On a happier note...

Here is my latest finished object... my version of the Booga Bag.

This was made utilizing two different felt-able yarns in my stash: Patons Classic Merino in Chestnut and Bernat Lana in Smoke (I think). A quick easy knit, I think I will be making another soon to take my mind off of my recent WIP disasters. I will likely tweak this pattern a bit to make a larger finished bag.

Also, I am considering embellishing these bags with needle felting, a skill I hope to learn in the near future!

Update Overdue...

As you will see in another post, I do have a finished object to share and I am definitely happy with it :)

However, it seems like everything else I have touched since then I have had to frog and forget or frog and restart. For example, my ribbed Austermann Step socks and my stash bustin' lace sampler shrug... I had thought that I had measured my gauge for the socks, but apparently not. After turning the heel and knitting the gusset, I eagerly tried on my creation only to discover it was about an inch too large. Rip-it, rip-it... to the frog pond. I have now come to terms with this situation and I am re-knitting it after casting on 8 fewer stitches. Hopefully, I will have no further issues with these socks.

The shrug, using LB suede, is progressing slowly and the different lace patterns are giving me ideas for designs I may want to create myself :) However, I will be sooooooo glad when my stash is void of this particular yarn. I just don't like working with it... it's becoming a chore but I will see it through to the end!

I've also had gauge issues with a crochet (to be felted) hat. I don't know why I didn't realize that you need to check your gauge even when felting but I didn't until I was over halfway trough the project only to discover that it was waaaaaaaay too big. So I've restarted this project too.

My mojo seems to be missing at the moment...

$3.96 ...seriously.

$3.96 was my total out of pocket expense for this order from Alpaca Direct. I received 4 skeins of Cascade Sassy Stripes in the Fey colorway for a Clapotis project and 4 skeins of Lorna's Laces sock yarn in the colorways of Lakeview and Tickled Pink. Pretty cool, huh? I took advantage of the opportunity to buy yarn on Amazon.com using a $50 giftcode courtesy of MyPoints. This was such an easy transaction that I would buy from Amazon/Alpaca Direct again in a heartbeat -- I'm already planning my next purchase as they have a great selection of Cascade Fixation.

If you would like a referral link to MyPoints Send me an
email with "MyPoints" in the subject line :)

I've caught STARTITIS

So far I have three WIPs: the Austermann Step socks, a LB Suede Shrug, and a Booga inspired felted bag utilizing some of my stash. You would think that this would be enough to keep me occupied but NO! I am itching to start a crochet project. I have a new Amigurumi book I haven't done anything with yet, plus I have a nice stash of crochet thread and I am just itching to make a table runner for my dining room table. Then there is this great big hook I've never used and I'm thinking it would be nice to bust out a little blanket or lapghan to use up some of my remaining RH. Plus, I have a shipment coming from Alpaca Direct (I'll post more about it when it arrives) and I've been debating between a Drop Scarf inspired by the Clapotis or an actual Clapotis for a KAL. Since I am not a stole or shawl person really, I think the Drop Scarf will ultimately win out, but we'll see...

Here's my theory, when my stress level (not from anything bad, just busy) goes up, my project ADD or STARTITIS increases... I wonder if this is true of other knitters too...

Finished!

The second of the Christmas Sweaters finally has a brand new neck band. I had started last night while at a group knit meeting and realized too late that I had the stitches going the wrong direction. So I frogged it at home and started over... but now it is done and it fits my toddler just fine :)

(More pictures on Ravelry...)