"Nice Knits"!

Happy Halloween!

For those of you who don't know, I am like the biggest Wonder Woman fan ever. I used to pretend to be her all the time...when I was younger. I used to tie-up my brother with my magic lasso (a piece of baling twine) and we would pretend that he was a nasty Natzi that I was going to pull great secrets from in order to save the world. I have tons of Wonder Woman stuff....from antique glasses to salt and pepper shakers. My heart seized up when my friend Sam sent me this picture.

At least she got the crown right. And the red purse is a nice touch. After all, a girl needs a place to put her Tic Tacs.

Megan

Meet Megan.
I bought the yarn for Megan a few weeks ago at Knit Happens, and she didn't even make it into the stash album. I wanted to make a poncho, but now that eveyone has one it has lost its appeal. I figured this would be more interesting. I've already started, and probably only have about 12 rows left... if that. Megan is a FAST girl. Sure to be a hit with the boys!

Knit on US 36 needles (aka Turkey Basters) with Rowan Biggy Print in Splash

Here is a close-up of the stitches:

I hope to have her in wearable shape next week. Although if my husband sees me knitting anything but the Manly Sweater, I hear "that doesn't look like my sweater..." Guess I'll have to take a long "shower" this weekend and work on her in the bathroom.

It's Not Easy Being Green

I am almost finished with my first scarf for "Food and Friends". Only a few inches left to go. They are accepting scarves until Jan. 1, so hopefully I can get a few more done before then. I think I am going to name each one after a Muppet:
Green - Kermit
Purple - Gonzo
Blue - Cookie Monster
Red - Elmo

I still have a lot of work to do on the Manly Sweater, but the scarves are a great Metro project. The Manly Sweater sheds too much for Metro. I will say one thing, and sorry if I am repeating myself, but... I HATE THIS YARN! It is Lionbrand Homespun and I just hate it. I have the worst time seeing the stitches and little strands are always getting caught on my needles. It is probably because I generally do not do much with fuzzy yarn. I like the color though, (Florida Keys Green) and I have about 7 more skeins of it in various colors. Bad for sweaters....perfect for scarves!

Flower Swap

If you haven't already, sign up for Pinku's flower swap. What a great idea, and how generous of her to organize the swap! Can't wait until I get my swap partner. I have a great idea for a flower....

Home Sweet Home

Have you seen the new Rebecca Home magazine? Take a look at the bedspread on the first page. Oh. My. God. If I start it now, I can maybe have it done for when my husband and I are ready to retire. Although, I am sure my two-year-old would LOVE to sit on it in the morning while she is eating her Cheerios and milk and watching kid TV. The magazine really does have some awesome stuff in it. I just don't think I would ever be comfortable with people sitting on my nice, white cable pillows! "Here, wouldn't you rather have a nice glass of water instead of that red wine?"

The Xmas decorations are pretty scary looking. They look like cat toys.

Book Review: The Other Side of the Story

Title: The Other Side of the Story: A Novel
Author: Marian Keyes
Published April 2004
October selection for the Knit Happens "Knit Lit Book Club".

The general story is about a woman (Gemma) who's father leaves her mother after like 35 years of marriage. Her mother freaks out, and Gemma is left to pick up the pieces. She writes about her parents to her friend Susan, who in turn sends the entertaining e-mails to a literary agent named Jojo. Jojo decides to take Gemma on as a client, and it just so happens she also represents the person who stole away Gemma's "the one". Gemma's old friend Lily wrote a very successful first book, but is stuck on the second. She is also living in guilt over what she did to Gemma. Oh yeah, and Jojo is having an affair with her boss. Really, it isn't that confusing when you are reading it, but all of the characters are linked in one way or another.

I enjoyed this book much more than PS, I Love You. The characters were interesting and weren't at all wimpy (well, Lily was wimpy at first, but she used her balls by the end of the story). I can't stand stories about woman who don't stand up for themselves and take responsability for their own destiny, and this story at least didn't have any woman crying unless they were pissed off. I can have respect for someone who cries because they are pissed.

I went to Knit Happens for "Knit Lit" night, but only four people where there and only Holly and I had read the book. She recommended another Keyes book to me, Watermelon. I will definitely look for it at the library.

Meet my new Beau

Finally, a finished project to post about. This is the item I made a while back on the  turkey basters (that post will give you a close up of the stitching).

Introducing "Beau".

"Beau" seems like a weird name to me for something that really only a woman would wear, but whatever. I am sure Rowan is running out of names for patterns and I guess "Beau" is better than "Chuck." Beau comes from the new Rowan Big Just Got Bigger. Awesome pattern book and very cool yarn! The yarn is Rowan Biggy Print in the Razzle Dazzle colorway. This was such a quick knit, and so easy. Only 14 rows! I have already started another project using this yarn. Stay tuned for more.

Eggs, Anyone?

I have been meaning to post about this for a while, but I keep forgetting. This has got to be one of the coolest bags I have ever seen. I first saw it at Creazativity's Web site in her finished projects album. As soon as I have my current projects finished, I am going to work on this. It is just too cool for words. I have always been into crazy bags, but this one takes the bacon...I mean cake!

You can find the pattern here, and if you want to see the one Creazativity made, take a look. I like hers better without the beans and other weird breakfast food the original shows.

I think I will pass on the hat though...

 

Choo-Choo

I haven't posted in a few days, but I have been chugging along:

Manly Sweater - almost 11 inches done, moving on to the big color change. My husband has quite a long torso, so I had to add a few extra inches to the bottom before the stripes start. I think this sweater is going to be most attractive, but I'm not sure he will get to wear it much unless it starts snowing in the house. It is really heavy! He is always hot, so I don't know what I was thinking when I picked out this pattern/yarn. I should have made him a man-poncho instead (now that would be a haha).

Baby Cardigan - finished the sleeve trim and have moved on to doing the buttonholes. I didn't end up with the right amount of stitches to be picked up around the front and neck, but I think that is because I veered from the pattern. All in all, it is looking good. I need to get buttons this weekend. I was thinking frogs would be cute. My friend found out recently that her baby may be over 10lbs when he is born later this month. My luck the sweater will fit for about an hour after birth.

Scarves for "Food and Friends" - started a garter-stitch scarf in Lion Brand Homespun - Bright Green. I probably have about 10 inches done. I really don't like knitting with this yarn, but I have four skeins to use up. The first scarf I ever made I used this yarn and did it in double-stitch crochet. Maybe I'll switch and crochet the other three. I figure I can probably do one a week on the train and still keep up with the Manly Sweater.

My aunt from Pensacola was here visiting this past weekend and you should see the treasures she brought me. I almost passed out I was so excited! I'll post pictures and info tomorrow.

Turkey Basters Make Great Needles

I actually finished something! But, no picture yet as I need to weave in some ends. I won't tell you what it is, but here is a peek...

And I used these turkey basters to do the knitting:

I had never seen such large needles! Size 36 US Circulars. I have little, fat hands, so it was hard to get the hang of using these needles at first. This was a really fun, quick project. Instant gratification! I will definitely be doing more on these babies.

I have my knitting class tonight at Knit Happens, so I may get something else to keep these needles busy. I'll post more pictures soon.