One year ago

Yes, yes, it's true: One year ago today, I launched this little project of mine--how time has flown! During the past year, this little blog has grown to serve as the modus operandi of my projects, experiences, thoughts, emotions (both high and low), and lord knows whatever else I've thrown into the mix. I personally love having an outlet that I can use [at all hours] to talk about whatever it is that's got my goat (pun intended) at the time. Simply put, it has been (and will continue to be) a fantastic place for self reflection.



On the topic of reflection, I've been thinking a lot about why I chose the title I did for this blog. Despite it seeming obvious, I've determined that my life post-knitting has been predominantly happy. Really happy. Before I found this craft, I had this unfulfillable void searching for a hobby that really felt like home. My time spent knitting has filled that void completely. Looking back, it's terrifying to think that 2 years ago at this time, I hadn't picked up a pair of needles since my mom first taught me to knit at age 8! Can you believe it? Life without knitting would just be so.....sad! This brings me to the subject of happiness in general. I'd definitely consider myself a "glass half full" kinda gal, and I'll be the first to tell you that you really never are fully dressed without a smile. That said, I'm going to throw this one out to you:

What is it that makes you happy?





I basically love asking people this question. In my experience, it's one of the best ways to get to know somebody. Would you mind indulging me? Pretty please?



Because it's my first blogaversary, I will officially call this a "contest", though your response isn't going to be judged or put in any crazy order of validity--that'd just be weird. Simply answer the question however you think is best. Your answer can be about friends, family, movies, books, activities, crazy rituals, you name it! Plus by doing so, you'll automatically be entered into a drawing for some fun goodies sent with care by yours truly. **Don't forget to include an email address so I can contact you if you win!** To put some sort of timeframe on this, let’s have it finished up by October 1st at 11:59 pm shall we? (can you tell I'm getting used to college deadlines again??)



Lastly, I wanted to take the time showcase the site that really got me interested in the idea of starting my own blog, and who really got me fired up about knitting again. Christina, I can't say I know you extremely well (or at all really) but thank you for blogging the way you do; it helped me start something I love!



and last but not least, a link to my first [pathetically comical] post.

Short and Sweet

A short post is a happy post. I'm having a blast back at school, but this week has been absolutely crazy. To put it into perspective, I haven't knit since I moved back into my apartment--a week ago. That's just unacceptable in my opinion. Anyway, (to tide you over) here's a fun project I forgot to share with you:
Yes, it's another Jenny Cloche! As you might have picked up by now, I have no qualms knitting a great pattern more than once. In my defense, I did try the buckle option instead of the bow to keep things interesting. The verdict? I definitely choose the bow for me, but I think the buckle makes the hat a little more universal for gifting. This pattern is highly recommended by yours truly, so go make one! Tell your friends. eta: Observant readers have reminded me that the yarn used is Malabrigo Chunky in Velvet Grapes-- Deeeeeeeeelish.



p.s. A more substantial post will come once the cable folk hook up the internet at my apartment (apparently dealing with 8500 college kids in a 2 week span of time makes them a little busy. I say it's no excuse.)

Right under our noses

Has anyone else ever noticed that despite how long you've lived in an area, there remain to be things that just pop up out of the blue to remind you that you don't, in fact, know everything?

For example, a few weeks ago, my sister-in-law discovered that there is an Alpaca farm less that 5 miles from where we live. Say whaaaat? Armed with mapquest directions and a hesitance to this place actually existing, we set out on our way. Not only does this place exist, but it ended up being pretty darn awesome. Behold, a few candids from our trip to Apple Orchard Alpacas.

ohymygosh. cute.


why, hello!


uh. dorable.

Friendship transcending species.



Sneak attack!



HAH!

Highlight of my week. No, make that summer.

As you might have guessed, we had a great visit. Not only was the farm gorgeous, but both the animals and owners were [very] patient with us as we snapped all of these pictures. As if playing with the cute animals wasn't enough, I also made my first fiber purchase--but more on that in weeks to come. For now, hopefully the abundance of cute things above will distract you from the lack of knitting photos. I promise, those are soon to come too!

A winter hat in July

It is no secret that I'm a big fan of Ysolda's work. One might even consider me a groupie. I think her patterns are ingenious and that her style is unique and always fresh. Like most, I have been eying up several of her new patterns and dreaming up when and how I'm going to make everything with only two hands. Fast forward to last weekend. While my fabulous roommate was overseas in Scotland this summer, she brought a little something back home with her. Realistically, I don't think it would have been possible for her to have picked a more perfect souvenir to gift--it's obvious she knows me far too well.

What did I receive you ask? I'll give you a few hints: It came complete with a booklet copy of the pattern, the yarn suggested (in my favorite color), and a nifty tote bag-- all purchased from K1 Yarns in Edinburgh...

Oh enough of this suspense! Meet my latest fling:Pattern: Rose Red
Designer: Ysolda Teague
Yarn: Orkney Angora St Magnus D.K. in Aqua
Needles: US #7 & US #3 Addi Turbos
Time to Knit: July 20-July 25th
Level of Love: wishing I could wear hats at work.I really love this hat--in fact, I'm going to go ahead and say with confidence that this is my favorite hat yet (And just for the record, that's quite a few hats!). This pattern has just enough variety to keep it interesting, but was simple enough to knit with a movie going in the background. The chart made it incredibly easy to follow, and it was fun watching the pattern grow as it got bigger.
As for modifications, I really only made two: I decided not to add the the i-cord section on the top center, and I went down to US 2's for a simple 2x2 rib for the brim. Again, I'm incredibly pleased with how this turned out.

In other news, apparently I'm not allergic to angora as I had previously thought! Though I was hesitant about it at first, this yarn was incredibly great choice for this pattern-- it really gave the hat a softer look, and I'm glad I no longer have to avoid the fiber like the plague.

So yes, It's official-- I mark this hat mission a success.

When Life Hands you Lace...

You hand it a mindless stockinette project. Though admittedly I'm still basking in the glorious afterglow of the Shetland Triangle, I needed a project to clear my head. You know, to wipe the slate clean and start it fresh with something else. More importantly, to start it fresh with something easy.

Enter the hat: A straight, 90 st stockinette beanie style man-hat with stripes just to keep it interesting. I'm not joking when I say that this hat is a project that you'll blink and miss--it's that good (and that fast!).This project satisfied my urge to knit something useful and mindless--a perfect combination in my opinion. As for the recipient, he's a great guy who just happened to be at the right place at the right time. Just as he was mentioning his need for a new hat, my fingers were itching to start one. A few episodes of Daria later, a new hat was born. In a nutshell, this project gave me the mindless break I needed...and it also gave me an excuse to use my personalized tags--yeah!

So in conclusion, I urge you to go out, cast on, and knit something obscenely simple--you'll probably be happy you did!

Sneaky.

So we're just going to go ahead and not acknowledge that I've fallen off the face of the earth for the past month. Step one in pretending it never happened? Introducing yet another surprise project!

Yeah, I have a PhD. in Sneakiness.Yup, that's a Shetland Triangle you see!
Yarn: a little less than 1 skein of Malabrigo Lace. Yummm.
Needles: 47" US 8 Addi Turbos
Time to knit: June 26-July 19
Level of love: Off. the. charts.

Today was the day of my fantastic roommate's bridal shower and afterwards I was able to snap a few pictures of her wearing her new item. Seeing as Jamie's the one who got me re-interested in knitting (hear hear!), making a special project for her was the least I could do. I had purchased the yarn on a whim during a trip home; when I brought it back with me, I specifically remember Jamie handling [lusting after] it quite a bit. Little did she know that she'd get it a few months later.
In other news, I love the pattern. No really, I love the pattern. I absolutely will be making this again. The only thing that didn't work like clockwork was my first attempt on the bind off (waaay too tight). 2nd time around, I ended up going up to size 15's to make sure it was loose enough to make those characteristic points. As for modifications, I only did one extra repeat than the pattern called for, but it stretched to a decent (and wearable) size due to the size 8's. Oh, and as if this a shock, the Malabrigo was heaven to work with.

So there you have it! What's yet to come? Perhaps another hat (shocking?), a fun filled trip to an Alpaca farm, and finally learning to spin? Ohhhh the possibilities!

I love my job.

case in point.

I started my internship about one month ago, and I can say whole heartedly that I do indeed love my job. Every day is something different and every day I come home smiling. The ladies you see above are truly a priceless bunch--each of them has specific strengths that they bring to the office each day, and together I think that our office is pretty much unstoppable. This is true "girl power".

So at our work, we each take turns leading our weekly staff meetings--the beginning is usually something fun and applicable that serves as an icebreaker of some kind. Long story short, this past Monday was my turn to run the meeting, and I thought of no better icebreaker than inflicting my love of knitting onto a captive audience (wouldn't you?). I provided yarn, needles, and instructions to each, along with this article which I find to be 100% accurate. Some initial were hesitant, but warmly received as an end result. There are now several of the ladies who knit during the day to unwind. Even the diehard crocheter of the bunch agreed to put down her hook and picked up two needles as a gesture of inter-crafting fraternity.

Now, knitting for work doesn't just end there- let me introduce you to a speedy little project:

Pattern: The Beer Sweater
Desginer: Melissa Martinsen
Yarn: Heart & Sole (A new self striping sock yarn with Aloe!)
Needles: US #3 Addi Turbos
Time to knit: obscenely short

This week our staff was taking turns leaving fun surprises on our director's (lower center above) desk. I thought it would be only fitting to knit up something up for her.

I love the self striping sock yarn for this pattern-- It made a fun looking fair isle-ish yoke that I think is really unique. I also think that the cozie looks like a miniature version of the sweaters found all too commonly buried in local thrift stores waiting for someone to love them. It has that "so ugly it's cute" quality about it, which I think is why I love it so much. In my opinion, this pattern was again a success.

So in conclusion, I have established that crafting in the workplace not only makes sense, but it make it makes for happiness too--three cheers for that! I love my job.