Spoken Too Soon

It's bound to get out eventually, so I'm just going to put it out there and be done with it. Bam Bam and I split up yesterday. We really didn't date all that long before we got engaged, and once we started getting in to the knitty and the gritty, we realized that we have entirely different ideas on a lot of "the big things", you know- financial management/responsibility, how much is acceptable to drink, how many animals is too many animals, why the house needs to be clean if you have a lung disease and a couple cats, etc. It wasn't a nasty or overly dramatic break-up, but it's over now and that's okay. We both have a lot of working out of our individual kinks before he and I could functionally be with other people. I also have a lot more things I was hoping to accomplish before I became part of a couple for good, and he and I just didn't share the same goals and ambitions. So it's over and we're okay.

And I'm really looking forward to MY pair of charcoal worsted weight socks to wear under my stiletto boots this winter. And I totally just booked a flight to go see my Mom in Sarasota for the second week of October, so I'll be pinching my pennies for a little yarn shopping since I've been super-frugal in the personal arts & crafts department this year. Plus a little sunshine in October would probably do me some good.

Hats and Milestones

Firstly, thanks to the wonderful readers that offered suggestions about the shawl. It has since been frogged and will be used as a warp for a scarf, the weft will be undyed sock yarn. I just love that combo for some reason. That being said, I still have Jaclyn's scarf on the loom, and won't be touching anything non-craft fair related for 2 more weeks. Plus maybe a couple more weeks after that, I've signed up for another craft fair because I'm a looney and have gotten several orders since then. I really can't complain though- orders mean money which means I am that much closer to moving in to my own place.

Secondly, I am going a little nuts with the baby hats. I'm having a great time with them- I'm trying not to do many repeats, so each little hat is still quite fun. I'm working on my favorite style- Ogre baby- right now, but here's a pic of what I have so far. I hope to have at least 12 ready for the craft fair (currently working on #6). I also would love to have 9 baby blankets done for the craft fair, and hope to finish the 8th this evening during True Blood. Grr baby. I have enough yarn to do 11 blankets, but probably only time for 9. Oh well- it's not like they go bad, and I'll just add them to the stash for people that sneak up on me with babies I didn't know about. I'd also love to make a plastic bag holder or two for the show. I love mine and use it all the time, maybe someone else will like them too? If not, more for me.

Thirdly, Bam Bam and I hit a little milestone in our relationship Friday evening. He and I picked out yarn for his first pair of hand-knitted socks. Okay, it might only be a milestone for me, but I was really pleased with how involved he's trying to be with these socks. We (and by that I mean I) decided on a worsted-weight superwash wool so that they go quickly and won't be accidentally turned in to a shrinky-dink in the dryer. I explained that these will be a tester pair of socks- much like training wheels. We've had numerous conversations around the lines of "you'll get socks when you start cutting your toenails" and so far, he's filled his end of the bargain. And so we bought yarn. But I'm still not taking *that* big of a chance- he's getting worsted weight socks until he earns fingering weight socks.

The yarn we picked out is a Lion Brand superwash wool/cashmere (just a smidge) and nylon blend. He likes the color, I like the gauge. I haven't had the best taste in my mouth when it comes to Lion Brand ever since my attempt at frogging and re-knitting Homespun, but they're really starting to impress me with some of their higher end yarns from the Lion Brand Studio. I looked up this yarn on Ravelry and no complaints so far, so we'll see. I did tell Bam Bam that his socks are going to have to wait until after the craft fair, post-fair orders, and I need to finish up a green and pink sock before I'm even looking at his socks. I will try to have them made by the time he starts shoveling snow for his friend's landscaping company this winter though. I'm not THAT mean.

Second Opinions Needed!

Hey there wonderful readers!

I know I said I would resist personal projects (especially new personal projects) until this craft fair is over with....but I haven't had the best day and I had a weak moment and suddenly I have the start of a new triangular shawl.

But I'm not sure about it. The yarn is part of my dwindling English stash, and I've been saving this yarn in particular for something stunning. So far everything I've started with it hasn't even come close to meeting my expectations. So in this previously mentioned

weak moment, I began crocheting (gasp!) "Elise"- that's the pattern should you feel inclined to look it up.

But I'm not in love with it. I'm not sure if I don't like the pattern, I'm not sure if my hook is too small, I'm not sure if the colors are clashing with the pattern, I'm not sure if it's just wonky because it's unblocked....and I'm not sure if it's all in my head since I've put this particular sock yarn on a ridiculously high pedestal.

What do you think? I'm stumped on this one.

Craft Fair Knitting

Twenty days to go until the Craft Fair and I'm feeling...okay. Naturally, I overestimated how much I could get done, but there's still time for a few more knits. I finished the ruffle scarf and the cowl, which I will try to unload at the fair since I could use cashmore than I could use 2 more neck-warmers. I've also made a couple baby hats, and intend to make several more as they cost me next to nothing and can be made in a night if I'm really determined.

So I don't have a picture of the cowl and ruffle scarf because I still need to weave in my ends,

but I have pictures of everything else. I also have pictures of my cotton plants that are growing out at Gpa's house. They're doing a lot better than I thought they would! Here's a few pictures of my little cotton babies!

That's all for now- I'm still determined to make this craft fair kick butt for my savings account, so I'm going to stop writing and get back to baby hats.

My poor neglected blog

Did I mention last post that I'd been persuaded to do a craft fair? If not, I have. It's a month away and I'm already regretting signing up. I'm so tired of crocheting baby blankets. But I'm going to keep on truckin', because I paid the entrance fee and gosh darnit, I'm going to do as well as I can in an hour and a half of crazy selling. So in short, I've been really productive, but it's boring blogging. (Here- another baby blanket- tada! Oh look, another!) I've also gotten a head start on Christmas presents, which I may end up selling at the craft fair if I don't make my project goals. So I'm going to try to make this blog post interesting.

1. My dill plant hatched today! (I am aware that plants don't "hatch" I just like that word better than "germinate")

2. The never-ending ruffle scarf is still never-ending.

3. I started a new spinning project! It is green and yellow and purple and sparkly and I love it. More later.

4. I can see the bottom of the bead container for my cowl, which means I only have a few more hours of work. That being said, I've knit about 10 beaded rows today and it doesn't look like I've used any of the beads. I'm quite sure they are reproducing in the bottom of the little bead tin.

5. I skipped rugby practice on Thursday and went to Jimmy Buffet instead. It was fabulous. Best skipped rugby practice ever.

That's all for right now- I'm quite determined to finish the beaded cowl today, and the sooner I quit writing, the sooner I can get back to the COWL OF DOOOOOOOM!

The hooking continues!

Looky here- a new Peace Lily!

Yesterday was not the best day. I woke up bright and early (there was an overweight cat sitting on my face) and thought I'd go to the State Fair to see if I had won anything- the suspense has been killing me!

I took 6 items and placed 2nd in lace- any article (tablecloth- yay!) 3rd in handspun-alpaca (which surprised me- I thought that was my fugly item this year) and 4th in scarf/shawl. For the scarf/shawl contest I entered my green silk beaded lace shawl that I worked on for nearly a year. I was thrilled that it placed- there was some tough competition this year. At least I was thrilled it placed until I saw what placed before it. I lost to a 1x1 ribbed scarf. Really? It was a really nice ribbed scarf, I'll give you that, but a ribbed scarf? Plus my shawl was displayed inside out, which makes me question if it was judged inside out, but who that was supposedly expert enough to judge knitting competitions wouldn't see that a lace garment was inside out? I know I'm being ridiculous, but I'm just...sad. I mean, I just finished a 1x1 ribbed scarf and sent it to a charity. Whooda thunk I could have placed 3rd in the State Fair with it? Bitter knitter is moving on...

I signed up to do a craft fair. I did loads of them in high school and a couple my freshman year in college, but had kinda gotten burnt out on people asking if I would take $10 for a $60 baby blanket. Then this lady that has bought a few baby blankets off me called this week and asked if I'd be willing to do a show that she's organizing. The booth space is reasonable, so I said yes. If I only sell 4 or 5 things, I'll break even. Plus my car needs a new front strut, so I'm not really in a position to say no to any work.

So for the next month and a half, I'm going to be making as many baby blankets, hats, and fast scarves as possible. Hardly a recipe for riveting blog entries, but my car isn't going to fix itself. Here's a few pics of current projects for the show and an addicting new cross-stitch pattern I just started. It's a halloween cross stitch (hence the rabid-looking bat) and I've done approximately 1/5 of the first of 6 charts. I might be working on this for many halloweens to come. (Good thing halloween is my favorite!)

Totally hooked

I don't know how this happened...but I can't stop crocheting cotton dishtowels. I blame Jessica from Sunday knitting. Not that "blaming" is a bad thing...

On the bright side of washcloth addiction, I only have enough dishcloth cotton to carry on at my 2-balls-per-day rate for another 3 days. Then I have to quit or buy more dishcloth cotton, so I think you're safe from too many dishcloth related postings. Carry on!