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