Noolie Knits

It's a Wrap

Ooops, it's been almost 2 weeks since I posted the picture of my Crocus Bud wrap soaking and waiting to be blocked.   I guess it's about time to show you the finished pictures.  I'm sure many of you have seen these already on Ravelry, but for those of you who haven't, here they are:

 

Yarn - my handspun from Louet Northen Lights  in the colorway "Burning Bush" Pattern:  Crocus Bud Wrap Crochet Hook size J Size before blocking:  13" x 60" Size after blocking:  19" x 66"  

This is my first big project with my own handspun and I'm incredibly happy with how it turned out.  The size is exactly what I wanted; long enough to wrap around my shoulders and rest on my arms, but not so long as to get in the way.  It's also just the right width to keep my shoulders and arms warm in a cool room.  My plan is to wear this with a brown dress to my niece's wedding in September.   

I have one more FO to show you today.   This one is a much smaller project.  I'll be attending the Granite State Knit-in at Loon Mountain in a couple of weeks.   We have been asked to bring a teddy bear dressed in a handknit sweater.  These will be given to kids in emergency situations to help comfort them.  Here's mine:

Pattern: Wee Wonderfuls Stockinette Cardigan
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft color Rubine Red (yes it is that bright and yes, it is pink, not red!)
Needles: Size 9
Mods: I did seed stitch edging instead of garter and used 2 buttons instead of 4.

Both the bear and the sweater are very soft.  I thought the bright (to put it mildly) pink on the black bear would make some scared little girl very happy; I hope it works.

WIP Wednesday on Thursday

It's my crazy busy time at work and will remain that way for a couple more months.  Add to that the fact that I'm also very busy in my non-work life - knit night, spinning night, watching Clover on days Samm works (after I get home until Jay gets home from work), or just plain playing with Clover.  This makes it really difficult to blog regularly.  I've decided not to stress too much about it and stop apologizing for it,  but I would really like to get in at least one fiber related post a week. 

This week's post was meant to be a WIP Wednesday post, but I didn't finish it in time (see above) so you're getting it today. Just pretend for a moment that it's Wednesday as I show you my current WIP's. (The ones I'm actively working on anyway; like most of you, there are plenty more that have been stashed away to take a timeout and which may or may not be ressurected at some future date). 

SPINNNIG:
 

Sereknity "Beach Glass" 4 ounces of lucious Alpaca/Merino/Silk  

I'm loving the way this is spinning up.  I split the fiber only once lengthwise to get nice long color repeats.  I intend to navajo ply in order to keep the beautiful colors intact.  The singles should be finished tonight at Chicks with Wheels. 

KNITTING:

  This is the completed back of my Cabled Yoke Pullover.   

Since taking this picture, I've completed the front up to the point where I need to begin the patterning.  It's now on hold until I finish this next item:

 

   Spring Savasana Socks (Ravelry link) by Gina House  

This is Gina's newest sock pattern (the one she gifted me last week).  While doing a partial stash organization on Sunday, I rediscovered this yarn that Patti gifted to me quite some time ago.  It is Dream in Color Classy and it is perfect for this pattern.  It's very soft and squishy and feels wonderful on my foot.  The pattern is great; it's very easy to remember the 4 row pattern repeat and it's quick.  I started this first sock Sunday afternoon and finished it on Monday!  I've started and completed the ribbing on the second sock and plan to finish that by the weekend. 

CROCHETING: 

Warning - Very Bright Photo Ahead - Use Caution when Viewing!

I haven't shown you any progress on my Crocus Wrap for a while and since it was a beautiful sunny afternoon after work yesterday, I decided to snap a picture on the deck.  Immediately after taking the picture below, my camera battery died.  Had it not died, I would have attempted to get a better photo for you.  

Crocus Wrap
My handspun Louet Northern Lights yarn in the Burning Bush colorway (which is much pretty than the picture would lead you to believe; check it out here.)

I'm enjoying crocheting this wrap;  I don't need it until mid-September so I'm just taking my time and working on it when the mood strikes.  It doesn't look so hot unblocked, but when I stretch it out to get a preview of how it might look when finished, I'm very happy.  Now I just need to lose enough weight to fit into the dress I want to wear with it!
(I should be able to do it - I've lost 11 1/2 pounds since mid-February;  just have to keep my motivation up to lose another 10.)

This and That on Thursday

How's that for a clever title?   Lame, I know.   I meant to post a WNBP last night but never managed so I have a bit of the random for you today.

~~NANTUCKET BAGG CONTEST

Lisa is having a contest and giving away two Nantucket Baggs.  All you have to do is leave her a comment on the contest post (by April 3rd) with your guess of when the pile of snow near her office will melt.  Have you seen these bags?  They are awesome.  They are so awesome that I can't believe I'm telling you about the contest.  Perhaps it's because by mentioning the contest, I get an extra chance to win.  You too can have an extra chance if you post about it.  Go read her post for all the details and to see pictures of the snow pile in question; it's really more of a snow mountain!

~~Wii
I bought a Wii system this past Saturday. The plan was to get a Wii Fit with it, but the store was all out. I went ahead and bought the system and went home and ordered the Wii Fit, which arrived yesterday.

I have a few thoughts to share about the Wii games.

  1) Wii is addictive!  I am not usually a person who gets into the video games, but this is so different.  I LOVE it!
  2) Samm may be stronger than me in real life, but I kicked her butt in boxing the first night. (We won't talk about the next time we boxed.)
  3) I hate baseball in real life, and I suck at it in Wii life.  I won't give up though; I will hit that ball if it kills me.
  4) The sports games are really good exercise; I have the sore muscles to prove it.
  5) My Mii is kind of freaky - it really looks just like me.

I also have a few thoughts to share about Wii Fit.

  1) Wii Fit and Mii are not off to a good start.
  2) Wii Fit is mean and called me fat (okay, so it called me "overweight" but we all know that means "fat").
  3) Wii Fit told me my Wii age is 54!
  4) 54 is not old.
  5) Unless you're 48!
  6) At least Wii Fit didn't make my Mii look too round, just a bit rounder than I'd like..
  7) I think I'll like Wii Fit better in a couple of months.

Which brings us to my next topic.

~~SPRING INTO SUMMER

After coming home from buying the Wii and ordering the Wii Fit, I started trying to catch up on some blog reading and read Kathy's "Spring into Summer" post.

This is a seasonal challenge to get into shape (or at least better shape) during the 12 weeks between Spring and Summer.

I think her post was written just for me.  I have been working hard trying to lose weight since mid-February.  As I said, I had just ordered Wii Fit, and it just so happens that I was measured that morning, so I just HAD to join.

I'm hoping the added motivation of working with others towards the same goal (bettering our health and fitness) will be just what I need to continue going in the right direction.

~~FIBERY PURSUITS

The spun yarn you saw on the new toy.
8 ounces 2 ply 2 skeins - ~140 yards and ~125 yards
Romney/Border Leicester "Shannon & Annie" from Brimstone Hollow Farm   ^


The beginnings of a new sweater (I plan to shorten it quite a bit).
I'm using Lamb's Pride worsted in "Blue Magic" colorway
I've just begun the patterned section.  

Crocus Bud Shawl progress using my handspun.
Notice that crochet lace looks as much like ass preblocking as knit lace does.

There's been progress on the sock I picked back up the other day; I have just a few rows to do before beginning the toe.  I won't bore you with that photo until the sock is finished. (Then I'll bore you with a single sock.)

Well, I think that's enough this and that for this Thursday (say that 3 times fast!).

Have a great day!