k*a*r*i*s w*o*r*l*d

just about too hot to knit

I am in project limbo.  I still have to finish the baby sweater for little Duncan.  I am stalled out on the shawl collar.  I didn't pick up and knit enough stitches (off by 2), and the pattern is very confusing.  I have to check for any corrections on the DB site.  So, annoyed with that, it has been shelfed. 

I've been studying sock yarn and sock patterns for my Sockapal-2-za pal.  Ordered some Sock Garden from KnitPicks to practice.  I tried to figure out the 2 circular needle method, but it wasn't happening for me.  So, I figure...let's get some socks done on the DPN's before trying to get fancy.

In the meantime, at our first Knit Night, I started a mini One Skein Wonder for Rory, using the left over yarn from mine.  Well, she was in bed when I started, didn't get to measure her shoulder span, guessed, started knitting, and then realized I was way off the next morning.  So, I am starting that again with the correct measurements.

Little progress...hopefully, I can get back on track and start rattling off FO's.

moving right along

Well, since the packages have been opened, I was finally able to update my Projects Photo Album with some of the knitting I have been doing.  Will also post soon the 2 other X-Mas projects.  Just one week to finish!

Here is a picture from the Moss Stitch Sweater photo session:

Must go finish my cookie baking for this afternoon. 

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Just some brief ramblings tonight.  I feel like life is moving sooooo fast.  I feel as though there are so many projects at home that I want to conquer. (Organize the bathroom, the basement, put pictures on the wall....)  I know I am getting things accomplished, but I still feel like my mind is racing with a thousand other things I 'keep meaning' to do. 

I have been knitting...pictures to come after gifts have been delivered.  ;)  Variety of Noro yarns used: 4

I went to the first meeting of the bookclub Polly graciously invited me to.  I really enjoyed meeting all the women there.  The discussion on Atonement was good.  The next book we will discuss is Middlesex, by Jeffery Eugenides.  I am interested in reading this.  But I am still at the bottom of the library hold list.  I'll probably start it in January.

I have been doing a little bit of cooking for Rory.  I am actually quite proud of myself.  Anyone who knows me, knows that I am not much in the kitchen....at least not for a simple meal.  But I have made headway in providing some great meals for the Rorinator.  I got most of the recipes from First Meals: the Complete Cookbook and Nutrition Guide, which I took out from the library.  It's on my wish list.  Hint, hint. 

Some other stuff that we've been up to while Chuck works his tail off.

Went to Closer with Chris and Jack.  I enjoyed this movie a lot.  All of the actors were a dream to look at on screen.  The movie jumps around a bit, and I lost a little while attending to Rory.  But I would definitely recommend it overall.

At home I just watched Gerry (I couldn't link directly to the film's website.)  This film had some very beautiful long shots of Argentina, standing in for Nevada (I think).  A lonely story.  A little boring, but held my interest enough through knitting.  ha.

Finally, work is almost complete on our Holiday card.  I'll leave you with some of the pictures from our photo session that I didn't choose.

3 gen

Time is flying here in Madison.  Mom came for a visit that was wayyyyy to short.  It was like we blinked our eyes and it was time for her to leave.  We had a great time hanging out.  She taught Rory how to clap, and added to her styling wardrobe.  We are off to Cincy on Sunday to spend the holiday with the Armstrongs.  Fun, Fun!  And then a few weeks spent here in Wisconsin. 

I have to say, for all the talk of how cold it is, we still keep having mild days occasionally.  Not to say that I will probably be eating my words in a few weeks, but I really haven't noticed anything super awful about the weather.

On the project front, I completed a cute hat for Max's 3rd birthday.  I found the pattern at Pick Up Sticks .  The felting was a little bit anxiety inducing, but the hat ended up turning out well. I also purchased the pattern for the spirals hat, and some bright purple Cascade 220.  I have enough of the blue and green to mix with it for at least one more hat.

As for Lara I am currently heading down the 2nd sleeve!  The end is in sight.  I have been working steadily on it, but I don't think I will finish before leaving on Sunday.  I can't wait to wear this sweater.  It is so warm and cozy on my lap when I am knitting, I can't wait to wear it.

I am also working on the ballet wrap for a friend from Hollywood Knits. I got the book out from the library a while back, and liked this easy pattern.  I hope to knit and finish it while on vacation!  Wish me luck!

Luscious Lara

Well, Friday's mail brought a package from Wool NeedleWorks with my yarn for Lara. Yeah! It is sooooooo soft, and airy. After knitting with some thicker yarns (Noro Kabuto and Kuryeon) recently, the Alpaca Silk feels so squishy and light. I got started immediately on Friday, but was annoyed when I didn't immediately make gauge with the recommended #8 needle. (Don't you hate that?) 3 swatches later,
I was able to start on my #7s. On Saturday Rory and Chuck both took a long nap, while I got about half way up the sleeve while watching 'Kari only' shows in the TiVo queue. Bliss. Last night with some advice from mom on the how to do the cast on, I finished all 10 of the cast on rows and am about to start 32 rows before the split. Here's a picture of my progress so far:
Still not sure how I like knitting on the circular needles. I keep feeling twisted. Any suggestions?

In other news, Rory was a perfect angel at our first Madison Fish Fry, last Friday night. Polly and John brought us to their favorite place: Avenue Bar and Grill, which apparently has the best fish fry in town. Saturday was a lazy day--knitting, napping, and a little shopping. Got Rory some spoils at the Lands' End sale. On Sunday we took a long bike ride all over town. We stopped at James Madison Park and the Memorial Union. Yesterday was the new Book Baby program at the Library, new workout routine at the Y ( I am pretty sore), Musikgarten class, and then REI. Needless to say, Rory was exhausted. Chuck got home early (8:00 pm!), but that was because some attending was away. I am warned that he won't be home before 10:00 p.m. from here on out. Booo.

But the biggest news is that Rory is crawling! She still has to be coerced but she is putting together 5, 6, 7 little crawls in a row. Also, she is able to go from laying down on her tummy to sitting up. Major progress. I will try to post video of this important event soon. Here;s a picture of Rory in the sweater Sari made for her. So cute.

Chuck's soon to be belated birthday sweater update

Finally an update on my Kabuto Sweater. (which I always want to pronounce Kabuqui, which my friends called me high school, but I digress.) I have finished the back and am about 1/3 of the way up the front. I don't think that I will finish by next week. :( But maybe if I stay up late, stop reading all of my magazines, and knit all the time it could still be possible.

Oh well. Here are some pictures. The 'emaciated guy' (Chuck's description, not mine) is the picture from the book. I am probably not going to do that collar. It is hard to tell what it is going to look like, because the 'model' is so femme or something. Anyway, Chuck likes the yarn, and likes the sweater - the collar. So hopefully, it will be fine.

I have to say that my one disappointment with this yarn has been that there are all these little pieces of wood or something like that, which I must keep taking out as I knit. It is a little frustrating.

As for other things....we had a really busy weekend. I rode around Lake Monona once solo (or duo) with Rory on Friday and then on Saturday Chuck, Rory and I went for a long bike ride where got found ourselves in the middle of the Badger Game tailgate! Craziness. We were out and about for about 5 hours in the glorious weather. I really hope it holds for a few more weeks.

Almost forgot. On our bike ride Rory and I checked out a very cool yarn shop. I was really impressed with the layout and the vibe. I also was happy to see that they carry Noro yarn.

I finally got my butt to the YMCA today. It felt good and I am hoping that with the biking and the Y, I can finally shed these last *$&^( pounds. Sorry, but I refuse to alter my diet. ha.

Let's see...Musikgarten was good as usual. Rory really seems to enjoy it. Tomorrow we get in the pool. Can't wait.