Monday, December 24, 2007

Merry Christmas Eve!

Oh, I'm so excited! I've got all my shopping and wrapping done! I'm also excited because my Ravelry invite should arrive tomorrow. On Christmas! That is, assuming they send out invitations on Christmas Day.

Ravelry is this super cool knitting organizing site that Mary showed Jo Ann and me just before we left for break. I could say more, but check it out for yourself. They're only in beta right now, which is why only a few people can join per day (in the neighborhood of 700) which is why I've been patiently waiting for my invitation for almost two weeks! Apparently in the summer people were waiting for months though, so I can't complain.

In view of my imminent deluge by knitting culture, I've been frantically trying to finish the project I started with Jo Ann's beautiful wool yarn that I snatched that same fateful last Stitch 'n Bitch afternoon.

This is the project, kind of folded over itself. I have one more skein of yarn than what's pictured, but I've gotten into that one now.


And this is an up-close view of my stitches/pattern. I'm purling one row, and knitting two, purling one on the other row, so the right side ends up with a a two stitch-wide stockinette rib,
with a one stitch-wide garter stitch dividing line that kind of sinks into the background of the fabric.

What I'm actually making is the Any Yarn Shrug, since I didn't have labels for this yarn, and I had the right-size needles. Mine will have three-quarter length sleeves, I think, and won't be as loose and droopy as the one in their picture. I'm really nervous because I'm going to have to block and sew the arms together, neither of which I've done before. Well, I've sewn knitting and crochet pieces together before, but never clothing! Any advice?

The Long View


I miss you all and I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday and break!

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Ginger Plantation











Here is my gingerbread plantation I made over the break. It took me two daya, a lot of planning (and some yelling), but I think the final product was well-worth the strife! The dimensions are 16" wide X 26" high. I want to write in to Martha Stewart's magazine to tell her that I used her recipie, but it would probably be corny. I hope everyone else is having fun creating things this winter break!