sheep in the city

Thank you Secret Pal!

My secret pal rocks! Here's what she sent me this time:

•A hilarious reprinted book called "Every Woman's Luck Book: What every woman needs to know to choose a husband". This was an actual book that woman used to read to find a man...it's so funny. I forgot to look at the original copyright date, but it looks like it is probably written in the 1920's.
•A foldable ruler in pink, of course!
•2 little pink flowered dishes (only one is pictured because the other was already in use by my bedside, holding a cup of tea!)
•some fun soap
•and a fun kit that she put together to make my own magnets using a tutorial over at Not Martha. I have been meaning to get the suplies to do this for over a year! Thanks Secret Pal...I really appreciate your thoughtfulness and attention to detail!

The verdicts in...

...and I didn't finish on time. I'm only a little bit bummed. I know that I worked on it as much as I could, and that I knit it well, and that it was a challenge to me. That's what counts in the end. I had a few people over for a closing ceremonies gathering, and Sharon thought that we all deserved a Gold Medal so she bought us some!! Thanks Sharon!!

This is Joanne, me, and Cynthia all holding our Olympic hopefuls. None of us reached our goal of finishing...but we tried our best! My project looks shrimpy in that picture but that sleeve/back section that I'm holding was touching the floor. (I swear!) I am almost finished with the sleeves and back of the shrug. I have to pick up stitches all the way around and knit the collar and back now. If I were to analyze why I didn't finish on time, I'd have to say that I got off to a slow start the first few days, and then towards the middle I just got bored. I'm a multi-project kind of girl. I love to have a couple (or more) projects going so that I can have a choice and some options when I get that kinda bored feeling. I would do the Knitting Olympics again in a heartbeat...it was fun and challenging. How cool to think that I was working on my Olympic project at the same time as a little over 4000 other people were doing the exact same thing!! So cool! Thanks for all the encouragement everyone, it really did spur me on towards the finish line...I just haven't crossed it yet?! I'm planning on finishing this up so that I can wear it in Boston when I visit in a couple of weeks. I know I can finish it!

Of course, now that the craziness of the Olympics is over...I have new projects on the horizon. Like this little sweetie of a sweater...for my new nephew that's on the way!

Everyone say, "Awwww, it's so cuuuuute!" Yes, indeed, it is! This pattern is from a new book that I picked up called One Skein because, you guessed it, everything in it is made with just one skein! (granted there is a "stash-buster" section that has patterns for multiple skein projects, but it's neat.) Leigh Radford, who wrote another of my favorite books, AlterKnits, wrote this one! If you haven't, check these books out. They both have some really cute ideas!

And then..I also have a super secret project that I'm working on for my friend Genia! Her birthday is in a little over a week...so I need to get cracking! I may post some pictues...but Genia is sneaky and she reads this blog on a daily basis so I haven't really decided. That's all for now, I'm looking forward to knitting these two projects in the coming weeks, as well as finishing my Charlotte...it's soooo close to being done, I can't wait to wear it!

What a pick-me-up!

This week my mailbox has been very good to me! Oh my! I received my International Scarf Exchange scarf from Eva yesterday, all the way from Luxemburg! I knew that it was something special when I saw this label. Oh yeah...it's a hand made scarf!! It has to be my scarf exchange scarf! When I opened up the package, this is what I found!

Do you need a closeup of that gorgeous orange and pink yarn that she included, on top of making me scarf?! Okay...click for a closeup! It's 4 balls of Lana Grossa Mega Stoppino in color 202 (persimmon) colorway. Eva, I love it! I have to say that my favorite part about the whole package, besides the yarn and the cute snoopy zippered bags, was the little sheep keychain?! He's even wearing a little knitted hat?! (be sure to click on the highlighted words to see the pictures!) I went to lunch with the girls yesterday (my mom, sister, and niece) and they helped me out with the photo shoot of me modelling my new scarf!

Eva, the scarf matches the flowers on my jean jacket perfectly! This scarf is going to be well loved, I just know it! While I was opening the package on Tuesday night (you can see her face looking all curious in the first picture) Alice just had to get in on the action! And of course I had to take a picture! She's not at all dramatic?! Ha!

Then on Wednesday, I received the mittens from Stephanie!! They are beautiful. She says that they aren't as perfect as they look on the web, but I beg to differ! They look perfect to me! Thank you Stephanie...these are going to be worn and well loved as well. I love what these mittens represent...and that I got to be a part of it!

**there will be an update about my Olympic knitting soon...for now I'm just knitting, knitting, knitting!!**

I'm getting a little nervous over here!

Ahhh...my little count down timer is changing colors! That means that we're almost to the end!! Yikes!

I made some progress over the weekend, but I now know why I have so many works in progress going on at one time! Because I am easily bored with a project. Knitting on just one thing for so long is killing me! Apparently I work better when I can concentrate on one thing for a few days and then switch to another. I have no update pictures today, it's too depressing...especially when I heard that Cynthia is almost at the same point that I am...and she started on Friday. Crappity, crap, crappers. I have a feeling that I'm not going to finish on time. I'm going to keep going...and maybe I'll try to stay up late and knit. Does anyone have any suggestions?

**I interrupt this Olympic knitting blog to show off a little fibery goodness that my friend Joanne brought back for me from Medrona at special request. Umm, yeah...it's Socks That Rock!! Alas, it wasn't all for me...but isn't it all just gorgeous? (some is going to live at my mom's house and some at my sister's) The colors are (from L to R) Jewel of the Nile, Blarney Stone, Prove It All Night, Lovers Leap, and Fire On the Mountain. I'm taking a class in April to learn how to knit socks from the toe up and using the Magic loop method, and this is going to be the yarn that I use. I can't wait!!**

Back to Olympic knitting...and the Woman's short program tonight!

Day 8....nothing but knit!

It's a three day weekend baby!!! Whoo hoo! I'm going to a knit group tonight and then it's nothing but knitting for the rest of the weekend!! Catch ya later! I may post a few progress pictures over the weekend...but they'll be short and sweet, I have to keep knitting!!

**and yes...Cherry Coke is the official sponser of this Olympic knitter**

Day 5...11 days to go!

Last night was just the way that I planned. Low key, yummy dessert, and my friend Genia came over to knit with me while I watched T.V. (and to stop me from eating the entire dessert all by myself!!). I got many rows on my shrug done, but I need to sit down and figure out how much I need to accomplish each day to finish on time. Much like these two crazy knitters have! Seriously, they have figured out how many stitches are in their project total, and then they break it down by day! I'm not sure if this would hinder me, or help me? I definitely have the pattern memorized, it's super easy, and I'm getting into the rythmn with my cables. I've had difficulty with cables in the past, but I'm liking the way these are turning out. That's a good thing.

I'm finding myself thinking about knitting on this project while I'm at work, I mean that's hours and hours of conscience awake time that I could be knitting! Most of the people in my office have heard about what I'm doing, but I still don't think they'd appreciate me knitting all day instead of working. Phooey! I'm living for my lunch breaks these days.

I haven't posted a picture of my niece in a while, so I leave you with this. It's a picture of her in my favorite shirt that she got for Christmas from Grandma. We (read my mom and I) were dragging her around with us shopping while her mom was in meetings. We took this one at Jessica Knits where she even took a little catnap! The shirt reads, "Would someone please teach me to knit?", and it was purchased through Knitty. See the pink knitting needles she's clutching in her hands? Aww yeah! I didn't even pick them out for her...she grabbed them all by herself! That's my kind of girl!

I Choo-choo-choose you!

Happy Valentines Day everybody! I hope that everyone feels special today. I'm definitely staying in tonight. All I know is that I'm going to spend the evening knitting and treating myself to an easy meal and some kind of yummy dessert! I can't go out, I have to knit on my olympic shrug!!! Have a good one everyone!!

And a thank you goes to...

...these lovely ladies who I have received yarn from in the last few weeks! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
•Suzanne
•Brynne
•Jae
•Cheryl
•Dani
•Natalie
•Amy
•Jeni
•Marisol
•Mandy
•Cassidy
This project has already been such an encouragement to me. I've been introduced and reintrduced to some really cool bloggers!! This afghan is going to be so fun to knit! Whenever I get a key in my mailbox I get so excited, and then I read the stories and reasons that you picked the yarn out and it just makes my day! Thanks everyone. If you have no clue what I'm talking about and you're curious here's a link to the original post. I'm waiting until after the Olympics to start on this project...but it's so hard not to play and start knitting with all that color! The Olympics are over in 12 days, so I guess I can wait. That really freaked me out to see that I'm supposed to be done with this project in 12 days, AHHH! I need to get back to knitting. Thanks again ladies!

Let the games begin!

The Olympic madness has officially started!! I have a feeling that this is going to be a crazy couple of weeks! I had people over on Friday night to kick things off, and boy was it fun! Michelle, Cynthia, Sharon, Wanda,Jeni, my mom, Whitney and Alice, and Tam were all in attendance. The last few people left at almost 1 in the morning! Crazy! (Click for a group picture) I'm glad that I had people over though...it helped me get excited about my project, not to mention all the yummy food that people brought. Thanks ladies!

Here's the progress on my shrug, on Day 3:

I am loving the look of it more and more...I just know that from here on out, I'm going to need to spend all my free time knitting! There were too many moments this weekend when I thought, "Ahh! I should be knitting right now!!", but I was busy doing other things. (stupid housework and laundry) I'm almost finished with the first of the 10 balls that the pattern calls for, and I'm loving the stripiness of this yarn. For those of you just joining me, the pattern I'm using for this shrug is from Noro- The World of Nature, Vol. 18. The picture in the book is just awful, and I never would have chosen to make it if I hadn't seen a sample knit up at String. (my local yarn shop) The color that I have chosen is number 95, and it takes 10 balls to make! I'm already looking forward to next weekend because our office is closed on the 20th which means it's a 3 day weekend!!! Yeah! Lots of much needed Olympic knitting!!

While the girls were over, I got to see Wanda's finished "Not So Shrunken Cardi"! I loved it! I almost didn't want to give it back! Because I'm sure that you want to see it...here are a few pictures of me modeling the sweater. Be forewarned that none of these pictures are great...but they give you the general idea. Tada!

The ever popular "mirror shot" that most single people have to post at least once for lack of a person to take the picture.

And last, we have the picture that I really don't like of me, but the sweater is so great...I'm willing to let this one in. (click here) I am adding this to my list of sweaters that I need to knit this year. I would be making mine just a few inches bigger in the...ahem...front area, but other than that Wanda's sweater fit great. Yep, it's going on the list!

Count down to cast on!!!

I am all ready! It's almost time! I'm getting more and more excited as I sit here at work on Friday, February 10th, the official day for casting on your Olympic knitting project! I'm having people over tonight to watch the opening ceremonies and cast on all together. It should be fun! If you are in the Denver area and want to see a bunch of crazy knitters casting on their complicated projects, eating, drinking, laughing, and in general having a good time...than come join us!!

I have a confession to make...

I have never ordered anything from KnitPicks. I look at their website and catalog all the time, but I've never ordered anything. Why? I have no idea. Everyone else I know orders yarn from them by the massive box full! So, my question for you is, what is your favorite KnitPicks yarn, and why? And what's your favorite project that you've knit out of it?

If I decide that I have to knit the project that you suggest...than when I make my order, I'll order a little something for you too! It's kind of an on-going contest of sorts!

I heart my new knitting space!

Over the weekend I bought a pink hutch/shelf when I was out shopping with Cynthia. This got me thinking about what I would do with it and where I would put it. Then I had an email conversation with Norma about stash and how I need to "see" my yarn so that I'm reminded of just how much I have. So...last night I rearranged my stash and took all my yarn up to the loft in my house. I love it! I just want to curl up with Jesse and knit all day long. There is no T.V., there is no phone, there is no computer to distract me. There is just comfy seating and yarn...lots of yarn!!! Do you want to see it?! Well....ok!

These are my new cubby-hole shelves that I got off of Craig's List. (or I should say that Cynthia found on Craig's List and then very gratiously let me purchase one of the two) I love, love, love them! It's like a yarn store in my house! From the top left sqaure across, this is what is in these shelves:
•assorted pink wool: for example Malabrigo, Colinette Pt. 5, Cascade 220, Debbie Bliss Aran Tweed, etc.
•Elizabeth Lavold Silky Wool for 2 projects, Cascade Pearls in orange, 10 skeins of Artful Yarns (from the after Christmas crazy sales/shopping spree!)
•Sock Yarn
•Purple Rowan Cork (13 skeins) and Orange Tahki Baby (8 skeins)
•assorted Rowan yarn, most of which is 9 skeins of Rowan Plaid
•Lorna's Laces: Shepherd Sock, Bull Frogs and Butterflies, Helen's Lace, Blue Sky Alpaca, and other Lace weight yarn.
•Ahhh, my favorite cubby. This is my Koigu cubby, it's only half full...this needs to be remedied!
•Noro: lots of Kureyon, some silk garden, silk garden lite, and random skeins that I've picked up because I thought they were pretty.
•Last, but certainly not least is my cubby full of Tahki Cotton Classic. I love that stuff. I'm waiting to figure out the perfect knit, that will look decent on me, to knit with it. I have a box of 10 skeins in Bubble gum pink.

The whole shelf is sitting on top of another shelf that I already had...that is now housing more yarn! My Brown Sheep wool and my CottonEase stash. And I just noticed in the picture that there is more yarn sitting on top of the whole thing...that's a bag of Rowan R2 Paper and 2 bags of Debbie Bliss Cathay. Looking at all of that yarn makes me happy.

This is the pink hutch that I got. It fits right on top of two old green lockers that I've had for ages. My books and magazines fit just right...I may be in trouble if I purchase any new books in the future though. That's it. I'll show you more pictures when the place is really all straightened up. But for now I'll leave you with this...guess who loves the newly improved loft? It's Jesse!! Me thinks he likes it.

So long stashalong!

I'm free, I'm frrrrreeeee!!!! I have been officially kicked off the stashalong...but there are no hard feelings, so don't cry for me. I have pink "Touch Me" yarn to keep me comfort, remember? Now I can visit my local yarn shops and hold my head up high, I don't have to duck in and duck out. I can stay for a nice long chat...and maybe even buy something! I made it month wihtout buying any yarn and for me, that's good enough! I will still try to encourage those people that are still participating in the stashalong, especially those that I knit with on a regular basis. I promise I won't wave my new yarn in your faces, or laugh when I see you put that skein back on the shelf. Well...maybe I'll laugh a little, but in a nice way! Here's a couple of skeins of the new Silk Garden Lite that I picked up at String on Friday. Mmmm, isn't it loverly?! It's my favorite colors right now...brown-and pink!!

It's color number 2013-lot A. Mmmm, I have no plans for this yarn yet...but something will come to me. The cup I picked up on Sunday when I went for Dim Sum and then the Asian grocery store with Cynthia and Whitney, Drew, and Alice. I have been spending a lot of time with my 2 favorite girls lately...so here's a cute picture I took of them!

Awww! Aren't they cute in their matching sweatsuits! Plus, some exciting news! I'm going to be an aunt again! My sister is due at the end of June!! We get to find out if it's a boy or a girl in another week or so! Yeah!

I'm knitting away on my ISE scarf. It HAS to be done this week...because the Olympics start on Friday baby!! Whoo hoo!! I'm ready to cast on for my cabled shrug! Thanks for all the compliments on the swatch and colors that I chose. I think that because I love that colorway so much, it's really going to motivate me to knit it up!!! For those of you who haven't checked out what Team Colorado has been up to...get to it! It's not too late to join!

It's almost time!!

The training has officially begun! I started swatching for one of the projects that I'm thinking about knitting for the Olympics last weekend. I have been having serious problems trying to decide what I should knit. I want to really challenge myself, but realistically in the end I want to accomplish it. Ann had this to say to me about my indecision:

"Garment. Garment. GAAAAAAAAAAARMENT. This is not supposed to be easy, missy! This is a freakin' biathalon of knitting and TV viewing. I double dawg dare you to do something with parts. Parts that have to be sewn together, into a fabutastic thing you'll wear until the 2012 Olympics. GAAAAARMENT!!!!"

So...after those words of encouragement...I've decided to knit some kind of garment. I fell in love with a cabled shrug that was on display at String last Friday night and I just couldn't stop thinking about it!! I ran over there yesterday over my lunch hour and took a few photos. Here's the front and collar:

And a view of the back:

The pattern is out of the Noro 18 book. It calls for 10 skeins of Kureyon, and I just happen to have 10 skeins of Noro Kureyon in my stash that will be perfect for it!!! I love it when that happens. This color is one that I've been hoarding for a while now...just waiting for the perfect project to come along! It fits Ann's requirements in that it is a garment, there are parts and pieces, and it will be challenging because I really haven't knit that many cables before. What do you guys think? Check out the beauty that is my colorway:

This is my "training" swatch to see if I'm on guage. I am lovin' the look of it though! It's color number 95. I love the lime/chartreuse green and the pinky/purple colors together! Mmm...it looks good enough to eat!

A HUGE thank you!!

I just want to publically thank the lovely ladies who have so generously sent yarn for my blogging afghan so far!

Thank you Joanne!
Thank you Zonda!
Thank you Ruth!
Thank you Andie! (who lives in Paris by the way...I am so jealous!)
Thank you Sedie!
Thank you Brianne!
Thank you Sharon!
Thank you Becky!

I'm going to wait until after the Olympics to cast on, for obvious reasons, so you still have time to send something if you want. Just email or leave a comment and I'll send you my snail mail address. I think that I've decided to reveal and talk about the yarn as I knit it up instead of showing it off now. This gives you a reason to check back in with me though! Because of the great computer debacle, if for some reason I haven't emailed you my address, and you wanted to send something, please email me again! (sheepinthecityATgmailDOTcom) I apologize for doing that, but things with my work email are still kinda screwy. Thanks again ladies!!