Lulu Bliss

Like I need another time suck!

But OMG, I just joined Ravelry and spent over 3 hours browsing around on it.  I love it!  So much fun just looking around and finding new projects, ideas, groups and anything knitting/crochet related.  I don't know why I waited so long.  I have never been one to join "networking" sites, it is just not my thing (I have never joined Myspace and don't plan on it).  But since this one is craft related, I am behind it all the way.  I was waiting for my invitation to join and was so excited when I received it today, my name at Ravelry is of course, lulubliss.  Look me up there, sometime (not that I have a whole lot on there yet).  

On that note, I started a crochet project yesterday... the Hourglass Jacket from Stitch Diva.  I sat and watched the broomstick lace tutorials that are posted on the Stitch Diva website and couldn't wait to download my pattern.  It is a lot of fun and pretty fast.  I am using a vintage peacock blue wool yarn that is called Nubbee and really liking the way the stitch looks with it.  It gives it a more vintage look than the recommended silk yarn.  Fun stuff this Saturday!  

For Natatlie and her petite Bebe

I am meeting up with my good friend Natalie today to catch up and give her this baby gift:

Here is a close-up of the booties, I made the sole stripey to match the sweater:

She already had her baby shower, which was one week after our wedding, so I didn't have her handmade baby gift finished.  I ended up giving her two sweet little outfits that will go with the EZ baby surprise sweater and booties that I made.  I can't wait to meet her little girl due in November!

FINISHED OBJECT FINALLY!!!

Seems like it has been forever, since I have actually finished a project... And here it is:

I based this turtleneck/hood/poncho thingy off of this pattern from The Thrifty Knitter's blog.  I used 2 skeins of Colinette Prism yarn in color-way #7 (on the yarn label it says color-way #7, but on their website the closest color I could find was the turquoise combo).  I did make some changes to the pattern, I got the same gauge, but when i followed the pattern the neck opening was way too small.  I think my yarn just didn't have the same amount of stretch, since it is a wool wrapped with cotton yarn and not a stretchier wool yarn.  Instead of casting on 36 stitches I casted on 54 stitches.  Then where you start to increase I ended up doing 8 sets of increases.  It fits me well and is oh so cozy! 

lacy tank!

I haven't really knit much lately, since I made this blanket for my sweetie.  It was a birthday gift that was one month late.  So that means no real knitting project since the end of January.  It was about time I picked up my needles again.  I wanted something new to be able to knit while I am on my upcoming business trip to Korea.  I know, I know I really should pick up one of the MANY unfinished projects that are lingering around my apartment.  I did tell myself that I wasn't allowed to purchase any new yarn for this new project, need to use some yarn from the massive existing stash.  So this is what I decided on:

I have only shown the back image from the pattern because I don't like the front vee neck and decided to the back neckline shape for both.  You can find this pattern for free here.  I bought this yarn about a year and a half ago, it is about time I knit this up.  I am also going to make the matching shrug.  I bought enough yarn to make both. 

This should get me through my 12 plus hours (each way) of flight boredom.  I am also bringing my new Bust magazine and a few paperbacks.  I have a real hard time sleeping on flights, so I bring a lot to keep me busy.  I will try to sleep a bit since we are in business class and there is more room to spread out, but still I usually only end up napping. 

I haven't tried an all over lace pattern, because I really don't like having to count each row and really pay attention to every stitch I make, but after reading through this pattern I am taking the plunge!  It is a pretty easy pattern once you start doing it and best of all, it is knit from the top down, so there is no seaming at the end.  Come to think of it, this is the first time I am knitting a sweater from the top down.  So I am feeling a bit proud of myself, I am stepping out of my knitting comfort zone.  This is what I have done so far since starting Sunday: