its raining... again!

So its POURING outside... lighting stuck somewhere very close... light flashed... house shook... alarm went off~ and My crazy grandmother was waiting for her church van to pick her up... by standing outside in the POURING rain~ (yes she was carrying an umbrella)... but still... we could not keep that woman in the house!! I wish I had a picture to show you... but my camera was in the basement somewhere and my cell phone is dead.

So its a rainy Sunday afternoon- my plans are to cast on the 2nd sleeve for my eyelet cardigan (which I recast on Wednesday night... and modified the pattern and beginning to knit with the sleeves)... hopefully squeeze in a nap... write the last of my admissions essays (which are so so late!)... and maybe stop by barnes and nobles for a coffee and to study for my Massage boards~

I haven't been knitting much lately... because...

all this knitting has created/changed the way the lines on my finger run! I now have a diagonal finger line! if I get my hand lines read... my fortune has changed because of knitting! LOL!! I haven't been knitting because that line has been flared up... red and sore for a few days~~ I have a theory as to why... (a new kinda yarn... I'm not enjoying very much)... but yeah~ok... no wonder my friends think I'm crazy but, you all understand right?~

Ok so here it is...I've mentioned it a few times... but its finally done... Shipped... received and... now posted:


The Endpaper Mits by Eunny Jang made out of Malabrigo Sock... in Tiziano Red and Terracota... on Size 1.5 and Size 3 needles~ for my Malabrigo Swap Round & partner...WOOHOO!! it was a fast fun knit... and the finished product is so pretty it makes me feel smarter! I love those make me feel smarter projects!



Pattern: Ene Scarf by Nancy Bush found in the Scarf Style Book
Yarn: Malabrigo Lace Weight in Dusty and Apricot 1.5 skeins of each (held together)
Needles: Size 7 Knit Picks options
This scarf took FOREVER!! well at least it feels like forever. I started it back in January... and then frogged it... and started it again in early June~ it took about 2 months. I wasn't working on it daily... or every week even... and if I had to do one more repeat of Chart 3... I might have cried~ but the finished project is sooo pretty! Its going on my christmas gift stash~ so maybe if your good?

I haven't knit much since... because of the finger... also I hurt my Right hand... opening a window (don't ask)~ but thats that... its just about all better so I can get started again~ Lately I've had a growing desire to learn to Sew~~ hmm~

On the Acupuncture front.... I'm officially looking for office space... my NJ license will be at my doorstep anyday now~ but the thought of having to pay rent and Student loans... is FREAKING me out~~ wish me luck!!

yay a POST!

monkey socks

So I've been trying to post from my cell for weeks... and it hasn't been working.. and I swear tonight I did the same thing I do everytime I try to post from my cell... but tonight it worked!!! The full moon... does make a difference!! So there is it... a picture I took my with cellphone camera... during class... because I just finished the toe on my 1st pair of monkey socks... I need to graft them... and they are good to go!

The yarn is... Yarn Love- Elizabeth Bennet in the Fondly colorway... and the pattern is Monkey Socks by cookieA. I've gotten lots of complements on them- whenever I pull them out in school or on the bus~ Quick and fun knit~

TA DA


Pattern: Girasol by Jared Flood
Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted in Paris Night Colorway
Needles: Crystal Palace size 10.5 DPN's and Knit Picks Harmony Interchangable size 10.5 in the 24", 40", and 60" cables
Notes~ OMG so much fun to knit... I cast another one on... I did an extra repeat of Chart G- because I had so much yarn left. I used 7 full skeins plus like 20g of an 8th skein~

So... I've a bunch of things I've finished in the last omg... 2 months is it? and a swap and some yarn club packages I've received in that time also... I'll try to post some of it in the coming days~ I've been running about like a nearly headless chicken.

Just to give you a gist of what has been going on in my life... is... I was seeing someone... now I'm not... I ran into old buddies and made new buddies~ I when through these crazy hoops to get my Acupuncture License in New Jersey... which should be finalized any day now.... and I also got my school to approve me for expedited graduation so I can sit for the NYS massage board exam... and I've been applying to Doctoral programs.... got a new job... working on building my own practice... and... learned that I'm graduating in the top 3 of my class (hurrah!).... so yes... I think I've been a bit distracted. So Sorry for nearly abandoning the blog... Hope you all come back and visit me now... that I will try to post regularly once again!

Err its the end of the month... already!?

where has this month gone!? I can't believe its the last day of april already!!.... Seriously... the rate at which time is passing is beginning to scare me a bit~~ Someone once said to me... the older you get the faster time passes... scary!! So what have I accomplished this past month...
I took finals... and I'm guessing I passed them all... because I did receive my report card it in the mail... and it was...acceptable~.... I took the last of my necessary NCCAOM board exams... and I passed that as well... I submitted the last of my paper work to be licensed in NYS... and the initial paperwork for my NJ license~... I talked to ThePinkCLoud (Laura)... about my business logo and such~... I talked to my parents about my plans to start my business... I checked off- speak in front of 300 people+ off my life to do list~... and... I have now reached the end of april... and possibly the last real day off before I start my Spring...and final semester of PCOM (massage program~)... woohoo!~
Some photos...


Happy birthday to my cousin Hannah and my mom who aged the day before I did... I treated my family to a night at Medieval Times... which we enjoyed~ the food was better than expected... but that may have been because we were at the 8pm show~ by the time it all started... we were starved! The Black and White Knight won... which according to my sister... he always wins~ but it was a fun something to do~


Pattern: Juliet by Sarah & Rachel
Yarn: Malabrigo- Worsted
Colorway: Buscando Azul and Azul Bolita- about 2.5 skeins of each
Needles: Size 10 1/2 Knit Picks Harmony Options
Notes/Mods: CO for size S increased 17 times (rather than 16) because the arm holes were too tight
Beginning lace pattern- I had 116 sts OTN… I decreased down to 109 which is inbetween the XS and S~
used: this website to calculate where to place the decreases~ (very clever)
Mina asked for a pocket on the sweater... Basically I knit 12 stitches (what would make the lacey portion of the stitch pattern Row 1) onto waste yarn… I slipped those stitches back onto the left needle… and continued in pattern… The next row is purled back (row 2)… and then row 3 i just knit those 12 sitches… because I thought it would make the structure of it all stronger than if I continued the lace pattern just yet…
Continue as normal…. After the bindoff… I picked up the stitches from the waste yarn (26 stitches in all) on the inside of the sweater…. and… joined in the round.. and knit 2 rows (Originally I was going to purl the stitches on the back of the pocket and knit the front portion (to help the join (of pocket and front of sweater) to fold over… but I forgot~ then I purled until the pocket was as long as I could make without it poking out the bottom… Kitchnered shut~
Handwashed in Soak- it took DAYS to dry! (i need a sweater drying rack)... and... The PinkCloud crochet me the button connectory thingies~ DONE.


Pattern: Charade by Sandra Park
Yarn: Tofutsies by SWTC in the Feet First (#790) colorway
Needles: Blue Sky Alpaca DPN Size 0
Notes: CO 80, after 16 repeats of the leg pattern- decreased down to 76 sts- repeat pattern 16 times before starting heel.
RE: Yarn- it was interesting to work with- it was splitty, a bit annoying, but it comes with amazing yardage~ The yarn is a blend of Cotton, Wool, Soy, and Chitin (which is a component of crustacean shells~)... If it weren't so splitty! I would want to use it again~

Stash Enhancements...
I was on a self imposted Yarn Diet... for all of... oh... 3 days?... at which time I gave up... and nearly doubled my stash. I have decided that Yarn diets are a dangerous thing as they lead me to binge purchase once released~ Please Note the following may include Spoilers~
Socktopus Sock Club (march 2009)

Yarn: Artist Palette- Sweet Feet in Sweet Pea Colorway
Pattern: Over the Garden Wall by Loumms creation
Notes: Package also included a small Satiny pouch containing Seeds for Peas and Mint and recipe to make Peas Mint Soup

Wool Girl Sock Club Package (April, 2009)

Yarn: Curious Creek Fibers- Wasonga- in the Old Head of Kinsale Colorway
Patterns: Crooked Brook Sock by Anne Hanson and Stormy Seas Cowl By Lisa Dykstra
Notes: Package also included: 2 small sheep figures, a Cranberry Farm Shortbread Cookie shaped like a sheep, a Note (to DO list)pad and Tea Sample, A tea shaped Tape measure/Key ring, a gold color teapot Stitch marker from Sunneshine on etsy, a note card, and a LARGE travel bag with the WoolGirl Sock club logo embroidered on it.

Sundara Seasons Yarn Club (Winter)- Final Shipment- 3 Skeins of ASM in Black Cherry


Eat Sleep Knit- Do over Sale Purchase...
here I will not list everything that I bought... as it is a bit embarrassing... but please note... it was on SALE~~ if you are so inclined please feel free to click the photo and head over to Flickr' where the photo has notes and lists exactly what each yarn is~


what else... OTN: yes, while I have been madly purchasing yarn... I have also been knitting... not quite as the same rate of acquisition... but... thats not the point!...right?

Pattern: Over the Garden Wall by Loumms Creation
Yarn: Artists Palette- Sweet feet in Sweet Pea Colorway
Needles: Size 2 Knit Picks Harmony DPN's
Notes: You see! I just got this kit this month and its being knit up!! actually as to tonight it will be an FO! I just need to bind off the 2nd sock. I recommend this pattern as it was really fun and fast to knit! the heel is interesting and... the finished sock is very pretty. I will not be adding the embellishments as it does not really suit me~ and not very practical for wearing in a shoe~ but thats just me~ Please note that these socks took less than the requisite 2 months that it normally requires for me to finish socks.


Pattern: Clapotis by Kate Gilbert
Yarn: Alchemy Yarns- Synchronicity in The Night Air and Dylan's Blue Depths
Notes: NONE! its a CLAP!!


Pattern: Girasol by Jared Flood
Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted in Paris Night
Needles: Knit Picks Harmony Options Size 10 1/2
Notes: this pattern is AWESOME! I'm knitting the blanket size... currently finishing up Chart E- and i'm not bored with it... I'm excited to knit on it whenever I pick it up, its not HARD... and its amazingly Beautiful~ I'm considering knitting it again!?

some FO's

I've been distracted lately... and have been having a hard time- finding time to sit and work up a post... I don't know that this is going to be much better~~ here are some FO's:

Pattern: Baby Surprise Jacket by E. Zimmerman
Yarn: Cotton Joy Jr.
Needles: Addi Lace Turbo's (because I love them!) Size 5
Notes: I started this way back in august... the knitting has been done for MONTHS~ but I hate seaming... Laura (in the photo)... took pity on my and seamed up my shoulders and sewed the buttons on... she ROCKS~!


Pattern: Preemie Hats for Charity by Carissa Browning
Needles: Knit Picks DPN's- size 3
Yarn: Random acrylic ~ the Pink is Sirdar's Snuggly
Notes: I made 3 of these little hats to donate~


Pattern: Pocketbook Slippers
Yarn: Malabrigo Chunky- Forest
Needles: Size 6 Knit Picks Harmony Options
Notes: so fast and clever~

>
Pattern: Witter Cottage Mittens by Dee Bamford
Yarn: Posh Yarns Lucia Sock in the Pansies and Cream colorways
Needles: Knit Picks DPN's Size 2 and 2.5
Notes: These knit up quickly, after I frogged and restarted like 5 times (the yarn held up well.) This is my 1st stranded knitting project. I love them~ Fernella actually accidentally washed them and they felted a bit... but they still fit... actually they are better now- because the fit is tighter (like negative ease) and it is warmer (warm to begin with...just warmer now)

A picture of my newest needles... since the title is called fascination with needles...

they are the Blue Sky Alpaca DPN's in Size 0~ I would have preferred a size 1 or 2 but I picked them up during the superbowl sale at Knit-a-Bit (Westfield, NJ) and they were sold out~ I'm still waiting for someone to buy me the signature dpn's~ :)

Malabrigo Swap- Round 5~

I was the 1st person to receive their swap package this past round~ which is always fun~ I'm not soo good at waiting sometimes~ I got an awesome package from Leigh (LeighGreyKnits on ravelry)~ she was so thoughtful and sweet... i love every part of it...
-1 skein of amazingly yummy Hand-dyed, hand-spun Blue-faced Leceister yarn~ which I think we have all lovingly named- Creamsicle~
-1 Skein of Malabrigo Sock- in Persia…. Its soooo pretty~~ i’ve been lusting after this~~and whenever I’ve gone out to get it… its been sold out!
-2 skeins of… Malabrigo DOS- in the Boticelli Red… its sooo smooshy and soft… (this is going to live in my special yarn stash till I can figure out what to make!!)
-the interweave Winter 2006 magazine… sooo many patterns I’ve been wanting from this magazine!…
-a book about spinning yarn (a new hobby of mine)…
-the amanda hat pattern~
-100 bangles~ in silver and torquiosish blue… soo cute!! I love them~ :)
-a bottle of Hazelnut syrup…. to flavor coffee and such~
-so so so cute stitch markers… from etsy… of tea pots and leaves~~
-SOAK in Aquae- which is my fave scent!
-Stash Tea and Twinings Tea… in wild raspberry and Orange Pekoe
-and the bestest best part… is a hat knit for my nephew… . Malabrigo… worsted… black forest… its sooo soft…. he’s going to LOVE IT~ I don’t know how you did it with your injury… your amazing! THANK YOU LEIGH!!

Happy New Year!

Christmas...
opening presents...

Playing with presents...

Christmas Lunch...

Christmas evening... walking about the city~

After Christmas...
American Museum of Natural History~ was there on Monday... it was beyond packed~ craziness~ still... I like looking at the diarama's... and all the stuff~ stuffed birds... although there are no pickled babies... its still worth a visit every few years~

The Cookie Jar, Staten Island, NY... Yummy Cookies!!


Knitting stuff...
Blue Sky Alpaca Swap- Round 2 amazing package from Tricia- SFCorgi~


FO:

Pattern: Pomatomusby Cookie A.
Yarn: Malabrigo Sock
Colorway: Indiecita
Needles: Knit Picks Harmony DPN's- Size 2
Notes: no changes to pattern. malabrigo is so soft~~ really nice to work with~

WIP's

Pattern: Winter Cottage Mittens by Dee Bamford
Yarn: Posh Yarn- Lucia Sock
Color: Pansy and Cream
Needles: Knit Picks Harmony DPN's Size: 2.75mm and 3.0mm
Notes: Long Tail Tubular Cast on... moved up to 3.0mm size needles to cast on + 2 rows... then worked remainder of mitten with 2.75mm needles~
My 1st color work- learning to knit with right hand as I'm knitting these mittens= wonky stitches~