Blocks and projects

We're up to 29 blocks - only 20 more to go by Saturday!

I'm nearly done with two projects, but have a lot to start and finish (one scarf, two bookmarks, a shawl and MAYBE something else) . I am 50% complete with Christmas cards, though - they should go out this week (a huge improvement over last year's February postmark!)

Marie Curie Quote

"Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perserverence and, above all, confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing...must be attained."

Blanket Update

I've completed 3.5 blocks so far, I've seen a couple of the other completed blocks and I've gotten more commitments. I think we're going to have a wonderful blanket! I'll be sure to post pics of the assembly and the blanket.

Charity Blanket

So we now have a place to give the blanket, thanks to Jerry. I think the block tally is over 10 right now. So we still have a ways to go, but I know we can do it!

I other knitting news, this weekend I completed 1 christmas gift, am at 90% for another. (Counting on her fingers)... this means 3 in progress, 5 to start and finish, and 3 complete. Not bad. I also managed to make my way through 25% of my holiday cards this weekend.

More blocks at S'nB tomorrow.

Pic from Afar

Sarah has posted pics that include my first freeform scarf, so I stole one. In the pic, she happens to be in Paris (lucky girl :)

Participants!

So far we have Jerry, Chandra, Cyn, Sarah, Gayle and myself from Lakeview S'nB making blocks, and Mary has knitting machines and has at least one knitted blanket to contribute! Way to go! Jerry is helping identify a local need for the blanket(s) we produce. Project Linus is also a consideration.

We already have 2 blocks completed! We're on our way...

I have also added a link for Threads of Compassion if anyone is interested in knitting for sexually abused women in Chicago. My goal is to complete some charitable knitting every month. In January, I'll be working on items for the February 3rd Benefit for Chloe. Thanks to Cyn for bringing this to our attention.

In other knitting news, nothing completed this weekend, but progress made on two Christmas gifts and another begun. I also made a couple of attempts to start knitting blocks for the blanket, but to no avail. I will try crocheting a block tonight.

Happy Knitting!

Knit Unto Others

Check out the link under "Looky Here". I'll be working on squares for Warm Up America. I invite my S'nB buddies to contribute a square, and maybe we can send in a full blanket before Christmas.

Your Personality Profile

You are dignified, spiritual, and wise.Always unsatisfied, you constantly try to better yourself.You are also a seeker of knowledge and often buried in books. You tend to be philosophical, looking for the big picture in life.You dream of inner peace for yourself, your friends, and the world.A good friend, you always give of yourself first.

The World's Shortest Personality Test

It sure is Friday at the office

Your Brain's Pattern

Your brain is always looking for the connections in life.You always amaze your friends by figuring out things first.You're also good at connecting people - and often play match maker.You see the world in fluid, flexible terms. Nothing is black or white.

What Pattern Is Your Brain?

Hmmm?

You Should Get a MFA (Masters of Fine Arts)

You're a blooming artistic talent, even if you aren't quite convinced.You'd make an incredible artist, photographer, or film maker.

What Advanced Degree Should You Get?

funny!

You are Martin Heidegger! Your reputation is
stained a bit by the fact that you were a
member of the Nazi party, but your
groundbreaking Being and Time is still
read by a whole lot of people. You overuse the
hyphen, and make up a lot of words. You died in
1976.

What 20th Century Theorist are you?
brought to you by

Still, no photos

I know some of my readers are as bummed as I am - I managed to send off the DH with the camera and flash card, full of images, without downloading them to the laptop. Oh well.

With DH gone, I plan to get lots done (of course) - like socks and holiday cards (no, not knit :) ) and Christmas presents, and this cool idea for adding to a 3/4 sleeve T-shirt. I may even try to get to the new JoAnn fabrics - which I've heard nothing but good things about.

Finished mittens, sorry no photos

I finished Jeff's mitten's yesterday when I was home sick. I'm pretty happy with the progress, but I'm excited to go ahead with my mittens, because I've got a few more modifications I want to test out. I hope to post pics and notes on what I've worked out. I crocheted what I wanted to be a basket, but became the base for a very cool brooch. Hopefully I'll make gift and/or card progress this weekend, as DH probably has to work one day this weekend.

At Tuesday's S'nB, I met some great ladies from ACAD in Calgary - fiber artists to be exact - it was great. We're starting to have larger turn out on Tuesdays, now that the weather is getting colder and the holidays are sneaking up on us.

Progress, always onward and upward

A delightful weekend with many visitors. My folks were in town and we visited the MCA to see the Dan Flavin Retrospective, which closed in Chicago this weekend. We celebrated my mom's birthday and Saturday we spent the day at SOFA - lots of beatiful and amazing things, and some projects that get an A for effort.

We also had a chance to catch up with our friends Joel and Meghan and had fun talking design and travel and music and anything else that tickled our fancies. I've also been commissioned by said friends for two separate endeavors. Upon completetion I will exhibit them here.

Meanwhile, I finished one gift, made progress on another, and am about 1/3 the way through Jeff's second mitten. I wouldn't be surprised if I finished it tonight at S'nB. I enjoy working in the round, and I really do not mind the dpns. After the first row, I'm able to knit as smoothly as with straights. I've also begun cable work (on straights) and after making mistakes on the second repeat, I really began to understand the pattern and proceeded to work and memorize the pattern.

Lots has been going on....

I visited my friend Meghan in San Francisco over a week ago... visited Urban Knitting Studio (Great space, beautiful and extensive yarn collection, friendly staff, easy to get to). While on vacation, I figured out that knitting/crocheting/crafting/working with my hands is really what makes me happy, and I decided that I am going to pursue this as my vocation (in lieu of pursuing an architecture firm with DH and BF), the final form of which I'm not 100% clear about yet, but I'm very excited to figure it out.

In the mean time, I completed my crocheted linen grocery bag and have been testing it for improvements on the next one, working on Jeff's mittens, I completed Jeff's scarf, began working on veggies, won lots of yarn on E-bay, and am working on a couple of freeform designs, as well as a couple of Christmas presents. Updated pictures to come later.

I'm off to Stitch 'n Bitch tonight - I'll be working on the mittens.

I see I'm not alone...

http://www.laweekly.com/ink/05/43/la-butler.php

Some inspiration

"By your thoughts you are daily, even hourly, builiding your life: you are carving your destiny."
-Ruth Barrick Golden

"Do not let time pass without accomplishing something. Oterwise you will regret it when your hair turns grey." - Yue Fei

Patterns soon

New blog: http://patternedredskew.blogspot.com . I will post my original patterns here.

Business planning and crocheting

So I completed the feather and fan scarf below on Saturday. I finished the free form last Wednesday evening and it is now in Conneticut with Sarah. Sunday I met with my two business partners for the better part of the day, working on our business plan, all the while happily crocheting away (from start to finish) on my green chenille scarf. This is how life should be.

I also got a shout out from my business partner/best friend Scott's boyfriend Joe. He will be our future IT consultant. He's cool.

That's about it for today. I'm still plugging away at the orange and white scarf and the purple lace. I gotta get my hands on dpns (I managed to lose out on a great set on Ebay - I will be trying again soon) so I can get cranking on the socks.

I've got Stitch 'n Bitch tonight - yee haw!

Feather and Fan scarf in Magic Stripe

Lion Brand Magic Stripe on #6, three repeats. It's my "easy project" for now.

Slip Stitch scarf

Orange cotton and white acrylic "fall scarf" for DH. My first attempt at a slip stitch pattern. I definately like this easy technique for color work. I'm already planning orange and white mittens worked in this same pattern, but in wool to be felted.

Freeform in progress

My first attempt at Freeform knitting and crochet. Mostly Lion Brand yarn - two colors of homespun, one chenille, some verigated wool, and other color coordinates from my stash. This is the project for the weekend - I need to almost double this in size. I'm really looking forward to it! Then, it will go on an overseas journey with Sarah. Maybe I can get her to post a pic or two when she wears it :)

Yo! Drop It Scarf

The Yo! Drop It scarf from Stitch 'n Bitch Nation in two strands - red & white Pineapple and red acrylic. approximately 6 hours to complete.

Progress

I will post photos tomorrow, but I figured I'd post SOMETHING....
Finally started my purple lace shawl, still working on the free form, the orange & white slipstitch pattern (this is my "easy" one), the lavendar lace (maybe 1/3 complete), and last Friday I started and finished the Yo Drop It scarf from SnB Nation in Red & White Pineapple yarn and red acrylic. It's about 5'6" long, took approximately 6 hours and is going in my gift pile for Christmas...

Still to plan... varigated green chenille scarf, lavendar cotton, gotta pick up some dpns for sock making, waiting for 3 pounds of yarn from ebay...

And I'm EXHAUSTED from work today - lately I've only been busy for about half the day, and all of a sudden my brain is working full speed on laying out unit plans!!!!!!!!

Projects for other people's babies

I've come across a couple of the CUTEST patterns for baby things veggie rattles and baby socks. I've got a cousin coming in February, so that gives me plenty of time...

I'm currently working on a Freeform scarf in blue/purple/pink/green/ivory (gee, I really need to post progress pics) , Knitty's Branching Out scarf in lavendar cotton/linen, and a fall scarf for my husband in orange cotton and white acrylic in a great slip-stitch pattern from my stitch bible , The Reader's Digest Ultimate Sourcebook of Knitting and Crochet Stitches.

I'm making progress toward my Holiday gifts ... the freeform is due at the beginning of September (she's leaving the country) and Branching out is a holiday gift, a few more scarves, some socks - I should be in good shape.

I still have 10 balls of Rowan Glace in Excite that I can't make up my mind on - I think I'll do a shawl for myself, but it's a matter of finding the right pattern....

I should really get back to work instead of daydreaming about my knitting projects!

More on my personality

ENTJ - "Field Marshall". The basic driving force and need is to lead. Tend to seek a position of responsibility and enjoys being an executive. 1.8% of total population.

Free Jung Personality Test (similar to Myers-Briggs/MBTI)

Umm, not so much about knitting

I have issues with...

weakness submission persecution rest fruit

Take Word Association Test

OTN & planned projects

I'm currently working on a free-form scarf for a friend - lots of Lion Brand yarn - mauves, blues, ivory and blue-green. It's the first time since my very first project (almost 3 years ago) that I've used LB - the homespun is pretty good, once you get going, but there's a little too much friction on the bamboo needles. I will post progress pics soon.

I'm very excited about this blog - it's a great way to document my work and share it with others. I've been reading a number of knitting blogs lately, and I really love others' pics - progress and finished. SO, I'm making most of my blog pics, with basic descriptions of material, pattern, stitches, and maybe time to finish.

I just picked up some goodies from my LYS (Arcadia Knitting here in Chicago) - orange Lamb's pride, lavendar and orange mercized cotton, red/white "pineapple", red and white poly to go with it, and GORGEOUS varigated green chenille for a wrap/scarf for myself.

Hand towel and cloths

Lace Scarf 2

Lace Scarf 1

A baby blanket

One of these days I'll actually show you what I make

You are "turbo" charged.Fast moving and classy, you get things done with
power and grace. Your expensive tastes can be
deceiving, since what you really value is
quality and efficiency. As you're careening
around those corners in life, finishing a dozen
knitted objects each month, stop and smell the
roses. Don't miss the beauty of process!

What kind of knitting needles are you?
brought to you by

what kind of yarn are you?

You are Mohair.You are a warm and fuzzy type who works well with
others, doing your share without being too
weighty. You can be stubborn and absolutely
refuse to change your position once it is set,
but that's okay since you are good at covering
up your mistakes.

What kind of yarn are you?
brought to you by

Which Golden Girl are you?

Which Golden Girl Are You?

Current project context

The beautiful Villa Park Bank by Peter Roesch.

So I'll give this a try