's beautiful. I used five 74 yd skeins knit on 15s (quite a change from knitting on 2s a few days ago!). I still have five skeins sitting in a box with no purpose. Oh well. I bought it super cheap on sale this summer. Pictures will be taken soon, before I take it to California to gift to my mom.

Pictures!

I think it's time to get back to my Hedera socks. I don't really plan to spend too much time on them this week, but I probably will. They also should be airplane knitting and vacation knitting. I'm afraid I'll probably finish them before all of that, so I plan to pick a pattern for the gorgeous red Frog Tree suri brushed i bought a few weeks ago. I think it will make the most delicious socks (clearly my new favorite). I'm thinking something lacy but simple.

<3 uhlissa

p.s. - i really wanted to order from knit picks soon, but ambrrr scared me out of it with her last post.

p.p.s. - sorry, ambrrr, i didn't mean to post right after you did. hopefully everyone will realize we like to update all the time and check back a few posts for still-fresh posts.

Why I Should Never Buy Things

2007-03-13T15:42:00.000-06:00

So I did order that yarn, as I so expressly forbid you from allowing me to do, and now there's hell to pay.

Last night I purchased the Knitpicks Shine Sport in River, but forgot to change my address to my university one instead of home. I realized this the second I pressed the "order" button, and sent two emails right away - one explaining my predicament and another containing my order number and customer number as soon as I received them.

Today I got a reply, stating that they "couldn't catch" the order and that it was shipping to Ohio. That's it.

Now I know that I should have checked the address before shipping, but there was no option to. Since I was signed in I would have had to go to my customer account, change it there and THEN place my order. There was also no option for me to cancel my order, even though when I looked a second ago it's still listed as "Pending." Not shipped, pending.

I sent another email asking if there was absolutely nothing that could be done, as I'd rather not pay to have it shipped again. And they've already charged my credit card.

But honestly, what?

Disappointedly yours, Ambrrr

Why, Interweave Knits? WHY?

2007-03-11T14:31:00.000-06:00

So last Saturday was another A+ Adventure, but this time Uhlissa and I spread our knitblog fun to realms outside of our LYS and Juan's Flying Burrito.

That's right, we went to Metairie.

Met'ry is home to Barnes & Noble, Two-Story Target and also an IHOP. All of these were on the agenda, and boy howdy was it fun. Although the very thought of another IHOP omlette is making me woozy. Delicious, but so gigantic!

Anyways, the main reason for this Met'ry A+ Adventure was to procure Interweave Knits' Spring 2007 issue. Eunny Jang has an entrelac sock in there that is to die for, as well as an amazing step-by-step on entrelac itself. But here is the project that is going to ruin my life: the Clementine Shawlette.

It. Is. AMAZING. I must have it! I have been staring at different sport-weight yarns for the past hour and a half instead of working on my studio project. It's taken over my life. This might in fact be the project I'd bring with me to APX convention. Oh man. It's taking everything in me not to order some yarn right away. Please, please stop me.

....

But check out this yarn. I think I like Night Sky and Grass. .... STOP ME!!

fretfully yours, Ambrrr (<3)

Le Edit:

OK, it's now a given that I am going to do this thing. Sigh. It's gonna be blue, too, 'cos now I've gone and joined Project Spectrum. What is my life coming to?

New Knitty, New Obsessions

2007-03-07T17:29:00.000-06:00

The new Knitty went up today (maybe yesterday - I haven't been checking too diligently...), and I am in love. I'm always in love when I find new patterns, so it's not that surprising,really.

New items on the list of objects to eventually knit or covet forever or are just inspiring in general:

Carolyn cardigan
bmp socks
Ester sweater
Dashing wristwarmers
Queen of cups socks
Clessidra socks

I think my favorites are the last two pairs of socks, mostly because I've become obsessed with sock knitting.

I had gotten about three inches into my Hedera socks when I decided it needed to be frogged. I had decided to overlook the fact that I had repeated the same row of the lace pattern at one point, making an odd row that stood out quite a bit in my mind, but when I was missing stitches on all 3 sides, I called in quits. I don't know how I lost so many stitches, but I'm not worrying about it, and am just four rows back into the cuff.

I've also been working on a shawl for my mom. It's going pretty quickly. It's weird working on size 2s, and then switching to 15s to work on the shawl. It's about half-way done, and I'm hoping to finish it in the next week and a half when I head to California to see my mom. It was going to be a birthday present, but that didn't happen, so I'm hoping to surprise her with it for no real reason, other than she's awesome and totally deserves it.

I promise there will be pictures soon. As Ambrrr said, illness has consumed everyone we know for the past few weeks, but we seem to be getting better. When we're well again, pictures will be posted.

<3 uhlissa

Oh man.

2007-03-05T19:08:00.000-06:00

Uhlissa and I have been down with the sickness, y'all. In an intense fashion. :<

Last Saturday was another successful A+ Adventure, as I purchased (and wound myself, with Uhlissa's help and watchful guidance!) more KOIGU to fuel the KOIGU MADNESS. It's gotten ridiculous at this point. I don't even have a sock pattern in mind for them. I think they're going to be my travellin' socks, as I go to Alpha Rho Chi's National Convention in Memphis TN March 22 - 25. Something fun to knit in the car, whee!

Let's see, where did I leave off? I haven't done much knitting as the hacking/coughing has taken up most of my time. A second pair of BMGFs are on the Addis.... and the Dreamswatch and Camera Cosy are still on their respective needles. TOO TIRED TO THINK ABOUT IT.

OK, time to work on studio until I collapse. Later friends!

<3 Ambrrr

Secret Pal Questionnaire

2007-02-27T18:54:00.000-06:00

So, ambrrr convinced me that Secret Pal looked like a lot of fun. So, I too signed up and am now totally psyched. We know that it might be confusing to our pals because we share a blog, but I promise we'll do our best to make it obvious who's doing what. In fact, we created a fancy side bar just to help make things clear. Check it out.

Now onto the fun part:

The Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I love just about everything. I like merino wools a lot. As long as wool is soft, I'm all for it. I also don't mind cottons, or even acrylic blends. There's nothing I can think of that I don't really like.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
My needles are in a couple different plastic bags that live in my box of yarn. Nothing too exciting, though fairly practical.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I learned to knit when I was about 8 from one of my neighbors. I got back into it in high school when I re-taught myself with help from books, the internet, and my best friends' mom, and have been unstoppable since. (Which has only been about 5 years). I'd say I'm an intermediate knitter.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Not at this moment, but if I come up with one, I'll be sure to post it.

5. What's your favorite scent?
Vanilla

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I like hard candy, and don't really like chocolate. My favorite candy is jelly beans. I'm also partial to jolly ranchers, swedish fish, taffy, sweet tarts, and various other candies along that line.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I sew sometimes, though I don't have my machine down here at school. I cross stitch, but not much when I'm knitting something cool. I also make t-shirts and paint a little.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I'm very ecclectic in my musical taste. Mostly punk/pop punk, but I like all things from the 80s, like some pop, rock, country and hip hop. I'm going to guess that if you took the time to send me music, I would not be disappointed.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
Purple and green. I don't like browns or orange. I like yellows in combination with pretty colors, but not usually by it's self.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I live in a dorm room currently, and when I'm at home I have parents and a stepsister. There are dogs at home, but nothing even remotely resembling a pet here.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I love love love scarves, hats and mittens, but ponchos aren't my thing.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I'm currently on a sock binge. I like making mittens a lot. I used to enjoy hats a lot, I've just gotten distracted lately by other options. I've also been exploring the world of lace knitting, and love to make soft, cuddly things.

13. What are you knitting right now?
I'm knitting quite a few things. I'm bad at finishing things. Well, no,I finish things, but I like to have a variety of projects going simultaneously. Right now I"m finishing a pair of socks, making my mom a shawl and making myself a Harry Potter scarf.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Absolutely.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I like straights and dpns. I use a lot of bamboo and plastic. I'm not opposed to aluminum as long as they're not particularly slippery.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Not yet. I've been contemplating buying a winder for a while.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
I have scarves I started years ago, and was uninspired to finsih, but they're in a box at home. Here at school, the oldest UFO is probably two months or so old.

18. What is your favorite holiday?
My birthday. Though I'm also partial to St. Patrick's day and Halloween.

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Pigs. In all shapes and forms. Plus, of course, yarn.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
not that I can think of. I have a subscription to Creative Knitting that my friend gave me for Christmas.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Not particularly. I tend to try to teach myself new things if I pick a pattern that requires new skills.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes. I'm a US women's 10. My foot is about 9.5 inches long from the heel to the big toe.

23. When is your birthday?
February 26.

Well, that's it. I'm really excited about all of this.

<3 uhlissa

UFO/FO Update, yo.

2007-02-27T12:49:00.000-06:00

Sorry for the radio silence. Studio is heating up, and I've been ridiculously drunk for the past week (what all with Mardi Gras, Beaux Arts Ball and numerous 21st birthday parties).

FOs:
- Bob Marley's Grandma's Footies
- Mum's Calorimetry

UFOs:
- Camera Cozy

Photos/info coming soon! I promise! Ok, maybe not until Friday!

<3 Ambrrr

Secret Pal 10! Oh boy!

2007-02-27T12:30:00.000-06:00

So I've decided to stop being such a lump and participate in Secret Pal 10. I think it'll be fun! Plus, I love to get mail. I also love to fill out surveys, as seen below!!

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I'm just starting to explore what fibers I like. But I cannot stand 100% cotton. After Marilyn's Fetching I'm very very wary about knitting with that again. I'm a fan of merino wools, and as long as acrylic is blended with something I don't mind knitting with it.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

Right now they're all in a tub with my v. small yarn stash. I've been thinking about getting a tin or something, but I don't have that many needles here at Tulane.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I've been knitting since I was 8, so that's 12 years under my belt. Nonetheless, I would consider myself an "intermediate" knitter.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Yes, you can find it here and another one here.

5. What's your favorite scent?

I love lemongrass, grass, and green tea. Also very light floral scents, like cherry blossom.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

You cannot go wrong with chocolate, and my favorite candy is the Skor bar. I am also partial to anything Kinder makes, and have a devestating attraction to Nutella.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

Knitting is pretty much the only crafty thing I do, besides a little drawing. I cannot spin, and don't have access to a sewing machine. :C I also do a little cross stitch.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I am open to pretty much all kinds of music, excepting country and heavy metal. You can check out my Last.fm here, which tells you what kind of music I listen to and how often. I also have an iPod for MP3s and my laptop can play CDs.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

Green is my favorite color, followed closely by black, blue and purple. (Why am I a bruise?) I have troubles liking yellows and oranges, but I'm open to them. Browns..... I guess it all depends. :D

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

Right now I live in a dorm room at Tulane University, so no pets and luckily no roommate. I don't smoke, either. During May and June I'll likely be living with my Mum in Ohio again, where I have a Chihuahua. But he stays out of the stash and she doesn't smoke either. Neither does the dog.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

Scarves, hats and mittens yes, ponchos no.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

I am a sock lunatic right now. I just bought some Addi turbos (my first pair!) to knit another pair, as soon as I find a pattern I like.

13. What are you knitting right now?

Socks, socks, and Fetching. And also a camera cosy, which I am weary of.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Yes!!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

For knitting flat I like straight, but in the round I'm used to DPNs. I'm going to use the Addis to try Magic Loop for the first time, which I think will be exciting. Bamboo or aluminum needles, as long as they aren't the crappy aluminum kind.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

Unfortunately no. :C

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

Only a few weeks. It's that wretched camera cozy. Unless you count the fact that I still haven't found a button for my Calorimetry, in which case my oldest UFO is about 2 months old.

18. What is your favorite holiday?

Easter! Chocolates and bunnies, hurrah!

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Not really. Other than yarn, that is.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

I haven't really perused the knitting books out there. I don't even know what the fuss is about EZ. (*ducks flying objects*) No knitting 'zines here, either. I am like a blank slate.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

Hmm... I'm giving Magic Loop a go, soon.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

I am all about the socks right now. I'm a 9 1/2 US Woman's, and my foot measures about 9 1/2 to 10 inches from heel to toe.

23. When is your birthday?

October 2nd.

Wheee Secret Pal! Sekkrit Pal, even.

<3 Ambrrr