Twenty Ten

A New Year. A New Decade. I truly hope that 2010 is a good year for us all. I am certainly going to try and be positive about everything. It's been tough not having a job for the past 10 months. I've realized just how little I can survive on in the cash department. It's been hard having to say no to lots of things - and have felt a little guilt when I have said yes.

I felt a little hope going into the new year as I had an agency call me on the 28th in regards to a possible job (not permanent but long term temp). I eagerly went into the agency on the 29th. Passed all the little tests with flying colors. Was told they would pass my resume onto the client and would get back to me in regards to going in for the interview and client skills test. It's been a week. We'll see.

I did however finish knitting a pair of socks last night and it's only the 6th day of January! I guess I'm starting off my knitting really well this year. I know I didn't get as much completed last year as I had wanted (and from the looks around blog land, I think I am not alone), but am happy I finished 2009 out strong. Here's to carrying that into the new year!!!

Now my first 2010 FO:

Pattern: Froot Loop (Spring 2008 Knitty)
Yarn: Gypsy Girl Creations (1.5 skeins)
Needles: Knit Picks Circs Size 2 and 1.5
Started: June 29, 2009
Finished: January 5, 2010

As I look at the pictures of these socks I can't help but think that I have another pair of "Zebra with a bad sunburn" socks. My Saucy socks from 2008 were dubbed that by my sis. It's ok though. I still love 'em. I got this yarn from Kim after I spotted it in a picture from her "Flash My Stash" post. Did I pick the right pattern to go with this yarn? Probably not. That's ok too. I still have a 2010 FO!!!!!!

As to what I plan on knitting this year I am not 100% positive. I did go through my queue on Ravelry to see in there what I still wanted to make. I have a nice list of sweaters, hats, socks, shawls, mittens and vests. I will choose items to knit from my master list using the stash yarn I already have set aside for since I don't have extra cash right now. I might even actually already have a project going that I started in December. ;-)

Proof of Life

I have been dutifully knitting away these days. Can't believe we are in November already and Christmas will be here in 7 weeks. Those of you who know me are aware that I generally knit my Christmas gifts. This year is no exception. While juggling Christmas projects, I have also been working on a sweater for my DB. I'd like to say right here that if anyone mentions the "Sweater Curse" I will send them a cyber smack. ;-) So onward with my current projects.

I found the perfect yarn at Rhinebeck for my Darling Boyfriend Sweater. I couldn't wait to get started. After discussing with DB his likes and dislikes on his favorite sweater, I decided the best route to take on the sweater was to create one of my own design, with guidance from "The Knitter's Handy Book of Sweater Patterns" by Ann Budd. After 4 attempts of getting the right number of stitches for cast-on on the back, things have progressed rather nicely.

The Back.

The Front.

The 1st Sleeve Attempt. The needle in the middle shows that I was getting ready to rip back 24 rows because I wasn't happy with the width.

The sleeve as it stands now.

I am truly enjoying knitting this sweater. It has required me to think, focus and come up with a way to get the desired outcome I am looking for. I am looking forward to having it complete and show pictures of DB modeling it.

There have also been some FO's in my house. Well 1 completed FO and 1 Half FO.

The Half FO is my Froot Loop Sock. I grafted the toe closed on Sock #1 yesterday. I started this sock back in June and procrastinated on getting it done. I had a couple of motivating factors recently to get this sock off the needles. 1) I purchased Cookie A's sock book last month and have drooled over several of the patterns I want to knit up right now (but won't until Froot Loop is done) and 2) I need the needles to knit up some socks that will be a Christmas gift. Until the gifts socks are done, we will just be looking at Froot Loop Single Sock.

The completed FO is, of course, a Christmas Gift. One of my nephews has wanted a scarf for a good bit now so I decided that I would oblige and give him one this Christmas.

Pattern: Men's "Merino Silk" Scarf (Last Minute Knitted Gifts)
Yarn: Manos Silk Blend (2 skeins; Colorway 3104)
Needles: Knit Picks Options Size 6
Started: October 20, 2009
Finished: November 4, 2009
Mods: The original pattern called for a worsted yarn. Since I used a DK yarn I casted on 31 stitches instead of 21. I also knitted until I ran out of yarn. The finished dimensions are 5" wide and 63" long.

Something else on the needles is this little black lacy number. My niece requested a thin black scarf for Christmas. My sis passed this info on to me along with the pattern to be used. I am knitting the "Lacy Accent Scarf" from Glam Knits using Zephyr yarn. I currently have only 5" of the required 72". I move a bit slower on this knit because of the delicate lace yarn (it's really like thread). However, I know that somehow I'll get it done.

Knitting Updates

Today I met up with Kim and Risa for lunch, had my camera with me, but do you think I took any pictures? Nope. Completely forgot. We celebrated Risa's birthday with a Thai lunch and some knitting. So instead of seeing some pictures of us cool girls knitting, ya'll will have to just be happy with pics of what I've been knitting these days.

First up is an updated picture of the Icarus Shawl I am knitting for a friend. Pretty good progress for a few days work. I won't tell ya'll the time I spent on it. I still remember when I revealed the number of stitches total in my one sweater that was knitted on size 2 needles. Yikes! So I will just tell ya as of right now, Icarus stands at the point where I have one more repeat of Rows 19-42 on Chart 1. Not bad at all. BTW, I LOVE this yarn!

Since I was meeting up for a knitting lunch today, I decided that my sock was not at an appropriate place to be worked on while talking with others. I decided to wind up some yarn I bought at Rhinebeck last year and start a shawl that my sis made out of the same yarn I gifted her. The shawl is Charlotte's Easy Lace Shawl by FiberTrends. The yarn I am using is Persimmon Tree Farm "Pot Luck" yarn. The yarn coloring is slightly different from the one I bought my sis, but it still contains all the pretty fall leaf colors I fell in love with while there.

Finally, here is a better in-progress photo of my latest sock. As a reminder it is the Froot Loop sock from Knitty. I have two more repeats to complete for the leg and then I will be on the heel.

Lastly, my momma is having double knee replacement surgery tomorrow afternoon! I know she reads my blog so I wish her lots of love. You'll be in my thoughts!!!! Momma's goal is to get her new legs going so well, that she'll join MB and I at Rhinebeck in 2010. You go mom!