DrPurl

Day 1 Journal 6.6.06

We (Kate, Andrea and I) decided we are going to do 30 days of knitting. Here is the photo of us on 6.6.06.

What we are working on: Amy - Felted Basket from Mason Dixion Book
Kate - Learned how to do mattress stitch and started putting together her bag.
Andrea - Practicing Cables.. Now, remember she only learned to knit less than a month ago.

Topics of Conversation:
Suz's Birthday
Suz's Gift
Stalker (Audra's Ex) calling Audra debating who is throwing their life away. Even though he is the one without a job, almost failed college.. That topic could be a whole blog entry by itself.
Andrea's training meeting and how she is so looking forward to working with all the HS.. NOT
Are we allowed to knit during meetings? We have found we pay attention quite well and the yarn is just itching to be knit during meetings.

We watched..
Last Comic Standing
1/2 of Glory Road

We sure lead EXCITING LIVES!

Socks are not my friend!

Yes, It is official I have my first UFO. It is my sock, I can't get it, it makes me angry when I look at itI have lost sleep over it and to be honest I just don't think about it. I can't, they are not finished. I was teasing Amy last night about it. Since it was her sock class that I took. Really, she hasn't failed me. I failed my sock, it wants to be finished but I can't do it justice. LOL However, some day Amy and I will do coffee then I will look like the idiot cause I bet it is easy and my brain just can not process it. Honestly, Amy is not you its me! What I am going to do with the 4 skeins of sock yarn I have waiting to be made into socks? I guess I should not dream about socks before I finish my 1st pair. Maybe socks and I are just not meant to be.

We had our SNB last night and was it packed! There were 10 new faces and best of all. I got to share my LYS with Kate and Andrea. Andrea just started learn to knit 2 weeks ago and she is such a natural. Andrea got to see the Llamas (she is a Llama enthusiast) and I got to share a part of my life with other knitters that I enjoy knitting with. I was not sure if Andrea and Kate were going to like the SNB. Not that there is anything wrong but they are the "young" knitters. They loved it and are looking forward to going back next week. It is a great place to get any questions answered, show off projects. Speaking of which....

I know I am bad showing off my items once done. I will get a photo this weekend of me in my sweater and Mike in his. Here is my Jelly Purse, I was able to knit it up in a night and it took one more day to do the liner with sewing it in. Miles had to get in the photo and he made a great prop to keep the purse standing.

The inside,

I have an awesome SP! I first got a letter from her with a stitch marker. I have also started a new bag for myself.

It is called Zigzag Bag using Lorna's Laces Bullfrogs and Butterflies. I am using the color Iris Garden. I am about to frog it, re-reading the directions I think I did it wrong. It is too bad cause I have been working on it for a week and still not done with the bottom.

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My SP also sent me a package that I got last weekend. I am sorry for the delay in getting it up, it has been a rollercoaster of week to say the least.

I got this beautiful handpainted dyed yarn, a candle and a book A Good Yarn. I was able to catch some rays by the pool last weekend and started the book. It was a hard choice, knit, read, knit, read??? I love to do both.

I will take a photo of the book once I get back out to the camper.

It looks to be a nice weekend out and I hope to catch some sun and knit. Hats off to a great Memorial Weekend.

This That.. Cedargrove??

Whew, what a weekend! We did not end up camping because of the icky weather.. However, we did go to this little town called Cedargrove to watch a Rugby game in the icky weather. Basically, it ended up being a liquid diner night at a little bar in a little town. It sure was fun and ended the evening early with way to much to drink! Poor Mike! He had to drive around 5 drunk HUNGRY girls. We blasted the tunes and sang our hearts out on the way home!

I did get to my sock class on Saturday and they are coming along great. I really don't like doing the heels but like everything, it is hard the 1st time.

Mike's sweater is done, done, done, done! I am waiting for the zippers to come in and I will post the photos. He looks so HOT! Really, it fits him great and I am pretty proud of myself.

I did decide to start on a purse for Kate. Here is the pattern and yarn. I am using Cascade 220 and we will felt it at the end. However, I did get one panel done and realized it is a much better 1st project for her than me.

During the season finale of Grey's, we taught Andrea how to knit. I will take some photos tonight of what we all look like just sitting around my house. It is a nightly SNB.

Tonight, I get to start a new purse for myself!! YEAH!
It is made from Jelly Yarn and of course I got in Hot Pink.

Till Next Time,
Amy

SP8 Answers

I am sorry this took a bit.. I ended up with a sinus infection and just couldn't think straight..

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I really do not like acrylics. Since I am new to knitting, I love using different types of yarns.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
A handmade tie case..

3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I consider myself a newbie but have tackled some tougher objects.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yep.. I guess I need to update it. http://www.amazon.com/o/registry/Y8HRFEREOEAG

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
I love the smell of apples or spice type things for the home. I love to take baths!! Can you say 5 minutes to myself?

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?Yes, I do.. I will pass on the chocolate though, with my parents having a chocolate shop.. I get more chocolate that I can even imagine eating. My favorite candy but hard to find is sweet-tart brand in little balls. I also like Jelly Worms and Bears.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
Spin me round like a record baby! No, that is one hobby I have not learned yet. Is there anything else than knitting?

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
GreenDay, Billy Joel, Supertramp, Journey, Top 40 just to name a few. Yes, I can play mp3s.

9. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
Hot Pink is my favorite.. I also like the variagated yarns.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
5 kids, 2 dogs and 3 cats.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I do not wear hats but scarves, mittens and have not worn a poncho because I have not made one yet.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I have done tons of scarves, 2 sweaters and purses. I guess right now, purses.

13. What are you knitting right now?
My Hidden Agenda Sweater and my 1st pair of socks.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Circular, addi turbos!

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

17. How did you learn to knit?
I took a class.

18. How old is your oldest UFO
I don't have one yet!

19. What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas

20. Is there anything that you collect?
I like dragonflies so things with that on it.

21. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I really woulld like those books from the yarnharlot..

22. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I would like to learn how to do cables and switch to continental knitting.

23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I am trying to do my 1st pair but getting frustrated on it so I am not sure yet!

24. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
8/11

Well... Here are the sleeves, finally!

I did figure out that I need to knit small things by the campfire. I kept worrying that some little flames were going to jump into my knitting bag and catch a sleeve on fire. Stranger things have been known to happen!

We had an exploding rock last year! I finally got both sleeves done, they are blocking now as I type this. I really do not like seaming things up.. but I know that is part of the process.

Here they are,

I am recovering from a sinus/cold thing. I haven't had one in almost a year now but it did knock me on my butt for a few days.

Another purse down and a sweater to go..

Wow, this was a fast work up. It only took me about 3 days from start to finish! I have it all felted now and just need to finish the lining. I really do not like to sew but learned a lot from my last bag I felted. I will add 2 pockets again but going to skip the zipper. Of course, I will put in a pocket for my cell phone. This was a perfect project for learning to do i-cord and coloring carrying.

Now that my purse is done and the guilt is over (The last 2 things I made where for myself). I have started Mike's sweater from Knitwits, Hidden Agenda Sweater. I am using yarn from Handpaintedyarn.com and got him Midnight in Paris. It is just beautiful! The colors are hard to explain, not quite purple, black or blue. I hope he likes it as much as I do. The whole sweater is done in 2x2 ribbing and pretty easy to do. I understand the construction of it since doing my last sweater. I decided to put a lifeline in his sweater every 10 rows just in case I mess up. I wish I would of known about that with the Janda sweater. It would of saved me so many times. I have not had to use it yet but one never knows! Here are a few photos.

Call me crazy but I am going to organize a new type of exchange! Check it out here, Secret Notions Exchange

Square Dance Purse

I am very excited to do Mike's sweater, Hidden Agenda Sweater from Knitwit. Knitwit is the first book I ever bought, I was so scared of the patterns at first but now I feel pretty confident I could make most of them. However, since I spent 8 weeks on my last sweater, I wanted to make some quick. I started this purse on 3.31.06. I need to finish the I-cord for the straps and then felt it. It is going make a cute but small bag!

1st Sweater

My next project was the Janda Hoodie from Knitty. I learned so much from this project. In typical Amy fashion, I never do the easy stuff. Really my 2nd real project and here I am doing a ragland sweater! If it wasn't for the wonderful staff at my LYS, I wouldn't of been able to do it! A special thanks to Amy from my LYS!! (((HUGS))) ;

Here is my first back panel. I did end up frogging it and re-doing it.

I am done but just need to take a photo of it!! I used Cascade Sierra yarn.

My 1st Real Project!

I am going to try to play catch-up since I have been knitting longer than I have had this blog. I took the classes at Michaels and really caught on right away and fell in love with it. After doing a few scarves I decided it was time to step it up a notch. This was my first project besides my scarves. My first felted bag... I found the pattern here, Palace Yarns Iceland Felted Bag with Dragonfly Trim I was just dying to make this! Of course not the same colors but just wanted to try it. The first problem I had was finding the yarn. At this point I was still just using yarn from Michaels, Hobby Lobby and couldn't find anything comparable. I was off to do a search online to find a LYS. It just happened that I had to go to Port to take the girls to the ortho. I found a LYS in Cedargrove, Bahr Creek. I fell in love from the moment I stepped into the store. I found my yarn and I could not wait to get started. I bet I spent at least an hour in that store with 2 crabby sore-mouthed kids.. It was like christmas morning. Here are some photos of my purse.



I must say, I did learn a lot from this pattern. I had never done decreases or increases. I also got to felt for the first time. Overall, I am pretty happy with it. I could of let it felt a bit longer but was so afraid I was going to ruin it. I did put a liner in and just made it up along the way.