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

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

Longest Update in the History of the World, Part I

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

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

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!