Lazy Blogger

Wow, I've certainly been neglecting the blog this past week.  It's not that I've not been doing anything.  I have a lot to share with you; too much for one post, so I'll spread it out over the week.

Today I'll show you the knitting (and crocheting) I've been up to.

I finished the sweater for my Holiday Headstart May project.  This will be for my very handsome great-nephew, Colin.

This is not the best picture, but it does show the color accurately. You may have noticed that the color of this sweater seemed to change each time I posted progress pictures. Who knew that dark green could be so difficult to capture with the camera.
Pattern: Yankee Knitter's Fisherlad Guernsey (child's size 6)
Needles: Addi Turbo sizes 6 and 8
Yarn: Plymouth Encore, Color #1234

I thought I had finished the knitting at Chicks with Sticks last Tuesday night and did the seaming when I returned home. Wednesday morning I looked a little closer and realized that the last cuff I knitted was much bigger than the other (it fit loosely on my wrist; way too big for a 3 1/2 year old!). I not only forgot to switch to the smaller needle size, but I also forgot to decrease 8 stitches before beginning the ribbing! I ended up taking the seam out up to a couple rows above the cuff and reknitting it. Oh well, at least I finished it in time to count it for my May project :)

I finished the first sock of my first pair of toe-up socks. I decided to go with the heel called for in the directions for the Sherman Sock given to me by Mel. I have to admit, I didn't think I'd like that heel, but I really do. Now, to start the second sock.


Next up:


Pattern: Magic 28 by Norma
Yarn: Cascade 220, lost the band ages ago, but suffice it to say the green is MUCH BRIGHTER than the picture depicts (believe it or not). I could have used some sunglasses while knitting these.
Needles: Brittney Birch size 5 dpn's
This is pair #3; 25 to go.
This pair of socks ends my Dulaan knitting for this year's shipment; I'll be packing up the knits and shipping them off sometime this week.


There has been a bit of progress on the "Monkey Blankie" but it's nothing to look at yet. I really don't know why I haven't finished it; it's a teeny tiny mini-blankie, but I just can't seem to stay interested in it. I better get going on it though; my co-worker's baby is due very soon!


I started a crochet summer bag yesterday. I'm designing the pattern as I go. I'm using Plymouth's Fantasy Naturalle mercerized cotton yarn in a light green color (I'm too lazy to get up and look at the label right now). I haven't been able to get good pictures yet, but I'll give ya what I've got:

This is a really lousy picture of the outside; it doesn't really reflect how the finished bag will look, so I really don't know why I'm bothering to post it. It does, however, show you how much I did yesterday. (It also explains why my hands hurt today; crocheting is much harder on my hands than knitting.) Here's another picture for you:

This is the inside, bottom of the bag. I think hope this bag will turn out nice and if it does, I'll post the pattern in case anyone would like to make one.

That's what I've been working on over the past week while I've been lazy about blogging.

I've also been doing a couple things for my health. Actually, doing one thing and not doing another. Today marks the beginning of DAY 9 of no cigarettes!!!! I'm telling you, Chantix is a miracle drug! I took it for one week while continuing to smoke and then quit on day 9 (you're supposed to quit on day 8 but I had plans that I knew would make it too hard to quit that day). I'll continue to take it for a total of 12 weeks and then decide if I need it for another 12. I haven't had any physical cravings at all; although I have had times when I've thought "I'd normally have a cigarette now" and that felt strange at first. I'm getting used to not smoking, and I know that I am through with it.

I've also gotten back into a regular workout schedule. Thanks to Patti who has agreed to be my "gym buddy". It's harder to blow off the gym when someone is expecting to meet you there. I went three times last week and will go 3 or 4 times this week. Now I just have to get my eating under control; I'm thinking it's time to get back to Weight Watchers.

Well, I've got to go get ready for work.

Tomorrow I'll tell you about our trip to Amy's (some yarn may have followed me home).

Have a great day.

Comments

[Carole]

I'm so proud of you for quitting smoking!

[Chris]

Congrats on the not smoking! Wow, those socks are BRIGHTER than in the picture?! Did you go blind while you knit them??

You have been so busy!

[Amanda]

Wow, Julie - congrats on your no smoking yes exercising!

Can't wait to hear about Spunky.

[marianne]

That little sweater is so fabulous! I love all the projects you've been working on, your bag is looking great, I don't really think my hands could do it though.
I've just been waiting to hear about the not smoking and how it's going...sounds like it truly is a miracle drug...I'm thinking an appointment with my doc is in order....of course it'll probably be a couple of weeks if not more to get in to see her....hmmmm, maybe not...really though, Julie, thank you, and congratulations, I'm so very impressed and proud of you!

[colleen]

Go Noolie, Go Noolie! Great work with the smokes, its so tough even with miracle drugs. Its such an ingraned habit to smoke a certain times, sometimes that's the hardest thing to stop.
Keep up the good work and Happy Knitting!

[Jackie]

Wow, you've been busy! I love the guernsey. Too cute.

Great job on not smoking. I know how hard it is to quit. You should be VERY proud of yourself.

[Jackie]

Wow, you've been busy! I love the guernsey. Too cute.

Great job on not smoking. I know how hard it is to quit. You should be VERY proud of yourself.

[Kelli]

How funny. I'm giving away some Fantasy Naturalle in my latest contest. :)

[AuntieAnn]

You go, girl! Good for you for taking positive steps to improve your health! Lots of great knitting there, too. I've been meaning to try that Sherman heel -- maybe my next toe-up sock.

[Charity]

Wow, you've sure been busy! Congratulations on the quitting smoking! My husband has been trying to kick this for years, I'll have to tell him about this. :0)

[Gina House]

I am SO proud of you with your not smoking streak. You rock! Have to tell hubby about this.

And, Saturday was fantastic! Make sure to blog what you bought...I didn't even seee! (check my blog for pics)

I love those black and white socks!! Zebra-ish! And all your FOs! You are a Finishing Queen! Everything came out so nice.

[Pat]

Nice projects - all of them! I especially love the Guernsey - an adorable sweater. Congratulations on your non smoking progress too!!

[Zonda]

The Guernsey turned out cute! I love those black/white socks too! I hope you post a pattern to the crochet bag, I have the same yarn in another color I'd love to put to good use since I had to frog it (a tank that turned out way too big) Go you on the not smoking too! Take care!

[Kreature]

That crochet bag looks very cool so far. You are right, though, about crochet being harder on the hands. I agree compeltely. I'm glad to hear that you aren't smoking. Yay for you!

[Dana]

YAY Noolie! Day 9 - - good for you!!! That's inspiring news. :) The knitting and crocheting are wonderful, as always. I would like to see your finished bag; it looks fantastic to me. Your Magic 28s' are too cute; I still have to do that pattern myself. Have a great week (and hope your hands feel better soon). LOL

[Mia]

YAYAYA for 9 days! And yes, that Chantix IS a wonder drug. I know several others that were able to quit easily using it. Where the heck was it when I needed it?????

Anyway.. that toe up sock looks great and I love the heel. I've been thinking about trying toe up.. but I've only just started to get the hang of cuff down.... hmmm... but you said you liked it.. maybe I'll give it a try. I can always frog *grin*

[Cookie]

I'm so proud of you and I love that bag. Keep you the good work!

[lisa]

Whoa! Good for you! Quitting smoking is so tough, well, what's that somebody said? Quitting is easy, continuing to not smoke is hard. Keep it up! The toe up is cute, ditto the bright green socks, and guernsey. Also like that crochet bag, looking forward to seeing how you finish it. Are you going to fiber frolic?

[Sheepish Annie]

Wow! Lots of knitting and no ciggies!!! Good for you...I am very, very impressed. Keep up the good work!

[Amy]

You ROCK, you non-smoker, you! It gets easier every day, keep it up! Beautiful knitting, BTW.

[Debby]

Gosh, Julie, that is hard to do all at once: give up cigarettes, food, AND make yourself exercise more?

I bet the stash increases ten fold! :)

[Mary]

I love the bright green Magic 28s! I've been having the best time making them, too.

Your non-smoking success is giving me the boost I need to make it through this first day without a smoke. Chantix does make a huge difference, though! And I've started doing crunches (ugh) instead of having my morning cig.

And thank you, too, for the link to the Yankee Knitter!

[~Kristie]

The sweater for Colin is absolutely perfect! LOVE IT!!

Congrats on your current smoking success. I'm glad you found something to help you deal with the cravings & I wish you the best of luck!

[bookie]

Way to go! I'm on day 23 without smoking using Chantix! It is a miracle drug. Still struggling with the habit cigs, but I'm determined. Hubby's down to 3/day and fighting every step of the way. Love the sox, the sweater's too cute. I went back to crocheting to keep my hands busy while quitting and now I can't stop! Visit my blog: http://hookingbookie.blogspot.com to see the projects that have grown from the fight.