Ribbed Lace Bolero

I finally got the DH to take some FO shots of the Ribbed Lace Bolero. This is a really fun pattern.

Pattern: Ribbed Lace Bolero

Ravelry Link
Source: http://kellymaher.wordpress.com/

Yarn: Lion brand cotton-ease
Color: Charcoal (1.5 skeins)
Size: Cast on 98 stitches
Needles: US Size 8 & 10.5
Modifications: None

If I make this again, which is possible, I will cast on less stitches. The bolero keeps sliding off of my shoulders. I didn't measure as the pattern specifies to custom fit the bolero. I just thought 98 stitches sounds good. I did do my gauge swatch but as far as the measuring part I threw caution to the wind. I still like the way it fits and will get a lot of wear out of this. Plus with how affordable cotton-ease is, I can always make another.

I have been working on the Shetland Shorty. This is going pretty fast now that I got gauge. I had to go down to US size 3 needles. I hope it's going to fit because right now it looks like it will fit a 9 yr old. This is an addictive pattern. I hear it calling my name.

Knitting Bags

The postman brought me a package yesterday. You'll never guess what I ordered. Of course its another knitting bag. Not one but two bags. One can never have too many bags. I found a group on Ravelry called Namaste Love. All the ladies were discussing the namaste bags that they own. Who knew there were so many options. I already have the namaste messenger bag in mauve. I love it! It has lots of pockets and places to store sizzors etc.... The messenger is great but it's a little too big to carry everywhere with me. I wanted something that looked more like a purse.

The first bag I ordered is the Jetsetter in black. I love it! I think that they must be discontinuing this bag because it was hard for me to find one available on line.

After looking on the namaste website I decided to order the Cali Malibu in lime. It is the perfect summer color and it big enough to carry larger projects or lots of little projects.

The bag came in a dust bag to project it when you're not using it. It's a larger bag but it's not too big.

Here are some pictures of the inside of the bag. Lots of place to store your cell phone etc...


On the knitting front I am still working on my indigo ripple skirt. The whole time I'm knitting this I keep thinking I hope this is going to fit. I'm almost done with the ties on the shetland shorty. I'm finally getting gauge. Yeah!!! My ribbed lace bolero and my Eyelet cardigan are waiting for their FO shots.

Maybe I can get the DH to take some pictures this weekend. That is if the rain stays away.

Have a great 4th of July!!!

Apple Pie

Last Sunday I made homemade apple pie. Well it was not all homemade because I got a little lazy and bought the pre-made crust.

Recipe:
(Pie Filling)

3 to 4 cups pealed and sliced apples (I like lots of apples in my pie)
3 tsp. flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. butter or margarine
3 tsp. milk

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a bowl combine apples, flour, sugar, cinnamon and milk. Stir until the apples are coated. Pour into unbaked pie crust. Cut up butter and place over apples. Place remaining pie crust on top of apples and pinch down edges of crust. Bake for 40 - 45 minutes.

Tip: I cover the edges of my pie with tin foil and cook for the first 30 minutes. Then I remove the tin foil and cook for the remaining 15 minutes. This prevents the crust from getting burnt.

It wasn't the best looking pie I ever made, but boy did it taste good. Pie a la Mode with vanilla soy ice cream. Mmmmmm......mmmmm!!!

On the knitting front I started the Shetland Shorty. I got gauge on the suggested needle size but as I knit the garter stitch rows my tension loosened up. I had to rip and restart. I cast on with size 3 needles and am hoping that I get gauge this time. I found so many really cute shortys on ravelry. Check out this one and this one. I already want to make another.

Today is my Grandfather's birthday. Happy Birthday Grandpa!!! He is 81 years young today.

Aren't they cute. I'm very close to my grandparents. I was born when my grandmother was 40 yrs old. She quit her job to stay home and take care of me and eventually my brother. My brother, my mom and I lived with them from the time I was 6 years old until after I graduated from college, which they paid for. I love them and cherish every moment that I spend with them.

Summer Knits

I still don't have any FO pictures of my Ribbed Lace Bolero and my finally complete Eyelet Cardigan. I'm happy with the way they both turned out. My finished summer knit list is growing. I've started yet another project. I could' nt resist making another Indigo Ripple Skirt. I made one last year but unfortunately the skirt doesn't fit anymore. It grew and it's too big. I didn't use the Rowan Denim last year because I was afraid to it was going to shrink, but after seeing Eileen's finished skirt (Ravelry link) I decided I had to have one in the denim. As usual I didn't get gauge with the size 6 suggested needle size. I had to go down two needle sizes so it may be awhile before I get this done.

I also bought some Shibui sock yarn from Webs to make the Shetland Shorty. I can't wait to get started.

I couldn't decide if I wanted to use the green (Wasabi) or the dark teal (Peacock) so I got both. One can never have enough sock yarn.

Free at last

My wireless stopped working about 6 months ago. I just haven't had the time to try to figure out why. Yesterday I got sick and tired of having to use the computer in our basement office. It's rather dark and there aren't any windows. I'm also kind of a computer hog and the DH gets a little frustrated that he can never get on the computer.

Finally I got out the setup CD and setup the wireless again. It only took about 20 minutes. I don't know why it took me so long to fix it. I'll blame it on Ravelry, it seems to be sucking up quite a bit of my time lately. I get sucked into reading the group posts and forums. So I actually have been knitting. I started the Ribbed Lace Bolero. Ravelry link here.

I'm actually done with all the knitting I just need to seam it up. I'm using Lion Brand Cotton Ease. Here is a close up of the stitch pattern. It's a two row repeat that is really easy to memorize.

Hopefully I will have an FO or two to post tomorrow. I will leave you with a picture of one of the trees that I have in my back yard. In early spring the tree blooms white flowers and in late spring there are red berries. For the last couple of days all I have heard in the back yard is this tree rustling. On average there are usually at least 5 to 10 birds fighting over the berries. I have had a couple birds fly right into my kitchen window. The thud noise scared the crap out of me.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!!!

And the list gets longer

I don't know where I have been? I'm always a day late and a dollar short. I didn't realize that the new Summer 2008 Knitty was already out. The cover design, shetland shorty is a must knit. It's so cute and perfect for some instant gratification knitting. I also love this design called seascape. I love, love, love kidsilk haze. I actually have three balls in this exact color. I also love sock knitting and any pattern that combines socks and Noro Kureyon sock yarn is a must have. I love these socks and of course I have some Kureyon sock yarn in my stash. Three more projects added to my list.

Picovoli

I finally finished Picovoli. This was one of the projects I found in my closet that I had started last summer. The DH was working late so I had to take my own bathroom mirror shots.

Editted to add: I had the DH take some new FO shots because the bathroom mirror shots were blurry.

Pattern: Picovoli

Source: Grumperina
Available here and on Ravelry
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cathay
Color: Teal 07 (4.5 skeins)
Size: 32
Needles: US Size 6
Modifications: None

I am very happy with the way this turned out. I tried it on before I did the picot edging around the arms and I thought it made me look like a linebacker. Once I finished the picot it looked much better. I like the pattern shaping, it is done in all the right places and is very flattering. I have knit too many sweaters that are boxy and not very figure flattering. They usually end up never being worn or being frogged. I think this one is a keeper. I'm also almost finished with the Eyelet Cardigan. I just need to finish the button bad for the left side and set in the sleeves.