Look at all the needles...

You want to know the great thing about having so many needles? You can have that many wips. Looks kind of cool on my strange leopard-print comforter. I had been waiting for these needles all week so I could start knitting my hat. Got everything together and realized I haven't wound my skeins and I don't own a winder. Sigh. I have this really pretty hand-spun and hand-dyed wool to use. I've been patiently waiting and now...oh well.

I have also made progress on my socks. And I think I kind of like it. I can see how people become addicted. It takes me awhile as I can really only knit these at home and I'm not home very much. Only for about an h

our or two before I need to sleep, but first need to eat dinner and shower.

I also got a new laptop, my first Mac! I'm loving it! Had an argument with my roommate about whether it was cute or sexy. I voted sexy...c'mon it's skinny, shiny, and light...SEXY. Cute would be something with polka dots...maybe not. Anyway, I am enjoying it (although it took me 10 min to figure out how to add these photos to my blog).

My Custom Case (and Love's Many Cloths)

I wanted to show off my beautiful custom case made by brileyknits. I took several photos so you could see all the intricate work he did, but left them posted on my flickr. I cannot express enough gratitude to Brian. This is perfect. He put up with all my insane, if disordered, ideas. If you're looking for a personalized case for yourself or anyone, contact him. I know my friends will be jealous! Thank you Brian!!!

I also finished Love's Many Cloths, but I think I did something wrong since the curve part on the hands doesn't pop outward, but inward...makes the pattern not stand out. And maybe I missed 2 rows on top since the heart isn't really heart-shaped...I didn't want to frog it though as I've frogged this yarn 3 times already (was trying it for something else that didn't work).


I started a poncho with the chenille...176 stitches in the round...it will take me a long time as I have zero patience.

I also started a Shamrock Dishcloth from Monthly Dishcloth's KAL in March 2006. I printed out all these patterns I wanted to do and stocked up on cotton so just picked a random color (emerald green) and searched through the patterns for something that this would be good for and voila.

I have other things in my ravelry queue...waiting for my yarn to arrive and a quick trip to the store tomorrow...

Wrist Warmers

I think I have a thing for "warmers", or partial winter wear...Maybe next time I'll make a neck warmer, leg warmers...
I finished these wrist warmers:

The pattern comes from Schrodiner Knits. I did these as a test for the Chenille. I want to knit a poncho with this fabric, but I heard that knitting with Chenille has issues so I wanted to experiment. Chenille seems like it'd rip easily, but I thankfully didn't have any problems. I'm not a tight knitter (I don't pull the stitches tight), but I do slide the stitches from the left needle almost all the way to the tip so I didn't end up with "holes" in the pattern. The other thing though is Chenille does not let you see a pattern of any kind. The cuffs and the brim are actually ribbed, but you wouldn't know it. I do enjoy the feel of this though and look forward to knitting the poncho in the teal and purple I have.

My Ear Warmers

My Ear Warmers
Originally uploaded by lovealegna

And I finished them! I used Universal Classic Worsted Impressions (had 1 ball for a child's hat and this used the excess). I love ear warmers and hate wearing hats for myself. I wanted to learn how to cable so I came up with this design that I had to restart over and over (originally I planned on making it with circular needles, but it didn't work). I messed the cable up though, so it has this snaking pattern that I like and I used a garter border. This is also my first pattern :)

Snaked Ear Warmers
US 7 needles (my gauge is 5 st/inch)
CO 22 stitches (3 to 3 1/2 inches to cover ears)
R1: K2, P2, Slip next 2 sts to cable needle and hold to front, K2 from left needle, K2 from cable needle (left cross), P2, K2, P2, Slip next 2 sts to cable needle and hold to back, K2 from left needle, K2 from cable needle (right cross), P2, K2
R2: K2, K2, P4, K2, P2, K2, P4, K2, K2
R3: K2, P2, K4, P2, K2, P2, K4, P2, K2
R4: same as R2
R5: K2, P2, right cross 4 st, P2, K2, P2, left cross 4 st, P2, K2
R6: same as R2
R7: same as R3
R8: same as R2

repeat R1-8 until ~21" when stretched around head (I did about 14 repeats, but 12 or 13 would probably have been enough), ending with R6 so that when you join the seams, the snaking pattern follows).
BO.

Join the 2 ends and weave the ends through.

Very easy to modify width and length if you knit with different gauge or weight.
Larger gauge or weight: remove the middle 2 st (and remove 2 of the reverse st if necessary).
Smaller gauge or weight: increase the middle 2 st to 4 st (and increase the reverse st on both ends to 4 instead of 2).

My second KAL is complete!

Jan 08 MidMonth KAL
Originally uploaded by lovealegna

My first midmonth KAL came out so beautifully. I found that its so much more fun to knit the midmonths as a KAL. The mystery makes it seem less repetitive :)
Such an awesome group.

Welcome to Blogging

So this is my entrance into self-blogging. New to knitting myself, it was pointed out to me that blogging would be a great thing. I'm calling this Knitting Scientist as my roommate has pointed out I have a very scientific approach to my knitting (I am a scientist and feel the only way I can truly understand knitting is to experiment...). I have a growing stash, mostly cotton as I have become obsessed with dishcloths.
As I also have knitting ADD, I am currently in the middle of a few things: (1) the Monthly KAL's Jan Midmonth, which is this lovely lacy pattern that will be finished on Monday, (2) Love's Many Cloths which is very sweet and should be done some point next week, (3) earwarmers of my own design in a cable-knit (my first cable) using some leftover yarn that I hope to finish soon, and (4) socks from Favorite Socks: 25 Timeless Designs which I've abandoned for the time being as its frustrating me and so is work so no patience for it right now. I used to make fun of my friend for having knitting ADD until I started myself. Now I understand!
I have also ordered a custom-made traveling knitting case from brileyknits. Brian came very highly recommended and I am so eager to receive my case. He's put up with a lot from me. Hopefully, it'll be here some time next week.