I have a confession to make....

That's my new project, "Textured Cardigan". I had the Nashua Handknits: Vacation book with me to study and get ready for this Thursday Project Spectrum and suddenly I just couldn't take it any more, I had to cast on yesterday!

Dang... blurry photo!!!

Karabella Aurora 8 yarn is soooooooooooo nice to knit!!! Unbelieveable soft!!! I really enjoy knitting it so far! I could not put it down as I really enjoy fondling the yarn.

Now... I have massive headache!!! I have trouble to switch to new version of blogger for last two days. I have google email address but it won't show up on my new blogger account. I spent two hours trying to figure it out!!! I hate it when I feel soooooo dumb trying to figure it out. Right now, I tempt to find a good hammer - hmmmm should I bang on my head or my laptop!!!??? Grrrrr!!!!!!!!! Hopefully, someone can help me out with this new verison.

Happy Knitting!!!

Decisions, decisions.......

I don't know what to do.... Seems that things go wrong for me!! Two "still" UFOs!!

Three weeks ago, I called Mountain Spinnery about the right skein for the Artist's vest. The man on the phone suggested me to send him the sample yarn I used for the vest. I have not heard anything since. I emailed them last Wednesday and learned that they have not received my letter. They suggested me to send another one. Dang...Where is my letter???? I really want to finish the vest for my DH. Grrr!!!

This looks so sad waiting for me to finish it!

I was that close to finish the Everyday Cardigan. I brought a skein from Stitches East as I was afraid that I may run out of that color. It's confirmed that I'm out of the yarn. I was so relieved that I brought the extra one.

BAD news: the color is NOT match!!! Mine is more purple than blue but the skein I brought has more blue than purple. I was in debate whether I go ahead and hope that no one would notice it. I brought the purple yarn along with the skein outside. It is not even close match at all. I know that Future Green carry Peace Fleece yarns in DC. I went there with my friend. I'm so sad that they don't have that color I need but they do have many other colors. I was that close to buy these yarns to make future projects. I'm really proud myself that I said NO - not this time!!

Can you see the difference? I thought so!!

More BAD news: I am not able to finish the Everyday Cardigan. I have to knit the 4x4 sample and send it to Maine where I ordered the skeins. I know it will take time to get the skein. *pout*

Now.... I signed up - Project Spectrum 2.0 again this year! It will kick off on February 1st!


February / March - Blue, White, Gray
April / May- Green, Yellow, Pink
June / July - Red, Black, Metallics
August / September - Brown, Orange, Purple

You know, this all sounds like so much fun, but since I am the world's biggest procrastinator it makes me the worst for starting too many projects at same time and never finish each of them on time. Project Spectrum could put me on the road to being more organized, sooooo I did my homework!! (Jerri Lyn, are you shocked?? - okay, I need your help to be sure that I'm not off the wagon!) I looked up my stash enhancement and went through some of my favorite yarn books. I would like to knit one pair of socks every month. I really hope that I will be able to knit 3 or 4 sweaters this year (my UFO doesn't count)

Here is my plan for February.
I found the right color for January socks.
Lorna's Lace hand-dyed yarn - "Jean" - very appropriate color!

I have not decided which pattern I plan to use for the sock. I printed out several patterns and will review the patterns carefully to determine which one is right for that yarn.

Since I brought Nashua Handknits: Vacation book last fall, I'm in love with the Textured Cardigan. I have 10 balls of Karabella Aurora 8 (navy blue) that I got from my colleague for Xmas last year. Definitely this will be my first sweater for the Project Spectrum. I plan to start knitting it this Thursday, February 1st! (I'm soooo excited!)

Future Projects - I hope to knit....

Lace Cardigan - Modern Classics by Louise Harding (will plan to buy "red" angora yarns at MSWF for June or July)
Isfjordan (fair isle sweater) by Dalegarn (I have Tuir yarns - for March)
Bristow by Knitty (I have Peruvian Highland Wool (moss) for April
Anya by Jo Sharp - Book 5 (not determined which color - not top priority but future project)

I will post my list of Future "Sock" Projects soon. Please do share with me your favorite patterns of sock. I'm open for any challenges.

I better get dinner ready. Happy Knitting!!!

Two Reasons Why I'm smiling right now!!

It?s Snowing!!!! This is what greeted us at 12:30 p.m. this afternoon, when I looked out the window.


Finished Object!!!!

KOLSVA SWEATER

Pattern: "Kolsva" from Noro Revisited
Designer: Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton
Yarn: Noro Kochoran #17 colorway
Needles: Size US 9 (Lantern Moon straight needles and Addi Turbo circular needle)
Started: December 28, 2006
Finished: January 22, 2007

I tried it on and it fits me just fine! I'm so self-conscious with the horizontal strips top that make me look so big! I think I would look better if I lose 20-30 lbs. I really like the cowl one so much.
My final thought about Kolsva sweater - it was so quick and easy. I would recommend any new knitter to try this. I would mind to knit it again with the solid color. Maybe I would go for tweed brown yarns. Hmmm....I'm going to add on my wishlist!

Sorry, it's blurry and dark! I tried to get it more clear several times but no luck. My own label tag for my sweater!!! "Hand Knits With Love By: Susan Hanrahan" I ordered the label tag two years ago. I could not remember which company but I know it was from England. I forgot all about the label tags till I cleaned the drawer two weeks ago. Perfect timing!!! I sewed the labels on my green "everyday cardigan" and Kolsva sweater.


Now....what's next??? I think the purple "Everyday Cardigan" is screaming for my attention!!

Stay warm and Happy Knitting!!!!

No Snow but BRRRRR!!!!!!

Hey, it's actually somewhat cold here yesterday and today (compared to last week when we had record high temperatures). It was in the 20s (Fahrenheit) this morning. Brrrrrr!!!! No snow, yet!!!

I'm so happy that I finally finished FO last night! I brought the buttons on my way home after work last night and was so excited to sew the buttons up on my cardigan. I'm relieved that the sweater fits me fine....only I wish I added 2 more inches on front and back pieces because I'm tall.

My own Everyday Cardigan that I neglected for a year and half!!!!

Pattern: Everyday Cardigan
Source: Peace Fleece
Yarn: Peace Fleece worsted weight yarns
Needle: Addi Turbo Size #6 and #8

I really love the yarns so much and the color is great! The pattern is very easy to follow. I have the purple ones that are waiting for me to finish the sleeves.

Well, I'm not going to knit the sleeve tonight. I'm going to seam the Kolvsa pieces tonight after dinner! Wish me good luck!

Please send positive vibes here for snow!!!!

Happy Knitting and Stay warm!!!

Okay...I'm so lousy in blogging but more news to share....

Seems that I'm having trouble open my blog lately. The new verison blogger is now giving me the option of switching over but I'm afraid to lose all of my old posts. For a person who has technology challenge, I have very little faith in the technology sometimes.

So anyway, here are some news-newsy....

My DH was so proud of me that I decided to put down all Xmas tree and decorations last Saturday. I normally take tree down on the day of Superbowl Day. Sighs!!... so plain here but I've added all the snowmen collection around the house. Still feel so festive in the house!

Move over Santas....snowmen are here!!!!

Call me CRAZY!!!? I do miss snow so much. No snow here since last February 2006! So strange that we had warm temperature lately. I actually had cookout dinner last weekend! I do hope that we have some snow this year!!!

First Finished Object for the Year....

Calorimetry
I completed it in two days two weeks ago. I thought this would be a great gift for my friend's daughter who will turn 18 years old next month. She loves to wear scraf on her head. I used Magallanes 100% Wool - Hand dyed by Aracucania Yarns (Chile). Very soft yarn and pretty green shades.

I decided to make one more Calorimetry along with Fetching that match with the head scarf. I really love them so much. I'm sure that my friend's daughter would love them.
Yarn: Araucania Nature Wool
Color: Black (code #11)
Needles: Denise needles size 8 for the calorimetry and size 6 for the fingerless gloves

I will definitely make more in the future.

Everyday Cardigan

I'm soooo ALMOST done!!! I finally seamed them up and added button bands. No buttons yet!!! I need to go to the store and buy some buttons. I'm so glad that I finally got around to finish it after neglecting it for a year and half!! Isn't that shame? I don't know why I didn't pick it up right away last year/
.
I promise you that I will have my DH taking picture of me wearing it as soon as I get the buttons.


Update on Kolvsa sweater...the pieces are blocking now!

Two weeks ago, I was knitting it like a madwoman. I realized that I messed up the front piece. I was supposed to add 2 inches longer like I did for the back piece. I had to RIPPPPPPPPPP and knitted it up fast. Another major "very same" mistake on front piece again!!! I was so MAD and RIPPPPPPPED it all over. I put it away for a week. Last Sunday, I finally picked it up and knitted it slowly and carefully. The pieces look so right this time. I soaked and blocked the pieces last night. Geez...these pieces were sooo harsh smell that I could not describe. Trust me, it was so nasty smell. I resoaked the pieces in the sink for a while with some wool soap this afternoon. Seems the smell is better now. I can't wait to seam them up and knit the cowl piece together....definitely this weekend!!!

On the Needles....

Here's the progress on the first Monkey sock, all ready for the "kitchener" stitching. This project is very fast and easy to memorize. I purchased the yarn from Woolarina last year. Very lovely yarn!


Knitting Books
With the money my in-laws gave me for Christmas last month, I bought these three knitting books from Amazon.

I used "post-it" on some pages for my future projects. A lot of "ohhhhs" and "ahhhhhs" there!!

Better go and watch the audition parts in "American Idol" in a few minutes. I'm going to knit the second sock after finishing the kitchener stitch on first sock.

Happy Knitting!!!

We want to say.....

TO


my MOM!!!!!!!

Mom, May your day be as wonderful as you would wish it to be! May you have everything in life that makes you smile...

You're a beautiful person and you deserve all the happiness in the world and more. We love you with all our hearts and wish we could be there to bake you a cake. We hope you had a happy, happy birthday, Mom.

Happy 2007!!!

Happy New Year from our house to yours!!