A sock and stuff

So I've ventured into the exciting world of sock knitting. I used to find it ridiculous and boring to knit a damn sock, but I actually will admit to digging it now. I just sort of grew weary of spending a month knitting a sweater that I feel totally meh about once it's done, so I needed something else for a change. Plus, I got oodles of sock yarn for trade on knitty, so I didn't spend a fortune. Here's the first sock of the Rib and Cable Socks from IK sometime or other. Adore it at your own risk; its awesome may burn your retinas.

In other news, I'm going to Miami for Labor Day. My bestest girlfriend since 7th grade will be turning 30 on Aug 29, and for her bday, she's flying me down for 3 days of fun and sun and probably booze. And since this is Kelly we're talking about, I'll probably come back with a new tat, a sunburn, and have married a college freshmen from Oklahoma.
So, to save up for this vacation, I have put up my adorably and made for me hoodie for sale on my etsy shop. If it sells, I'll be sad to see it go, but I can always make another one, and it's spring, so the number of folks out there looking for a nice warm, wool cardigan may be slim pickins. I gotta try though, cuz I'm broke as a joke (as my ex Army buddy used to say).

Rusted Root Part Deux

Rusted Root was my first real sweater that I made about 2 years ago. It was fun to make, gorgeous color yarn, and I felt super proud when it was finished. However, I followed the pattern to the letter and ended up with the waist shaping too low for my body, and the armpit too long, so it was not a great fit. Plus, the wool content in the yarn was a bit itchy and way too warm for spring. So....here is my 2nd and final attempt at RR. I love this one. I now know more about my body shape (super high waisted and not much difference between bust, waist, and hip width), so I think it's a much better fit. I made this with Cotton Fleece in emperor's robe, which is quite possibly the most beautiful blue yarn I've ever seen. I love this, my hubby loves this, and I've already worn it twice.

As close as I'll get to being a green beret

If you knew how very far away I was to actually being anywhere near a decent enough soldier to be a green beret, you'd laugh your ass off. In the 365 days I was in the Army, not once did I salute an officer, rarely did I show up for formation, even more rarely did I wear my uniform or treat my superior officers with anything but typical teenaged disdain. How I made it that far without brutal punishment is beyond me. I think they realized early on I was a lost cause and just sort of ignored me like one might a defiant toddler.
Oh, yes, the knitted object. This is a modifification of le slouche. I have a freakishly small head (I can wear my 4 yr old's hats), so I used size 5 needles instead of 8. Plus, the Cascade 220 that I used seemed a bit thinner than the average 220. I love this color, and now that I have hair, it's not quite as itchy.

Plus, a little future hat lust. Here in Chicagovilleland, winter is still very much upon us, as we got 6 in of snow just last night. Hats and mittens have become my newfound love affair. The chick in this band, has such a cutesie pie hat that I simply must yoink one for myself. Their music is actually pretty adorable too, but the hat is the most important thing to notice.

Make it work, people!

I have what some might consider an unhealthy love of Tim Gunn. I want to steal him, chain him up in my closet, and make him tell me what to wear everyday. I do have a great fashion sense b/c of him; I just lack the funds and energy to go out and buy the right clothes and such. So I wear a lot of tshirts. Here's one I just made with a homemade stencil of my personal god, Mr. Gunn.

Never felt more special in all my lives

I finally got my ravelry invite! I swear I couldn't be more excited if I had just won a Grammy. My username is Tucker104, and today I will be feverishly playing with my shiny new toy.

Girl crush

http://www.theblackapple.typepad.com/

Have you seen this cutie pie's blog? She wears these adorable vintage dresses, has awesome rosebud red lips, and sells the most amazing prints on etsy. Go check out her blog. It's just loaded with cuteness to the power of 10. Go! Now!

Done, Done, and Done

First up is my own design, although when I finished I realized it looks a lot like Arwen from IK, and that if I had followed that pattern, it might've been a helluva lot easier.


I used Knitpicks Merino Style in Maple Leaf. I love this yarn; it was so fabulous to knit with and really makes the cabling pop.

Next is a highly modified version of the placed cable aran from IK Fall 07. I worked it in the round from the bottom up, then worked the front and back cabling. I skipped the cowl type collar altogether, and instead of knitting flat and sewing the sleeves on, I just picked up stitches evenly around the sleeve openings and knit straight down with no decreases for a flare. I used Red Heart Soft Yarn, and this yarn is so surprisingly soft after you wash the sweater that I'll definitely use it again.

And the last is my first pair of mittens. I used the pattern for the litte flip top mittens in SNB Nation, but I realized that it's so freakin' cold out there, I'm not ever going to flip them open, so I just closed it off. I used some Lamb's Pride bulky; it's a wool/mohair blend, which I love. It's soft and fuzzy, and the colors are yummy. They only took me 2 days, which I love even more after working on mostly intricate sweaters that each took about a month to finish.

Next up, a couple of hats for the wee ones of my friends and possibly a hat or two. We shall see.