Ravelympics 2010

I decided to enter my Wavy Baby Blanket and Retro Ribbed Socks into the WIP and Sock Hockey Events, respectively, for Ravelympics 2010. I finished the blanket in time, but I am still working on the second sock! AND, when it became apparent I wouldn't finish the socks in time, I decided to knit a headband inspired by an Anthropologie one my student was wearing.

Wavy Baby Blanket
I basically took the Wavy Scarf pattern, CO enough stitches for 3 repeats, then knit the 44 rows about 3 1/2 times (I wanted 4 repeats, but I ran out of yarn!). Don't the waves look really fancy? Anyway, I started this blanket last May for a baby that was born in August. Then, my defense date got pushed up so I dropped the project and didn't touch it until the Ravelympics. AND I decided to give this to a friend's baby due this July.

I'll post my socks once I finish BOTH of them.

"Anthropologie" Headband
The rage this year seems to have been headbands and hats with big puffy flowers, generally not my sort of thing. BUT, my student wore this really pretty olive green one and I asked her where she got it from and she said Anthropologie. I told her I would just knit it myself so I studied it and picked up my US 7 circular needles using leftover Berroco Comfort yarn. I'm sure a similar pattern exists out there, but I was modeling it after that headband with my own little twists.
CO 92 stitches and knit in the round
K1, P1 for 4 rows
St st until desired height (~3”, I wanted larger than my ears)
K1, P1 for 4 rows, bind off
For the flower, I just used the Lydia Flowers pattern and attached a button I had.

I like it! I may make one for myself!

Bacon Cheese Turtleburger

So my friend Winnie sent me this link to make Bacon Cheese Turtleburgers. I showed it to my boyfriend and he said we just had to make these. So we went to the store and bought the ingredients. We decided to buy Angus beef hamburger, Ballpark franks, Oscar Meyer Thick bacon, and sliced Vermont Cheddar Cheese. We were really treating ourselves.



First, I was going to make quarter-pound burgers. They looked horribly off-scale with the hotdogs. I made half-pound burgers and added one slice of cheese (next time will add 2, in for a penny afterall).







Then, the thick bacon was actually too wide...so I had to cut it in half length-wise. I wrapped the bacon around the burger in a basketweave formation. I cut two hotdogs into thirds and used them for 4 legs, a head, and a tail. I cut slits into the legs so when cooked the hotdog would separate to look like toes. I cut the tail into a sharp point.



I baked in the oven at 400 degrees for 30 minutes, cut into one, and it wasn't done. I guess my half-pound burger was too big! I cooked for another 12 minutes and it was perfect!






I had to cut it in half to fit into my bun. Doesn't it look like this heart attack is worth it?

NEXT time, I will make a quarter-pound burger and use mini-hotdogs, with two slices of cheese, and maybe a maple bacon.

Cabled Neck Warmer

This is meant to go with my Cabled Ponytail Hat. I used a garter st border, but any border would work. I also like to slip the first stitch in every row. I find it helps lay scarves and blankets flat on the edges (thanks Cathy!). This pattern is easy to modify to change the width or the length to make into a scarf. The cable pattern is in a stitch count of 16, plus one p2 at the start, plus a border. The cable pattern repeats every 12 rows with the 1st cable row occurring at row 1 and the 2nd cable row occurring at row 7.

Cabled Neck Warmer
-US 7 straight needles
-Cascade 220 Superwash Paints (worsted weight)
-s1 = slip 1 stitch as if to knit
-C6F = place 3 stitches on cable needle to the front, K3 from the left needle, then K3 from cable needle

CO 42 st

R1-R4: knit across

R5: sl 1, k3, p2 (k2, p2) repeat until last 4, k4
R6: sl 1, k3, knit the knits and purl the purls until last 4, k4
repeat R5-R6 2x

R11 (initial 1st cabling row): sl 1, k3, p2 (C6F, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2) 2x, k4
R12-R16: s1, k3, knit the knits, and purl the purls until last 4, k4
R17 (2nd cabling row): sl1, k3, p2 (k6, p2, C6F, p2) 2x, k4
R18-R22: as R12-R16
R23 (1st cabling row throughout): s1, k3, p2 (C6F, p2, k6, p2) 2x, k4
R24-R28: as R12-R16
R29: as R17
R30-R34: as R12-R16
repeat R23-R34 until desired length (I started the end of the warmer at R150 to match the start of the warmer and include button holes)

R150: sl1, k5 (p2, k2, p2, k2, p6) 2x, k4
R151-R154: sl1, k3, knit the knits and purl the purls until last 4, k4
R155: sl1, k3, p2 (C6F, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2) 2x, k4
R156: sl1, k5 (p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, k2) 2x, k4
R157-R158: as R151-R154
R159 (button hole row): sl1, k3, p2, k2, p2, slip 2nd purl st over the 1st purl, k1, slip knit st over the purl, k1, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, slip 2nd purl st over the 1st purl, k1, slip knit st over the purl, k1, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, slip 2nd purl st over the 1st purl, k1, slip knit st over the purl, k1, p2, k4
R160: sl1, k3, knit the knits and purl the purls, but CO 2 st for each button hole, k4
R161: sl1, k3, knit the knits and purl the purls until last 4, k4
R162-R166: knit across

BO and weave in the ends

Cabled Ponytail Hat

It's been a long time. I have since defended my thesis and am now a doctor :) So knitting time has increased.

The following is a hat for me and is the merge of two different patterns, and my second attempt, to make a pony-tail hat (Hannah hat) with a little bit of flair (Sarah's cabled hat), both of which are available as ravelry's downloads. I got permission from both of them to publish in my blog so here is what I did.

Cabled Ponytail Hat
-US 7 straight needles (14" +)
-US 7 DPNs
-size is med/large? I wanted it stretchy, to see the cables, without it being overstretched, that would give me a headache. I normally wear medium knit hats...and I hate gauging, especially with cables
-Cascade 220 Superwash Paints (worsted weight)
-C6F = place 3 stitches on cable needle to the front, K3 from the left needle, then K3 from cable needle
-C4F = same as above only with 2 on the cable needle, K2 from the left, then K2 from the cable
-C2F = same
-k2tog = knit 2 st together
-p2tog = purl 2 st together

CO 148 (do not join)

Flap with 3 button holes:
R1-R4: (k2, p2) until the end (2x2 ribbing--works really well to flow with the cables)
R5 (button hole row): (k2, p2) until last 5 stitches, p1, slip previous st over st just p, k1, slip previous st over st just k, k1, p2.
R6: k2, p2, cast on 2 st over gap, p2, (k2, p2) until end
R7-10 (and R13-16, R19-21): repeat R1-R4
R11, 12 (and 17, 18): repeat R5, 6

You can stop it at row 15 if you like for 2 button hole rows if you have a smaller head than me and decrease the CO to 132 st (stitch count of 16 repeated for the cable pattern in 12 rows).

Brim (can just bind off, and start cabling pattern immediately, but at the time I wanted to sort of separate this for this hat--didn't really come out the way I wanted so I would skip this)
R22: BO first 20 st, then p across R22
R23: p across

Body of the hat (cabling; this 16 st repeat has alternating cabling twists that flow from the 2x2 ribbing)
R24 (1st cable row): (C6F, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2) repeat until end
next 5 rows: knit the knits and purl the purls
R30 (2nd cable row): (k6, p2, C6F, p2) repeat until end
next 5 rows: knit the knits and purl the purls
R36: (C6F, p2, k6, p2) repeat until end
next 5 rows: knit the knits and purl the purls
repeat R30-36 for the length you want before you start your decreases. Start on a cabling row.

Decreasing on even rows (decrease by 1 stitch per repeat following cabling pattern)
R42 (like R30): (k2, k2tog, k2, p2, C6F, p2) repeat until end
all odd rows: knit the knits and purl the purls
R44: (k1, k2tog, k2, p2, k6, p2) repeat until end
R46: (k4, p2tog, k6, p2) repeat until end
I joined onto DPNs at R48. This depends on how high you want to wear your ponytail and I wear mine pretty high. You can join when you start decreasing if you wear a lower ponytail.
R48 (join, like R36): (C4F, p1, k2, k2tog, k2, p2) repeat until end
R50: (k4, p1, k1, k2tog, p2) repeat until end
R52: (k4, p1, k4, p2tog) repeat until end
R54: (k1, k2tog, k1, p1, C4F, p1) repeat until end

Decreasing every row (crown)
R55: (k2tog, k1, p1, k4, p1) repeat until end
R56: (C2F, k2tog, k3, p1) repeat until end
R57: (k3, k2tog, k1, p1) repeat until end
R58: (k2, k2tog, k1, p1) repeat until end
R59: (k3, k2tog) repeat until end
R60: (k2tog, C2F) repeat until end
R61: (k2tog, k1) repeat until end
R62: (k2tog) repeat until end

Finishing
Cut yarn and thread tail on to a yarn needle. Slip remaining stitches onto yarn needle and pull stitches tightly and secure. Weave in ends and attach buttons.

BU Stitch Markers

Look at what my friend Cathy Waldie sent to me! She makes these! And I love them! I'm sure she's giving me a big hint to start knitting a sweater so I can be a real knitter :)

My bf and friend thought these were earrings and wanted to know why they looked like candy canes...they are my school colors. Go terriers! Thanks so much Cathy!

Other random knitting

I finished my chocolate chip dishcloth also from my friend Cathy to match my Christmas lace sack sock. This is for my own personal kitchen so overall its taking forever (since everyone is having babies--need baby things now lol). I posted pics of my sock before.

Here's part of my mom's Christmas gift (yes, already, but I wanted to endeavor to make things other than hats). This is an oven mitt from knitpicks. I have to felt it still but I wanted to take a before picture. The close up is my first Kitchener stitch, which I'm quite happy with! I will make the pot holder, and perhaps another oven mitt for both hands (I bought enough of this yarn I think).

I'm now knitting a burp cloth in just a basic stockinette pattern with garter stitch border. I wanted it for gauging purposes to make something more fun, but we'll see!

Pouffy Baby Blanket

I finished my friend's baby blanket, my first one. Pattern comes from Cathy, per my usual choice for first time projects. Its her puffy basketweave baby blanket, but I call it pouffy since it just seems more appropriate to me. Its ~40" x 40" and I decided to use two yarns unlike Cathy's pattern. Basically I couldn't stand knitting something so large in one color. I wrapped a baby-sized stuffed animal with the blanket to give you some sort of scale. Aww. Now its time to knit more baby things. Why is everyone having babies right now?

My Fuzzy Set!

Look at how perfectly it matches. I still have some yarn left...maybe I'll replace the belt with a knit one...

In other knitting news, I started a baby blanket, only I'm not happy with it so I should frog it, but I knit so much!

I also knit my friend a hat, only I think it's too small...Ugh.

More knitting

I finally finished my fuzzy ear warmers to match my fuzzy keyhole scarf. I can't wait to wear the two with my blue coat!

And my Christmas Lace Sack Sock (part of my chocolate chip kitchen set). Working on other things.

Celtic Cable Fingerless Gloves

I found this wonderful Malabrigo Sock yarn in Velvet Grape and decided it was time to knit a winter set for me. But in my normal true fashion, it's a warmer set, meaning wrist warmers (really its fingerless gloves), ear warmers, neck warmer, and possibly leg warmers. This is the pattern for the gloves. I've only made one so I will test the pattern when I make the other and take photos while I make it (maybe someone will beat me to it?).

This is pattern modified from Celtic Cable Scarf. I didn't make it for its heritage, merely for the intricate cable pattern which is 24 stitches for the knot itself on the back of the hand. FYI if you want it to be a true Celtic knot, the C4B should be changed to a C4F in rows 6 and 14. There should be NO C4Bs in these rows.

I basically purled all the way around my hand and for the fingers so the sizing is easy to modify. I suggest doing a 2x2, 3x3, or 4x4 ribbing around the wrists first to prevent curling and give you some more stretch. Or do seed stitch for a decorative border.

Materials
Malabrigo Sock Yarn
US2 DPNs
Cable needle (CN)
Stitch holder (or scrap yarn)
Stitch markers

Stitches:
C4F (Cable 4 Front) = slip 2 sts onto CN and hold in front of WIP, K2 from DPN, K2 from CN
C4B (Cable 4 Back) = slip 2 sts onto CN and hold in back of WIP, K2 from DPN, K2 from CN
T3B (Twist 3 Back) = slip 1 st onto CN and hold in back of WIP, K2 from DPN, P1 from CN
T3F (Twist 3 Front) = slip 2 sts onto CN and hold in front of WIP, P1 from DPN, K2 from CN
T4B (Twist 4 Back) = slip 2 sts onto CN and hold in back of WIP, K2 from DPN, P2 from CN
T4F (Twist 4 Front) = slip 2 sts onto CN and hold in front of WIP, P2 from DPN, K2 from CN

CO 57 stitches (I wear small gloves, the length around my knuckles is 7.5")
Arrange the stitches on 3 DPNs as follows: 14 (palm near the thumb), 24 (back of the hand with cabling), 19 (palm near the pinky)

if you start the pattern immediately...
R1: P15, K5, (P4, K4) x2, K1, P20
R2: P15, K1, C4B, (P4, C4B) x2, K1, P20
R3: knit the knits, purl the purls, and all odd rows
R4: P15, T3B, (T4F, T4B) x2, T3F, P20
R6: P14, T3B, P3, C4F, P4, C4B, P3, T3F, P19
R8: P14, K2, P3, T3B, T4F, T4B, T3F, P3, K2, P19
R10: P14, (K2, P3) x2, C4B, (P3, K2) x2, P19
R12: P14, K2, P3, T3F, T4B, T4F, T3B, P3, K2, P19
R14: P14, T3F, P3, C4F, P4, C4B, P3, T3B, P19
R16: P15, T3F, (T4B, T4F) x2, T3B, P20

I'd try this on at this point...
Repeat rows 1-16 twice (or the desired length). Continue through the pattern until you start the thumb gusset. I did it in R6.

Thumb Gusst (for the left hand):
R6: P6, PM, M1, P1, M1, PM, P6-->then R6 Celtic pattern
Continue in pattern adding two stitches in between the markers for each row that you cable (meaning only on even rows) until there are 19 stitches between the markers. For the odd rows, just purl across the thumb. Place stitches on holder until the rest of the hand is complete.

When you're ready for the thumb, pick up 5 stitches from the hand so that you have 24, divide evenly among 3 DPNs and purl 6-12 rows (or desired length; I have a very skinny thumb so I P2, P2tog around before I finished). BO.

Fingers:
Continue in pattern (note there are now 56 stitches around the hand) for desired length (I actually completed the cabling 3 x for a total of 64 rows--I had to start the pinky since my pinky's base is much lower than my other fingers).

R64: follow pattern until last 21 stitches, slip 14 sts onto stitch holder (pinky), then purl the last 7.
Purl more rows until desired length (I did 5 more).

Index finger:
P14, CO3, join these 17 sts and purl 6-12 rows (or desired length). BO.

Middle finger:
pick up 3 sts from index finger, P7 sts from the back of the hand, P the last 7 from the palm, join these 17 sts and purl 6-12 rows (or desired length). BO.

Ring finger:
pick up 3 sts from middle finger, P the remaining sts and join these 17 sts and purl 6-12 rows (or desired length). BO.

Weave in all the ends.

Derek's Hat

Another hat completed for Christmas. I modified Cathy's beanies by knitting with two yarns in a 2x2 ribbing on US 10 1/2, then I switched to US 7 to knit with either color and just kept switching them off on my whim. I should've doubled the rows for the skinny solid blue stripes in the body to make them stand out more. They just look like the variegated. Happy New Year!

Hat Redo

So I redid the Dean Street Hat for my cousin. It fits my head (almost, would like a little bigger for myself) so it should fit him, right?

I also made another coffee cozy with two colors. This one is for myself. If I remake this, I'll try a DNA pattern cuz I'm science nerd.

Still knitting Christmas gifts...sigh.

Christmas Knits!

Here's my family with their knitted Christmas presents from me. My poor cousin's hat didn't fit him so he isn't in the photo :( I have to make him a new one. And the hats I sent my other cousins also didn't fit. I guess I need to do better with children hats.

Winter Wonderland

So we got bombarded with snow twice this weekend. Thankfully I'm not traveling until today so hopefully I won't get delayed!

Cabled Coffee Cozy

Want to make something useful with your leftover yarn? Try a coffee cozy, or pillow for your coffee mug or the disposable cups. I knit this on straight needles instead of joining it in circular as I've seen in other patterns. This pattern can create an adjustable cozy if you sew on multiple buttons. The pattern is easy to modify if there is a specific mug you want it to fit. I used a bulky weight, but you can try a worsted weight (you would need more rows, but the smaller gauge would make the flap and the width of the body smaller--the variegated below is worsted). You can also add a color for the cables specifically to make it really pop (see mine here). I am not a professional knitter so please excuse any "strange" abbreviations or lack of clarity. I'd appreciate comments/suggestions to improve this and any design I make.

Materials:
Plymouth Yarn Baby Alpaca Grande (bulky)
US 10 needles
cable needle
button (you only need one, but can attach multiple buttons)

Cable Stitches:
LFC = left front cross = slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in front of WIP, P2 from left needle, K2 from cable
RBC = right back cross = slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold behind WIP, K2 from left needle, P2 from cable

CO 8
The adjustable flap (increase or decrease the number of rows, increase if you want to add more buttons)
R1-3: knit across
R4 (button hole row): K3, bind off 2, knit to the end (6 stitches)
R5: K3, CO 2, knit to end (8 stitches)
R6-9: knit across

Row increases (increase or decrease the number of rows depending on the height of your mug and/or the weight of yarn)
R10: K1, k1fb x 2, K2, k1fb x 2, K1 (12 stitches)
R11: knit across
R12: K1, k1fb x 2, K6, k1fb x 2, K1 (16 stitches)
R13: same as R11
R14: K1, k1fb x 2, K10, k1fb x 2, K1 (20 stitches)

Cabled body (basically all rows are knit the knits and purl the purls, you just factor in the cable needle whether it is in front or behind the WIP)
R15: K4, P2, K8, P2, K4
R16, 17: knit the knits, purl the purls
R18: P4, LFC, P4, RBC, P4
R19 and all odd rows: same as R16
R20: P6, LFC, RBC, P6
R22: P8, LFC (knit all 4), P8
R24: P6, RBC, LFC, P6
R26: P4, RBC, P4, LFC, P4
R28-31: same as R16 (you can subtract or add rows to alter length very easily)
*the variegated cozy had an extra cable wound in and out...I was bored so I modified this design by just following the pattern...except I have no idea how I did it so I can't publish it. Feel free to experiment!

Repeat R18-24 EXCEPT R22 (or the R36 in the repeat) to make as follows:
R22/36: P8, RBC (knit all 4), P8 (this way, the cables alternate their crossing around your mug)

Row decreases (make this match your row increases for evenness)
R40: K1, K2tog x2, K10, K2tog x 2, K1
R41: knit across
R42: K1, K2tog x2, K6, K2tog x 2, K1
R43: same as R41
R44: K1, K2tog x2, K2, K2tog x 2, K1
R45: same as R41

Knit rows until desired length and BO.

Sew on buttons for a small, medium, and/or large coffee cup and enjoy! I'd love to see photos if anyone tries this!

Christmas Gifts

So, to prove I have knitted alot since April, here are the Christmas gifts for my family.

Keyhole Scarf (that I modified)
in the following way: CO 23, instead of 15.
After 16 rows in the pattern, I k2tog on the left and right sides, then on the right and wrong sides (increase each row by 2 stitches) until I had 15 stitches left on the needle.
I knit in the pattern for about 17” before I did the keyhole, then knit 2 rows in the pattern.
I did k1f&b on the left and right sides until I had 23 stitches again.
I knit so that it was slightly longer than the other side for a more decorative effect.

Palindrome Hat and Scarf

2 Hannah Hats (from MagKnits December 2007).

Dean Street Hat (from ravelry)



Pidge Podge

Simply Striped Sack Sock




The Boyfriend Hat

Knitting frenzy (snaked patterns) REVISED

I modified my Snaked Ear Warmers design into a hat and scarf (its not a cable, but winds back and forth like a snake). These were made for a child, BUT it was too small. I forgot to take into account that cabling decreases the gauge. So, I modified this on 4/9/09, but I haven't tested this yet. This hat has no fold over brim, but you can easily add a 4x4 ribbing for as long as you want.
The pictures are from the hat that was too small, made with US 10, Malabrigo Chunky. Once I test this pattern, I will post the pics and any changes.

The pattern is below:

Snaked Hat
worsted weight, wool
US 7 DPNs (or circulars and switch to DPNs when needed)
Cable needle
stitches: 4LFC = left front cross, slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in front of work, K2 from left needle, K2 from cable needle and the stitches cross to the left; 4RBC = right back cross, which is the same only hold the cable needle behind the work creating a right cross
2LFC = slip 1 stitch and hold in front, K1 from needle, K1 from cable needle
2RBC = slip 1 stitch and hold in back, K1 from needle, K1 from cable needle

Adult small
CO 104 stitches, divide evenly across 4 DPNs
R1: K2, *P4, K4* (repeat * * until last 6), P4, K2
R2: same as R1 (knit the knits, purl the purls)
R3: K2, *P4, 4LFC, P4, K4, P4, 4RBC, P4, K4* (repeat * * until last 6), P4, K2
R4-7: same as R1
R8: K2, *P4, 4RBC, P4, K4, P4, 4LFC, P4, K4* (repeat * * until last 6), P4, K2
repeat rows 1-8 until row 40

Row decreases:
R41: K2, *P1, P2tog, P1, K4, P1, P2tog, P1, K4, P1, P2tog, P1, K4, P1, P2tog, P1, K4* (repeat * * until last 6), P1, P2tog, P1, K2 (91 stitches left)
R42, 44, 46: knit the knits and purl the purls
R43: K2, *P1, P2tog, 4LFC, P1, P2tog, K4, P1, P2tog, 4RBC, P1, P2tog, K4* (repeat * * until last 5), P1, P2tog, K2 (78 stitches left)
R45: K2, *P2tog, K4, P2tog, K4, P2tog, K4, P2tog, K4, P2tog, K4* (repeat * * until last 4), P2tog, K2 (65 stitches left)
R47: K2, *P1, K4, P1, K1, K2tog, K1, P1, K4, P1, K1, K2tog, K1* (repeat * * until last 3), P1, K2 (59 stitches left)
R48: K2, *P1, 4RBC, P1, K3, P1, 4LBC, P1, K3* (repeat * * until last 3), P1, K2

R49: K2, *P1, K4, P1, K1, K2tog, P1, K4, P1, K1, K2tog* (repeat * * until last 3), P1, K2 (53 stitches left)
R50, 52, 54: knit the knits, purl the purls
R51: K2, *P1, 4LFC, P1, K2tog, P1, 4RBC, P1, K2tog* (repeat * * until last 3), P1, K2 (47 stitches left)
R53: K2tog, *P1, K4, P2tog, P1, K4, P2tog* (repeat * * until last 3), P1, K2tog (39 stitches left)
R55: K1, *P1, K4, P2tog, K4, P2tog* (repeat * * until last 2), P2tog (32 stitches left)
R56: K1, *P1, 4RBC, P1, 4LFC, P1* (repeat * * unti last 1), P1

R57: K1, P1, *K1, K2tog, K1, P1, K1, K2tog, K1, P2tog* (repeat * * until the end; 23 stitches left)
R58: K1, P1, *K2tog, K1, P1, K1, K2tog, K1, P1* (repeat * * until the end; 17 stitches left)
R59: K2tog, *2LFC, P2tog, 2RBC, P1* (repeat * * until the end; 13 stitches left)
R60: K1, *K2tog, P1, K2tog, P1* (repeat * * until the end; 9 stitches left)
R61: K1, *K2tog* (repeat * * until the end; 5 stitches left)

Cut yarn, thread yarn through all 5 remaining stitches, pull tight, and weave in the ends

The Snaked Scarf is meant to match the hat, but snakes on both sides of the scarf. The pattern is below (same yarn and needle size):

CO24 stitches
R1: P2, K4, P4, K4, P4,K4, P2
R2, R3: knit the knits, purl the purls
R4: K2, P4, LFC, P4, RBC, P4, K2
R5: P2, LFC, P4, K4, P4, RBC, P2
R6, R7: same as R2, R3
R8: K2, P4, RBC, P4, LFC, P4, K2
R9: P2, RBC, P4, K4, P4, LFC, P2
repeat rows 2-9 for the length of scarf you want

Enjoy!

Two Hearts as One Kitchen Set+

Wow...over a month since I last posted. I swear I've knitted things since then...so what if they are just sitting there on my desk needing their ends to be woven in, or even bound off...here's something I finally finished. This is designed by Cathy (a link to her blog is on the side). She has lots of wonderful designs. As I was making the towel, people asked what was I knitting and I said a towel and they looked surprised that I would take the time to make something so beautiful for a kitchen towel...then I explained it was part of wedding gift set for my friend and then it was a little better. The gift isn't done though. Check back and I'll post pics of the final gift.

Tonight I made bread pudding...for the first time. I tried to make it healthy, its wheat bread, splenda, earth balance, soy milk, dried cranberries and almonds. Then my roommate wanted to add chocolate chips, instead of the cranberries, and cinnamon. In the end, we compromised: there are chocolate chips, cranberries, and almonds, no cinnamon. However, I had milk chocolate chips and they melted as soon as I put them in the milk lol. Nevertheless, its yummy.

Still on the Herbalife plan. I have lost 6 pounds since I started in February. I forget how many inches, but that is more representative, as I have put on a lot of muscle. I am in a size 8-10, depending on the store. Before Herbalife, I had been working out for 1 year, eating healthier for about 6 months, and had lost 18 pounds, do not know the inches. I definitely have a lot more energy, stamina, and strength. The images below are two of the variations on the Herbalife shakes that I make regularly. One are protein balls and the other is yes, vanilla pie. I love these two dishes.

Knitting catchup

I finally finished the "other mitten" to go with my Lovers mittens. I had to frog these at least 3 times having to work the thumb. I'm sure its due to my own inexperience with making mittens (my first pair) and not the designer's instructions. Not to mention I had to use a different number of stitches to begin with, then adjust my gauge since it was off, etc...all because I wanted it to match perfectly with the Lovers mittens...who's going to notice? NO ONE! But I will :)

I also finally finished Jan 2008 KAL from Rachel's Knitting Room, which was Lattice Hearts. Now this is funny...I did this cloth using size 3 needles hoping I'd have enough (I wasn't sure what I knit with this yarn before so I wasn't sure how much was left, but it looked like enough to do a cloth and its pretty and appropriate for these hearts. This picture is where I ran out of yarn. As you can see, it almost made it. Rachel did say in the pattern using smaller needles helps make the design pop out--which has been a problem of mine--so since this worked out (look how lovely) I will use size 3 for my next cloth. But I had this dilemma...do I bind off an unfinished cloth? Or do I dare attempt to knit with 2 colors, my first time ever? And would this make my cloth look ugly? Maybe I should frog a few rows before adding color? What to do?? This is why this project sat unfinished for so long. In the end, I made the decision: learn 2 colors. And since Monthly KAL's March project called for white, I decided to use white. And look! It's a beautiful cloth design, but the white at the top really does bother me. I'll make this one again.
So my best friend from my childhood is getting married. I'm going to knit them a kitchen set (towel, dishcloth, and tribble) designed by my friend Cathy. She is one of those super-knitters. I would love to just sit and watch her knit. Maybe some day.
I've also made progress--no going to the yarn store to buy supplies...I have too many already. All these beautiful colors and material and specific patterns in mind and I just don't have the time. But I had to keep telling myself not to go to the yarn store, at least until I finish some of these current projects.
Also, as an aside, I have lost 23 pounds in 13 months :) In the last month, I've lost 5 of those pounds...check out this website run by some friends of mine. They recently became distributors of these products to help with weight loss, muscle gain, overall health and I got a free sample, then decided to try a starter pack and recently ordered another pack. I like a lot of the meal options and I have been getting results. Plus, she's been my coach/sponsor for when I get those chocolate ice cream cravings. Talk to Chris or her husband Jack about these wonderful products.

I'm still here...no time for knitting...

Due to unforeseen circumstances this month, I am very behind in my knitting and hope to start again this weekend.
I finished the 2nd pair of Lovers Mittens...only they are too small...child size maybe. Do I attempt them again?
I'm still working on my matching mitten for my bf's Lovers Mittens (which he loved but we haven't worn them yet).
I have not knit this mid-month Monthly KAL...I intend to.
I gave my roommate Alina my ponytail hat as it turns out the wool itches me (I had a rash ring on my forehead). I will knit this again in baby alpaca.