Red Scarf Project Part Deux

Just so you don't think I spend all my days working on ballband bags - here is another scarf I am knitting for the Red Scarf Project 2007. I love the stitch pattern - it's sort of a wavy dropped stitch that I found in a stitch a day calendar. I may have a hard time parting with this one! More ballband bags soon, don' t worry.

Ballband Bag Bonaza

I've been working on the November project for the Bag Me Along KAL. It's the Ballband Bag created by Monica. It is a great, fun pattern that knits up really quickly. The color combinations are endless and it's really quite addicting! I first made one with Brown as the main color and dark blue, light blue, tan and off white as the contrasting colors. I used Knit Picks Wool of the Andes. It was nice to work with and it's very inexpensive so it's no problem to buy lots of colors. However I'm not that thrilled with how it felted. I had to run it through the machine several times to get it as felted as it is. I do like how it turned out though and I found this really cute button to go on it. Since I'm now addicted I immediately had to make my next ballband bag. I decided to make on in Christmas colors. I'm just having a hard time figuring out a handle for this one. I did find a really cute button for this one as well at a new yarn store in San Mateo called Nine Rubies. It's run by an absolutely delightful woman who is ver helpful. I'm not on to my third bag, I've got an idea for this one that should be really neat if it works. I'll show you as soon as I'm done. Then Monica did one that is brown and pink that is oh so cute, I may have to do that one next, and then, and then, and then!

Fools Rush In

As they say, "Fools Rush in where Angels Fear to Tread." I started the Hypehn Boy Bag and so far I'm on the fourth tier. It really is not hard, it just takes some time. Getting started is probably the toughest part! Don't be intimidated by the lengthy directions - most of it deals with color combinations. However since I took the easy route and am using two main colors(rather than 8!) and one contrasting striping yarn I don't have to worry about any of the color directions. The tear drops as I call them basically are one pattern that's simple to memorize. I'm not sure how long it will take me to finish it but I'm happy with how it is turning out. I got a wonderful surprise this week from Bonnie. I originally met Bonnie in the ISE and then she and I became two of the hostesses of the International Tote Exchange. It has been really great getting to know Bonnie and I feel like we have known one another for years. Out of the blue I received a gorgeous birthday mailing envelope. In it were some wonderful gifts from Bonnie including some amazingly soft alpaca yarn
that she got while away for the weekend at a B&B that was also an alpaca farm. I've been admiring the yarn on her blog and never thought it would find its way to me. I just love it and now have to figure out something really special to make out of it. Thank you so much Bonnie - you are too good to me! Then if that wasn't enough I got a second package in the mail. This one was from my downstream pal from the Tote Exchange - Jennifer. She made me an absolutely gorgeous needle case. It has beautiful purple fabric on the outside with a pretty gold button. But then when you open it the real beauty jumps out. Insider there is some absolutely incredible batik fabric with dragonflies on it. I love purple and I love dragonflies. This needle case couldn't be more perfect for me. Thank you so much Jennifer - I love it! I feel like the luckiest knitter on earth!!

Yes I need another Felted Bag

I have begun yet another felted bag. Why is it that these bags are so addicting? When I first started knitting I actually thought that felted bags were ugly. They were rough and scratchy and why would anyone in their right mind spend a bunch of time knitting just to shrink all that effort? That is still a question I have no answer for but I have been sucked in to the world of felting. I am now trying the Hyphen Boy Modular Backpack based on Judy's amazing results. I think it's absolutely gorgeous and it is definitely a challenge from the usual felted bag. I have chosen the easy route of using just 3 colors rather than the 16 called for in the pattern! Instead of having 8 different combinations I'm going with alternating rows of blue and pink with a multicolored Noro Kureyon as the contrasting stripes. The funny thing is that I chose the exact same color of Noro as Judy did! Next posting will be some progress pictures!

The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Knitters

Well after I made that nice list of all the projects I was taking on my trip the mailman threw a wrench in my plans. When I got home from work late Thursday night there was a package. To my surprise it was my order from Moorehouse Farms. It arrived really quickly so of course since that was the newest item I had acquired I was forced by the knitting gods to drop all else and start that. So I'm making a Gekko scarf and it is turning out so cute! I must say though that the head is HUGE!! I'm not sure what child they think wants a scarf with a head as big as their chest but I will continue because I think he'll just snuggle with it anyway rather than wear it as a scarf. I did knit on my red scarf project on the way down while Mom drove - Thanks Mom!! I also got started on the Hyphen Boy but only got 5 of the first 8 triangles done. Oh well - there's always tomorrow.

Life is Uncertain - Eat Dessert First!

I have always liked that saying - I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that I'm a chocaholic! But I think it is an important reminder that we should be sure to focus on the fun and good things in life and not always put them off because we have to do the other, more responsible things. Take for instance a trip. I am going away this weekend with my daughter and her friends in celebration of her 13th birthday. Mom is coming with me and we plan to do a lot of relaxing and knitting. I have been extremely busy at work and haven't had any time to think about what I should pack let alone start packing. I HAVE however, spent a great deal of time thinking about what knitting items I should take with me. I will be taking this scarf I am making for Red Scarf Project 2007, another scarf I am making for said project, the yarn and pattern to start a hat for the soldiers for the Ships Project and based on Judy's terrible influence - the yarn and pattern to start the Hyphen Boy Modular backpack. Now mind you we will be at our destination for a grand total of about 42 hours but I plan to do a lot of knitting and heaven forbid I should run out of projects! Priorities folks, PRIORITIES!