Vacation knits!

I love knitting on the plane, in cars on the way to destinations, while sitting beside a pool and relaxing, and pretty much any other opportunity that vacations allow. Vacation knitting started early for me. One of my first scarves was made on my way to visiting my friend Jessie in Japan, then later that year, my first pair of socks were knit while in Australia.

I do tend to knit socks on vacations more often than any other projects because of their portability. Also, it helps that the needles are so small that they are even less dangerous than a pencil. Oh, and no... I have never been asked to check my knitting needles. I know other countries have issues with people knitting on planes, but thank goodness the US isn't one of them. Also, if I did go somewhere with problems, I have in fact knit with the insides of a pen before. It is a bit odd, and I wouldn't recommend it for most projects, but hey, if you have a 40 minute bus ride and have left a needle at home, you might have done it too.

My most recent pair of socks, now almost 75% finished, were knit on the way to and in Florida. This trip was so much fun, for it was a girls' trip with friends from High School. We may not be the rowdiest bunch, but it was a lot of fun. It was also fun that of the 4 of us, 3 of us are now knitters. It's always fun to have a friend learn to knit, then we have that much more to chat about. I am hitting my 10 year anniversary of knitting this year, and now have a good number of friends addicted as well! Long live knitting, vacations, and definitely vacation knits!

Crazy about Diamonds

So, I am not too crazy about the precious stone. Yep, diamonds aren't this girl's best friend. That's a long story and not one for this blog post. However, making diamonds in patterns is a whole different story. A few short (or long) years ago, my sister Katy made me a gorgeous short-row hat in Noro. I made Josh one as well and it was so much fun.

Here's the hat in all it's super-rainbow glory. I get so many compliments on this hat, and every time I say that... "No, I didn't make it...". I decided (after being given 4 partial skeins of Noro) that I wanted to make a scarf to match. So, I went to a fun modular knitting book that I got for Christmas called Modular Knits. I didn't have enough Noro for a full scarf, so added a neutral blue for the edging. This is what came out of it:

The blue didn't last long enough for the length to be a great scarf, so I decided to make it into a circular loop, by sewing up the edges. It now goes on as a 2 loop, and is incredibly comfortable. As mitered squares in the middle, the Noro still pops, although not quite as much as the original does.

So, here I am with the hat and scarf together! And, to attempt to finish the very last vestiges of the Noro that I was given, I am planning on doing a mitered squares patch for fingerless gloves. Winter in the northwest is always changing, so you never know when you'll need a hat, gloves, and scarf to keep out the chill.

Time to get going on those gloves! The knitting awaits...

RED! Sweater

For the longest time, I have wanted a red sweater. I haven't had any rules about what it needs to look like, just a longing for a warm red sweater that I will wear for years. I never really found one in stores that I truly loved. Apparently I am a picky shopper...

So, after years of debate (in my head), and after knitting my first few sweaters (to lots of compliments), I decided to buy some red yarn. Buying yarn for sweaters is a bit of a commitment. Usually it requires many skeins. I often don't buy enough yarn for sweaters because of this fact. It also doesn't help sweater-making when I am a little bit obsessed with making socks. However, I had a bit of holiday cash last Christmas and decided to take the plunge.

Last December, my immediate family went to New York to have the quintessential "Christmas in New York". We saw the Rockettes, the tree in Rockefeller Center, and much more. We of course had to check out Purl SoHo, a wonderful yarn store. It was there that I found the gorgeous red yarn that would be my sweater. The ironic part of the whole thing is that it's from Cascade Yarns, a Seattle company. Yes, I went from Seattle to New York and ended up buying some Seattle yarn! :-) It called to me... make a sweater... you always wanted a red sweater!


So, after a year of knitting other projects, I finally decided to pick up the red yarn and knit my red sweater. I started the project about a month ago, and am having so much fun with it. I found a really simple pattern that will show off the yarn. In my "never fully following directions" way, I did add a gorgeous cable pattern down the arms of the sweater to add interest, but also to add enjoyment in the overall knitting of the project. I am currently in the NEVERENDING knit phase, so can't wait to get back to the arms for some cable fun. The sweater is being knit in the round, top down.

Here's a picture of the sweater in progress!

Designs for others

I enjoy very much doing things for other people. Whether it is quilting for Lutheran World Relief, knitting presents for friends, or even knitting for non-profits. Last weekend, the choir that I am in (Cora Voce) had a benefit concert. It was a great evening of entertainment, and I love that we over-sold the event. We had people packed into the church in Tacoma.

To help generate donations, a silent auction was held. It was a great success for all who donated or walked away with the donations. I ended up donating a few items, and yes, they were knitted. While they were nowhere near the top bidders, I feel like I helped make a difference when I donated them.

Here's to donating for good causes!!!

Taking time to update and finish what I started

Lately I have been starting more and more projects. It has gotten to the point that I have more projects on my hands than hands or time. I have been trying to clean up the "list" by doing those things that I have started and need finishing.

Some items have been on the "list" for years, including creating/revamping some student projects to fill out my portfolio. Some are time-sensitive, including knitting projects that will be donated next week. Some are much needed, like updating my website.

I have spent the last few days working on these items (yay!), as well as thinking up new ones (d'oh). It only took 8 hours of coding and photoshop, but I now have updated my website, adding 6 new projects and updating old projects. My hope is that this update will showcase my design skills as being well-rounded. I also added analytics, so it should be fun to see who's viewing my site.

I must continue to push my designer self to keep my designs coming regardless of my job. Here's to that success!

A little inspiration

Between watching Julie and Julia last night and my ever-changing work situation, I feel like I am in need of a bit of inspiration. While I don't find it hard to fill my time with projects (canning, knitting, quilting, reading, carding, applying, swimming, etc), I feel like my focus has dropped by the wayside.

What am I intending to do with my time? What really makes me happy?

Every once in a while it is good to stop and think about your own personal purpose. I think the thing that keeps me questioning my world is that the things I like to do most are not the things that pay the bills. While I love to do so many things, they tend to cost money instead of make it. I do really enjoy Graphic Design, so I need to find an inspiring way to succeed. It's time for me to step up and make things happen!

Anniversary Quilt

Thanks to my renewed obsession with quilting, I decided to make a quilt for my husband and I as a first anniversary present. I had bought the fabric oh so long ago when In the Beginning closed (yep, people still remember that place even though it was about 5-6 years ago). I decided to pull out a pattern I had done for a friend's wedding, and started cutting away!

I finished the top with about a week to spare (our anniversary was May 30th), got it machine quilted by a great couple up on Camano Island. Thank you so much, mom, for having it quilted for us!!! I gave it to Josh unfinished (without the binding) with a promise to have it done soon.

Well, about a week and a half was spent hand-sewing the binding on, but it makes the quilt shine! Our bed is looking great, and even the cat likes it!