tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51559713410631174442024-03-13T05:16:18.591-07:00HappilyKnitHappily Knithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316261127435085384noreply@blogger.comBlogger91125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5155971341063117444.post-39958458306295965782010-06-01T13:50:00.000-07:002010-09-19T14:14:21.139-07:00Presto!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Hello! Here's a cute little knit that was just finished up for a friend's 1-year-old. I'm very satisfied with this project and would definitely make it again!<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/TAV3Mlw72kI/AAAAAAAAA8E/ziHPE1SKZaY/s1600/IMG_3010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/TAV3Mlw72kI/AAAAAAAAA8E/ziHPE1SKZaY/s400/IMG_3010.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477915579945572930" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">All finished!</span></span></i></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/TAV3A0jr9GI/AAAAAAAAA78/ONyFwcKPRh8/s1600/IMG_3012.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/TAV3A0jr9GI/AAAAAAAAA78/ONyFwcKPRh8/s400/IMG_3012.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477915377758106722" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Label detailing</span></span></i></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/TAV2lqMhazI/AAAAAAAAA7s/6RCLB_njNIk/s1600/IMG_3099.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/TAV2lqMhazI/AAAAAAAAA7s/6RCLB_njNIk/s400/IMG_3099.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477914911120124722" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mommy & sweater</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/TAV2W15JzSI/AAAAAAAAA7k/j_m1_EJXzOQ/s1600/IMG_3039.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/TAV2W15JzSI/AAAAAAAAA7k/j_m1_EJXzOQ/s400/IMG_3039.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477914656562072866" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Birthday Boy himself! </span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>Here are the details! </b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Pattern</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: </span></span><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/presto-chango" rel="nofollow"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Presto Chango</span></span></a></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Designer</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">: </span></span><a href="http://shoelessval.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Valerie Wallis</span></span></a></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Needles</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">: US #7</span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Yarn</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">: Almost two skeins of Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece--Robin's egg blue</span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Time to knit</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">: three days at a leisurely pace-- (it felt like sewing in ends and buttons took almost as long as the knitting)</span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Mods</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">:I omitted the lace section and continued large stripes across the panel. Also, I began w/ 109 sts using a provisional cast on. Then, I knit until neck opening and followed directions for each side front until bottom of sleeves. I did a three needle bind off under arms and then continued knitting the rest of the body. Sizing ended up between the 12 and 24 month old sizes. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/HappilyKnit/presto-chango" rel="nofollow"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Raveled!</span></span></a></div>Happily Knithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316261127435085384noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5155971341063117444.post-10432780139764472392009-11-23T20:33:00.000-08:002010-09-19T14:14:21.154-07:00This just in!<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ladies and gents, we interrupt this series of knitting flashbacks to bring you something current! Yep, hot off the needles, here is my most recent creation:</span></span></div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SwtodQKPK8I/AAAAAAAAA6o/hP1j9S_ZEl0/s400/IMG_2005.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407530629351812034" /><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">OOOooo...Ahhhh!</span></span></i></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Pattern:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/emerald-fingerless-mittens" rel="nofollow" style="color: rgb(16, 87, 174); text-decoration: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Emerald Mitts</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Designer:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><a href="http://a-black-pepper.typepad.com/ablackpepper/" rel="nofollow" style="color: rgb(16, 87, 174); text-decoration: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Lucy Sweetland</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Yarn:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Knit Picks Palette - Ash<br /></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Needles:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> US # 4<br /></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Time to Knit:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> 8 days here and there--a fun little project!<br /></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Made for:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> What's that you say? A supreeez??<br /></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Modifications:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> The most noticeable modification I made was knitting the rows following the bobbles tbl instead of through the front. Also, I decreased one stitch on row 16 of the chart by p2tog in the first stitch, then doing a P2K2 ribbing around the mitten except the design in the front. Lastly, I must have misread the directions for the thumb gusset on the left mitt, because it looks completely different than the right. Regardless of the change, they both fit perfectly.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">How about a close-up obligatory "mitts holding tea" shot? Oh look, here it is:</span></span></div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/Swtqq-rPtvI/AAAAAAAAA6w/Ey3FMSKPR-k/s400/IMG_2028.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407533064199845618" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Huzzah! It was a fun and speedy project--I'm pleased with the final result and excited to get them to their mystery owner. Muaha. I love knitting surprises!<br /><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Oh, and here it is </span></span><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/HappilyKnit/emerald-fingerless-mittens" rel="nofollow" style="color: rgb(16, 87, 174); text-decoration: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Raveled!</span></span></a></div>Happily Knithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316261127435085384noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5155971341063117444.post-14428588569786969242009-11-13T19:41:00.000-08:002010-09-19T14:14:21.166-07:00Next Up: Scottish Habitat!<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Moving right along in the series of unreported FO's from this summer, we have a burly wool hat! A wool hat you say? Rachel, what possessed you to knit a wool hat in the middle of summer? I'll give you a hint: It might have had <span style="font-style: italic;">something </span>to do with this man...<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/Sv4tfNZGV1I/AAAAAAAAA6E/kD95i3pSkU8/s1600-h/IMG_9029.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/Sv4tfNZGV1I/AAAAAAAAA6E/kD95i3pSkU8/s400/IMG_9029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403806617085302610" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Scottish Highlander. Mmmmm...</span></span><br /></div><br />Okay, so, the man pictured above was the <span style="font-style: italic;">phenomenal </span>highland tour guide from a 3-day bus excursion we took in northern Scotland. This guy is the quintecential Highland male, and he did everything possible to make sure we had a good time (this included being extra dreamy and awesome). <span style="font-style: italic;">Anyway</span>, before the end of the trip, he comissioned a manly wool hat so he wouldn't have to steal mine before leaving. Fast forward seven days later? Meet Habitat:<br /><br /><b>Pattern</b>: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/habitat" rel="nofollow">Habitat</a> by <a href="http://www.brooklyntweed.net/">Jared Flood</a><br /><b>Needles</b>: US #7 Addi Turbos<br /><b>Yarn</b>: New Lanark Donegal Aran - 100% [Scottish] Wool<br /><b>Time to Knit</b>: One glorious week<br /><b>Recipient</b>: Graeme the <i>Highlander!</i><br /><b>Level of Love</b>: Cable swoonage took (and is still taking) place.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Modifications:</span> zippo!<br /><br />Here some shots of it finished on me. Not nearly as attractive as they would have been on him, but it's the best I could do.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/Sv44zqO28zI/AAAAAAAAA6c/lQpi6I7SYEc/s1600-h/IMG_9447.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/Sv44zqO28zI/AAAAAAAAA6c/lQpi6I7SYEc/s400/IMG_9447.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403819063052268338" border="0" /></a>The great thing about the hat is that the more he wears it, the warmer it will become. I chose this design because the coarse fibers of the wool (when wet from the frequent rain) will felt themselves together making a denser material better at blocking out wind. Who doesn't like a hat that does that?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/Sv42GtttuJI/AAAAAAAAA6U/iTSI3VYjCnE/s1600-h/IMG_9466.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/Sv42GtttuJI/AAAAAAAAA6U/iTSI3VYjCnE/s400/IMG_9466.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403816091869624466" border="0" /></a>The intricate cables and star burst design near the crown were a bonus because (I can say from experience) the weekend bus ride was spent looking at nothing but the back of his head. I figured the future tour members might appreciate something interesting to look at (besides him, of course...oh, and maybe the breathtaking <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/happilyknit/sets/72157619794792702/">Scottish Highlands</a>!).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/Sv4rPggsPdI/AAAAAAAAA58/-JGMN9922xM/s1600-h/IMG_9482.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/Sv4rPggsPdI/AAAAAAAAA58/-JGMN9922xM/s400/IMG_9482.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403804148316257746" border="0" /></a>Lastly, I'll leave you with this video of me [intentionally] sliding down a hill in the Isle of Skye. The filmwork is a tad shaky toward the end (motion-sickness prone be warned), but that's because the guy filming saved my DSLR from crashing to its almost certain doom. Eeegads.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwAV1z5tJW7UnjnPiYFnOa1NOeA3MKuDrXzV8IlQHHcbWP_Rq5VzC5X9YRCHrHxKAO-fK7rs7GRckkdJLa3ZA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /></div>Great memories in Scotland. Great memories. More knitting to come soon!Happily Knithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316261127435085384noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5155971341063117444.post-46527430204897206212009-11-12T12:16:00.000-08:002010-09-19T14:14:21.181-07:00Let's Start at the Very BeginningI've been told by my good friend Julie Andrews that it's a very good place to start. So, let's see. When we last left off, knitting wise, I was slowly but surely chugging along on this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/Svxv-rDNLKI/AAAAAAAAA48/PYK3hgto7lA/s1600-h/3486956325_797907f269_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/Svxv-rDNLKI/AAAAAAAAA48/PYK3hgto7lA/s400/3486956325_797907f269_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403316775436496034" border="0" /></a>Between that point and the time I finished it, I reached a point of frustration. You know, the stage when you feel like you've been working on the same project for ages and it just won't finish itself? That'd be nice. If a project <span style="font-style: italic;">could</span> just finish itself. Obviously in my case that didn't happen, and piling it on my head seemed like a more viable solution than actually getting it done at the time.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SvxxZx2ZvMI/AAAAAAAAA5M/DNGgbJvC4-g/s1600-h/3555196057_7415324130_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SvxxZx2ZvMI/AAAAAAAAA5M/DNGgbJvC4-g/s400/3555196057_7415324130_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403318340629937346" border="0" /></a>Luckily, around May 25th I found the mojo necessary to finish the edging charts and get the whole thing blocked. Just in time for my trip to Scotland (woohoo!).<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/Svx04CILLVI/AAAAAAAAA5U/9Ca6ZOFEry0/s1600-h/3562513463_492f0d4644_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/Svx04CILLVI/AAAAAAAAA5U/9Ca6ZOFEry0/s400/3562513463_492f0d4644_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403322158930406738" border="0" /></a>Isn't blocked lace awesome? It maintains to be my favorite part of the process. Okay, how about some details?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern:</span> <a href="http://kelbournewoolens.com/springtimebandit.html">Springtime Bandit</a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Designer:</span> <a href="http://www.zeitgeistyarns.blogspot.com/">Kate Gagnon Osborn</a><br /><b>Yarn:</b> 4.5 skeins of Artyarns Supermerino - Sapphire<br /><b>Needles</b> US #8 Addis<br /><b>Time to knit:</b> laughable. I began March 15th and well...yeah. May 25th.<br /><b>Level of Love:</b> High! Very wearable, warm, colorful, and squooshy!<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mods: </span>I added 2 extra repeats of the leaf motif--that's it!<br /><br />And here are some of the FO shots!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/Svx2yAE725I/AAAAAAAAA5c/DVe6kPe1XG0/s1600-h/3569056739_8032646b50_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/Svx2yAE725I/AAAAAAAAA5c/DVe6kPe1XG0/s400/3569056739_8032646b50_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403324254323989394" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/Svx2_EKdwBI/AAAAAAAAA50/QRWT6uOS9wM/s1600-h/3569864376_bacae950da_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/Svx2_EKdwBI/AAAAAAAAA50/QRWT6uOS9wM/s400/3569864376_bacae950da_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403324478759223314" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/Svx27ZMPR_I/AAAAAAAAA5s/t6asa03QtI0/s1600-h/3569861018_ebee08d8b3_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/Svx27ZMPR_I/AAAAAAAAA5s/t6asa03QtI0/s400/3569861018_ebee08d8b3_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403324415684331506" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/Svx23N0lY3I/AAAAAAAAA5k/IJTGyEjRdGI/s1600-h/3569857702_3a7d0bcb62_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/Svx23N0lY3I/AAAAAAAAA5k/IJTGyEjRdGI/s400/3569857702_3a7d0bcb62_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403324343912850290" border="0" /></a>So there you have it! This project got a lot of wear during my trip and will continue to do so now that the weather is getting cooler again. I'm glad I'm finally getting to share these projects with you, there are many many more in my FO arsenal waiting to be seen--stay tuned!Happily Knithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316261127435085384noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5155971341063117444.post-78287386321674731872009-11-11T21:20:00.000-08:002010-09-19T14:14:21.194-07:00Analysis ParalysisThere is so much I'd like to do with this-here space of mine that I've stumbled into my common state of "analysis paralysis". Does this happen to anyone else? When you have so many ideas going on in your head about what you'd like to do that you end up not doing <span style="font-style: italic;">anything</span>?<br /><br />Sigh. This is where I'm at right now. Please forgive me. Let me make it better by giving you a friendly wave "hello":<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/Svuej_IeYxI/AAAAAAAAA40/nYEB-gskg1s/s1600-h/CRW_1271.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/Svuej_IeYxI/AAAAAAAAA40/nYEB-gskg1s/s400/CRW_1271.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403086519040631570" border="0" /></a>No? that didn't fix the problem? Hmmm...<br /><br />Would you like to know the worst part? I have SO MUCH to share with you! Actually, now that I think about it, that sounds like the <span style="font-style: italic;">best</span> part. Give me a day or two to develop that-- I have a feeling I'll come up with a solution in no time.Happily Knithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316261127435085384noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5155971341063117444.post-84542845069575700142009-07-25T19:38:00.000-07:002010-09-19T14:14:21.241-07:00Eye Candy - Stash updateHiya! I'm back in the states and ready to do some serious knitting. To help expedite the matter, I decided to get organized. Take a look at these bad boys!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SmvCXgx55vI/AAAAAAAAA4I/7Js3h8JiG4E/s1600-h/mosaic1c56453befbbab09585ac454ade312696148fce0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 229px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SmvCXgx55vI/AAAAAAAAA4I/7Js3h8JiG4E/s400/mosaic1c56453befbbab09585ac454ade312696148fce0.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362593490506737394" border="0" /></a><br />Those are my most recently purchased stash all photographed and cataloged on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/HappilyKnit/stash">Ravelry</a>. As you can see, one of those photos made the cut as a new blog header; it's a handpainted, handspun yarn gifted by my wonderful sister-in-law (thank you Keri!). The change isn't too drastic, I just needed a little change of scenery to keep up with things around here--Whee!<br /><br />That stash ought to keep me busy for a while, eh? More [actual] knitting updates to come soon (I promise).Happily Knithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316261127435085384noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5155971341063117444.post-60013734464477697412009-07-08T03:11:00.000-07:002010-09-19T14:14:21.270-07:00An update!If you're wondering why there has been a severe lack of communication on my part over the past 42 days it's because...well...<br /><br />a) I'm in Scotland!<br />b) I'm exploring things (in Scotland).<br />c) I'm meeting people (in Scotland).<br />d) I'm taking 6 credits (in Scotland).<br />e) I'm having a wonderful time (in Scotland).<br />f) And lastly, I'm exhausted (in Scotland).<br /><br />Though my blog has fallen by the wayside temporarily, I have not forsaken all internet related communication. To prove it, have a look at some photos from the past 41 days!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SlRzGU8TePI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/7weFbnGulvQ/s1600-h/Scotland+Mosaic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SlRzGU8TePI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/7weFbnGulvQ/s400/Scotland+Mosaic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356032409388415218" border="0" /></a>See! Visual proof that I am actually out doing things. Admittedly, Project 365 has temporarily taken the place of a "blog" since school ended. If you're interested in following my antics over the next few weeks (until I get back to blogging regularly again), you can do that <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/69798502@N00/">here</a>!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SlSxmZwhgxI/AAAAAAAAA3g/VNKuKDWLo3k/s1600-h/3594845580_aca81de2ce_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SlSxmZwhgxI/AAAAAAAAA3g/VNKuKDWLo3k/s400/3594845580_aca81de2ce_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356101130157916946" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"Ummm...I'm adorable."</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I promise I'll get back on a normal schedule sometime in August, but until then, take care & happy knitting!Happily Knithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316261127435085384noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5155971341063117444.post-67778503693319781622009-05-11T00:27:00.000-07:002010-09-19T14:14:21.303-07:00Guess what!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SgfToa1DoKI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/JGGYVb500u0/s1600-h/IMG_8023.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SgfToa1DoKI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/JGGYVb500u0/s400/IMG_8023.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334464974993727650" border="0" /></a>It's true.<br /><br />My mom is one of the most important influences in my life-- I don't know where (or who) I'd be without her.<br /><br />As for the heart, it was [REALLY] quick and simple!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern:</span> <a href="http://mochimochiland.com/weblog/2007/02/free-pattern-hearts/">Hearts</a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Needles:</span> US #5 Addi Turbos<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn:</span> di.Ve' Autunno <span style="font-style: italic;">(</span>This pattern would be<span style="font-style: italic;"> great </span>for scraps!)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Time to knit:</span> 15 minutes undisturbed <span style="font-style: italic;">(or</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> a medium length Skype convo in my case.)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Level of love:</span> I <3 style="font-style: italic;"> (Get it?)<br /><br />That's all for now...<br /><br />I love you, mom--very much. Happy Mother's Day!Happily Knithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316261127435085384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5155971341063117444.post-57040010801802068902009-04-29T22:54:00.000-07:002010-09-19T14:14:21.324-07:00ProofHey look, a WIP!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/Sfk9YNEszQI/AAAAAAAAA3A/qyhHcsGDFtI/s1600-h/IMG_7500.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/Sfk9YNEszQI/AAAAAAAAA3A/qyhHcsGDFtI/s400/IMG_7500.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330359120005221634" border="0" /></a>Photographic evidence that I <span style="font-style: italic;">am </span>still, in fact, a knitter. The project above is (an almost completed!) <a href="http://kelbournewoolens.com/springtimebandit.html">Springtime Bandit shawl</a>. It's made with 5 skeins of the sproingiest yarn I've ever worked with (Artyarns Supermerino).<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/Sfk-bSxDZqI/AAAAAAAAA3I/pnBzlSIa184/s1600-h/yarn.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/Sfk-bSxDZqI/AAAAAAAAA3I/pnBzlSIa184/s400/yarn.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330360272584664738" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"OOOoooo.... Ahhhhhhhhh"</span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Updates on this project and others to come soon--Whee!<br /></div></div>Happily Knithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316261127435085384noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5155971341063117444.post-52750100990749121462009-04-27T23:05:00.000-07:002010-09-19T14:14:21.349-07:00Oh dear...My poor, neglected little blog...how I miss you so! I have no excuses for you, other than... ummm...these:<br /><ul><li>College<br /></li><li>A promotion (yay!)</li><li>flickr 365 (<span style="font-style: italic;">probably the guiltiest of the 3!</span>)</li></ul>To be quite truthful (as a result of the list above), I really haven't been knitting much lately. It pains me to admit that, but hopefully I'll regain steam sometime soon and start stash-busting like mad!<br /><br />Despite not having knitting to show you, I do have an update to share!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/Sfae58jRNSI/AAAAAAAAA24/jceXHW2f1i8/s1600-h/365.113.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/Sfae58jRNSI/AAAAAAAAA24/jceXHW2f1i8/s400/365.113.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329621927383348514" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">ohai! I'm excited! </span></span><br /></div><br />That is the expression of one happy girl who has (in her possession) the flight arrangements for studying overseas in Scotland this summer! I'll be studying both photography and history while living 15 minutes outside of Edinburgh-- I can't even begin to tell you how much I'm looking forward to this trip! The one that begins exactly ONE MONTH from today! Gah!<br /><br />Apologies again for neglecting this neck of the woods for so long--I will do my best to remedy the absence!Happily Knithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316261127435085384noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5155971341063117444.post-26515145361039903322009-03-01T18:33:00.000-08:002010-09-19T14:14:21.366-07:00When yarn speaks, I listenThough this isn't a FO post, it is a rather exciting one for you fiber addicts out there! This past Friday, my mom and I did some serious mother/daughter retail bonding at our favorite yarn shop--it was fantastic.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SatGw-9KmhI/AAAAAAAAA2w/rbfCosaQQ94/s1600-h/365.58.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SatGw-9KmhI/AAAAAAAAA2w/rbfCosaQQ94/s400/365.58.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308414393133472274" border="0" /></a>One of the highlights is the yarn pictured - it is [10 skeins of] Rowan Felted Tweed and it's going to be made into a longerish-length <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/minimalist-cardigan">Minimalist Cardigan</a>. Have you ever just had yarn speak to you? Well, this yarn said:<br /><br />"rachel, please knit me into a wonderfully tweedy grandpa sweater"<br /><br />So I listened.<br /><br />More finished goodies to come soon!Happily Knithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316261127435085384noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5155971341063117444.post-43267424661389170462009-02-22T23:07:00.000-08:002010-09-19T14:14:21.383-07:00Meet IshbelWelcome to round two of my belated project sharing! This one is a <span style="font-style: italic;">little </span>on the larger side. With that said, let me introduce you to Ishbel:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SaJR4c6mOoI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/jtMoxfp7qbI/s1600-h/Ishbelblocking3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SaJR4c6mOoI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/jtMoxfp7qbI/s400/Ishbelblocking3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305893341272357506" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Hello, I'm a gigantic lace project!<br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The details:</span><br /><br /><b>Pattern</b>: <a href="http://ysolda.com/store/shawls/ishbel/" rel="nofollow">Ishbel</a><br /><b>Designer</b>: <a href="http://ysolda.com/wordpress/" rel="nofollow">Ysolda Teague</a><br /><b>Yarn</b>: Misti Alpaca Lace 2 ply<br /><b>Needles</b>: US #7 Addi Turbos<br /><b>Time to knit</b>: 6 days(...?!)<br /><b>Made for</b>: Mrs. P<br /><b>Level of love</b>: Total adoration (and exhaustion)<br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SaJRduG43zI/AAAAAAAAA2I/5f5HmKrgkh8/s1600-h/Ishbelblocking2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SaJRduG43zI/AAAAAAAAA2I/5f5HmKrgkh8/s400/Ishbelblocking2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305892882030845746" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">A closeup of the vine detail. </span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">In short, Ishbel was a deadline project knit for a close friend's mother. She initially asked if I'd be able to complete this shawl back in July explaining that it would be needed for an event on February 20th. "February?", I thought--that's AGES away, of COURSE I'll have time by then! Well, leave it to me and my knack for procrastination to wait until the absolute last possible moment to start this project. It was begun on Sunday, February 8th and completed late Saturday, Februarh 14th. Yikes. Over 40 hours of knitting was put into making this wonder, and I must say, it gave me quite the sense of accomplishment. My roommate verified that it was the most she'd ever seen me knitting in a 6 day span of time. That's a <span style="font-style: italic;">lot</span> of knitting.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SaJSUw-NMHI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/xiQM7DBIsLg/s1600-h/Ishbeldetail.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SaJSUw-NMHI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/xiQM7DBIsLg/s400/Ishbeldetail.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305893827692540018" border="0" /></a>I had never worked with Misti Alpaca Lace before, but I had heard lots of swooning over it by other knitters (always a good sign). The project was requested in a neutral color-- Ivory, grey, or black. Since I'd already completed an ivory shawl, black won hands down. Until this project, fingering weight yarn was the lightest yarn I'd used, and I couldn't really imagine knitting with anything any lighter. Right. At many times I had to adjust my tension due to fear of breaking the yarn mid stitch (that never happened) -- a tad on the nervewracking side.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SaJStiYZa_I/AAAAAAAAA2g/QnzKnBq-1zg/s1600-h/Ishbeledge.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SaJStiYZa_I/AAAAAAAAA2g/QnzKnBq-1zg/s400/Ishbeledge.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305894253272591346" border="0" /></a><br />Looking back, I'm certainly glad I have the experience of 2 ply under my belt, but boy did it slow things down! The end fabric was absolutely to die for--one of the softest materials I've ever felt. How so much warmth can come from something so lightweight and dainty, I'll never fully understand.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SaLmnMdjgVI/AAAAAAAAA2o/wi6ryg5l-ZI/s1600-h/365.46.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SaLmnMdjgVI/AAAAAAAAA2o/wi6ryg5l-ZI/s400/365.46.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306056872030339410" border="0" /></a>Ysolda's pattern, as per usual, was absolutely fantastic and easy to follow-- I will definitely be making this again (but maybe in the smaller size). That said, however, I will NOT be doing any more crazy marathon knitting in the near future. As a knowledgeable fellow knitter said to me:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"A stopwatch is for athletes; not knitters". </span><br /></div><br />Well spoken.</div></div>Happily Knithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316261127435085384noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5155971341063117444.post-18415054516723722382009-02-17T01:22:00.000-08:002010-09-19T14:14:21.400-07:00Straun: Too much rock for one stateWell hello! By now I'd imagine my absence for over month is [unfortunately] seen as nothing out of the ordinary. Though no excuse is a good excuse, I can say that I've been so wrapped up in the new semester and <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/69798502@N00/sets/72157612031958666/">Project 365</a> that my poor blog has gone by the wayside.<br /><br />On the positive side? It means I have quite a bit share! These next few posts might be slightly out of order as far as finishing dates go, but I promise they all happened within the last month. First up? Straun:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SZqE1zfkRlI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/6ZS-laZOfew/s1600-h/IMG_3990.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SZqE1zfkRlI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/6ZS-laZOfew/s400/IMG_3990.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303697571072722514" border="0" /></a><b>Pattern</b>: <a href="http://ysolda.com/store/hats/struan/">Straun</a><br /><b>Designer</b>: <a href="http://ysolda.com/wordpress/">Ysolda Teague</a><br /><b>Yarn</b>: Malabrigo Yarn Worsted - Blue graphite (.8 skeins)<br /><b>Needles</b>: US #5 Addi Turbos<br /><b>Time to knit</b>: 1/26 - 2/5<br /><b>Made for</b>: Darren aka <a href="http://www.dariustwin.com/">Darius Twin</a><br /><b>Level of love</b>: total BAMFness<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SZqGFtZnwSI/AAAAAAAAA1g/EpGttmHmJmc/s1600-h/IMG_3969.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SZqGFtZnwSI/AAAAAAAAA1g/EpGttmHmJmc/s400/IMG_3969.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303698943826706722" border="0" /></a>I had been itching to cast on for this hat for quite a while, but (as is often the case with knitting projects) just because I see something I love doesn't mean I'll then have a use for it upon its completion. Luckily, I was able to find an open and willing recipient who possessed the "cool factor" necessary to pull this hat off (<span style="font-style: italic;">unlike </span>me pictured below...*ahem*).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SZqHUDnHUMI/AAAAAAAAA1o/A7Ct3Ebp2Xo/s1600-h/Straun1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SZqHUDnHUMI/AAAAAAAAA1o/A7Ct3Ebp2Xo/s400/Straun1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303700289818677442" border="0" /></a>Technique-wise, this project has added a few to the belt. First of all, the invisible loop cast on method. It was a tad on the tricky side initially, but lent itself well to the final product (plus the links in the pattern were very helpful). Because the hat was knit from the top down, it ended with the hemming of the brim portion. Mind you, that process involved grafting 105 live stitches up inside a hat that needed to be kept even vertically while also minding the hem length & brim tension. FUN!<br /><br />All things considered, however, I really love how this hat turned out and am very (very) pleased with the final product. I'm not 100% certain, but from the looks of it, it would appear the <a href="http://www.dariustwin.com/">recipient </a>is too! <span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">(Photos & artistry below are a product of Darren Pearson!)</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SZqJkFZLP6I/AAAAAAAAA1w/riWjSQKoOaA/s1600-h/thanks.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SZqJkFZLP6I/AAAAAAAAA1w/riWjSQKoOaA/s400/thanks.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303702764198248354" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SZqJ-jddljI/AAAAAAAAA14/cZ3N37Mtq78/s1600-h/lightpainting.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 264px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SZqJ-jddljI/AAAAAAAAA14/cZ3N37Mtq78/s400/lightpainting.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303703218945889842" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Glad you like it Darren, you rock.</span></span><br /></div><br />And what's to come? Looks to me like a hat, a pair of mittens, and *gasp* a lace shawl-- Hooooo boy!Happily Knithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316261127435085384noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5155971341063117444.post-53674005372180706762009-01-10T23:03:00.000-08:002010-09-19T14:14:21.427-07:00A hat for SamJust a quick post to share a [very] quick project. I seem to be developing a trend...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SWmbzZs3O5I/AAAAAAAAA0E/1Sncc6Vpstg/s1600-h/samhat2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SWmbzZs3O5I/AAAAAAAAA0E/1Sncc6Vpstg/s400/samhat2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289930544698047378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern</span>: Well...it's more of a recipe, really<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Gauge</span>: 5.5 sts per 2"<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Needles</span>: US #10 Addi Turbos<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn</span>: 2 half skeins of Cascade 220 Heathers held double<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Made for</span>: Sam<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Time to knit</span>: 2 discs of Arrested Development (Season 2)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Level of love</span>: easy, peasy, & awesome<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SWm05bx24cI/AAAAAAAAA0M/m-gX5CLvnyw/s1600-h/3186335659_ccac4dd7d7_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 135px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SWm05bx24cI/AAAAAAAAA0M/m-gX5CLvnyw/s400/3186335659_ccac4dd7d7_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289958136125776322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Hi, I'm Sam.</span></span><br /><br /></div>This hat was so fast and enjoyable it makes me smile. It was made to recreate a hat that he currently has in black & white and wears all the time. I took a gauge, some length measurements, did some swatching and went to town. I really am pleased with the finished product (and I'd like to think he is too)!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SWm2doRZyAI/AAAAAAAAA0c/150uNlLW2jc/s1600-h/Samhat1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 311px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SWm2doRZyAI/AAAAAAAAA0c/150uNlLW2jc/s400/Samhat1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289959857466230786" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Hey look, a label! </span><br /></span></div><br />Sigh. All in all, these little projects are basically all I have time for these days--I'm in the middle of taking a very condensed (and intensive) interim accounting course which leaves little to no brain power for knitting. I do have a several more challenging projects lined up for when I'm not spending every waking moment dealing with debits, credits and posting to T accounts. That day can't come soon enough...really.Happily Knithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316261127435085384noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5155971341063117444.post-24477212713673719052009-01-05T16:43:00.000-08:002010-09-19T14:14:21.457-07:00It's officialOkay, this really isn't knitting related <span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >(well... <a href="http://ysolda.com/wordpress/">maybe </a>a <a href="http://www.k1yarns.com/">little</a>)</span>, but definitely exciting enough for me to share! Today I stopped by the Office of International Education to get the application needed to study abroad this summer...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SWKphL6xvII/AAAAAAAAAz8/tr5Q8EUmqd4/s1600-h/365.5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SWKphL6xvII/AAAAAAAAAz8/tr5Q8EUmqd4/s400/365.5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287975300086480002" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">...in Scotland.<br /><br /><br />(that's one VERY happy college knitter.)<br /><br /></div>Happily Knithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316261127435085384noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5155971341063117444.post-2384914648695035432009-01-01T22:26:00.000-08:002010-09-19T14:14:21.476-07:00Wham bamFirst project of the new year is completed! Let me tell you folks, it was a quickie. <span style="font-style: italic;">(And I said I was going to challenge myself this year? Hah! It's a garter stitch rectangle-- doesn't get much simpler than that!</span>)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SV3Nj4p7Z0I/AAAAAAAAAz0/9L9UO6HP2GQ/s1600-h/wambam2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SV3Nj4p7Z0I/AAAAAAAAAz0/9L9UO6HP2GQ/s400/wambam2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286607553990190914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern:</span> <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/insaknitty/wham-bam-thank-you-lamb-neckwarmer">Wham Bam Thank you Lamb</a> <span style="font-size:85%;">(<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/HappilyKnit/wham-bam-thank-you-lamb-neckwarmer">ravelry</a>)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Designer:</span> <a href="http://insaknitty.blogspot.com/">Insaknitty </a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn: </span>75 yards of handspun, handpainted (<span style="font-style: italic;">in my favorite colors</span>) merino wool gifted by my [wonderful] <a href="http://otrembarific.joelandkeri.com/">sister in law, Keri</a>!<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Needles:</span> US #13 Addi Turbos<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Time to Knit: </span>2 hours? really? are we serious?<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Level of Love: </span>Well considering I haven't removed it since these photos were taken, I'd say unreasonably high.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SV22elJMvSI/AAAAAAAAAzs/SZ7ybODVPtI/s1600-h/wambam.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SV22elJMvSI/AAAAAAAAAzs/SZ7ybODVPtI/s400/wambam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286582174085856546" border="0" /></a>Talk about instant gratification, this project was great. Not only was it quick and easy, but it was a great piece for showcasing the beautiful yarn too. And yes, I've gone a little bit from hat happy to cowl happy, but (in my defense) I didn't actually get to keep the last two. Anyway, this pattern comes highly recommended--I'm sure I'll be making it again!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">**Oh! Also, I've decided to start <a href="http://www.photojojo.com/content/tutorials/project-365-take-a-photo-a-day/">Project 365</a> on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/69798502@N00/">Flickr</a> for 2009--who thinks I can do it?</span>Happily Knithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316261127435085384noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5155971341063117444.post-73537020944125985142008-12-31T17:01:00.000-08:002010-09-19T14:14:21.491-07:002008 - A year of Knitting in ReviewThe obligatory FO photo mosaic:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SVwWYX6z39I/AAAAAAAAAzk/OFt1RJp4T2A/s1600-h/3154311365_5ea3039af6_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SVwWYX6z39I/AAAAAAAAAzk/OFt1RJp4T2A/s400/3154311365_5ea3039af6_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286124670619475922" border="0" /></a><br />I managed to pack in 20 finished projects for 2008. They included:<br /><ul><li>1 sweater</li><li>2 cowls</li><li>2 lace shawls</li><li>1 pair of mittens</li><li>3 pieces of miscellanea<br /></li><li>and, of course, the <span style="font-style: italic;">11</span> hats</li></ul>I'm feeling very good about what I was able to produce over the course of the year. In 2009, I plan to challenge myself with my knitting, test my hand at designing, and make time to knit every day (even in the depths of my semesters). I think these three things are certainly both reasonable and achievable. I'm also in the process of building myself a brand new website (<span style="font-style: italic;">a holiday present I purchased for myself this year</span>!). The launch of that site will be seen sometime within the next year--I will obviously be keeping everyone posted!<br /><br />Lastly, special thank yous and well wishes to the wonderful support of all the fabulous knitters, crafters, and passerbyers that have stopped by in 2008. In my opinion, the knit-blogging community is one of the most friendly and supportive groups out there; thank you for making me feel a part of it. Looks like that's a wrap for this year, I'll be back soon in the new year!Happily Knithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316261127435085384noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5155971341063117444.post-72317187052835955512008-12-30T11:17:00.000-08:002010-09-19T14:14:21.506-07:00Good LuckHello! I just had to sneak one last project in before the new year quickly approaches. This piece was "commissioned" by a good friend as a gift for his mother [who is fantastic]. I finished it a little later than originally planned (sorry Nick!), but I'm pleased with the final product. I will say this though, it was considerably more difficult to get decent pictures of this one as opposed to the Chickadee cowl which stood at attention without me even touching it. Detail time!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SVp01kakegI/AAAAAAAAAzE/UpbZ1oWTD-g/s1600-h/Goodluck3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SVp01kakegI/AAAAAAAAAzE/UpbZ1oWTD-g/s400/Goodluck3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285665576329705986" border="0" /></a>Pattern: <a href="http://dropstitchknitter.wordpress.com/good-luck-cowl/" rel="nofollow">Good Luck Cowl</a> <span style="font-size:85%;">(<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/HappilyKnit/good-luck-cowl">ravelry</a>)</span><br />Designer: <a href="http://dropstitchknitter.wordpress.com/">Christianne Gerstner</a><br />Yarn: 1.3 skeins of Blue Sky Alpacas, Alpaca Silk - teal<br />Needles: US #5 Addi Turbos<br />Made for: Mrs. P<br />Level of Love: reasonably happy camper<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SVp2HoG1SNI/AAAAAAAAAzU/i2dGhq4Jp74/s1600-h/Goodluck1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SVp2HoG1SNI/AAAAAAAAAzU/i2dGhq4Jp74/s400/Goodluck1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285666986069936338" border="0" /></a><br />Modifications: I omitted one pattern repeat (for sanity's sake) and used a 2x2 ribbed edging instead of the original purled border. I like that it gave the piece a cleaner edge that wouldn't scallop.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SVp1s_01iaI/AAAAAAAAAzM/-XYMXHU4_3U/s1600-h/Goodluck2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SVp1s_01iaI/AAAAAAAAAzM/-XYMXHU4_3U/s400/Goodluck2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285666528580438434" border="0" /></a><br />I did enjoy this project, but admittedly got bored working on it for long periods of time (which is probably the why it took longer than expected). The lace pattern is fun, but it's extremely similar to the one done in the <a href="http://happycollegeknitter.blogspot.com/2008/10/i-promise.html">Bousta Beret</a> which I completed not too long ago. Though I thoroughly enjoy the finished product here (and I've received word that the recipient does too), I'm not entirely sure I'd knit this again--there are just too many patterns out there to make, right?<br /><br />That's all for now--travel safely for the remainder of the holiday season and have a fun-filled (and happily knit) New Year!Happily Knithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316261127435085384noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5155971341063117444.post-80458769478164499802008-12-25T11:23:00.000-08:002010-09-19T14:14:21.530-07:00Christmas ChickadeeHello everyone--Merry Christmas to those celebrating today! I wanted to drop in to show you one of the items getting delivered for holiday gifting later this afternoon. Here it is:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SVPoV_S7ytI/AAAAAAAAAy0/qjwsf_Ljbfc/s1600-h/Chickadee3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SVPoV_S7ytI/AAAAAAAAAy0/qjwsf_Ljbfc/s400/Chickadee3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283822252301470418" border="0" /></a><br />Pattern: <a href="http://throughtheloops.typepad.com/through_the_loops/2008/04/chickadee-cow-1.html">Chickadee Cowl</a> <span style="font-size:85%;">(<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/HappilyKnit/chickadee-cowl">Ravelry Link</a>)</span><br />Designer: <a href="http://throughtheloops.typepad.com/through_the_loops/">Kirsten Kapur</a><br />Made for: Ms. A<br />Yarn: Malabrigo Chunky - Velvet grapes <span style="font-style: italic;">(yum)</span><br />Needles: US #10 Addi Turbos<br />Dates:12/19 - 12/23<br />Level of Love: lots and lots<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SVPrQzWxLhI/AAAAAAAAAy8/Ne3oYXA4NPQ/s1600-h/Chicadee1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SVPrQzWxLhI/AAAAAAAAAy8/Ne3oYXA4NPQ/s400/Chicadee1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283825461731864082" border="0" /></a>I really enjoyed this project. It was quick, it was fun, it was mindless, and the final product is very pretty. The pattern uses a linen stitch which is especially beautiful with variegated yarns (plus it breaks up pooling too!). With the linen stitch on the outside it creates something along the line of seed stitch on steroids on the inside (shown above). The final product is a very dense (yet surprisingly flexible) fabric that is capable of standing on its own, which will effectively block out pesky winter wind. Success.<br /><br />That's all for now--take care and have a wonderful holiday <span style="font-style: italic;">(tonight is night #5 here)</span>!Happily Knithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316261127435085384noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5155971341063117444.post-14216462182203305972008-12-21T18:31:00.000-08:002010-09-19T14:14:21.557-07:00Guess what?It's Hanukkah! It officially started at sundown this evening. Now, I definitely understand that I'm a bit of a minority here, but for the Jewish folk out there, our holiday festivities began tonight (<span style="font-style: italic;">and will continue for the next 7!). </span>I just wanted to share a few photos I took earlier tonight-- a glimpse into my family:<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SU8Ej__pjdI/AAAAAAAAAxk/1zxmp7Y8Hck/s1600-h/Ornaments.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SU8Ej__pjdI/AAAAAAAAAxk/1zxmp7Y8Hck/s400/Ornaments.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282445904449211858" border="0" /></a>Aren't they pretty? Every year we hang Hanukkah ornaments from the chandelier in our dining room . Some of them get pretty creative...<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SU8Fd7CUQdI/AAAAAAAAAxs/aDGreESa7jE/s1600-h/HolidayCross-stich.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SU8Fd7CUQdI/AAAAAAAAAxs/aDGreESa7jE/s400/HolidayCross-stich.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282446899550634450" border="0" /></a>Like <span style="font-style: italic;">this </span>one for example! I made it in 2nd grade. It took a little extra work (and some arm twisting) to not have to use the Christmas tree patterns the rest of my classmates used...but it was totally worth it.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SU8HDwK18BI/AAAAAAAAAx0/ZgK6ZiLyCF4/s1600-h/Judah.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SU8HDwK18BI/AAAAAAAAAx0/ZgK6ZiLyCF4/s400/Judah.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282448648980262930" border="0" /></a>Hey look! It's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judas_Maccabeus">Judah Maccabee</a>! (<span style="font-style: italic;">made out of clothespins, felt, pipe cleaners, and cotton balls. Classy guy.</span>)<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SU8KPOJhtWI/AAAAAAAAAyE/pPlXm3oHbtM/s1600-h/IMG_2757.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 287px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SU8KPOJhtWI/AAAAAAAAAyE/pPlXm3oHbtM/s400/IMG_2757.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282452144541250914" border="0" /></a>Childhood artwork by yours truly. (<span style="font-style: italic;">*ahem*...age 19 months!</span>)<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SU8InaNLToI/AAAAAAAAAx8/QyalqgyKFPk/s1600-h/Menorah.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SU8InaNLToI/AAAAAAAAAx8/QyalqgyKFPk/s400/Menorah.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282450361071390338" border="0" /></a>One candle down, seven more to come! Wishing you all a safe & happy holiday season!<br /></div>Happily Knithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316261127435085384noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5155971341063117444.post-17300178661104133122008-12-18T22:25:00.000-08:002010-09-19T14:14:21.584-07:00Star CrossedHello again, I'll keep the rambling brief today! I'm busily finishing up a few pieces of holiday knitting, and I'll do my best to keep the site updated as I do so. <span style="font-style: italic;">(Often my flickr side panel is a project or two ahead of my posting...I'm trying to diminish the lag!)</span>. That said, here is a quick <span style="font-style: italic;">(we're talking 2 discs of Arrested Development quick)</span> beret that has already been gifted and sent off to to it's happy recipient. Here are details!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SUtE-HFDYBI/AAAAAAAAAxU/C4Tf-YT4oRA/s1600-h/IMG_2728asdf.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SUtE-HFDYBI/AAAAAAAAAxU/C4Tf-YT4oRA/s400/IMG_2728asdf.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281390821864857618" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern: </span><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/dymhl1mas0">Star Crossed Slouchy Beret</a> (<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/HappilyKnit/star-crossed-slouchy-beret">rav link</a>)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Designer:</span> <a href="http://strandsofme.blogspot.com/">Natalie Larson</a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Made for</span>: Jamie (pictured)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn</span>: Malabrigo Worsted - Amber Gold (less than one skein)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Needles</span>: US #10 & #$ Addi Turbos<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dates:</span> 12/14-12/15 (blocking included)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Level of love:</span> *swooooon*<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SUtJ2xaW94I/AAAAAAAAAxc/N3vIPYobiw8/s1600-h/mosaic4684293.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SUtJ2xaW94I/AAAAAAAAAxc/N3vIPYobiw8/s400/mosaic4684293.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281396193347696514" border="0" /></a>If you haven't picked up on it by now, I'm a hat girl. To me, they include the majority of the rewards associated with hand knitting. They are the perfect length to avoid boredom, come in an endless sea of beautiful patterns, and the slouchy kind rarely smoosh curly hair. Yes; I certainly love my hats. The 2nd grader side of me chimes in "If you love them so much, maybe you should <span style="font-style: italic;">MARRY</span> them!"<br /><br />Well? Maybe I should.Happily Knithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316261127435085384noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5155971341063117444.post-68742691160476590422008-12-16T02:13:00.000-08:002010-09-19T14:14:21.610-07:00She speaks!Hello again! As promised, more photos of the mystery cliffhanger sweater. I figured I owed everyone (the sweater included) some decent online recognition. Careful followers will note that this is my first <span style="font-style: italic;">wearable</span> sweater. True, I made a <a href="http://happycollegeknitter.blogspot.com/2008/01/oh-i-just-love-surprises.html">vest</a> that was gifted and a <a href="http://happycollegeknitter.blogspot.com/2007/10/thoughts-on-sleeve-length.html">sweater</a> that makes my skin crawl, but this is my first piece of clothing that I can actually wear. Three cheers to that!<br /><br />Lets get to the goods, shall we?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SUgCQa-lGhI/AAAAAAAAAw0/rZCGJkITkSI/s1600-h/IMG_9890asdasdfaasdsssf.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SUgCQa-lGhI/AAAAAAAAAw0/rZCGJkITkSI/s400/IMG_9890asdasdfaasdsssf.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280473044234869266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern:</span> <a href="http://www.zephyrstyle.com/catalog/item.cfm/2367447/4944404">Juliet </a><span style="font-size:85%;">(<a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/HappilyKnit/juliet">rav link</a>) </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Designer: </span>Zephyr Gals: <a href="http://www.zephyrstyle.com/about.html">Sarah & Rachel</a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn:</span> 4 skeins Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece (held double) in Provincial Rose<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Needles:</span> US #10 Addi Turbos<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dates:</span> 8/1- 9/17 <span style="font-style: italic;">(yes...3 months ago)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Level of love:</span> are we serious?<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SUgWTKZO3AI/AAAAAAAAAxM/VhNtIfeHFr4/s1600-h/IMG_9901aasdfassadf+cropped.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 255px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SUgWTKZO3AI/AAAAAAAAAxM/VhNtIfeHFr4/s400/IMG_9901aasdfassadf+cropped.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280495081555418114" border="0" /></a><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mods:</span> The largest modification I made was choosing a different lace pattern for the bodice. The pattern I went with was borrowed from the <a href="http://www.knitting-crochet.com/showom.html">Vintage Shoulderette</a> pattern. Other than that, I decided to do a single faux button front closure instead of the two separated ones as directed. Originally when I started finishing, the button was going to be functional-- good thing I'm flexible.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SUgL4ty5GlI/AAAAAAAAAw8/NF7C8srG8ag/s1600-h/IMG_9924asdfaasassdsafsdaasasass.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 255px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SUgL4ty5GlI/AAAAAAAAAw8/NF7C8srG8ag/s400/IMG_9924asdfaasassdsafsdaasasass.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280483632085539410" border="0" /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">(Click to enlarge)</span></span></a><br /></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />I</span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" > enjoy this top very much; <span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">its got this A-line Trapezey thing going on</span></span>. I </span><span style="font-size:100%;">have already worn it out several times which</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" > I</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> believe makes it feel loved and happy. Often I wonder if I'm the only one that imagines knit items having feelings. Yeah...? Just me? *sigh*. I just feel that knit items that are shoved into drawers would naturally be sad, and conversely happy if worn frequently. Okay enough of that, I yield. More finished goodness to come soon!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">**Special thanks to my fantastic photographer friend that agreed to take the time to shoot [and edit] these photos just because he's awesome. Won't you <a href="http://garrettmaster.com/">pay him a visit</a>?<br /></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">***Also, can anyone spy the yellow flowers from the picture anywhere else? Gosh I love them.</span></span>Happily Knithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316261127435085384noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5155971341063117444.post-69932965960009184392008-12-03T21:57:00.000-08:002010-09-19T14:14:21.630-07:00Foliage Beret-a-fiedOkay, I know what you're thinking: "<span style="font-style: italic;">Two posts in the same week?! Not possible. So</span><span style="font-style: italic;">mebody obviously hacked into her account and is posting for her--that's the only explanation</span>". Now (admittedly), I deserve that reaction. Really, I do. In the past two months, my time has been spent on classes, studies, work and extra currics--any little time I did have was devoted to knitting. Unfortunately posting took the hit. Watching my blog slowly wither away was making me me sad, so I'm going to make a conscious effort to pop in on a more regularly.<br /><br />On a more humorous note, the other reason I'm posting twice in the same week is that it occurred to me that if someone had never visited this blog until 4 days ago, their first impression would be of a comical (yet terrifying) staged photo of me. To be quite honest, <span style="font-style: italic;">I</span> get a little creeped out when I look at it--but at least now I know what I'd look like if I actually <span style="font-style: italic;">did </span>go over to the dark side...terrifying thought. Now, lets have a look at some knitting, shall we?<br /><br />It occurred to me (and has been pointed out by countless others) that lately the only hats I'm interested in wearing are of the slouchy persuasion. Most of the hats I've knit of late fit that bill, but there is one that did not. Re-meet Foliage:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/STeKhFHahtI/AAAAAAAAAwE/ItbgXFA-dmw/s1600-h/cropped.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/STeKhFHahtI/AAAAAAAAAwE/ItbgXFA-dmw/s400/cropped.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275837789401417426" border="0" /></a>Now again, there was nothing wrong with the pattern or the fit of the hat as it was designed--it just wasn't "me" and therefore wasn't getting worn. In my opinion, no handknit hat deserves to live in a drawer unloved.<br /><br />So last night, I had an epiphany: <span style="font-style: italic;">"My hat is made of wool...wool blocks well....I have an abundance of clean dinner plates...I'm going to fix my hat!"</span>. After the process was complete, it looked like this:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/STeLoo7853I/AAAAAAAAAwM/FmK6fp0Rb-g/s1600-h/IMG_2567.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/STeLoo7853I/AAAAAAAAAwM/FmK6fp0Rb-g/s400/IMG_2567.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275839018787727218" border="0" /></a><br /><br />and once it was dry, it looked like this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/STeMdbF38hI/AAAAAAAAAwU/ctPj2lq80Dc/s1600-h/IMG_2600.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/STeMdbF38hI/AAAAAAAAAwU/ctPj2lq80Dc/s400/IMG_2600.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275839925604315666" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Which made <span style="font-style: italic;">me</span> look like this:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/STeMy5KixtI/AAAAAAAAAwc/JPFl69nm-Ag/s1600-h/IMG_2592.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/STeMy5KixtI/AAAAAAAAAwc/JPFl69nm-Ag/s400/IMG_2592.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275840294454216402" border="0" /></a><br />Overall the transformation was a success and I now have a cuddly, functional hat that I will most definitely wear more often. Other than my hat re-shapage, I have five projects that are near completion that I will be sharing with you over the neck few weeks. In the mean time, how about a little sneak peak?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/STeOdwnZxdI/AAAAAAAAAwk/i-T1eAr0G_g/s1600-h/IMG_2570.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/STeOdwnZxdI/AAAAAAAAAwk/i-T1eAr0G_g/s400/IMG_2570.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275842130405344722" border="0" /></a><br />Don't you just hate cliffhangers? More photos to come soon!Happily Knithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316261127435085384noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5155971341063117444.post-16588074210759462572008-11-30T17:29:00.000-08:002010-09-19T14:14:21.644-07:00Feeling the ForceSooooooo...If your friend [jokingly?] referred to you as the <a href="http://my.nbc.com/sn/4/a/8/e/SithHappens,nbc.com/images/ae1dc90a40d2c341543e3e7012230462.jpg">Sith Lord</a> of Knitting, wouldn't that prompt you to hold an emergency photo session?<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/STNEzWS-WsI/AAAAAAAAAv8/9J1APFOM2Tw/s1600-h/IMG_2559.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/STNEzWS-WsI/AAAAAAAAAv8/9J1APFOM2Tw/s400/IMG_2559.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274635237530163906" border="0" /></a>Good. Because I would too.<br /></div>Happily Knithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316261127435085384noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5155971341063117444.post-40509676676739019922008-11-14T21:52:00.000-08:002010-09-19T14:14:21.658-07:00I might have been hiding lately...<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SR5j_3r1M9I/AAAAAAAAAv0/4mEwc3Dz4SE/s1600-h/IMG_2535.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VPI2zYlugPI/SR5j_3r1M9I/AAAAAAAAAv0/4mEwc3Dz4SE/s400/IMG_2535.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268758563000759250" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">...But I'm still here!</span><br /></div>Happily Knithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316261127435085384noreply@blogger.com6