27.2.07
Feelings
I have this heavy, nervous feeling...but in a good kind of way. It's as though I am preparing myself for something big and good. Have you ever felt that way?? There's a lot on my mind and I haven't done much knitting. My sweater looks the same as it did in the photos from yesterday...meaning, I haven't knit a single stitch in over 48 hours. I may knit some tonight or tomorrow...I might not. I'm allowed to let go of it for a while, I think.
26.2.07
Today.
I'm sort of proud of myself lately. I can feel my life...coming together...in a way. I don't know. I faxed out my resume on Friday night. It takes a lot out of me to do stuff like that...I know that most people do it all the time...it's just something that you do when you're looking for a job. It's just something...you...do...but it's always hard for me to put myself out there. I don't know. Last week, I filled out all the online forms and talked to the nice lady on the phone in order to consolidate my federal student loans. Also, I've written and mailed a check for said loans (still un-consolidated) in the amount I am overdue. So, that should all be in order now. I filled out and faxed the form that will allow me to lower my monthly payments on my private student loans last night. So, I'm feeling pretty good about that, too.
My life is so great...in a sublimely normal kind of way. Even though I get a little high strung and stressed out at times...I know I'm happy. It's a good feeling.
I "cleaned" today. The bunny ears mean that I did my best before I started to feel burnt-out. I also started to put stuff into our entertainment center. I'm sort of diggin' this setup:
What do you think? Oh yeah, there's no TV...because it doesn't fit...but it doesn't matter because we don't get ANY channels anyway (no antennae). Oh, and I'm not doing black and brown...the entertainment center is a super dark brown...so it's brown and brown, which is...of course...OK. Look at the coolness that is my record player right now. I love that scenes like this are an everyday occurrence in my home:
I've done some knitting (not today...yet). I've finished five cable pattern repeats now. Only three more to go!
Yes, that's a Journey album.
I looked through the book, Fitted Knits, and love it...want to buy it. However, I get the feeling that the writer is a little bit keyhole crazy. I swear...if you've looked through the book, there are about a million keyhole details. But most of it is very cute...cute enough for me to buy.
I'm going to get a better look at that Jaguar tonight when The Russian gets off work. I know that I won't be able to get a car loan given my current financial situation. I'm not sure if we will be able to work anything out. But my mommy told me I would be stupid if I didn't try to get it. So, I'm going to try...I don't have a license yet, but neither do 13 year old celebrities with three Bentley's in their name...so it must be possible. :)
My life is so great...in a sublimely normal kind of way. Even though I get a little high strung and stressed out at times...I know I'm happy. It's a good feeling.
I "cleaned" today. The bunny ears mean that I did my best before I started to feel burnt-out. I also started to put stuff into our entertainment center. I'm sort of diggin' this setup:
What do you think? Oh yeah, there's no TV...because it doesn't fit...but it doesn't matter because we don't get ANY channels anyway (no antennae). Oh, and I'm not doing black and brown...the entertainment center is a super dark brown...so it's brown and brown, which is...of course...OK. Look at the coolness that is my record player right now. I love that scenes like this are an everyday occurrence in my home:
I've done some knitting (not today...yet). I've finished five cable pattern repeats now. Only three more to go!
Yes, that's a Journey album.
I looked through the book, Fitted Knits, and love it...want to buy it. However, I get the feeling that the writer is a little bit keyhole crazy. I swear...if you've looked through the book, there are about a million keyhole details. But most of it is very cute...cute enough for me to buy.
I'm going to get a better look at that Jaguar tonight when The Russian gets off work. I know that I won't be able to get a car loan given my current financial situation. I'm not sure if we will be able to work anything out. But my mommy told me I would be stupid if I didn't try to get it. So, I'm going to try...I don't have a license yet, but neither do 13 year old celebrities with three Bentley's in their name...so it must be possible. :)
25.2.07
Snow day
I didn't work today...so Max and I were able to spend the day together. It was really nice. We just slept in until, like, 1:00 and then watched movies all day. It was just...nice. Although, now I am starting to get a bit restless and feel we need to go somewhere. We could make the usual trip to the bookstore and just look at magazines for a while. I don't know why I still like hanging out at bookstores...you'd think I'd grow out of it...
I'm reading House of the Dead right now. Maybe I should take it with me?? Or my knitting?? Or my "writing notebook??" Or all three?? Sounds like a plan to me.
My cabled cardigan is slowly (very slowly) getting longer. I have half of the cable repeats finished for the back...then it's easy peasy stockinette for a while...
The upcoming Vogue Knitting looks gorgeous! I can't wait!
I think I've found my wedding dress. Gorgeous! I'm still going to shop around a little bit more before I make that financial leap.
Oh, and is it crazy to be considering the purchase of a Jaguar as old as I am when I don't even have my driver's license yet or my student loans paid off?? Why no, not at all...not...at...all.
I'm reading House of the Dead right now. Maybe I should take it with me?? Or my knitting?? Or my "writing notebook??" Or all three?? Sounds like a plan to me.
My cabled cardigan is slowly (very slowly) getting longer. I have half of the cable repeats finished for the back...then it's easy peasy stockinette for a while...
The upcoming Vogue Knitting looks gorgeous! I can't wait!
I think I've found my wedding dress. Gorgeous! I'm still going to shop around a little bit more before I make that financial leap.
Oh, and is it crazy to be considering the purchase of a Jaguar as old as I am when I don't even have my driver's license yet or my student loans paid off?? Why no, not at all...not...at...all.
21.2.07
This is a long-ish kind of post
Cables kill me. They just kill me, that's all. I have started (finally) my next knitting project and am very excited...but in a lot of pain. I didn't realize how physically demanding knitting up cables could be. So, I've only completed one complete repeat of the cable pattern for the back...only seven more to go. And again on the fronts (x 2) and the sleeves (x 2). I've decided not to rush myself on this one like I did on The Russian's sweater. To rush on cables seems (at least to me) to be suicidal at best. Here's what the sweater looks like in the magazine (vogue knitting, btw):
I actually swatched like a good little knitter (ehem...I think this is the first time I ACTUALLY swatched for all patterns within a design. Meaning, I did a stockinette swatch AS WELL AS a cable swatch. whoa).
I think I got gauge!
While the progress is slow:
I'm just trying to enjoy the process on this one. However, that doesn't keep me from thinking about future projects. In fact, I already know that my next project will be out of THIS BOOK and looks a little something like this:
I already have "the yarn" for it. I put the bunny ears around that because the pattern calls for silk tape and I have cotton tape. It may not be as luxurious, but it will be more economical...that's always a good thing when you're paying off student loans.
Let's take a moment to talk about a few other projects I am in love with. These are all out of my newest knitting book, WEDDING KNITS! I LOVE this book. Most of the stuff in it is appropriate for any occasion and not overly, you know, "wedding." It is full of simple, elegant, and feminine designs as well as some great gift ideas. I LOVE IT. Here are a few of the designs I'm drooling over:
This wrap sweater is, by far, my favorite thing in the book. It's just such a good idea! Actually, I saw a woman (who was pregnant) wearing one like this a few months ago and I remember thinking it was just the greatest thing ever. I'm so psyched to have a pattern like this now!
These arm warmers are a bit plain, but I still think they are cute. They would work all scrunched up too, I think. Plus, they are EASY.
This is just a simple shrug and wouldn't take me very long to make. I'm considering this for my bridesmaids, but haven't decided yet.
How cute is that robe? It looks super comfy, too.
Now, this I am incredibly excited about. About a year ago, I was looking feverishly for a pattern for a cute pair of knitted short shorts...I was going to use them for ballet warm-ups, I recall (hmmm...I should look into those lessons soon). Now, I have an ultra-cute short shorts pattern at my disposal! How fortunate am I?!
OK...just adorable. Simple, short, and sweet. Look at those butterflies...and the chocolate brown ribbon. We KNOW how Jessica likes her chocolate brown (see my bedroom AND living room walls).
Now, I think I could LIVE in a sweater like this. I'm talkin', I'd wear it EVERY DAY like Max wears his Cambridge Jacket (by the way, he's worn it every day since I finished it...no exaggeration). Just perfect...perfect, perfect. I can't WAIT .
And finally, just about the cutest bikini ever. It wouldn't be good for getting wet in, but I don't really do much of that anyway. I'm more of a sunbather than a frolic in the sea type. Seeing a cute knitted bikini like this almost makes me want to go someplace tropical for our honeymoon...almost. I just don't think they'd have good yarn in the Caribbean (haha). Greece is sounding nice, though...really nice...
I also love THIS BOOK...and can't stop thinking about THIS BOOK.
A fellow knit blogger was quite impressed by the new clothes Target has to offer. I was there last night, buying one of those rubber band exercise things, and I must say, she's totally right. I had forgotten how much I love Target. I had to stop myself from spending all of my tip money on a pair of shoes and a purse (I loved each separately as it were, but how great is it that they MATCHED PERFECTLY. Oh, BTW, the purse linked to is not ACTUALLY the purse I saw. It was the same style, but was more like a tote...nice and big...perfect for knitting!). Alas...I could not purchase them...alas, alas, alas. I hope they have it all when I get my next paycheck.
I wonder if the bookstore at Mitsuwa has moved into Asahiya's old bookstore spot...hmmm, we may need to make a trip there soon to find out. I hope that, when they DO move, they will carry more Japanese craft books. As it is now, they only have a few (very few, too few. So few that it is ridiculous). Having a bigger store should encourage them to stock more craft books, don't you think?
I want very badly to sew something. I'm thinking of converting a pair of jeans I hardly wear into a denim pencil skirt. Also, my favorite jeans have ripped and I want to patch them. My poor dark wash boot-cut Levis have been worn, worn, worn...but I refuse to give up on them! A patch (or two, for balance, you know) is all it needs!
Man, I BLOGGED today! That's all...really...for now.
I actually swatched like a good little knitter (ehem...I think this is the first time I ACTUALLY swatched for all patterns within a design. Meaning, I did a stockinette swatch AS WELL AS a cable swatch. whoa).
I think I got gauge!
While the progress is slow:
I'm just trying to enjoy the process on this one. However, that doesn't keep me from thinking about future projects. In fact, I already know that my next project will be out of THIS BOOK and looks a little something like this:
I already have "the yarn" for it. I put the bunny ears around that because the pattern calls for silk tape and I have cotton tape. It may not be as luxurious, but it will be more economical...that's always a good thing when you're paying off student loans.
Let's take a moment to talk about a few other projects I am in love with. These are all out of my newest knitting book, WEDDING KNITS! I LOVE this book. Most of the stuff in it is appropriate for any occasion and not overly, you know, "wedding." It is full of simple, elegant, and feminine designs as well as some great gift ideas. I LOVE IT. Here are a few of the designs I'm drooling over:
This wrap sweater is, by far, my favorite thing in the book. It's just such a good idea! Actually, I saw a woman (who was pregnant) wearing one like this a few months ago and I remember thinking it was just the greatest thing ever. I'm so psyched to have a pattern like this now!
These arm warmers are a bit plain, but I still think they are cute. They would work all scrunched up too, I think. Plus, they are EASY.
This is just a simple shrug and wouldn't take me very long to make. I'm considering this for my bridesmaids, but haven't decided yet.
How cute is that robe? It looks super comfy, too.
Now, this I am incredibly excited about. About a year ago, I was looking feverishly for a pattern for a cute pair of knitted short shorts...I was going to use them for ballet warm-ups, I recall (hmmm...I should look into those lessons soon). Now, I have an ultra-cute short shorts pattern at my disposal! How fortunate am I?!
OK...just adorable. Simple, short, and sweet. Look at those butterflies...and the chocolate brown ribbon. We KNOW how Jessica likes her chocolate brown (see my bedroom AND living room walls).
Now, I think I could LIVE in a sweater like this. I'm talkin', I'd wear it EVERY DAY like Max wears his Cambridge Jacket (by the way, he's worn it every day since I finished it...no exaggeration). Just perfect...perfect, perfect. I can't WAIT .
And finally, just about the cutest bikini ever. It wouldn't be good for getting wet in, but I don't really do much of that anyway. I'm more of a sunbather than a frolic in the sea type. Seeing a cute knitted bikini like this almost makes me want to go someplace tropical for our honeymoon...almost. I just don't think they'd have good yarn in the Caribbean (haha). Greece is sounding nice, though...really nice...
I also love THIS BOOK...and can't stop thinking about THIS BOOK.
A fellow knit blogger was quite impressed by the new clothes Target has to offer. I was there last night, buying one of those rubber band exercise things, and I must say, she's totally right. I had forgotten how much I love Target. I had to stop myself from spending all of my tip money on a pair of shoes and a purse (I loved each separately as it were, but how great is it that they MATCHED PERFECTLY. Oh, BTW, the purse linked to is not ACTUALLY the purse I saw. It was the same style, but was more like a tote...nice and big...perfect for knitting!). Alas...I could not purchase them...alas, alas, alas. I hope they have it all when I get my next paycheck.
I wonder if the bookstore at Mitsuwa has moved into Asahiya's old bookstore spot...hmmm, we may need to make a trip there soon to find out. I hope that, when they DO move, they will carry more Japanese craft books. As it is now, they only have a few (very few, too few. So few that it is ridiculous). Having a bigger store should encourage them to stock more craft books, don't you think?
I want very badly to sew something. I'm thinking of converting a pair of jeans I hardly wear into a denim pencil skirt. Also, my favorite jeans have ripped and I want to patch them. My poor dark wash boot-cut Levis have been worn, worn, worn...but I refuse to give up on them! A patch (or two, for balance, you know) is all it needs!
Man, I BLOGGED today! That's all...really...for now.
15.2.07
Cambridge Jacket
Well, it is finished (at least to the point of wearing).
Here it is...The Cambridge Jacket:
Yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca
Needles: Clover size 9 circulars, Bryspun size 8 circulars
Pattern: Cambridge Jacket, Summer 2006 Interweave Knits
Recipient: THE RUSSIAN!!!!
I am, all in all, very happy with the way this sweater turned out. My seams aren't bad...they get a bit sloppy around the armpits, but still not bad. I had a little bit of trouble with the zipper, but I think I've fixed it now.
Max is very excited to have his first hand knit sweater...and a cool one at that.
Just to show the fit of the thing...here's the modeled-on-recipient photo shoot:
That's my sexy boy.
Here it is...The Cambridge Jacket:
Yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca
Needles: Clover size 9 circulars, Bryspun size 8 circulars
Pattern: Cambridge Jacket, Summer 2006 Interweave Knits
Recipient: THE RUSSIAN!!!!
I am, all in all, very happy with the way this sweater turned out. My seams aren't bad...they get a bit sloppy around the armpits, but still not bad. I had a little bit of trouble with the zipper, but I think I've fixed it now.
Max is very excited to have his first hand knit sweater...and a cool one at that.
Just to show the fit of the thing...here's the modeled-on-recipient photo shoot:
That's my sexy boy.
14.2.07
Close, but no cigar...
Pinned:
Basted:
Sewn:
Dammit!:
I don't think I can work on it anymore today...So much for a Valentine's Day Sweater...Sorry Honey, I tried. :{ I have to undo that whole side and be more careful next time around. Hey, I've never done this before...give me a break!!!!
Basted:
Sewn:
Dammit!:
I don't think I can work on it anymore today...So much for a Valentine's Day Sweater...Sorry Honey, I tried. :{ I have to undo that whole side and be more careful next time around. Hey, I've never done this before...give me a break!!!!
13.2.07
Still not finished. I made myself NOT touch my knitting all day yesterday. Yesterday was a completely KNIT-FREE day...alert the media. I'm supposed to knit tonight with work people so I'll bring the sweater and crochet hook with me. I'm going to see if I can sucker Max into taking me to Joann's before, so that maybe I can start that damn zipper too.
11.2.07
No, it isn't finished yet
Max's sweater is coming along. I think that I used the wrong yarn...although it is super soft and very nice...it doesn't have that structured feel that the Cambridge Jacket is supposed to have...Oh well, maybe it will be ok once it's all finished.
All that is left now is the crochet edging, a few (very few) loose ends, and a zipper. I thought that I would finish the edging tonight and at least find a zipper this evening...but I've come down with quite a headache and I decided it would be best for my health if I just...let it go for a while. I can worry about all of that stuff tomorrow. No need to rush this thing anymore...because it is basically finished. After it is COMPLETELY finished, I think I may take a knitting break for a few days and let my neck and shoulders relax a bit. Knitting is some seriously strenuous stuff sometimes. But don't worry, even if I do take a knitting break, I may still decide to knit a swatch or two for future projects...swatches aren't really considered knitting, right?
All that is left now is the crochet edging, a few (very few) loose ends, and a zipper. I thought that I would finish the edging tonight and at least find a zipper this evening...but I've come down with quite a headache and I decided it would be best for my health if I just...let it go for a while. I can worry about all of that stuff tomorrow. No need to rush this thing anymore...because it is basically finished. After it is COMPLETELY finished, I think I may take a knitting break for a few days and let my neck and shoulders relax a bit. Knitting is some seriously strenuous stuff sometimes. But don't worry, even if I do take a knitting break, I may still decide to knit a swatch or two for future projects...swatches aren't really considered knitting, right?
10.2.07
Something to say
I say (and deep down, I mean) that seaming a garment really sucks. But actually, when it is going smoothly...I kind of like it...on the surface...but deep down I really hate it...really.
But you know...it's all right...not so bad...it would be a lot better if I actually thought the garment looked good...
I think my stitches look sloppy around where the ribbing is. I thought that the "sloppiness" would go away once I blocked it, but that didn't prove to be the case. Max, at least, thinks it looks nice...and he had better think so, because he's not getting another sweater for a long time.
What's left to do? Well, I need to seam up one side of the body and arm...knit up a collar...find the right zipper...and figure out how in the world to attach it. So, there are still a few days worth of work left on this sucker. This makes for an unhappy Jessica, who wants to start a sweater for herself sometime soon!
But you know...it's all right...not so bad...it would be a lot better if I actually thought the garment looked good...
I think my stitches look sloppy around where the ribbing is. I thought that the "sloppiness" would go away once I blocked it, but that didn't prove to be the case. Max, at least, thinks it looks nice...and he had better think so, because he's not getting another sweater for a long time.
What's left to do? Well, I need to seam up one side of the body and arm...knit up a collar...find the right zipper...and figure out how in the world to attach it. So, there are still a few days worth of work left on this sucker. This makes for an unhappy Jessica, who wants to start a sweater for herself sometime soon!
5.2.07
Da BearSS...didn't win
I bought that sweatshirt...I wore it all day...I pretended I was a sports fan...I sat in a loud smoky bar and drank an Alabama Slammer...I DID ALL THE RIGHT THINGS!!!! And the Bears DIDN'T win the Superbowl! What's up with that? I even cheered and clapped at the appropriate moments...nothin'...just a whole lotta loss...a whole lotta loss.
But really, I guess it's ok...it would have been nice for Chicago if the Bears had won...I'm just sayin'...I sort of feel Chicago deserves it because they've got more heart...I don't know...maybe I'm wrong.
The good thing about it all was that I got to see some friends I hadn't seen in a while...HERE ARE THE PICTURES (because I love pictures...but excuse how horrible I look in them...Max didn't seem to get a SINGLE good shot of me out of the fifty thousand shots he took that night...boys):
And when we knew they lost...I was sad:
On a lighter note. I've started the sleeves for the Cambridge Jacket...I'm working on both at the same time because I don't feel like counting rows anymore...and I'm getting impatient with this sweater. I want to finish it soon so that the Russian can wear it...and I can start a sweater for myself! Here are the fronts and the back, sitting on the dining room table.
Not too bad, eh? Oh, I made that thing holding my needles...funny story. I intended to make a single fold needle case with I-cord ties...but then I sewed it all up and forgot to put the ties (and something to give it more shape) in before seaming it all together. So, now I have a roll (but only when I tie it up with an unattached piece of yarn/string). Although, Max had a good suggestion...he thought it might be nice as a wall hanging in the craft room!! I think I will use it for that as soon as that room is finished. I don't want to hang things up in there until I know for sure where the as-of-now-nonexistent furniture will be.
That's all for now...more to come later!
But really, I guess it's ok...it would have been nice for Chicago if the Bears had won...I'm just sayin'...I sort of feel Chicago deserves it because they've got more heart...I don't know...maybe I'm wrong.
The good thing about it all was that I got to see some friends I hadn't seen in a while...HERE ARE THE PICTURES (because I love pictures...but excuse how horrible I look in them...Max didn't seem to get a SINGLE good shot of me out of the fifty thousand shots he took that night...boys):
And when we knew they lost...I was sad:
On a lighter note. I've started the sleeves for the Cambridge Jacket...I'm working on both at the same time because I don't feel like counting rows anymore...and I'm getting impatient with this sweater. I want to finish it soon so that the Russian can wear it...and I can start a sweater for myself! Here are the fronts and the back, sitting on the dining room table.
Not too bad, eh? Oh, I made that thing holding my needles...funny story. I intended to make a single fold needle case with I-cord ties...but then I sewed it all up and forgot to put the ties (and something to give it more shape) in before seaming it all together. So, now I have a roll (but only when I tie it up with an unattached piece of yarn/string). Although, Max had a good suggestion...he thought it might be nice as a wall hanging in the craft room!! I think I will use it for that as soon as that room is finished. I don't want to hang things up in there until I know for sure where the as-of-now-nonexistent furniture will be.
That's all for now...more to come later!
2.2.07
Not alone in this insanity!
So, I'm going to share some pictures to prove that I'm not only knitting alone. We've started a small knitting/learn to knit group with a few girls at work. Eventually, we want to knit squares for a blanket for charity, which we will seam and send to a family/community that needs it. Since it's Starbucks, we want to send it to one of the countries we get coffee from. I think it's a great idea (it was all Assistant Manager Katie!). However, none of us are knitting any squares yet. I think everyone is still sort of excited to be knitting and are more focused on scarves right now! :) I don't blame them. Knitting is fun and a square won't take too long to knit once they get the basics down.
So, without further ado...the photos:
We went to Ethel's chocolate cafe this time around. It was such a cute little shop...and during the day it is basically empty. I don't know if that changes after 5 or not.
The Russian came too:
Anyway. I'm working on the sweater. I think I've decided to knit both of the sleeves at the same time....since I have multiple hanks of the lovely Ultra Alpaca yarn still left over! I think it will move faster that way. Then I can start a sweater for myself! One project at a time has been KILLING me...but I think I've been a lot more productive.
BLAH!!!! I need to get ready for work.
So, without further ado...the photos:
The Russian came too:
Anyway. I'm working on the sweater. I think I've decided to knit both of the sleeves at the same time....since I have multiple hanks of the lovely Ultra Alpaca yarn still left over! I think it will move faster that way. Then I can start a sweater for myself! One project at a time has been KILLING me...but I think I've been a lot more productive.
BLAH!!!! I need to get ready for work.
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