pictures proceed this title.

I finally found that stupid cable that I left at home while I was away. I have several pictures to show and many others that will come up shortly, I’m sure. But I’ll first recap some things quickly while I have your attention. I was away for about two weeks and will probably leave for the same place tomorrow after my class final (yay!) with my USB cable and more yarn and needles this time. Not much happened while I was away. Went to the mall and out to eat with the family. Visited the library with the family. Found several items I wanted to knit without the proper yarn or needles. Studied, studied, studied. But, I must say, that studying paid off. I have a 99.4% in the class (which is worth 60% of my final grade) and will take my final tomorrow at 8am (worth 40% of final grade). Yay for smarty-pants and lots of hours on my front porch studying.

But let us move on to knitting. First, I finished my Summertime Tunic. I finally got the ribbin and it looks pretty. Though I must wear a strapless/backless bra which hurts a bit but I look good.

Please do not mind the look on my face. No make up. Frizzy hair. Humid weather. It all explains the look.

I am very pleased with the outcome though I wish that the shirt was a bit more form fitting. I do not mind it lose, but found that I enjoyed the pictures on the Summertime Tunic KAL a lot more when they fit a bit better.

Moving on. I have posted pictures of the Classic Shrug a couple times (on my other blog) but finally found someone (my mother) to take a full length picture of me with it on.

Yet again, do not mind the facial expression.

I love this shrug and plan on knitting it again when I have the time (and yarn). I want to knit it up in a cotton blend so that I can wear it more often throughout the seasons. Right now its made of a wool/acrylic blend that does not lay too well (took me several tries to get it to lay properly for the picture). It is also very heavy and though would keep me warm in the winter, the rest of the year does not accommodate it. Though I do enjoy how it enhances my figure very nicely!

I cannot remember if I explained how my mother got a flat tire on her van, but if I did not: My mother got a flat tire on her van. This picture was taken the following day (too dark to take a picture the night she got it) at around 9am. As my mother would say, “it was as flat as a pancake.”

And the culprit? A screw!

But moving on yet again. I made several items while away. They include earrings, not pictured, and these Cup Huggers that I played around with. Though not very original, I do enjoy them.

I went to a local Open Mic at Starbucks and received some free (yay for performers!) tea. I used this pink cabled cup hugger to keep my hands cozy! I did enjoy it although my friends made great fun of me.

My boyfriend just dropped off the seventh installment of the Harry Potter Series a few moments ago. He didn’t stay ’cause he had to run off to work at the Karate School and I have my studies to procrastinate on. He also gave me the sixth book to refresh my memory of what happened. Starting tomorrow, I will be reading the sixth book. Hopefully by Friday, I will have started the seventh book. Knowing how I am at reading, I will have both books done by Monday next week. You watch!

More pictures to come when I load them on to my computer and I finish studying. If you’re to lazy to wait, check out my flickr page.

my very own pair of needles.

Hello again! Before I even start talking too much, let me announce that I still do not have the USB cable to transfer pictures from my camera to this fancy computer. I am heading back home Tuesday after class and will, hopefully, transfer the photos. I’ve been taking a decent amount of photos (a grand total of 10!), mainly of my knitting.

Today, I finished two cup warmers. They were a fast, instant gratification kind of knit. They were both of my own design, though truly not that original. I’ve been sitting down and planning three other patterns but will reveal them when they are complete or at least when I know I’ll actually get around to working them out. But they are all great ideas, so I am quite excited.

Besides knitting, I read about the Civil War today in my U.S. history book. Over 30 pages were dedicated to the explanation and overall understanding of the war. I am not a history person, and though I have enjoyed reading and understanding certain parts of the book, today I was just not into it. It was difficult and hard to keep straight who was a part of the C.S.A. and the U.S.A. but I got along just fine and finished around 10pm. The rest of my day, as I stated before, was dedicated to knitting and attempting to figure out patterns.

To update on the entirety of my knitting scene. I finished the Summertime Tunic from Interweave Knits Summer ‘07 but have yet to post that on the Summertime Tunic KAL. I had several issues with it including creating a mobius stripe without intention. Though that sounds fun, when you’re trying to knit a tube and you’re already four inches in knitting 206 stitches in mindless stockinette, you’re not that thrilled. I also used a substitute yarn ’cause let’s face it, I’m a poor college student and can not afford to buy these fabulous yarns without breaking the bank. The substitute yarn, though perfectly comfortable, ended up being a bit big. When I made my swatch, I was happy with the gauge, but apparently I counted incorrectly. Its a little on the bigger side and a lot longer than anticipated (I knit for a 36″ chest) but it is still wonderfully comfortable and I love wearing it. The only problem is that I have to get a better ribbon to put through because mine slips off my shoulders and doesn’t look as nice as it could be. I also would like the ribbon to be a bit thicker to better hide my bra straps.

I also said that I picked up the Dollar and a Half Cardigan also from Interweave Knits Spring ‘07 that I had worked months on but put down to finish several other projects in my path. Well, I will admit (with apprehension and dismay) this really stumped me. I don’t normally get stumped over patterns enough to quit them, but this one did me in. I do not have the heart to unravel the back and left front piece just yet but it will have to be done. I’ve decided to used this yarn (lion brand wool-ease in dark heather rose) to knit the Green Tea Raglan yet again from the Spring ‘07 IK. It’ll be a deep “heather rose” but I think it will look lovely. The body is done in a seed stitch with shaping (which I have to alter to work not only with my body but yarn) and the sleeves are stockinette stitch. Though I think I’ll lengthen the sleeve to go down to my hands or shorten them up a bit to stop either mid-bicep or at my elbow. Suggestions?

I have also given up on another project, one that I thought was going to be a Christmas present for my boyfriend. It wasn’t stumping me, but I don’t think I have the energy or time to put into it at the moment. I am currently putting that aside and thinking that will one day be a good gift for him. I now know what I’m going to give the boy (it’s a secret, but he doesn’t even read this anywho) and what I’m going to give my best friend (okay, I only know part of it and she does read this so I have to be careful, though I’m pretty sure she just likes to look at pretty pictures).

I am quite thrilled about all my knitting has to offer. I am looking forward to knitting the Ribbed Lace Bolero which I found on the 10 feet high blog. She’s a wonderful knitting who has great designs and is (gasp!) my age (19!) which makes it quite interesting. The left over yarn from the Summertime Tunic will be used to make my first one (I plan on making several). The yarn is a cotton blend in a lavender color (check out my flickr page to see more) which is quite thin but will be doubled up to obtain proper gauge. This looks as though it will be a fast knit so I am anticipating that I’ll be finished within three or four days but I really should account for my upcoming U.S. history final (shriek!) deterring me from my goal. I also intend to make a second one, basic black from lion brand cotton. I believe a basic black will go with the majority of my brightly colored wardrobe. Sadly, this yarn and the required needles are at home and it is killing me to know that I want to knit this, but am incapable.

I have a ton of other projects on my “to-knit” list including R31, Saturday Market Bag and the Danica Scarf (as seen on 10 feet high blog also). Of course this list is not including the items on my “to-knit-for-Christmas” list. That list will remain secret!

There is so much more I want to say but it’s late already and I’m getting tired. Plus I have no pictures to explain the excitement I have so I’ll wait until another day to tell you more.

But, since Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was released (sadly, I could not be there to pick up a book, so I’m stealing it from my boyfriend before I leave town again), I found this while scrolling around online aimlessly. I refuse to look up anything Harry Potter because I don’t want anyone to ruin the ending for me but someone (I don’t remember who) posted it on their website. I don’t think I want it, but I’d love to take a look inside.

Night ya’ll.

new tea kettle & shore memories.

I am currently at a relatives house down the shore. It’s been quite nice (and quiet). Though I haven’t been able to run about enjoying the fine weather as much as I’d like to. I’ve been stuck on my (very hot) front porch reading United States history text between 1800 and 1860. It has been a joy.

I have class tomorrow from 8am to 12pm which will be a joy trying to go over 100 pages, 3 chapters and 60 years of history within a 4 hour span. But you do what you have to do to get your 3 credits, that wonderful A and that long desired 3.8 GPA.

I’ll move on. I’ve been getting a bit of knitting done while being at the shore. I’ve picked up that Dollar and a Half Cardigan again (after several months and a handful of FOs). I remember why I put it down. I hate this thing and cannot wait until I finish it! I’ll look pretty but the lace pattern is a pain in the ass. I’d take pictures with my fancy digital camera but, unfortunately, I left the USB cable at home. So, I can take pictures, just not post them. A bust really.

All other things in my life seem to be going well. I’ll report more at a later date when I have more to report.