I finished the third washcloth for my MIL last night. You can't tell form the picture, but it has the same wave pattern as the one I made for myself a month ago. My husband swears that she's going to love all the variegated color ones, but I never like them as much because they don't really show off the patterns that well.
Has anyone else been finding little plastic stitch markers all over their house? I think they're turning into my new hair elastics. You always find them all over the house, but you can never find one when you need one.

I'm so proud of myself! Look at what is finally being blocked.

After five hours of finishing (thank god for Sex in the City reruns on OnDemand), I have this much yarn left over. Pretty close.

I'm sorry I haven't been updating my blog with anything more than just pictures lately. I've been extremely tired. I think some of it is from husband going on shift work. I don't sleep well when schedules are interrupted.

I'm now about 2 weeks into Wicked. I got a lot done today, but I would have more done if I didn't have a headache for most of the day.

My goal for tomorrow is to do all the finishing on the hourglass and to block it. Wish me luck!

Guess what showed up at my house today. Fourteen skeins of Elsebeth Lavold Angora!!!

I haven't posted a picture of Wicked in a while. Here it is 9 days in:After I finished posting last night, I looked down to see one of The Idiots curled up on my knitting bag. No wonder dog hair is major fiber in my knitted pieces.

He's the one that ate six yards of yarn last week. I guess he likes knitting.

I felted the clutch last night. It came out a'ight. I know I shouldn't be but, I'm surprised the shape with the WoA is so much different then the one I knit in Reynolds Lopi. I think I liked that one better. This one felted so small, that I couldn't fold in the edges or anything. The bind off looks tight, but I don't remember binding off tight at all.

I took Wicked off the needles and tried it on. It looks good but, I wasn't able to take a decent picture. The neck is a little wide (probably because I have the narrowest shoulders ever).

I've decided to donate the K1C2 Paintbox hat to Afghans for Afghans. I'm never going to wear it and it should go for good use. I'm going to knit a hat from Knit 2 Together with yarn from my stash to send, also.

I got A LOT of knitting done this weekend! I finished the cowl for my husband. He really likes it. I'm glad it fits because I didn't check gauge before I started. The color is closer to the action shot then the detailed photo.

Doesn't he look so cute in his work shirt?

I also started a One Skein Clutch. It just needs to be felted. It's in KnitPicks WoA Bulky in Taupe. I've never felted WoA in bulky, I'll let you guys know how it felts up.

I was a good little Internet shopper today. I found Elsebeth Lavold Angora for sale at Webs! I bought enough yarn to start Sara. I chose color 002. I think it's the one I remember liking at the store. (I hope.) Anyways, it ended up being ~$5 a skein, so not bad. Soon I'll be a cabling fool.

What the hell is up with Britney Spears? She shaves her head, gets two tattoos, check into rehab, and check out of rehab all in the same day? Girls got some Problems, with a capital "P".

I haven't posted or knitted much this week. Mostly because of Valentine's Day combined with an over all fatigue. However, I am making up for this over the weekend. I started my MIL's second birthday washcloth on Thursday and finished it this morning. It's the Bubble Wrap design.
This afternoon I started a cowl for my husband. I decided on the cabled gaiter in One Skein. He chose Mission Falls 1824 wool in color #17 (Heath). I should finish it tonight. Hopefully I'll have action shots tomorrow.

Secret Pal 10

No knitting today. However, I must tell you something extremely funny that happened tonight. We were sitting on the couch watching last night's episode of Rome. One of the Idiots was lying next to the couch. I heard him licking and lapping but, I thought he was licking his own paw/leg as they are all prone to do. Well, I pay more attention and realize that he's eating something. I look and see a long trail of the boucle I hate trailing across the room. He's eating the yarn! I excitedly tell my husband what he's doing. My husband starts pulling and pulling. He ends up pulling, no shit, 6 feet of yarn out of The Idiot's mouth!!! You could totally tell that the last few feet were in the stomach. It was gross, but I couldn't stop laughing. I was in tears.
good thing I was about to throw the yarn out.

Anyway, I joined the Secret Pal Exchange 10. I have to answer all these questions. Here goes:

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I like to knit with most yarns. I'm not a fan of acrylic or *fun-fur*. (I always think fun fur needs jazz hands or Just-Jack hands when it is said.)
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I store my straight needles and goodies in an Elisabeth Austin Needle Case my husband got me for Christmas (Yea, him!). I store my circs in the Webs case that hey came in.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I've been knitting for about a year. I seem to be a very ambitious knitter. (My third project was a sweater.) I consider myself intermediate.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Nope.
5. What's your favorite scent?
I like fruity berry things, but not melons or banana!!! I also like sandalwood, vanilla, and lavender.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I love strawberry twizzlers and those little hard candies that are wrapped like strawberries. I hate hate hate banana candy.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I do rubber stamping and card making. Although I don't scrapbook because I have no life.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I like everything but country and bluegrass. I have an iPod.
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I heart purple. I don't hate any colors but coral looks horrendous on me.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I've been married for two year, no kids, three dogs (collectively known as The Idiots).
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I don't wear ponchos. I'm too short and curvy.
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I like sweaters in the round. (Mostly because I hate finishing.) I also like knitting baby things. I like that they're relatively quick, but full items unto themselves.
13. What are you knitting right now?
I'm working on two sweaters (Wicked and Sesame) and trying to finish a whole lot of wash/dishcloths.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes.
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I prefer bamboo circulars.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
No. I really really want them!!
17. How old is your oldest UFO?
7 months. Mud Flap Girl Tank Top from Sticth'N'Bitch Nation.
18. What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas, followed closely by Halloween.
19. Is there anything that you collect?
Lady head vases. Sometimes you can see one as a backdrop in a picture. I also collect wine. (If keeping it in your house for two days before you drink it is considered collecting.)
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I want Knitting Nature. However, I'm holding off until the next printing when hopefully most off the erratum are fixed.
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I have an enterlac pattern I want to try. I think it may be a little over my head for now.
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I have not knit any socks. I'm a little afraid to. Not because it seems overly hard, but because it seems like once you knit your first sock, you can't stop.
23. When is your birthday?
8/20

I have one other thing to say. I am allergic to pine nuts. I know its a little odd thing to let you know. But, if exposed to them, the whole death thing can occur. I'm a little paranoid in that way.

I was a good girl today. Before starting to knit, I cleaned the downstairs bathroom, the toilets and our shower. Then I was bad. I have yet to do the floors. Oh well, 3 out of 4 ain't bad. Here is my 2nd day on Wicked. I am fully immersed in stockinette.

Also, I was finally accepted into the ScienceKnits webring today. So check it out.

I finally got Wicked started. Here is the first days worth of work. I've used one skein so far.

Here's a shot with more detail of the neck. It already has the obligatory dog hair kit into it.

I promise that before knitting tomorrow I will:
1. Clean the the downstairs bathroom.
2. Clean the toilets
3. Clean our shower
4. Clean the floors

However, as they say, promises are made to be broken.

I went to sit'n'stitch tonight and finished a wash/dishcloth for my mil. I'm making about 5 washcloths for her birthday next month. One down, four to go.You can't really tell that it is a diamond pattern. I tried to start Wicked, but I had terribly bad luck. First I twisted the stitches, then on the first round I somehow got off the pattern by one stitch. With the cross-overs, it's hard to backtrack the stitches. I frogged it twice. Maybe I'll have better luck tomorrow.

Here is a picture of the finished Paintbox hat. I'm not lovin' it (either is my husband). I'll probably rip out the weird dread things and close up the top of the hat. I think it's a lot more wearable that way.

Yesterday was out 2 year wedding anniversary. I got a Sex and the City Carrie necklace (with my name of course) in white gold. While watching SATC On Demand a couple of months ago, I mentioned that in college I really wanted one. My then boyfriend, told me he was going to get me one and never did. Now I have one of my very own! I heart him!!!

I got him tickets to go see Cirque Du Soleil (or Circus Ole, as he calls it) in St. Louis. Now we can't wait until May 5th.

I am exhausted. To keep you entertained I'm posting two pictures of the almost finished Paintbox hat. I am too tired to complete it tonight.

(I seriously need to shape my eyebrows this weekend.)

Just like everyone else, my LYS had a sale yesterday. I picked up a few toys.I figured that I have made at least one pattern from every book I own, therefore I deserve a new book. Don't you agree?

I haven't made much progress with the hat I started yesterday, but here's an updated picture. I really like the subtleties of colorway transitions.

On a closing note, here is a picture of one of The Idiots. Her eyes are rolled into the back of her head, because I'm rubbing her neck. She's been very needy lately. It's very unlike her. I hope she's not feeling ill. After I took this picture we watched some of the Puppy Bowl on the web. She likes to watch animals on TV. She's the only one of the three that pays any attention.

Earlier in the week a storm came through, and the weathermen predicted 2-4 inches. We got a dusting. Last night the weatherman said we had a 50% chance of flurries. I went to bed around midnight and noticed a already dusting on the ground. When I woke up this morning, this is what I saw:

Two whole inches of white powder!! Of course most of it is gone already. I have completed my snow fill for the year. It can now become warm again.

I'm ready to knit Wicked. Here is a picture of the yarn. Knit Picks Swish Superwash in Truffle.

I'm taking a class in March at With Ewe in Mind. We are going to knit the"Wave Knitting Bag". I'm knitting in purple. Here's my yarn:

One last thing, (dinner is ready) I had a single skein of K1C2 Paintbox that I was going to use for a felted purse. Instead I decided to knit this hat. I've gotten about 5 rows done.

I can't believe it's finally, here...The day I get the hourglass sweater off my needles. Now, it' snot 100% finished; I still need to do the armpits and fold and sew in the ends (and block, of course). But, it's off my needles!!! Here is a very unflattering picture:

(notice the string hanging down the side.)

Tomorrow I will start Wicked. It calls for a long-tail cast-on, which I had never done. So, I decided to knit a washcloth today and go to Knitting Help to learn the cast-on method. Here is a picture of my washcloth so far:

Here is a picture of my long-tail cast-on. I'm pretty proud of it.

I made my favorite crock-pot recipe, Turkey Chili, for dinner tonight. I decided I wanted to share it with everyone. It is award winning (first place out of five entries), you know.

Kristan's Turkey Chili

2 cans kidney beans 2 cloves garlic

2 cans diced tomatoes 2-3 T chili powder

1.5 lbs ground turkey 1 t pepper

1 small onion 1 t cumin

2 T olive oil salt to taste

cook turkey in a large saucepan with olive oil. Dice onion and mince garlic. Add all ingredients to crock pot.

low 8-10 hrs

high 3-4 hrs

I find that is especially good if I prepare it the night before, refrigerate it, and then plug it in the morning.

I finished knitting the hourglass and I didn't run out of yarn!!!! It's a good day. (I should have pics tomorrow (I still need to kitchener the armpits, sew up ends, etc.)

I wanted to post the separated at births pics I wrote about the other day:

My dog, Stinky

Salacious Crumb from Star Wars

What do you think?