Continue In Kind finished her Winter Femme.

I wore my cherry flavored winter femme Saturday while waiting for Jesper to emerge from his SCUBA certification dive. I also spent a few hours at the West Seattle Yarn Gallery browsing their wonderfula yarn anad pattern collection. I had a chance to sit and knit too. They have nice new leather chairs and were very friendly. By the end of the day I'd finished another cupcake hat, and tonight I will make the pom pom top at the perfect location to finish a cupcake hat... Cupcake Royale.

New Pattern! STEAM a reversible cabled ribbed scarf.

Well - my pattern was declined from Knitty.com, but that means you all can enjoy it early! I haven't finished knitting either version as far a the full scarf length, but am working on it. Maybe by the end of my trip to Australia I'll be able to model it. For now, you can decide if you want to make it from the photos I do have. Sorry this doesn't really portray the beauty of this scarf, at least I am more motivated now to finish it since I've posted it.

The weekend is so close!

I am doing my best to work on already existing projects until my vacation.

I just got a digital food yarn scale today! I weighed my hat and computed that Winter Femme requires 150 yards of sportweight yarn. I loved using my math skills!

Last night I tagged all my knitted stuff to sell for the bazaar; it took quite a while. It makes the items look really nice. I'll get a photo of the whole pile when I have all the stuff in one spot. I think I will just make one more cupcake hat and that should be good enough.

I've been working on our Australia itinerary. It looks like we are going to see Sydney, Fraser Island, and the Whitsunday Islands. I am really hoping the jellyfish aren't a problem for swimming at the beaches. We'll see.

Tonight I made my first Craig's List purchase. I bought a big used ottoman. It's a good quality and will need to be re-upholtered, but there's no rush.

I also got CPR training tonight! Let's hope I never need to use my skills.

My secret pal gift just arrived :-)

Some lovely Knitpicks yarn! I am excited to try the Andean Treasure, so tempted to make a Winter Femme, but I don't want to overdose by making it a sixth time in a month. I immediately put on the NIVEA creme; it feels great! I am always putting on lotion and this is perfect.

I also snapped a photo of my cherry flavored Winter Femme.

I was knit every spare moment this weekend. I came out with a diaper cover and ANOTHER Winter Femme. This one... photo to come soon... is going to be mine to keep. I used Knit Picks Merino Style that I dyed with Cherry Cool-Aid about a year ago. It still smells like cherries! I will try to sell/gift the others. After making this hat 4 times, I have ironed out ALL the pattern errors I think. So it is now re-posted as version 2.1. The Knit Picks Merino Style is a perfect yarn for this pattern. Not itchy at all as far as I could tell, especially compared to the Heirloom Alpaca.

Saturday I did something bold. I went out with the Luna Chix for a 20 mile mountain bike ride in Woodinville. It was tough, but fun. I was on the slower end of the group of 18 women. I really need to invest in a women's fit seat for my rear. The in-transit bruising is just as painful as the lactic acid burn on the uphills. The trail was double-track, so nothing technical, so no falls. My shoes come out of the clipless pedals perfectly since I am the proud owner of Jesper's old mt. bike.

The Seattle Times: In defense of soap and water

I thought about it, and I've never bought "anti-bacterial" soap (I don't like orange I guess). I hope that if you do, you realize you don't have to! Remember what we all learned in Biology class in High School? Strains of bacteria become resistant to anti-biotics over time.

I finally finished that green hat! I decided at the last minte to make it pointy - I think it looks pretty cute. I hope Michelle's friend does!

I will type up the pattern for this hat and post it soon. Pattern posted. >> Version 2.0

It was a good experiece for designing. I had made a swatch initially and did the math to get the number of stitches to cast on. At first, when I only had the open cast-on edge and ribbing, I was sure it was too big and pulled the needles out. Then, I decided to follow my initial plan and see how the cables would tighten it up. They did; but then I still wasn't sure after one cable twist and slid the needles out, kept trying it on and then threw it aside for a day. Last night I decided to just go for it and picked all the stitches up again. It worked out! After I pulled the top tight I picked up the open cast-on edge and knit an inch of acrylic ribbing to protect the forehead from itchiness.

I made an "Open Cast-on" for the Pastazza hat and knit the ribbing. Now it seems there are too many sts! I think the edge is super extra stretchy from the open edge which I was planning on picking up the sts for the band. I guess I am going to restart the hat (4th time) with the inner band first. I was skipping that part becasue I don't have the yarn picked out yet. I need an acrylic blend that is the same gauge as Pastazza.

Plus...Answers from yesterdays comments:

Mara - I read a "Sun Burned Country" a few years ago. I also think Bill Bryson is top on the list for travel humor writers. Jesper is reading it now.

Kitty - Lion Brand Wool Ease Sportweight is ACTUALLY discontinued in the color I used. You can find it on the Lion Brand website though. I think they are phasing it out. I made Jesper a sweater with the sportweight yarn and he thought is was the perfect weight. Not too bulky. It seems to be wearing OK. He was wearing his sweater today when we met for lunch. Anyway, if you want to make "Winter Femme," pick out a yarn which the gauge is 22sts/4" and it will be perfect.

Angela - We're departing Nov 10th for Australia.

Last night I finished the newest grey Winter Femme. This will definitly be my winter hat of choice. I re-knit the pattern to make SURE there were no errors and I found a few minor typos, so I have fixed the pattern.

>Winter Femme version 1.1

I'm making another Winter Femme in Lion Brand Wool-ease.

I've decided to make Winter Femme in a thicker gauge using Cascade Pastazza - it should be written up within a week.
This pattern will include a non-itchy inner-band.

I'm off to Innebandy alone tonight, Jesper is taking SCUBA lessons. I've got a lot of bruises accumulated from defending the goal. I'm not sure how I'll be able to avoid that position right before our Australia vacation. Bruises don't match bikinis. Although, not sure how much swimming I'll be doing with the jellyfish in season. Our hostel in Sydney is on Bondi Beach.

I made a cupcake hat this weekend.

Plus a new favorite food for me. My first ever zucchini bread was drop dead delicious. I added it to my recipes link too.

Zucchini Bread

Ingredients:

3 eggs
2 cups sugar (Splenda sugar substitute for baking)
1 cup oil
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg

1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 cups flour (2 cups white, 1 cup wheat)
2 cups grated, unpeeled zucchini

3 teaspoons vanilla

1 cup chopped nuts
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup cinnamon chips

Beat eggs and sugar, add oil and spices, and blend.

Add all dry ingredients, flour, and zucchini, and mix.

Stir in vanilla.

Add nuts and chips, coated with a little flour. Pour into loaf pans or mini-loaf pans.

Bake at 350 degrees for one hour or until done.

Makes 2 loaves.

I have been working on this green hat from Cascade Pastazza and it just isn't pleaseing me. I think it needs to have 9 swirl sections rather than 10. Still, when I put it on, it reminds me of a vegetable. I'm thinking this is the wrong pattern for this yarn :( I am tempted to go for something simpler.

I'm having a lame day. I just want to go home and curl up on the couch. I guess it's just that time of month.

Last night I started a hat - The Nautilus hat. I am using Cascade Pastaza. Unfortunately after following directions, it ended up exactly twice as round/big as it should have been. I am confident that when I start over, skipping the first increases will make it perfect. The bright side: it will go a lot faster on the next attempt!

Also good news: Ben Franklin 40%off coupon! Now I can fill in the DPNs I don't own. After I finish my DPN collection I will construct a dpn holder out of fabric on my fabulous new sewing machine. To label the pockets, I think I'm going to use iron on transfer.

Introducing: Winter Femme - a cabled hat... FREE PATTERN!

I think the yarn I made the final hat out of is a little tiny bit itchy...so I suggest an acrylic blend yarn. I am going to make it again in Wool-Ease. I think Knitpicks Shine might be nice too.

ENJOY! and... send me your final pictures.

Fire extinguisher training - complete.

Hat design is complete!

I had the joy of touching this yarn last night: KnitPicks.com : Yarn : Shine.

Now I am trying to figure out if there are any patterns out there I want to make with it. It feels devine.

On Knitter's Review, they say "Shine knits up at the same gauge as Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, Rowan Cotton Glacé, Rowan Wool Cotton, and Rowan Linen Drape."

If anyone has a recommendation of a favorite pattern, let me know. The label says it knits up at 24sts/4". This one is cute, but a lot of work for a baby.

OMG!!!! I am drooling at this possibility =Photo Clipwall

I wonder if I can find a photo of mine worth printing 6 square feet of for $100.

I finished my custom hat. This one is a prototype, a perfected version is in process now and I will post the pattern.

This weekend we went sailing to Eagle Harbor. The weather was perfect. We took a leisurly morning to get to the boat and started sailing at about 2:30 PM. Anchored in the harbor, we relaxed, read, knit and baked a cake. Sunday morning we parked briefly at the public dock and went to town and picked up a guidebook for Australia and I had to stop by Churchmouse Yarns & Tea. I didn't get any yarn, but Jesper got a new Decaf Tea to try upon recommendation.

Other exciting news... I got an early Christmas gift when I came home on Friday. A Viking Sewing Machine. Very exciting! After I called Jesper, I ripped it open and we explored how to thread it and how the stitch combos work. I sewed up a hole in a sweater and it worked great! I am excited to sew more now, unfortunately it's not as social a hobby as knitting, but I need to not knit ALL the time!

Tonight: Swedish Lessons and Purlygirls

I started a custom hat last night. I'm, a little nervous how it will fit, but it's worth a shot.

It goes like this: [k2, p2, k6 (cable), p2] - I am using my dk. grey Wool-Ease sportweight yarn.

Today I made it over to Weaving Works on my lunch break to get Lamb's Pride - worsted. It's getting harder to find and I love using it for the diaper soakers. It feels really nice to knit and it's cheap too. I was going to also use it to make the cupcake hat, but am not sure it's worth it... I mean, maybe I should use acrylic? It might be too itchy and no one will pay $35 for a wool cupcake. I almost bought the Red Heart at Fred Meyer, but they didn't have brown. Close call! Wool is so much classier.

I am also trying to recreate a diagonal ribbed cardigan. I saw it at Nordstrom and need to have it. I can't decide what yarn to use, I might go for Elann Peruvian Highland Wool. I don't think Cascade 220 has the colors I want. I actually don't know what color I want - probably a dark grey so I can wear it a lot to work.

Hat - DONE
Diaper Cover - almost done. Problem: gauge too loose = toddler size rather than 6-12mo. size.

Both are for sale.

Also I've been reading Taking on the World, by Ellen Macarthur.

This weekend I finished the UK intarsia - it was really fun. When I get a chance I will fit it to the cushion. So far, it looks like the back plain panel I knit up is a little too wide. I might have to sew a line down it on the machine and cut the edge off so it seams tighter to the cushion.

I have a good start on the pink hat and striped baby diaper soaker - maybe I'll finish BOTH tonight! I am looking forward to seeing the new Martha Stewart Apprentice show, they moved it to 9PM. Now I can fit it all in.

I took my first Swedish lesson on Monday at the Swedish Cultural Center. I am impressed with the teacher and hope to learn enough to speak a tiny bit by December. I am finding that my brain is definitly not as spongy as it could be. Maybe I'll start listening to classical music again - that was my tactic in high school to improve my SAT scores. I was that desperate!

Last night I was totally grossed out by the amount of food I had to throw out. I am only able to make a nice dinner one night a week with my hectic social schedule. Then all the extra ingredients go bad :( So sad.

I went down today at lunchtime to use my 40%off coupon at Ben Franklin. I picked up this lovely yarn: Steadfast Fibers - Wonderful Wool, color: Hot Lips. I think I will make a hat from it. I also got a needle felting starter kit. Yes, I printed the coupon twice... and went through a different cashier. :)

I've been comissioned to make a baby diaper soaker and a hat, that's what I'll be working on next, then I need to get more baby stuff made for my holiday bazaar at work.

Sherrillhas made a Quicky Baby sweater.

Anyone else want to send me their photo? I can post them in a gallery. Please note the type of yarn you used.

Relaxing Rainy Weekend

Friday night was Tower of Power. They were fun to watch. The lead singer was really great and got Jesper and I dancing at front stage half the time. While in the parking lot waiting in line to get in, we got a photo of my finished sweater in action.

Saturday & Sunday was a boatwork day and knitting/x-stich/reading for me. Saturday night we went to a Swedish Fall Party and had traditional yellow pea soup, it was yummy, but hard on my stomach. Overall, I had a hard time digesting all dinners this weekend. Last night we ate with Jesper's MS Research group for "morale" at Sea Star and that was about a weeks worth of calories right there!

Tonight I am going to check out Swedish Lessons at the Swedish Cultural Center. I'm a little bummed to miss Jazzercise, but I will be able to stop by Purlygirls after class, since both are on Queen Anne.