*Never Ending Yarn*: January 2008

Yes, it's true! I've completed my Sweater Sampler from The Sweater Workshop.

Upon completion I immediately fell in love with it. It's so awesome. I'd like to wear it but can't figure out a way. I tried it on as a legging and it not work so well. I still need to find two buttons for it to truely be complete but that doesn't diminish my love. My favorite parts were the icord cast-off, initialed hem and the afterthought pocket.

OMG, how frightening to cut a stitch and begin unraveling to make this perfect little pocket. It took me at least 30 minutes just to find the nerve. As for my brain fart yesterday on the lace cast-off. DUH! Common sence should have told me that a YO2 is simply two yarn overs. I think the written directions were what was throwing me off. The text basically tells you how to do a single YO. My excuse? Well, in my defence I was sick (and tired) and aparently brain dead. I actually figured it out in a dream... that's where I work out a lot of knitting issues. Being a self-taught knitter with a deep stubborn streak (read: won't ask for help) I sometimes stummble but I never fail to get going again!

I know I sound like a broken record (or should I say a skipping cd or maybe a corrupted iPod) but you really should try this sampler. This is a great project and will build your confidence in ways that you will not believe. Go ahead, go out and get a copy... I'll wait;-)

It's been a long time once again. I've been on a knitting/spinning hiatus but I'm back, baby! Currently working on way too many projects. I've actaully knitted 8 pairs of Felted Clogs using a Fiber Trends pattern. I have 7 pairs felted but need to do the last pair. They have all been done this month. I had no intention of doing so many but one thing led to another and the rest is knitting history. For those of you that have not knitted this pattern, the slippers start out HUGE and then felt down to a normal size. It's not a difficult pattern but you do have to pay attention, something that is not always easy to do.

Other projects that I am working on include a Sweater Sampler from Jacqueline Fee's book The Sweater Workshop. I've learned so much from this project. I'm almost done with my sampler but having issues with the lace cast off edging. I'm not sure how to do the YO2's. I'm currently mulling it over and will try again tonight. I am home sick today so heavy duty knitting is a little hard to fathom.

I'm also working on a prayer shawl for my Aunt, a lacy corset,

an Einstein Coat for Mitchell and I need to pull out Lindy's sweater and see where I am with that. I would love to find time to spin but I need to take this one thing at a time. I can become scattered or I can go totally OCD. Either way it isn't the best situation.

I visited ThreadBear on the 18th with my DH. I love that shop. When we walked in we were recognized even though we hadn't been there since March of 2005. Not only did they remember us but they even remembered what we had been working on. Now it is possible that they simply looked us up in the computer or maybe they have some sort of cool facial recognition software program but I'm going to call is awesome customer service. On top of that, this week we received a card in the mail. It was from our friends at ThreadBear and it contained a nice little gift certificate! Isn't that sweet? I'll say it again, I love ThreadBear! Even without the gift certificate I would love you guys!!! Thanks for being the best:-)

So, have you heard of Ravelry?? I've recently joined and I love it. It helps to keep me organized and motivated. You can find me here if you are interested!

Until we meet again!