Two Finished Objects and A New Project

First, Bella's Mittens:
(front)

(back)

Pattern: Bella's Mittens by Marielle Henault
Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Chunky in Azul Bolita
Needle: size 8, circular and DPN
Date Started: February 7, 2009
Date Finished: February 20, 2009
Comments: Very quick knit. The cable pattern kept things interesting. I love the idea of long mittens; I can't wait to wear them!

Next, Neapolitan Socks:

Pattern: 8 Stitches per Inch Socks by Ann Budd
Yarn: Zitron Trekking (XXL), color 126
Needle: size 1.5, circular
Date Started: February 7, 2009
Date Finished: February 24, 2009
Comments: I've wanted this yarn for a long time, and I'm very happy with the final product. The color bled a bit in spots, but hopefully it is not too noticeable.

This is the yummy yarn for my next project, Rowan Felted Tweed. Fenway thought it looked good too.

A Sunday List

KnitTech often writes lists on her blog, and I really like the format, so here is a little one for you.

• My next post will have a picture on it- I do not like posts without them.
• Did I mention I decided to name my new kitten (Mr.) Weasley? He seems to really like the "Mr." part, but I think of him as being named after Fred and George Weasley (from Harry Potter) because he is so mischievous.
• I have two finished objects to share, but I need to block one and take pictures of the other.
• Where am I going to go for my PhD????? Each program has some real strengths and it is going to be a really hard decision.
• I do not like being sick.
• I dislike having to catch up on work even more.
• I only have another inch or so and I can start the toe decreases for my Neapolitan socks.
• I wish I could finish the socks tonight, but I still have a lot of reading to do.
• I cleaned my apartment and did the laundry today. It makes me incredibly happy to have my apartment to myself again (especially when it is clean).
• My parents are the best because they each came to take care of me while I recovered from surgery.
• I also have amazing friends who kept checking up on me and seeing if I needed anything.
  

Oops

I bought some yarn today from Dancing Ewe Yarns. I (obviously) haven't gotten my order yet, but so far, I highly recommend them. My discount from the Never Not Knitting podcast (Check it out, it's a fun podcast) didn't register and the owner emailed me right away to fix it. She definitely didn't have to do that, especially because I did not notice. So if you are looking for a store with great customer service, check them out.

What yarn did I get? Jamieson's Shetland for a pair of Endpaper Mitts and Rowan Felted Tweed for Relm (Ravelry link). The Endpaper Mitts are going to be my first color work project, the next of my Fearless Knitting 2009 goals.

I know I said I was not going to buy any more yarn, but chalk it up as needing a little post-surgery celebration. So how did I do on my before-I-buy-more-yarn goals? I finished half of my list.

• Mystery socks- DONE
  
• Forest canopy shawl- DONE
  
• Katie Beret- DONE
  
• Wool-Ease Mittens- DONE
  
• A pair of socks out of the Plucky Knitter Yarn- Changed to a Springtime in Philadelphia Beret, 40% done
• Basic Trekking socks- 50% done
  
• Bella's Mittens- 50% done
  
• #03 Marlene
• Revenge of the Mummies Socks
• Mr. Scrooge's Interchangeable Mitts
  
• Kaylee

I need to buy some Malabrigo (Oh, poor me. I know) for my best friend's birthday gift, but besides that I'm back on the yarn diet. And I've added to the projects I need to finish before I can buy more yarn. Hopefully I can get all of this done before April because I need to start two projects then for May. Here is the complete list:

• Springtime in Philadelphia Beret
• Basic Trekking socks
• Bella's Mittens
  
• Aran IPod carrier
  
• Revenge of the Mummies Socks
• Best friend's birthday gift
  
• #03 Marlene
• Mr. Scrooge's Interchangeable Mitts
  
• Kaylee or another pair of socks if I can't find that pattern
• Relm
• Endpaper Mitts
• Candy Twist Cable Socks
• Autumn Rush Mitts

I'm Recovering, Slowly

I've started to return to the land of the living. Recovery is going slower than I like, but I'm impatient. I got an infection, but I'm feeling better now. Hopefully I'll be able to start knitting again soon.

Look What I Finished

It's my Forest Canopy Shawl that I started way back in October. It needs to be blocked, but it is off the needles. Yay! I have now officially finished all my WIPs from 2008. Double yay!

Of course, I could not have nothing on the needles, so I cast on for a Springtime in Philadelphia Beret with the new Hey Cupcake! yarn from the Plucky Classics Club. It is taking longer than I expected because I think that hats should be made in 1-2 days, but forgot that this hat is with fingering weight yarn and size 2 needles.

I am having surgery on Monday and will have a lot of free time on my hands. I should spend most of my time keeping up with my schoolwork and starting my thesis, but I am also planning on working on this beret, a pair of Bella's Mittens, and a pair of plain vanilla socks.

Fearless Knitting Goal #1- Complete

If you recall, I made four "Fearless Knitting" goals for 2009: mittens, sweater, toe-up socks, and color work. I finished the first one (mittens) yesterday.


Pattern: Wool-Ease Mittens by Stephanie Taylor
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick in Cranberry
Needle: size 10, DPN
Date Started: January 31, 2009
Date Finished: February 1, 2009
Comments: Apparently I can't read patterns because I made the cuff too short on the first mitten and did not notice it until I started the second mitten. I decided to leave it rather than re-doing the entire first mitten. I made the first one in one night and the second last night while watching the Superbowl.

I am really proud of myself for finishing four projects by February 1st. I think that is the last finished object for awhile, however. I am hoping to finish the Forest Canopy Shawl this week, but I am not quite sure how I am going to block it with two cats running around.