Greek Pull over ~ I've been distracting myself...

with this...

This was a birthday present for a special someone, and I was late giving it to her, so I whipped it up in a week. This is the Koigu bought on spree in TO. Aren't the colors beautifice?

Then I started this:
Bobby Bear (Blue Sky)
Doesn't look like much right now - but that's only because I haven't started his bum yet, and what's a bear without a bum?

Tangled Skeins brought in Blue Sky, and well, when you touch it... well, when you touch it... it cries - 'touch me more'. If you've touched it - you know.

Now I'm distracting myself with these:

(This would be a picture of socks, but batteries in camera currently being charged)

Opal is on sale (20% off), and I can't buy some until I use all sock yarn in my house. This is stuff I bought 4 years ago...

Ok - why am I distracting myself you ask? Well, my personality is such that if I don't know how to do something, I either ignore it or jump in with both feet. I am also, like many other knitters I know (don't worry ladies, I won't mention any names here), eager to start another project when one is almost complete.

So this is the scoop:
Greek pullover - mission procrastination.

~ Front and back complete, blocked and grafted at shoulders.
~ Arms complete and blocked.
~ I-cord complete.
~ Neck line finished in single Crochet... I said, neck line finished in single Crochet...

That's where it stopped my enablers. "Oh it's easy." Say my Crochet savvy friends. "You just put the needle in and pull the yarn through the loop." They say.

I don't know why I'm afraid of Crochet. Well, afraid is a strong word. Resisting is better. I'm resisting the crochet. People say it's faster, it's easier, it's less work than knitting. So tonight I will attempt the neck in fine crochet style.

Update to be posted... soon.

ok - I'll play...

Hmmmm.... I didn't think anyone knew about my astronaut fettish... See? They're always watching....

Ten Top Trivia Tips about Jen!

1. Ideally, Jen should be stored on her side at a temperature of 55 degrees!
2. Jen has three eyelids.
3. Reindeer like to eat Jen.
4. Bees visit over three million flowers to make a single kilogram of Jen!
5. You can tell if Jen has been hard-boiled by spinning her. If she stands up, she is hard-boiled.
6. If you break Jen, you will get seven years of bad luck!
7. An average beaver can cut down Jen every year!
8. Astronauts get taller when they are in Jen.
9. Jen once lost a Dolly Parton lookalike contest!
10. Jen can be found on a Cluedo board between the Library and the Conservatory!

http://thesurrealist.co.uk/trivia.pl" method="get" style="background-color:#5F5F42;color:#CFCF95;padding:4px;text-align:center">I am interested in - do tell me aboutherhimitthem

and we're back

Phew - that life reflection stuff really sucked me in... and then I saw my knitting basket over flowing and remembered - I should be knitting right now.

So, here is BIL's promised Rowan Big Wool scarf in progress.

As I type it is being blocked and awaiting tassel/no tassel instruction.

Because the wool is so bulky it was hard to decide what stitch/pattern to use. In the end I decided on ribbed ends with a centre cable. Once the wool was washed it's very soft and rustic looking :)

Still working on Greek pullover. Finished back and front panels and going to start sleeves tonight ~ or tomorrow (depending on if the bottle of wine on the counter calls me). I did make a journey to the fabric store today and purchased chenille for the bottom edge and the sleeves. I went with a natural taupe that compliments the Burgundy nicely... ou can't wait until it's finished.

I've already swatched my next project... I can't help myself - it's got to be the Odessa hat by Grumperina. It's so cute, and I've never worked with beads, so I'm looking forward to that AND I got some beautiful orange yarn for my B-day that is crying to be touched :)

And because it's February and because my honey was thoughtful enough - I'm going to share ...

FLOWERS! Oh they smelled so good. A little B-day/February pick me up. And yes, Tangled Skeins 'the new shop' is in the background. Where else would I spend my birthday?

Age & Other Life Ponders

Birthdays (after 21) have never been a highlight for me. Particularly during the year of three -0h (I still can't say it). A friend who tried to console me offered these words of advice, "Life gets better after three-0h". I don't think she remembers telling me that, but I have clung to those words with hope, like the cellulite that clings to my... well, everything.

This year, I have discovered she is right. My perspective is changing, my priorities are shifting, and my purpose is being discovered.

Everyday I look in the mirror with disdain. The creases around my mouth and eyes are getting deeper - probably because I smile a lot. My blossom bottom hasn't stopped blossoming since I was 16 - probably because I like chocolate a lot (and beer, and wine, and chips with dip, don't forget the dip, and Thai food... Shall I go on?). Forever the optimist, I have decided to accept what I have and where I am. Because my friends - I will never be this young again.

I will wake up in the morning and massage cream into my face, look lovingly at my thighs, and be gentle with my heart. My self-talk will be kind, I will do at least one thing a day that makes me happy in my heart, and I will demonstrate my love to my family & friends.

Talking to my grampie today he told me, 'you will always be 16 to me'. And I guess, in my own mind I WILL always be 16 (or 8, depending on the day).

I am still young - and life keeps getting better :)

Why yes my knitting friend...

it is the clapotis around my neck :)

With all the excitement of the trip and buying spree I forgot to mention the clapotis. I must say, I was completely obsessed with finishing this before I went away. It got to the point where I was calculating the time it took to complete a row and a pattern set, then determining how much time I needed for knitting. Started on a Tuesday - finished the next Tuesday!

Mission Clapotis - complete!

Here it is in all it's loveliness...


and...


As I mentioned before it is done in HandMaiden Flaxen (silk/linen mix). It is a wonderful piece that I will love forever!

Yesterday I started...


Ou ahhh. I absolutely LOVE the color and working with this yarn. Hope to have it finished for my B-day. What a great present :) A hand knit sweater the color of wine :) We shall see.

Mission Greek Pullover - in progress.