a new scarf

blossom, originally uploaded by butta.fly.

i treated myself to some of noro's blossom today. i've been secretly coveting it for a long time now and could not resist buying some during my lys end of year sale. i making this scarf with 2x2 ribbing...nothing too fancy.

danica

danica, originally uploaded by butta.fly.

here is danica waiting to be blocked.

i made this for my father and originally thought the colors would be a bit much for him, but he looked really pleased when he got it.

made w/ plymouth yarn's galway in navy, dark heathered denim, and heather red.

during my layover a the denver airport (going to dc), i saw dr. cornell west walk by. i really need to read his books.

i also came to the realization that i like taking the "red eye" flights because i am closer to the stars when i fly. it's the most beautiful sight ever.

i heart d.c.

i love d.c. so much that when i leave, sometimes i cry. it's crazy man because i feel like i'm torn between two places. i love alaska, but there is just something about d.c. could it be i feel at home there because my birthplace is near? i had so much fun. i saw a lot of my friends and made some new ones. i am always thankful for these trips because it gives me the opportunity to relax and get my thoughts together.

my spirit is renewed and a sista is happy.

happy holidays.

hooked
i am completely hooked on six word story group on flickr.

i'm headed to dc in 24 hrs. since my last post, i've managed to get sick AND the alternator went out in my truck. i'm doing my best to stay stress free (yeah right)and conserve as much energy as possible.

i'm alive. i have my ride, a roof over my head, and my kids are happy and free of illness. i'm grateful. i am.

i do have pictures to post. be on the lookout.
peace. love. blessings.

4 days until i get to hop on a plane. it's a 9 hr flight to the eastcoast (ewww maybe more than that). i'm usually excited to travel, but this time i'm not. there is so much to be done and not enuff time to do it all. the timing couldn't have been more perfect. flying during the holidays is something i have never experienced. my goal is to stay as stress free as possible by bringing lots of knitting, and trying to sleep whenever i can (i have trouble sleeping on planes).

i've got one final today and another on thursday. wish me luck.

have a great day!

my truck was found. in one piece. w/ everything in it. in my effin neighborhood. 3 blocks from my house.

that violated feeling i mentioned before has now set in. i'm angry and i don't feel safe man. i believed i would get it back though. so i'm thankful. i've been giving thanks to the most high all evening.

in knitting news...danica is looking awesome!! i'm using galway in navy, dark denim, and a heathered red. i have to make myself one when i'm finished.
i'm going to bed now. a sista is drained. goodnight.

it could happen to anyone

my truck was stolen today. i went out this morn to warm my truck up...started it and let it run for 15 minutes...unlocked...and someone jumped on the opportunity and drove off. sure, i shouldn't have left it unlocked, but the lock on the driver's side was broken. i don't think it's really settled in yet. i don't have that feeling of being violated, like i did when someone broke into my car a few years back and stole my knitting bag (i was hot!!). i don't know. i just pray my truck is found in one piece. it's crazy how shit happens.

it could be worse. i've been counting my blessings all day. i'm still able to smile. i found a pattern in the new knitty that has me excited to knit (i have to admit i haven't been excited about knitting lately). i decided to make my family members scarves for christmas. danica is going to my daddy. i was a little intimidated by the entrelac technique, but after making a couple of squares i'm relieved to find how easy it is. i'll post pictures of my progress.

miss adara

adara_2, originally uploaded by butta.fly.

this child of mine is growing so fast. i love it, but i also hate it. we don't cuddle as much as we used to, but she does give me kisses whenever i ask and she always tells me how pretty i am.

summer storm

backyard, originally uploaded by butta.fly.

i miss summer.

all i need is
a little sin on my neck
vanilla on my lips
khemit in my hair
and you in my arms
baby.

what should i eat for dinner? baked potato and yummy spinach or lentils w/ carrots and potatoes? potato and spinach only because it'll cook faster. *sigh*

about a month ago i embarked on the master cleanser diet. i did 4 1/2 days (of the 10)and lost 8lbs, got clearer skin, more energy, lost my addiction to sugar and caffeine (pepsi!!)and the best sleep ever. a sista was feeling the best ever. alas, today i fell off the wagon. 3 pepsis. 3. i've been wondering what triggers my pepsi binges...stress mostly. i gotta get back on the water. the fast helped me realize that i tend to eat out of boredom and comfort. i plan on bringing in the new year junk free. i will complete the full 10 days.

i haven't been knitting much because homework is consuming me. since i don't have much money around the holidays, i try and make my girfts. looks like that won't be happening. i should've gotten started two months ago. oh well, maybe i'll just make some cards.

the artist's way-have you read it?

reducing my yarn stash

redwaffle
Originally uploaded by butta.fly.

i've been making these scarves for a while now in attempts to reduce my yarn stash. so far it's working. 4 strands of various yarns knitted on size 35 needles. people freak when they see how big the needles are but they're really light and the knitting goes super fast. the scarves are thick, but not heavy feeling at all. they're very cozy.

my weekend was divine.

i went to see christa bell perform at a local poetry venue. this woman is amazing! it's been four years since i have written anything and after seeing this woman perform, i am in love with words again. so much so, that i went to her writer's workshop the next day. that proved to be therapeutic. we started with a 15 minute freewrite (i really love those) and then a 10 minute freewrite using prompts. the prompt i chose was "if i could, i would". from there i wrote this piece which is for my oldest daughter. i wasn't really thinking while writing it, but then we had to read it in front of everyone and why oh why did i break down and start ballin my eyes out into the third line. obviously, i've been holding on to some stuff subconsciously. i felt refreshed afterwards. hopeful even. i'm going to start writing again-poetry, short stories, etc. i think my writing strategies class is also fueling my desire to write. my professor has been really supportive.

the creator is working miracles in my life. i give thanks!

i've decided to use this lil ole blog for more than just knitting and crocheting. the title does say, "a day in the life of..."

peace and blessings.

so the felted skull scarf is not punk. babygirl gave the pattern a blank stare while i, her mama thought i had found gold! my feelings were hurt, but now i am able to work on some other things.

i'm going to d.c. next month and i want to be warm. i'm thinking about making a couple of scarves and hats for the trip.

i have pictures to share, but i can't find the usb cable for my camera. :o(

hello world.

i'm going to make this for babygirl (who is looking like a young woman nowadays - *sigh*). she is going to freak when she sees it. that scarf has "punk" written all over it.

it's been forever and a day since i last wrote on this joint, but a sista's been preoccupied. school has taken over my life in more ways than one. it kinda took me by surprised. i don't have much time to knit or crochet and i don't like that too much.

the days have gotten a lot shorter and it's hella cold. i decided while walking downtown in the cold (and wind!!) that i really needed a hat. i'm making one tonite.

peace to all.

the forest fair was lovely. however, i rained 80% of the time we were there (major downpour!). we all had a good time. we being me, my girls sarah and danielle, and last but not least babygirl. i was so proud of her. it was her first time seeing her mama in business mode and she was right there helping customers and making hats. now we all can't sit in a booth all day and not have a hook or knitting needles in our hands, now can we? the ppl were great this year (there were lots of nasty comments made by customers last year..."ooh, i can make that for a lot cheaper"-get my drift?). i got a lot of feedback, lots of biz cards were taken so i'm a happy camper. we met a lot of cool vendors. we got our trade on (that's the best part!!!). ate lots of good food ($5.75 strawberry shortcakes w/ banana topped w/ whip cream and caramel-it's worth money i swear!!!)

since returning from the forest fair, a sista has been extremely tired. it's like i was on a 4 day adrenaline rush and then suddenly crashed. it sucks, but what sucks more is wed-sun of last week i lost my voice and mon. i found out i've got a respiratory infection. it sounds worse than it is, but again, it SUCKS! i hate being sick and it seems within the last 4 years of my life i get sick more frequently (6-8 times a year). so i've been questioning my diet and lifestyle. i'm too young to feel the way i do.

in knitting news...currently making a cropped hooded sweater using stacy tahki charles' soho tweed (my favorite yarn at the moment!!). be on the lookout for pics.

peace.

question.

are leg warmers still in? (i really want to know)

4 days 'til the forest fair.
i've been busy making baby mitts.
since i last blogged, i've been living
life without tv, i've gotten a cold/flu bug,
and adara turned 2.

hope the day treats you well. peace.

time sure does fly. i'm still trying to get back into the blogging swing of things. check out some stuff i've been working on:


i call them honey and lola. i had bought a lot of noro's big kureyon to make a sweater with, but i couldn't get the pattern to work. so out of frustration i gave up and was left with 14 skeins. i got the idea to make bags with different stitches and play on different shapes and sizes. six are made so far and ppl have been really excited about them. i'm hoping they do well at the fair.

fair? fair you say? yes, i will have a booth at the girdwood forest fair. i look forward to the clean mountain air, great ppl, and awesome food/music. it's my little getaway from the "big" city.

look what i got recently:


a friend of mine is going away to graduate school and is getting rid of everything she can't take with her. SCORE!! i was so exicted. i'm still excited, but i don't have a clue on how to use it. it came with books, but reading it is like reading greek. i'm determined to figure it out. i will spin some yarn. i can't be a yarn fiend and not make the stuff too. *smile*

i'm having a really bad hair day. where's a scarf when i need one?

things are crazy. i'm ok. my kids are ok. i'm thankful for that. counting my blessings and giving thanks to the creator whenever possible. tulips have blossomed in front of my crib. it was a nice surpise since they weren't there when i moved in last august. waiting for the pansies now. i have a poem in my belly. i need to get it out. peace.

i am hooked on fear factor. i have been for a few months now. did you catch last nite's episode? homegirl ate leeches. effin leeches!!! that can't be safe. i don't think eatin worms are safe either. i'd be too afraid of getting some parasitic disease and wasting away to 30lbs. gross-napolean dynamite style!

i finished my fabulous rebecca sweater. it rained over the weekend and i was able to wear it out. it's great. when i wear it, i feel like it's an expensive designer piece - it's that fabulous. i gotta get someone to take a picture of me wearing it, cuz i don't think my d.i.m. (do-it-myself) photography skills will do it any justice.

my days consist of answering to "mom" every 2 seconds and asking, "do you have to tee tee?" ahh, the joys of potty training.

so, after spending a wonderful saturday afternoon with my girl d, i told her about my rebecca sweater that's been in my closet for the last three years. all it needs is a lil blocking, some sewing together, and a cowl neck. that's it. d told me i had to finish it and ya know, she's right. i rented that harold and kumar movie and sewed until my knees couldn't take anymore. i managed to get a sleeve and the shoulders seams done. i'm hoping to get started on the cowl this weekend.

I WANT:

to scream as loud as possibly can
my girls to be proud of me
to build sandcastles
to learn how to surf (been watching "step into liquid" a lot this week)
write a book
travel
plant a garden
to make soap and candles
to perform on stage
to run a marathon (hi monica)
learn capoeira

::: i'm having a moment....twiddling my thumbs until i can leave work, pick up the kids, and head home.

i had a crazy dream last nite. i don't remember much, but i awakened after my 21 month old asked, "mom, where's the lemon paste?".

headscarves made out of blue sky's cotton.

i like this yarn a lot. it's soft and gets softer as you work with it. i want to make a sweater with it or maybe a dress for lil miss.

life is funny. it presents you with one obstacle and as soon as you find your way around it, life presents you with another. my spirit is tired. surrounding myself with good people. i refuse to dwell inward.

currently making triangle head scarves and hemp bags. pictures to follow soon.

peace.

burt bee's beeswax lip balm.....i've been sleepin on this product.

wow. it's been a long time since i last blogged. a sista was goin thru some thangs and needed to step back and become invisible. during the madness, i still knit and crocheted. some lovely things were produced.

a lot has happened. i turned 30 in january. my oldest turned 12 and the little one has become this aggressive, very determined, little woman (she's been here before). i'm focused and driven (moreso now than any other time in my life). things are great.

peace.

babygirl told me she'd like some more knitting stuff for christmas. she's been on a roll lately making scarves (she's finally sticking to sumthin! thank u god!)

she wants to make the kitty hat out of the stitch n bitch book, but i think i'll surprise her w/ one.

found via meredith's blog: soul seams

funky stuff...

anna kula
curlie girl
loopiloop

some things...


recycled silk hat


neck down cardigan made w/ galway yarn



some scarves

i've been having fun playing w/ color and different textures of yarn. there's so many possibilities. i haven't spent much time on the computer lately. mainly becuz i decided to make betta use of my time. so i'm spending as much time w/ the kids as possible and making time to make and design some new things. my wrists are a lil strained from all of the knitting and from carrying my "heavy" baby.
i want to make some leg warmers and this hat.

my bed is calling me.

fall is here.

right now, it's all about: cables, felted mittens, scarves, and finishing wips that have been lyin around my apt.

i've been trying to finish up a sleeve to my neck down cardi. medusa is comin up and i planned on wearing the cardi to her show. the show is friday (halloween) and i'm wondering if i'll have it done in time. i've gotta block it and add buttons. i'll make it work.

not a whole lot has been going on otherwise. i will have some new pics up soon. happy monday.

adara joi

wow, it's been a while.

fall is definitely here. since having the baby, my body temp has been acting crazy. one minute i'm hot, the next i'm cold. i can't stand being cold, so i've been busy making myself sweaters. i've finished two so far and i've got three more to go. the kids will be getting some of their own sweaters as well.

has anyone made the long john pants in e. zimmerman's knitter's almanac? i'm tempted to take on that project. i am most definitely making some "overknees" (check out #38 in the current rebecca mag) bcuz i plan on wearing lots of long dresses/skirts w/ my clunky boots this winter (i'm backwards, i know).

well, i'm off to pick up the kids.

hello everyone! i've been spending the past month recovering from the c-section and loving my new babygirl. she's so great! i am a happy mama!

anyway, i've been knitting some. mostly finishing stuff that's been lying around my apt for months. there are two things in knitting however that are getting the best of me. gauge and blocking. ugh! let me say that again ugh! counting stitches in a gauge swatch confuses me. i'm always coming up w/ a different count. blocking...blocking anything that's knit in stockinette stitch gives me a headache. no matter what i do, the curl remains. oh knitting gurus of cyberspace, please give me guidance.

i hope everybody is feeling groovy and enjoyin their summer. peace.

i've been a busy bee (well, it feels that way at least). i've been really feeling the nine month pregnancy thang. i can't sit long or else i catch a cramp in my ass or my legs and back stiffen up. *frown* i'm not a happy camper right now. i really can't wait for this lil girl to get here. i'm scheduled for a c-section on the 24th. lawd knows i can't wait!

currently working to get all of my projects/orders outta my apt by monday. after monday i'll be outta commission. i'm hoping i'll be able to knit a lil sumthin while i'm in the hospital. i'll bring my bag just in case.

over the weekend, i finished the kureyon rambling rows sweater and i started the first sleeve on the crossover back sweater.

that's it for now. a walk is needed.

decisions, decisions

:::

mz jocelyn aka babygirl has a book that talks about "how to help the world" (as she says). after 10 minutes of looking @ this gem she decides she's going to give her books to needy children. anutha 10 minutes roll by and she comes out of her room w/ a stack of books. then she tells me she wants to make hats for ppl in shelters. i went to give her one of my 16in circulars and couldn't find any. i've got needles all over the place and i couldn't find one 16in circ. so during my daily lunchtime visit to the frenzy (lys), i bought her a couple of circular needles. that should put a big ole kool-aid smile on her face. can't wait to see the hats she creates.

the countdown has begun. 2 wks until i get to see my baby's face. i'm getting ancy.

i've been busy working on baby stuff. i've crocheted lil skullcaps (they're oh so cute!!), started a rambling rows sweater (almost done w/ that), and i'm halfway thru the crossover back joint. this lil girl is going to be so fly!

also workin on locqueen's fantabulous hat and a tank for my girl c. my long lost motivation has returned. it's on baby!

i got a lot of knitting done this weekend. i finished the left back of the crossover baby sweater. all that's left is the right back and sleeves. it's looking really cute. i may start the square neck cardigan next (in little badger's).

i finally started using up some of my cotton. i'm currently on a crochet kick. i'm making hats for myself in bright, summery colors. it's definitely time (most of my hats r too small). when i get done w/ the first one i will sew on my new b.fly wears label. i'm soooo sooo happy to have them. i'd post pics, but my computer has crashed on me again. looking to buy a new one.

after i left work yesterday, i realized i left my knitting bag in my office. i didn't bother going back for it, i just came home and started playing w/ some otha stuff. i pulled out a skein of noro's silk garden and casted on two stitches. from there, i increased twice every otha row. i figure this will be a shawl. like i said, i'm just playing. it'll probably end up having a bunch of different yarns and colors in it cuz i only have two skeins of the silk garden (which is yummy btw). i can't wait to see what this grows into.

look what the postman brought me...





earrings the fantabulous mz stefanie made for me. receiving these gifts really made my day. thank u so much!

been working on my neckdown cardigan and the crossover back baby sweater. just started on the purl bump heart (of the baby sweater). it looks so much betta since i changed needle sizes.

i haven't touched the baby afghan. i'm a little frustrated w/ it, not sure if the heart idea was a good one. i also gave up on my brother's socks. i really need to stop loading myself down w/ projects. would like to finish some b4 i start new ones.

i've been doing my best not to feel overwhelmed, but my mind has been moving 50mph thinkin about all the stuff that needs to be done b4 adara gets here. 5 more wks. it's flyin by. i've been feeling really pregnant lately. all i wanna do is sleep, and when i'm not sleeping, i'm cleaning (the nesting has begun). can't wait for my ribs to stop hurting. check out the load i'm carrying...

i'm not putting adara's name in the blanket. i broke out the graph paper and realized i didn't like the block letters i was creating. so now instead of her name, she's getting hearts in each corner of the blanket. i hope it comes out nice.

my neck down cardigan was lost for a lil while. i found it in a bag of yarn i had thrown in my closet. i swear i need to have a betta system of storing things. i noticed my favorite lime green cardigan has a few holes in the elbow, so now i'm motivated to get the neck down joint finished.

my ufo's will get finished....one of these days.

working on the border of the baby afghan. i plan on putting adara's name in it. can't decide between colorwork or purl bumps.

i have a confession to make. i am totally addicted to sock yarn. i don't know what it is about the stuff. i see new colorways and lose my mind. it's always, well most of the time, an impulse buy. i plan on making two pairs of socks w/in the next four weeks. b-day presents for my brother and miss lucille.

the baby afghan is almost done. it's so soft. i'm going to make hats and booties w/ the left over yarn (there's a lot of it). miss girl is going to b stylin.

once again, my 'puter is up and running. hopefully, it won't give me anymore problems. here's a pic of the eros scarf i made for my mama.



i talked to her today and she was really excited about wearing it. i made it because i thought it'd go w/ a lot of her blouses that she wears to work, but she thinks she should wear it w/ something dressy. i'm going to get a picture of her in it.



this scarf was made w/ st. tropez. i used size 17s for this baby and i was done w/ it in no time. there's a burgundy color i'd like to get next. i think this would make a really nice shell or some other summer top.

last but not least...


the rambling rows afghan - completed! this picture isn't the best, but it ended up being so huge i couldn't get the whole thing in the picture no matter what i did. this was really fun to work on and i can see myself making more. i'm getting close to finishing adara's. pictures of the baby stuff will soon come.

my site's back up. yay!

i left work early yesterday, went home and finished a couple of things. i'm slowly gettin back into crocheting. i started a crown for daddy-o and i started makin myself a bag to go w/ this slinky/sexy dress my girl bought me (as an after baby gift).

i'm starting to get real anxious about the birth of this lil girl. last week she was in my dreams, this week i'm dreaming about going into labor. the not knowing is really gettin me. i've been through this once before i shouldn't be trippin. lol.

anyway, i'm off to do some work. sending positive energy to the whale that's stranded in the turnagin arm.

for mama's day i decided to break out the eros and make my mama a scarf. now for weeks i would sit in the yarn store and watch woman after woman come in asking about this stuff (sandi was out @ the time). i sat there wondering what the big deal was. but then friday nite i started working w/ the stuff and immediately saw. it made this extremely light fabric. the yarn was very colorful and every color seemed to pick up the light. it's great! i'm going to buy some more. oh! mama loved her scarf. now i gotta make her an eyelash scarf. she's been waiting for one of those.

big needles rock!

i ordered some labels yesterday. woohoo! i can't wait to see them. i've been wanting simple, professional looking labels for a while now. thanx stefanie for posting that link.

i'm getting close to finishing the baby blanket and i started the crossover back sweater again. this time i will finish it. i get more and more excited about this baby with every day that passes. she's been in my dreams for a week now. gotta make her some socks/booties and i think a hat would b cool too.

"whatta day whatta day" - e. badu

feeling a lil stressed and overwhelmed. i've got a ton of work on my desk and it feels like i'm not making any progress. as soon as i get some done, more appears. i shouldn't b complaining 'bout it. there was a time (not so long ago) where i didn't have enuff work to do and that drove me real crazy. anyway, i'm taking a quick blog break.

the computer gods hate me. my damn computer broke down again (after getting it back a week after it was "fixed"). don't know what to do. i need my computer. can't run an online biz w/o one. *frown*

my boss absolutely loved her afghan. she wrapped up in it immediately. once i finished it, i found myself trying to find something else to do. i'll post pictures as soon as i get my computer back up. nakachi, i used plymouth yarn's encore. it's nice stuff. i'm currently making adara (the baby) one w/ sirdar's baby care. it's a lot smaller than the first so i'm zoomin thru it.

otha than working on the baby blanket, i'm not doing much. i started a kureyon sock (getting ready for next winter) and i'm in the middle of designing a tube top for my friend. it shouldn't b too hard, but i want to make sure it fits her in all the right places.

8 more weeks and adara will b here. this pregnancy has flown by. i'd like to find more summery knit patterns for her, but i'm not having much luck. maybe i should just focus on the upcoming winter.

have a good one everybody.

i'm still working on the afghan. my boss' last day is friday and i will have it finished by then. 2 more blocks to go.

i started a sock using 2 circular needles. i'm @ the gussett and i'm quite frustrated w/ it. i've put it down for the time being. it'd b nice if i could just knit sumthin w/o getting stuck. one day i guess.

i spoke w/ holly on sunday and she's inspired me to start crocheting again. i haven't been into it since my pregnancy began. guess i've been burned out. i'm going to pick up my hook this weekend (once this afghan is done) and make some hats. maybe some lil drawstring purses. i don't know. i've got tons of yarn to use up. if i get busy now, i'll have enuff inventory to do some of the fall bazaars. i'm going to miss the forest fair this year (it's too close around my due date).

the lopi sweater so far...


and the rambling rows afghan...


10 more blocks and a border. then i'll b done.

i can't wait to b done w/ this actually. it's been fun, but i'm ready to move on to sumthin else...like my baby knitting.

i'm cruisin along on the afghan. it's looking really nice. when i'm done, i'm going to start one for the baby using sirdar's babycare.

i started making a pair of socks using the two circular needle method. has anyone else tried this? do u find it to b a lot faster than using double points? i can't decide.

my computer is FINALLY fixed. i'm going to get it home and see what was erased. i hope i don't have to do much of anything, but in any case i'll b able to post pictures again. woohoo!

not a lot has been going on. every bit of my free time goes towards working on the rambling rows afghan. once i'm done w/ it, i can knit for the baby.

happy thursday everyone.

babygirl loved her present. when we came home yesterday, she instantly started picking patterns outta the book i bought her. she admitted to me later that she didn't like following patterns. so i told her to do what she felt. i bought the book mainly as a reference for her since she doesn't know how to purl or what binding off means. i think she's making coasters right now. :o) she finished a baby hat for lil miss. it was a hat that i started making and got bored w/. so she picked it up and finished it. she's very proud of herself and i'm proud of her too. whenever my damn computer gets fixed, i'll post pics.

currently making anutha scarf outta the saint tropez. this first one i made for my sister, this one is for mandara. also started a tam for him (aka daddy-o aka baby's father). he's worn his otha tams out and they look pitiful. i'm takin my time w/ it. it's a project to work on when i need a break from the rambling rows afghan.

have a great weekend everybody. i plan on knitting and getting some relaxation. i may even go buy some baby clothes. i went to old navy yesterday and almost lost my mind. their clothes r hellafied cheap and their cute beyond cuteness. my kind of store.

mmmm. takin a skittles break.

i said i wasn't ready to start anything new, but i'm changing my mind. @ the frenzy today, sandi was knitting a scarf w/ filatura di crosa's saint tropez. it looked like it was a lot of fun to knit w/. so i bought a ball of it and a pair of size 17 needles. i'm making a bday scarf for mandara in color 102 (the gold one). i figure it'll look really good w/ her dark complexion and she could rock it as a belt/sash thing. i can't wait to get started on it.

i finally got the kinks worked out of the asymetrical baby sweater. i should have that done tonite or tomorrow.

peace ppls.

i've been working diligently on the rambling rows afghan. april 25 is the deadline to get it finished. i'm on a mission.

not much else is going on. i've got a few hats to make and ideas for bags r floatin around my head, but i'm not quite ready to start anything new right now.

i cut my sweater last nite. i was so nervous, i gave myself a headache. it's finally done and i'm so proud of myself. currently workin on the button band.

the asymetrical baby sweater is giving me a lil heartache. y? bcuz my gauge is off and the sweater is a lil bigger than its supposed to b. i don't mind the size really. it just means lil miss will have more time to wear it. so i gotta rip out a few rows to bind off the sleeve stitches. once that's done, it'll b smooth sailing.

babygirl's bday is on the 9th. i've decided to buy her a "how to knit" book and some knitting do-dads. i may buy her some yarn too. i wasn't sure what i was going to get her @ first, but after seeing how interested she was in the stuff @ the yarn store, i figured knitting stuff would b the perfect gift. my baby's going to b 10 yrs old. kids grow so fast.

tonite is the last lopi class. the sweater is pretty much done. i still haven't sewn and cut the steeks. i will lata on this week. babygirl is comin to class w/ me. she should get a kick outta lookin @ all the yarn. she'll get a chance to work on her hat too.

i had a fabulous relaxing weekend. saturday was real nice. i left the house around 11am, went out w/ my moms for about an hour and was back home around 1pm. my apartment was lit up from all of the sun.

i'm back on my sock making kick. 8 balls of sock yarn was bought on friday. currently working on a pair for babygirl. i'm not buyin anymore yarn. i'm not. i gotta fight the urge to splurge. i do i do i do do do. lol.

i've discovered baby patterns on domestic sphere. woohoo! i'm in heaven i tell ya. bought some fabulous nubby yarn to make the asymetrical cardigan. i stayed up late working on it and so far, i have half the back done and both sleeves casted on.

i gotta get busy on the rambling rows afghan. my bosse's retirement party is apr. 29 and i only have 20 blocks done. i will finish it! i will! i will! i will!

okay, so i went to the bead and fiber arts festival and i was kinda sad to see it was more beads than fiber arts. i think i saw 3 booths that sold fiber related things. otha than that it was all beads. i was really looking forward to seeing some weaving and spinning demonstrations. oh well, i will keep praying that i meet someone that can show me how to spin.

i finished my shoulder warmer today and i'm still unsure about it. i think i just need to block it and add a drawstring. i also think my pregnant belly is throwing off the look of it. lol. i don't know. i'm going to keep working with it.

i also finished knitting the yoke on my lopi sweater. what's left is the sewing and cutting of the steeks, the button/hole bands, and sewing the bands on. i didn't realize how much work went into making these sweaters (well, the cardigans). i'm very proud of myself and i think this is the best work i've done so far.

fiber arts fair this weekend! woohoo!

i can b such a space cadet sometimes. i didn't buy all of my lopi yarn like i originally thought. so the last 3 skeins i needed were never in my home, but waiting for me in the yarn store's stock room. duh jackie! i checked the stock room 2 weeks ago and didn't see it, so that's when the panic set in. i'm so happy i get to finish my sweater now. last nite's class consisted of everybody watching one brave woman sew up her steeks and cut her sweater. cutting that puppy seems a lil stressful. our last class is in two weeks. i plan on having the yoke of my sweater done, steeks sewn, and sweater cut (w/ a lil supervision).

my poncho/capelet/shoulder warmer thingy is almost done. i was unsure about how it'd turn out, let alone fit but i'm feeling betta about it. i'd like to wear it this saturday nite...weather permitting.

next project...a halter/tube top thingy for my girl neisha. i think i may make one for myself and alter it a bit to allow room for my pregnant belly. i think it'd b cute.

i am once again amped up and excited about going into business for myself...found these women in this month's bust: make.

my weekend was cool. i got 5 blocks done on the rambling rows afghan. and i was able to start over on my poncho thingy w/o it twisting on me...again. my head is full of ideas. i'm excited man, real excited!

there's a bead and fiber arts fair comin up soon. weavers and spinners will b there. my prayers have been answered woohoo! i started making a poncho thingy and a hat and mitten set for babygirl. we've had a crazy windstorm blow thru the area and it's really cold. i think this is the coldest it's been all dang winter (still no snow). anyway, since she's 9 and loses absolutely everything, i decided to make her YET ANUTHA hat/mitten set. this one is tan and hot pink. the mittens will have a heart on them and pink thumbs. it's lookin really cute. i plan on knitting and crocheting a lot this weekend. i think it's too cold to go anywhere. happy friday.

i want to spin my own yarn. where do i start? gotta do some research.

pictures, yay!



one of the sleeves and part of the body for the lopi sweater i'm working on.



fortissima socks



my "mandara" hat made w/ ultralite.



fisherman's joint made w/ pom pom.

i've been looking @ the new issue of knitty for a couple of days now and i think i've made up my mind on what i want to make. the joseph jacket is absolutely adorable. i can see my lil miss and sakura (the camo baby sweater recipient) wearing this. sakura will get one.

i started fadimata's socks last nite. i got some work done on the lopi sweater as well. i gotta take pics. gotta take pics. gotta. take. pics.

the sun is shining w/ a blinding force. it's funny how easily u can forget about the sun's power when u spend several months in darkness. i lub the sun. absolutely love it.

so it's march. the days are getting a lot lighter (and sunnier..sp?) and the weather is a lil warmer. so y do i still want to knit w/ wool?

do u ever have those days where none of ur knitting projects turn out right? this weekend was like that. i successfully finished my noro hat. i showed my moms and she instantly started critiquing (sp?) it. "these stripes need to b lined up. u need to fix that and the pucker @ the top." *frown* i made the hat on straight needles and sewed it up using the mattress stitch. i don't care if the stripes aren't lined up. the hat is mine. i do agree however, that the pucker needs to b fixed. i just don't have to energy to pull that sucker apart to fix it. laziness? yes and i really don't care @ the moment.

my lopi sweater has become a disaster. while watching the roy jones fight on saturday, i spent 1 hour trying to figure out how to switch to my size 11 needle, cast on 5 stitches, and start the color work. it was hell and i was really frustrated w/ it. then once i started going on it, i got to the third row of my color work and realized i was short 2 stitches. fuck! i know that this can easily b fixed. but the pattern in itself is a lil confusing and i'll have to b in the right frame of mind to backtrack. it really does pay to count ur stitches beforehand. i always seem to forget that. class is tomorrow and we're supposed to have the whole body done. i'm not even going.

what else went wrong? my cute baby sweater has to ripped out once again. i had started shaping the neck b4 i got stuck. then i realized that the needles i was using were too big. thus making the sweater really big. i'm disgusted. damn those uk instructions. arggghhh! i feel like this will never get done.

i'm on a hat kick now. i bought some noro kureyon in 4 different color ways and have decided to make hats out of it all. honestly, justine bateman has inspired my hat making obsession. her hats are cute and look easy to make. i'm still on a mission to make a knitted hat i like absolutely love.

crocheted two hats last nite. the mate to my fortissima sock is almost done and i'm almost done w/ the front of the crossover sweater. my lopi sweater has me stumped @ the moment and i have until tuesday to get the body done. ha! i've got a lot of knitting to do.

i'm in the process of designing a cap sleeve babydoll top. my belly is absolutely huge (and getting bigger by the day...it seems) and i wanna make something really cute for myself. it'll probably b crocheted and i want to use brown sheep's cotton fleece. but where in the world do i start to do sumthin like this?

my mentor, bestest friend, 2nd mom fadimata has been in dc for a lil over a year now and she's still miserable. so i'm sending her a lil care package. one item i hope she loves is the scarf i made in berroco's nimbus. that stuff knits up fast. gotta get more of it.

the crossover sweater is coming along nicely. i've noticed that i feel more @ peace when i knit w/ size 2 needles. i don't know y that is. i'm really enjoying creating sumthin for my baby. i put every ounce of love i can into each stitch. when i finish the heart pattern, i'll take a pic.

OH! i finally finished the parallelo sweater. i'll take pics of that as soon as it's blocked and sewn together. yay for me!

i've been busy busy busy. currently taking a lopi sweater class. so far, i'm doing okay. i was a little leary about doing color work, but i'm getting the hang of it. both sleeves are done and i've started working on the body. i started making a cross over back sweater (in little badger) for my lil miss (the baby). it's so tiny. can't wait to see it finished. pics soon come.

daddy's watchcap is finished. i think it'll b a lil big now. lol. i used a size 9 needle w/ the bulky yarn and i now know that was enuff to alter the size. but what i also did was add several more rows. big mistake. i'll have him try it on tonite. i have taken on anutha project. a rambling rows afghan. my boss is retiring in may and i wanted to make her sumthin nice. my coworkers and i r planning a big retirement party for her and i mentioned i wanted to make her sumthin. a few ppl said they would pitch in to buy the yarn. of course i couldn't wait, so i went ahead and picked out the colors and got started. 4 squares were made over the weekend. working on the 5th one now. life has become quite interesting lately. my body is changing rapidly and i'm seeing things for what they really are. some days i'm sad bcuz of it, otha days i feel empowered. knitting has helped me get my brains togetha. it really has. now all i have to do is sign up for a yoga class.

lamb's pride bulky is so yummy. i'm making my daddy's second watchcap in this stuff and it's absolutely groovy. the parallelo and seed stitch sweater is being made w/ it as well. i'm hooked.

i've started a zillion scarves since october. i haven't finished one of them. it's driving me nuts cuz i know they will just sit in my ufo basket until next winter. i was really hoping to have my lopi scarf done. it's a simple garter stitch scarf on size 13 needles. it's going have blocks of grass green and celery green throughout. it should b really cute once i'm done. once i'm done! arghhh! the parallelo is moving slower than i expected. i forgot that when i got stuck i had worked 35in of half fisherman's rib and b4 i can progress to the bind off and the right sleeve, my sweater has to measure 44in. i've been striving for that 44in mark for 3 or 4 days now. i'm going to lose it if i don't get there soon. i think have 4 more inches to go. i'm learning patience @ this point. i decided to take a break from selling stuff for a lil while. i've gotten burned out from all the crocheting. i wanna make stuff for me again. i wanna get outta this slump and b creative again. i'm lookin forward to my break. i really am. the site needs revamping. i gotta get my brains togetha and figure out what i wanna do w/ it. happy knitting (and crocheting) to you all!

i gave my daddy the marsan watchcap and it was a lil small. i was a lil disappointed, but now i know what needs to b done. somebody is going to get that hat. daddy will get a new one and it will fit. i need to get my hands on invisible elastic thread. i'd like to knit some more tams and i think the thread will keep the shape @ the mouth of the crown. where can i find this? joann's?

i'm really excited! y? cuz i made staceyjoy's marsan watchcap and it came out perfectly! woohoo! i'm going to give it to my daddy. i've never made him anything b4. while spending 6 hrs @ the yarn store yesterday, i got help w/ the parallelo sweater so i'm now back on track w/ that. i also picked up the rambling rows afghan pattern. i've been wanting to make one ever since i saw shobhana's. i'm currently deciding on colors cuz this gem will b for my new baby. thinkin 'bout making myself a few pairs of socks for my hospital stay (gotta use up my stash of sock yarn) and making him a hat to go home in. i'm going to have a lot of fun over the next several months. i will post pics of the hat as soon as it dries.

i'm in luv! debbie bliss has a new book out for babies. i'm kinda hoping i have a girl now after seeing her kimono and pants set. then there's a kaftan in there too w/ beautiful embroidery. i have to make both of these things. i'm going to have nuttin but "knit for baby" books all over my apt. just watch!

this year i will play w/ freeform crochet/knitting. i finished a hat for the elementid one. i pray it fits. *smile*. now i gotta get busy on some stuff for my sister's trunk show (which is next saturday). i gotta get my butt in gear man. i wish i didn't live so far away. being in alaska sucks during times like this. i feel like i'm in anutha country sometimes. shoot, a lot of ppl think alaska isn't apart of the u.s. anyway... knitted items in the works: up country mittens - cable scarf - seed stitch sweater crocheted items in the works: multi.colored crown - baby blanket hope everyone has a great day.

while waitin for my last load of clothes to dry and watching kama sutra, i decided to make anutha pair of mittens. it was extremely cold yesterday and my fingers were frozen @ the tips (and i was wearing gloves). so i broke out a skein of patons up country and started knittin away. i managed to get half of the mitten done. using bulky yarn is the greatest. stuff gets made almost instantly...k, maybe not instantly, but it's pretty damn fast.

happy new year! ahhh, things have been quite uneventful for me. i'm diligently working on the seed stitch sweater. the boa is put on hold until i can find the last ball of casca (it's probably buried in my yarn basket). and my bro's scarf is put on hold until i can find my cable needle. *frown* thanx bonne marie and empress for hookin me up w/ those watch cap links. ---since i've changed to layout, i've gotten rid of the comments and added a tag board.

denise has inspired me to make my own boa. playin w/ different yarns and textures is sumthin i seemed to have forgotten about. i'm finally using the gedifra carioca. i'm pairing that up w/ an eyelash yarn called casca. it has lil flecks of color throughout so it gives the boa a lil sumthin extra. the seed stitch sweater is comin along. i'm tryin hard not to think about how much more i have to go b4 i can start the back. i find i make a lil progress when i veg out in front of the tv for a while. so much to make, so little time. i've got some noro kureyon and silk garden i'd like to use. the silk garden was originally bought to b used for a scarf for my sister, but i scrapped that idea. so now i don't know what to make w/ it. denise and empress, i will b starting ur stuff next week. happy monday.

my christmas was relaxing. how was urs? so, my bro's scarf still isn't finished. but i did show it to him and he really likes it. i want to have it done w/in the next few days. then i'll start on his hat. i took the day off and paid a visit to the frenzy...thinkin today was the first day of the sale. not! it's tomorrow. it's cool tho. i'm starting anutha sweater...the green seed stitch sweater down below. i think this rebecca pattern is a lil easier than the parallelo joint (the orange one). happy thursday everybody.

watch cap how in the world do u make this? is it called a watch cap bcuz of the style (which i like a lot)? or is it a stitch that u use? i'm asking this bcuz elizabeth zimmerman has a watch cap pattern in her knitting without tears and it looks like she uses some sort of stitch. but then i saw shobhana's cap and it looks like she used a basic k1p1 rib. help?

i'm itchin to start sumthin new. makin progress on my bro's scarf. he's stayin @ my parents' house, so it gives me time to work on it. he made it known today that he luvs scarves and that he's going to have me make a lot of them for him. that made me happy. i think i will start a watch cap. never made one of those b4. i wonder if i have the right needles. *sigh*

okay, so this is me in the funky boa. i've gotten so many compliments on this. it's absolutely fabulous. the color alone will brighten up ur day. again, thank u denise! my dear, sweet brother will b here tomorrow. am i done w/ his scarf yet? no. i'll b workin my booty off during the next few days. tuesday, i started a scarf for a friend of mine. so far, it's knitting up really fast. i'm thankful for that. i'm using garnstudio's vivaldi and trendsetter's flora. it's beautiful. i wanna start on anutha sweater. i found out a lopi class will b offered next month. i'm excited 'bout that. also, i'll start on the parallelo sweater again. things should have slowed down a lil next month, so i'll b able to get some help on joining the body. i'm so close to finishing it. it's been so cold lately, all i've been thinkin 'bout is how warm the sweater will b. been feelin cardigans a lot lately. gotta find a cute and quick pattern for one.

guess what the postman brought me yesterday? one of denise's funky boas! man, it's so fabulous. it's luscious and makes me feel sexy. i have to go buy a whole new wardrobe to wear it out. ooh, i gotta buy a new coat too. lol. thank u soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much denise. i love it!!!!!!!

since we finally have snow, i've been in the mood to make stuff. really make stuff. but today i decided to work on projects that needed major attention, like my bro's scarf and babygirl's sweater. i managed to finish the body on the sweater. now i'm 'bout to start on the first sleeve. i gotta get help w/ the gauge tho. i've been reading the instructions in the book (the sweater workshop), but i'm not sure. i think i'm just sleepy. anyway, i'll hold off on the sweater until monday. i'm determined to get the scarf finished by the end of the week.

pictures yay! rainbow socks in all their glory. ear flap hat made w/ reynolds lite lopi. i was surprised this hat looked cute on me. i was playin around a bit w/ acrylic and trendsetter yarn's charming. i'm not diggin it completely. but i'm sure it'll look cute on somebody. in the works... hat and bag set - an eyelash cap - a fisherman hat - babygirl's sweater- my bro's scarf.

the rainbow socks r finished! finally. it hasn't been cold enuff to make any hats or scarves. @ least that's my reasoning behind not making much of anything lately. where is the snow? i'm not complaining really. it's just weird. anyway, made a wool earflap hat on saturday. my sister sold two of my hats (she's in atlanta). i'm so excited 'bout that. she's also gotten the hat making bug, so she sold six of hers as well. she finally figured out how to download pics from her digi cam...can't wait to see her sweaters and skirts. what else is going on? thinkin 'bout what i wanna make my baby. a blanket for sure. oh, and a few hats. some booties too. lol. brother will b here in two weeks. i'm trying really hard to get his scarf finished.

turned the heel on the second rainbow sock. i want to finish it w/in the next couple of days. can't wait to wear them. today i bought some frou frou yarn. lots of eyelash and some otha stuff i can't describe. i figured buying the yarn would help motivate me to create sumthin new and fresh. kinda tired of making the same ole stuff all of the time. guess i could put a dent in my wool stash (y did i go nuts buying the stuff?) i'm addicted i tell ya. peep the title of this here blog...yarn.fiend. sumthin extra funky will b made w/ my hands this weekend. my sis is working on her stuff. funky throws and sweaters is what she's into. yesterday, she made a bag and a matching cap. i can't wait to see the pictures (she's my guru!). her stuff may pop up on my site. my stomach is growling. all i seem to do these days is sleep and eat. happy friday!

stuff i'm working on cable scarf for my bro. using galway wool (i love this yarn!). scarf for self. using manukau wools charisma and stranding it w/ some kind of ribbon yarn that adds a lil shimmer to it. armwarmers in berroco's plush. this yarn is super soft. gotta get some more of it.

while in ny i told mandara 'bout the vegan fox. she called me yesterday sayin she wanted one. i must admit that it's been on my mind too. i think making it will b a lot of fun. i gotta find the yarn for it. now i'm not really familiar w/ all of the knitting mags and the popular designers that are out there. but can i just say that lily chin's version of the fox is absolutely the most fucked up shit i've ever seen. is it supposed to b a fox? cuz it looks like a dead rat to me. what do u think? the cable scarf is coming along nicely. sakura's earflap hat is done. she probably won't b able to wear it until next winter, but hey, @ least she'll have it. i'm getting geared up to make my new arrival some things. thinkin 'bout tackling one of the blanket patterns in knitting for baby. the felted diaper bag looks tempting too.

currently workin on a scarf w/ cables for my brother. this is my first time doing cables and i must say that i absolutely love doing them. i got a quarter of the scarf done watching harry potter on saturday. a hat will b made to match. pics soon come.

okay, i checked and the gedifra yarn i bought is the carioca. this stuff will make a funky boa. stay tuned.

knitting for baby...this is an awesome book. i want to make everything in this book. currently working on the earflap hat for sakura. that lil girl is going to b hooked up! not a lot of knitting has been going on. the parallelo sweater has been thrown in a bag. i'm still frustrated w/ it. i've got a pair of socks going...a hat...the sweater for the class...i think that's it. i'm going to make a couple of scarves for my sis. one using noro's silk garden. the other using some funky frou frou yarn called gedifra.

the parallelo sweater is giving me the blues. i'm really close to starting the right sleeve, but i've gotten stuck 3 times so far. i've gotten help, but then get home only to realize 1) what was told to me doesn't make sense and 2) i made a goofy mistake somewhere down the line. luckily the mistakes have been easy to fix (but rippin out 3-4 rows to get to the mistakes have been a bitch). so now i'm in the process of joining the front and back togetha. from there i can make the right sleeve. i'll b finished then. i'm so close, yet so far (i know i'm going to get stuck again!). next project to tackle...a lopi sweater! maybe it's the colder weather, but i wanna make a lopi sweater badly. i gotta get my funds togetha so i can make this happen.

here r my first pair of wristwarmers. they're a lil big, but they are comfy. i'm making a second pair now in berroco's plush.