And now for some Knitting

The Purse /*




Clockwise: 1- Kim's purse strap on the blocking stretcher 2- Strap with stabilizing ribbon on the blocks 3- Close up of the beads that will add weight to the flap (in lieu of buttons or other closure) 4- what the purse may look like when it is all sewn together.

*******Mom, does it look like a purse now? ;) don't be shy... click on the link near the bottom of the post that says 0(1 2 3...) Stitches and leave a comment**********

I haven't worked on this for a while. The knitting part is long done; I have been stuck on how best to sew the ribbon (I envision this will add stability and prevent this becoming an ankle-length bag) to the strap. They are pinned together, but I don't have a sewing machine and am left with the task of holding the work taut while hand-stitching slick yarn to ribbon...maybe I will wait until I have access to a sewing machine...

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The Scarf ***





K2P2K2P2K2P2K2P2 ... until sanity is lost, regained, then ripped so far from reach it may only come back as a 3rd cousin -- twice removed.


I jest. K2P2 ribbing is relaxing, can't really be messed up and lets me work on purling.





I picked out the yarn (Cascade 220) during my very first trip to an actual yarn store. I think I may finish it before MN winter shows up. Paul will have a neck warmed with love-infused wool. The pattern is a collaboration between Paul, the yarn and the knitter - we all are pleased with the progress

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The Sock???

I cast on 62 stitches on two circs - following what I remembered from watching Cat Bordi on YouTube, demonstrating circular knitting on two circs. The yarn is "Blue Jeans Delight" purchased from http://www.extremeyarn.etsy.com/ . It is really pretty, and completely gratifying to see a recognizable garment.

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And that is what I have been doing.

Celebrity Spotting

Pssssst...

Crazy Aunt Purl read my blog...and commented!

I seriously thought my mom and a kind lady who left a comment about her lingustic profile were the only readers.

ChChChChanges

KnittingStar will be undergoing some cosmetic changes. Paul has been designing me some really cool vector graphics.





In other news... the camera batteries are charging and there will be much prettiness to view soon. I have been knitting a lot. There will be updates on Kim's purse (yes Mom, it actually resembles a purse now); a first view of a 2x2 ribbed scarf I am making for Paul; and a peek at my first sock (no idea how I am going to turn the heel or do any of that fancy jazz...but in the words of Stephanie Pearl McPhee "I can do that -- it's only knitting") plus, I have read enough about knitting socks that I can totally figure it out.

Next step - getting gauge on something. Gauge is an animal that is an important part of the knitting world and since I have yet to follow a pattern, I haven't had to make gauge to turn out some pretty cool and functional pieces. Oh darn, I might need more needles...

Anticipation

I placed my first order with Knitpicks and am really looking forward to it's arrival. The package will contain my first US 2 and US 3 circulars. I am going to try to learn how to knit 2 socks on two circs.

I have accepted that I do not finish things well so if I make both at the same time, I won't suffer from the dreaded second sock syndrome.

Random

Your Linguistic Profile:

60% General American English 20% Upper Midwestern 10% Yankee 5% Midwestern 0% Dixie

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

Thanks Mom and Dad!

I recently earned a promotion at work. Spiffy new title, nice chunk-a-raise, and best of all - pride and ownership of my work. Just as I was going to HR to sign the paperwork and make it all official - I was paged. This being my first time paged at this company, I wasn't sure what to expect. The conversation went like this:

Receptionist: Hello

Me: Hi, this is Emily, I was paged

Receptionist: Oh Hi! You have a delivery

Me: Um.....I didn't order anything

Receptionist: The post office dropped it off, and it has your name on it - It's ok, it isn't a bomb or anything. (I found this a little odd, thinking 'how does she know it isn't a bomb, did she send it?')

Me: Ok, uh...I'll be there in a minute

Receptionist: See you then!

I went to the front desk and said who I was. She got this silly, happy little grin on her face and handed me these:

Then she giggled "Hope I didn't scare you, I don't like telling people they have flowers...it is much more fun to see their faces. Congratulations!"

The card said "Emily, Congrats on the promotion! We're so proud of you. Love you muchly, Mom and Dad"

With some advice from my favorite photography hobbiest, I had a little Photoshoot with the adorable flowers. They were a patient subject and I am proud of the results.