My big steaming pile of holiday failures.

A little math problem for you all:

1 baby sweater + 3 adult sweaters + about a billion hats = ??

Then divide the answer above by 4 months.

The total?  FAILURE.  Yup.  Guess who didn't have anything done as of Christmas Eve.  MEEE!  It took me most of Christmas day to finish that cute little Danish baby sweater for Misha - the only person who actually got the promised hand-made gift.  Want to see?

Yup, that's all I have to show for all of the procrastination over the last semester.  Maybe my problem is that I didn't procrastinate enough??  I'll try harder for you all next semester.  Pinky swear. (:

A little inside information on moi:  My family (parents, sister, etc) celebrate Christmas because, duh, they are Christian.  I am a Hanukkah celebrant because, duh, I'm Jewish.  Weird, I know, but go with it.  So I went home for Christmas and got some goooooood stuff.  Here, look and drool a little. (:

  

  These were a bit of an impulse, I have to admit.  But they were 50% off!  How can you say no to 90 yards for $3.75!?  Plus it's bulky, so it will knit up quickly.  I'm thinking of doing a little fair isle sweater for baby Jayden - all my other nieces are too big (you did see Misha, right?).  While not the softest yarn, I think the tweed-ish qualities in the yarn will help it redeam itself.  But really, how can I stay mad at sale yarn? I can't.

  THIS is Cascade Eco Alpaca.  WTF!?  EVERYONE has been holding out on me.  How did I not know that Cascade made soft yarn!?  I felt this in the store and had to have it.  Luckily I had already found a new Sirdar book that I had to have and that called for this DK-ish weight yarn.  It was mine.  A sweater in 5 skeins?  Yes please!

Oh, and how about some new literature?  

These are both from my sister and ooooh I was so excited to get them.  If the colors of "Seams to Me" excite you, check out the author's blog here.  She designs some DELISH fabric and there are some great free projects if you are interested! (I know you're interested, let's not kid ourselves.)  I definitely asked for the itty bitty hats book... but I think my sister chose this with a little self interest involved.  I mean... she's the only one with an itty bitty baby with an itty bitty head.... well, not that itty bitty, but ya know...

 

  Maybe you can see the knitted pieces on which these books are sitting?  Those knitted pieces, my friends, are the pieces of knitting that never made it into complete sweaters for Christmas and which function as evidence of my complete crafty failure.  Bah.

  Anyway, so after Christmas in the frigid north, I came back to Chicago to celebrate Boyfriend's 31st birthday, our 3.5 year anniversary and, of course, to celebrate the last 3 nights of Hanukkah!  Hurray for gelt, candles, presents and a huuuuuuge sushi dinner at Coast.... probably the best place for Niguri in Chicago, if you're interested. (:  So what was my Hanukkah present?  $100 gift certificate to my favorite LYS!!!!  He's gotten me Tiffany silver jewelry for the past few years, which I love and wear every day, but he really hit a home run on this one.  I am so excited and I will certainly post pictures of my loot.  

I'm thinking of the Addi snap set?  Or does anyone have any suggestions for yarn that are wonderful that I wouldn't otherwise be able to afford?  I'm all ears! (:  

As we say in my family - Merry Christmahanukkah!!!!  Hope you all had as lovely a time as I did!

Seriously? ANOTHER hat?

I knit this up on Thanksgiving Day during the hours I managed to not sleep.  It was originally made for a girlfriend, but the hat is starting to give away the fact that I've been wearing it.  Often.  

Pattern:  Koolhaas

Designer:  Jared Flood/BrooklynTweed

Fiber:  Malabrigo Worsted, 1 skein

Needles: US 7 and US 8

Size:  Mens, I think?

A flawless pattern, true to form.  I will say that the cables got a bit tedious... I need to learn to knit continental... or whatever the way is that I don't knit right now (yarn in right hand, thrown).  I don't have time for all that yarn throwin'.

Speaking of which, I can't sleep.  I laid there for an hour just almost unconscious, but thoughts about finals just kept creeping in.  One week from today and I'll be sleeping (and knitting) happily.

Oh YAY!!!!

Can you read that?!  It says that tomorrow and Saturday are my favorite days EVER!!!!  Renegade is back and I am suuuper excited.  

Chicagoans:  GO THERE.  

The rest of you:  WHY DONT YOU LIVE HERE?!

Oh, because it was 15 degrees at noon today?  Okay, that's a valid point.  

Danish? Yes please.

There is exactly one bad thing about Ravelry:  It lets you discover patterns and fibers not available in the US (or wherever you might be.)  Fortunately, Ravelry also provides a remedy for its only downfall: other users who can help!

I have been wanting to make the Mini by Else Schjellerup since I saw it last year.  It's not a complicated peice at all.  Just a top-down baby sweater or dress (depending on where you stop).  Unfortunately, it is only available in Danish and in stores in the Netherlands.  Also unfortunate: how badly I wanted this pattern.   I tried to make it by sight, but my version was missing something... something that was cruicial to the aesthetic of the dress and why I really wanted to make it. 

So I tried and tried to find someone who would buy the pattern for me and send it to me.  That was a no go.  I emailed the designer.  No go #2.  I posted on boards, googled, sent emails.  No, no no.  

BUT!  About a month ago, I finally found a website that shipped internationally:  www.pinnsvin.no.  I got my package yesterday and now I can start this little sweater/dress (I haven't decided yet) for Misha's holiday present!  

The pattern is only available as a kit, so I also received some Design Club DK Duo Merino.  It says fingering, but it feels like lace.  It has beautiful texture to it, and the heathering is really nice.  You can barely tell, but this is a grey-ish pink.  It's going to be perfect.

So, about the language thing..... right.  Well, I spent way too much time looking up Danish words online last night.  Then I wised up and thought I should use my beloved Ravelry!  So I PMed someone who had made a mini and asked for translation help.  True to Rav form, she was totally up for it and so helpful.  For all you Ravelers, check out her version here.  It's one of my favorites.  Another one of my favorites and probably the reason I needed to make this dress is here (for ravelers) and here (for non-ravelers).  

I should finish up here.  It's finals time and I really should be doing many other things unrelated to knitting right now.  Should.  Off to my beloved mini before bed!  

I do things other than knit

So... I sing.  This is not something a lot of people know about me, but that I am taking more seriously lately.  I have recorded a few times with Ghost In The Console Productions (here in Chicago) over the past few years, but my producer, Patrick, is really pushing me more lately.  And I like it.  

  So here is a non-final mix of the latest song I have been working on.  I wrote this song YEARS ago - so long ago that Pat and I had to knock it down a few keys so that I could actually sing this song.  There will be a real, live drummer in the final cut, but I thought I'd share where it's at right now.  

Someone please pay me to sing so I can stop reading this stupid Civil Procedure book.  Oh, don't worry (hah) I still knit.  

Yup, you counted right, this is the THIRD Habitat you've seen up here.  Don't judge me.  Boyfriend needed a hat pronto.  That's my excuse, at least. 

Chicken Soup for the hands... without the burning.

  I have been a knitting fiend lately.  So unusual.... (phh) After getting knocked out in the quarter finals of the trial competition, I was feeling pretty low.  Then the tidal wave of school work that I put off for trial team came crashing down.  All as the weather is turning cold, no - ear-numbingly cold - in Chicago.  So I have turned to knitting.  Which is the logical choice in the face of finals when my homework is so far from being organized into study-worthy material.  You obviously don't have to be a genius to go to law school.  So here is what I have been up to:

Lotus Mittens by Elli Stubenrauch in Twist Collective

I am making these mittens and Koolhas by Jared Flood over at BrooklynTweed for one of my girlfriends.  She and her husband welcomed their second little girl into the world a month ago yesterday.  Her name is Jayden and she is adorable.  Jayden is having a rough time, however, and has been in isolation at Children's Hospital more than she's been home.  She got a blood transfusion as her one-month birthday present and is looking good today.  But I think her mom needs a little knitting love.  So these are a little bit of warmth and comfort for my friend.  I am using Koigu KPM and KPPM.  It's sock yarn, but I love the color variation in the gray, and I couldn't find fingering weight in gray and black, and my friend's coat is black.  So there.  Oh, and here is Jayden:

On a side note:  I am IN LOVE with Twist.  After seeing their first issue last quarter, I really didn't think it could be better.  I was wrong.  The Winter issue is fantastic.  I don't want to infringe, so I'll juts give links to the projects I intend on making after the holiday gift rush:

Vaila

Heroine

Cabled Cuff Gloves

I love so many of the patterns, but those are the ones that really fit me best.  I cannot wait to be done with my Holiday gifts.  I'm actually getting quite nervous about how little progress I've made.  Which brings me to my next project.  (MOM - DO NOT CLICK THE LINK.... OR YOU GET BREAD CRUSTS)

Yes, this is not an exciting picture, because I can't spoil the surprise.  But you must check this project out.   I'm in love with it and it is perfect for my mom.  She's a University of Wisconsin-Madison grad.  It will be worn many Saturdays to come.  I can't wait to see it on her.  I'm using Berroco Cuzco for the first time.  I ordered it online so I wasn't able to feel it before using it.  Honestly - I'm not thrilled with the feel, but given what it is being made into, I think it is an appropriate texture.  I can't wait to show you guys pictures.

More gifts?  Okay.  So Jayden's big sister Riley needed a knitted gift since a) she's a big sister now, b) her little sister got stuff, c) I hadn't made anything for her in a while and d) she got a snazzy new purple winter coat that needed a topper.  So, I present to you the Thorpe from Through The Loops

I used Malbrigo Chunky for this hat.  I'll just say that I like the Malabrigo Worsted much better.  But Thorpe is a GREAT pattern.  It was a really quick knit and Riley looks amazing in it.  If you click the link you'll see that you can certainly make it in adult sizes and all sorts of options for color work.  A great great pattern.  And one of my favorite blogs!  She just came out with a brand new mitten pattern that is really tempting.  Oh, and here is a picture of Riley that I took this summer - she was pointing at 'duckies'.  She's even cuter now (I know, I know.  "Impossible," you say.  But it's true.)

Speaking of warm weather wear... I pulled out my copy of Last Minute Knitted Gifts to make another Child's Placket Neck Pullover.  But this time I made the matching pants too. 

This is a project I will always love to make and love to give.  People go nutty for it and I love the way babies look in it.  I'll try to get a picture of Jayden in it in the next couple of weeks before she (hopefully) gains some weight and grows out of it.  I used Malabrigo Worsted and the outfit is SO SOFT as a result.  I went without buttons this time.  She wouldn't be able to pull them off, but Riley, as an almost-two year old certainly could.  I'd rather not risk it.  The pattern originally calls for Rowan Denim for the pants.  I had a go at modifying the pattern, but in the end just really wanted pink pants instead.  Since Rowan shrinks I consulted the finished measurements in the book and knit according to those instead.  Highly recommended. (:

More for the weather and gifts... but for meee!!!  This is the Dolores Park Cowl From Six on Seven.  Yay free projects from talented ladies. (:

Now, I didn't make it with Malabrigo Chunky.  A bit of a mistake.  I made it with left over Plymouth Grande.  Because it has a much silkier hand to it, the cowl kind of just flops over.  Still warm, though! (:  During break I intend on backing it with some nice cashmere fabric remnant and quilt batting to give it the stiffness it needs.  As it is now, the Chicago wind would just laugh at me.

The remnants for the cowl came from this project:  The Sideways Grande Cloche from Boutique Knits by Laura Iriwn.  (Link to her blog)  

If you like getting complements from strangers on pieces of your wardrobe... MAKE THIS HAT.  Classmates have attempted to steal it.  Strangers stop me and ask me about it.  and every time I put on a different hat, I inevitably take it off to put this one on instead.  I love it.  It was worth the splurge on the Plymouth Grande.  If I look mad in the picture, I was.  The sky looked like that at 10am.  Completely disgusting.  But a good view, nonetheless.  The book is fantastic and I intend on spending a lot of time on a lot of these projects.  

So now I am going to try to finish two sweaters I have in progress and start and finish another I haven't begun.  Also, impatiently awaiting a package from The Netherlands.  I have been coveting the Mini by Else Schjellerup.  I can't get it in the US, but I found an international shipper in Denmark that spoke English.  Very excited.  I'll post pictures of what it looks like, but for all you Ravelers, here.  The finished pictures of it as a sweater and a dress are incredible.  I tried to reproduce it this summer on my own, but I couldn't figure out the measurements.  So yay.  Anyways, but to being a law student....

But first, just to represent from my own blood line:  Misha as photographed by my brother-in-law.

I love those cheeks.  Cheers!

Being a B.A.M.F.

I am composing this post from a coffee shop in Buffalo/Niagra, New York as opposed to the regular location (law school library).  The effect is the same, however... as I'm not doing what I should be: reading over law school-ish things.  (:

I am here in Buff-Niag for a Criminal Law Trial Competition.  No, don't worry. No one is really on trial and law school students have not been dispached to attempt to keep anyone in or out of jail.  Instead, we have been slaving over a faux problem for the last two months for 40 hours a week (on top of school).  On Friday I represented the People of New York in the matter of People v. Helsfinger.  I intended to win. (:  Here is my team, looking like B.A.M.F.s (feel free to laugh)

Well, we didn't win.  But we did advance to the quarter-finals.  We were pretty excited, but that was short lived, as the next round was sudden death elimination.  No go.  And now we have two days to explore Buffalo, New York.  I'll let you know how it goes.

Oh, you want some knitting?  Okay.  

Project Name: Drops 107-15 

Price:  FREEEE

Fiber:  Plymouth Suri Merino (1 Skien) and a bit of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino

Where to get the free patern:  Here

Project Name: Baby Mittens

Price: Debatable

Fiber:  Left over Koigu Kersti, less than a skein

Project Source:  Me (:

So, here are the deal with these little mitts.  I used the measurements originally from a book, but changed the pattern completely after that.  Added an i-cord, changed the decrease, made them in the round, and used a different bind off method.  So I think these are my first real pattern.  I'll think about whether or not that's true and post the pattern in PDF form if I decide it's legal.

Okay, time to be a champion of the people and of justice. (;  Have a great weekend!

OH so so so so close.

I am SO close to being done with Victoria.  I am thinking I need to tear out the neck and do it again.  I picked up too many stitches and now its a little bit wobbly.  No good.  I'm determined to do this right instead of getting sick of the "finishing" and then never wearing it.  So I'm also going to re-sew the sides.  The way I did them, they bulge a little at the patterned portion.... it just so happens that is also the "love handle" region.  I'd like not to look like I am larger than I am.   I'm also pissed at myself for chosing Cascade to do this project.  I'll elaborate when I have the "real" FO pictures up.

Anyway, here are some pictures:

I have a ton of FOs in the works other than Vicky.  My friends had a baby last Sunday and I was totally unprepared... knitting wise.  So here's what we've got on the needles for her:

I am working off of the pattern in Last Minute Knitting Gifts, but making them look like True Religions.  Mommy is very stylish. (:  And every baby needs a pair of designer denim, right?

These two projects are out of the book Easy Baby Knits by Claire Montgomerie.  The mitts are supposed to be garter stitch.  I hate garter stitch.  The I-cord was also not a part of the pattern, but I figured that they are 90% likely to get lost due to the size and fact that they are on an infant.  So I thought the I-cord might increase their likelihood of sticking around for more than one week.

Okay, I really need to get to Loopy for some buttons.  Less than a week until election day!  Happy voting!!!

Evidence of "And Sews, Too"... but still a knitting FO

Well well well.  Look who's been finishing some objects.  After I wrote the last post about my Great Aunt, my Grandmother died the very next day.  I am greatful that her journey here is done, as she had a hard life, and a harder death.  However, two deaths in three days put a bit of a damper on my willingness to put law school before family and my own happiness last week.  Which is not good.  Not good at all... at least for my list of homework to-do.  

It has been good, however, for my crafting and the beneficiaries of my crafting.  So here are two FOs!  One sewing (gasp) and one knitting.  We'll start with the sewing.

Since law school started back up, I've really turned my back on my sewing machine.  Not because I don't want to sew, but because I can't read cases and sew at the same time.  Well, I haven't actually tried... but I'm certain if I tried I'd have some mangled fingers and ugly projects.

But last night, after 11 hours of trial team practice, I found out that great friends of mine were at the hospital to deliver their second baby girl.  WTF.  My crafting schedule had them pegged for a  late October delivery.  This was tragic.  I obviously couldn't knit the baby something in a matter of hours, so I broke out the most wonderful baby projects book:  Amy Butler's Little Stitches for Little Ones.

Presenting:  The Snuggly Baby Wrap

Fabric:  Alexander Henry Zoo and White Minky

Time: About 1.5 hours

For: Baby Greenfield

I'm not sure what to write about it except that I think this is the first project that I've made that I am completely happy with.... !!! ... My stitching was even, the pattern was clear, I didn't make a mistake (amazing) and I learned something (how to make a button hole) without even ruining the project!  Super cute.  I made a 0-3 month size, but there are 3-6 instructions as well.  Do it.

AND a knitting FO!?  Yes.  The world is upside down.  I finally FINALLY finished the socks I cast on in late June.  Boyfriend has been waiting for these big time and was so excited to finally be able to wear them.

Presenting:  Mr. Pitt Socks

Fiber:  Koigu KPPM Merino (2.5 Skeins)

Size: Man sized

Time it took: Too long

I'm not a sock maker.  Working with sock weight yarn is, for me, like painting a room with a watercolor brush.  I need results.  I need them fast.  I found out, through this project, that I am not made to make socks.  All that aside, this is a really great pattern for a guy who has no interest in cables or anything remotley fancy.  The pattern is super clear, FREE, and the FO is gorgeous.  I learned, first, what the eff a gusset is, and then learned how to make a gusset from this pattern.  I'm glad to know and I'm glad that I know now to never make a sock again.  Or two for that matter.

Okay, time to crack the books.  Happy Monday to you all.

Sadness, an FO, and a new/old spinning wheel.

I have been home (at my parents in Wisconsin) for the last few days. My Great Aunt Evelyn, the most quick-witted, giggly 96 year old I ever met, fell on Wednesday night. This is highly irregular for her, so I raced back to Green Bay as quickly as I could. Other than a nasty bump on her head, Evelyn didn't complain Thursday morning, but told me she "bled like a pig" and about how bummed she was about the Brewers. That was at 10 am. We got a call 5 hours later that she fell again and was unresponsive. I held her hand and kissed her forehead as she took her last breath at 6:10pm. She was born in 1912, 70 plus years before I was, but we were kindred spirits and girlfriends of the best kind. I am happy she didn't feel any pain, but am feeling really quite empty without her here. Being 96, I can't say she died "suddenly," but it was certainly unexpected... as all eyes have been on my Grandma as she has slowly been slipping away for the last two weeks. I thought that Evelyn would surely outlive me, and I am beyond sad that I have lost my pen pal, my friend, and a very inspiring woman.

Today was spent sorting through her wishes and all that goes with that. I went down to my parent's basement to find a death certificate for my Grandpa for one of the many forms I filled out today and found this:

F00t pedal.

I remember this being in my Aunt's house when I was little..... being intrigued by the fact that no one actually seemed to use it, but yet Evelyn kept it. And now I know why. Fate. Somehow she knew that I would be an obsessive knitter who wanted to try spinning but who was perplexed as to how I would spin with no wheel! 40 years ago she knew! (Soul mates, I'm telling you).

But now for the serious question: Anyone know what the deal is with this? Can I really spin on it? It is roughly 105 years old, but really pretty sturdy. What do you all think of this?

Okay, and now how about two FO's (Of the same project, though)? My spirits are lower than low, but you should know that I do love this pattern. I just don't feel like talking about it now.

I present: Habitat by Jared Flood

My Dad - Sporting Habitat, texturized to the max by Manos Del Uruguay


Me, in Habitat, made from the stash champion of the world: Cascade 220

I shouldn't be blogging right now. This is like drunk dialing... but... with mourning and blogging. I love the pattern. I'm going to leave it right there for now. That was pretty much all the enthusiasm I could muster.

Evidence and my habitat.

I'm still waiting to get the energy to make another sleeve for Victoria.  I have so many projects up in the air right now - working on Christmahanukkah gifts for 5 people - that I was feeling like I couldn't finish anything.   And, if you're a knitter, you know what it's like to weave in the last end and put on your garment.  So much content. (:  So I started a new project, of course.  Logic.  We learn this in law school... pff.  But here I am, on a Saturday morning in the Louis L. Biro Law Library (my habitat) with my new project (Habitat).

I am one of those people who gets angry when I can't find an opportunity to be creative and explore.  Really.  I get dark and scarey and no one likes me.  So today I decided to bring my camera with me on my walk to school.  Here is what I liked:

I want to make this.  It was in the window at Macy's which is celebrating Mr. Calvin Klein.  If anyone can tell what that stitch is, let me know.  It's not garter, that's all I can tell.  If it's still light out when I go home (doubtful), I'll try to get a closer shot.

Both of Chicago's teams are in the playoffs.  This is the first time in 80-some years that the city has been able to fly BOTH flags in front of the Merchandise Mart.

But I love my Sox more than that other team. (:

One of the many differences between Chicago and New York is that Chicago has alleys.  I wish all the alleys were this attractive and pee-free.  The orange blobs on the other side is the Goodman Theatre sign.

I love the juxtuposition of the old and new in this photo.  One thing I love about Chicago is the architecture... this is an example of some of that.

Another architecture shot.  I love that I see this every day on my walk to school.  Thank  you, Chicago, for keeping me sane.

More later.  Happy Saturday