Pixiestikz

Progress is a relative thing...

I've finished the body for the cowl...I was concerned for the last inch or so, I thought it was going to be a little big on me. (kinda a blurry pic...sorry.)

See? It may help if you squint a bit...

Now when it comes to fit, I do like a little room to breathe. If I don't have that little bit more under the arm, I start to sweat or generally become cranky because I am about to sweat. ew. TMI? yeah. not pretty.

As a rule, I knit the second smallest size in fitted garments. I like the little bit of extra room.

I kept laying it out...looking. I was nervous looking at it...thinking
"oh this is wayyyy too wide - Oh, crap in a can! I can't rip - yeah, I need to try it on - Fruiting hell...what if I drop stitches like the last time - just wait one more inch...why is this inch taking forever?...where is my tape measure...what the - how can I still be at 2"??!!! ^%$&*#!! I hate Black hole knitting! Arrgh! SERENITY NOW!"

So gritting my teeth I patiently waited until after cast off when I pulled it over my head and tried it on...then I had that feeling all knitters get when the fruit of their labor is sweet.

Yes, yes...a nice fit!

Sleeve time! DPNs...I went needle hunting...Discovering to my horror, I only have one out of four of my US4 dpns...*sob* So Lolly came over on Saturday to loan me her 4s. (x/o lauren)

In my search for the elusive dpns I discovered a plethora of US1s... so shocking -- apparently I have 5 sets of bamboo 1s. hm. Can you say sock madness? yeah...I'm afflicted. Send meds.

REQUEST...
Would anyone like to trade me a set of DPN 1's for a set of 4's? I'm not picky about the brand...I have Bamboos in the variety of Brands...you name it...drop me an email.

Pixie had a sleepover on Saturday - so in preparing the apartment for two zany girls I managed to get a sleeve and a half done but no picture...second sleeve has about 4 more inches.

I've extended the sleeve to 3/4 length. I predict...This lovely lady will be a FO at weeks end.

Because I am curious...I decided to knit a pair of socks only at work...to see how much I knit at work. This is one week's labor...

Sirdar Country Style 4ply (Lots of Yardage, soooo cheap and soooo washable)
IMHO Aptly named:Your Tax Dollars at Work Knee Socks
Using Sensational Knitted Socks for heel and toe.

May your week be full of peaceful successes...and I'll catch you on the flip flop in the land of FO.
;)

Knitting with Friends...

You guys are so great...thank you for all the wellwishes...it really blows me away.

I haven't done this in a while...But in honor of a special occasion...
(Cowl Progress at the end of this post)

Knit Nite at my place!

Me and Lauren

Donna and Ei say Cheese!

Look at these Knitters!


If you can't tell, I was so happy to host my favorite ladies in my new abode! They all went above and beyond and totally amazed me with housewarming gifts and laughter...

On sunday, I got to see Jenna Pink Monkey (as Pixie calls her) and Lauren...

We had a wonderful afternoon, knitting, looking at books, watching Last of the Mohicans (aka The Movie that showcases "The Hair", and having an all around great time.

I tried on her cutaway cardi and now I want to make one. So many sweaters I want to make...so much stash I need to use up! A Lethal combination.

I'm not one to brag, but I'm pretty lucky in my fantastic local friends and my knit blog friends! awww.

I haven't posted any new pictures of Pixie in a while...I took this on Friday. She's growing up so fast.

That is one high watt smile!

Check out Donna's eldest Daughter...she is a fantastic knitter!
We're always happy to add another to the fold.

Cowl Progress...
I'm about an inch away from starting the ribbing for 3", then I put the sleeves on dpns, a little light shaping and voila! I get to pickup a fazillion stitches for the cowl...then Fini!

Back...

Front

I can't wait! I hope I'm not on sleeve island for too long! I want to wear this beauty!

Resolute in my Stash...

I'm seeing all these 2006 Resolutions in all the Blogs...I love reading them.

I have to say that really I only have one!

My Knitting Resolution is....(drumroll, please!)
------------------------------------------------------
Knit 80% of my 2006 projects from The Stash!

(Audience goes wild!!!)

Seriously folks, I have an entire DUFFLE bag full of sock yarn, and the LARGEST plastic tub you can buy filled with yarn (I mean the good stuff, too), two lantern moon baskets filled to the brim...I have at least 6 sweater projects stashed.

It's time to thin out The Stash..
see??It's become an entity...it gets capitalized now. Oy.
I can feel it creeping around behind me! I swear I saw it move!
hehe.

Wanna know the really sick part?
I'm already justifying my 2006 MD Sheep and Wool purchases!
Yes, I have a list in my knitting bag of what I "need" to get.
Damn you, Tess Designer Yarns! Damn you, Morehouse Merino! I'm WEAK!

All this Drama!
Which brings me to the new 2006 knit I cast on for last week...FROM The Stash!

Knit and Tonic's Somewhat Cowl
Thank you guys for your opinions...and the Cowl pretty much won out!
I'm waiting for my sister to get her felted tweed...(her first rowan yarn!) and then Salina will be my next project...

Ze Cowl...
Using Silky Wool in Moss - I got gauge spot on with US4s.

I love how light and thin it's knitting up...it's a very fine fabric and I hope to have more to show soon.
The pattern is very simple and well written and I'm enjoying it.
I hope I can do the pattern and the yarn justice.

I of course, forgot to take a pic of my progress last nite and it's looking so perfect...
*ahem*
I almost thought someone else was knitting it!
haha!

Thanks for all the awesome comments on My Main Man Gnomey...it was a lot of fun!
A lot of you have been asking where I got the pattern and how to get it...

It was in the November Issue of Simply Knitting and it was an additional leaflet to the magazine.
I always buy my simply knitting from my local Borders, and I have been known to overspend and buy a missed issue from Ebay. That means paying for shipping from the UK, But I love the magazine, so it is a guilty pleasure!

Big News coming soon...
Have a great week!

Holla!

A Traveling Gnome...

I've been obsessed with one creature lately...I've knitted on him every spare moment.

Pattern courtesy of Simply Knitting...my favorite knitting magazine with FREE gifts...

May I present...

Gnomey McGnomerton*

Completed: December 31, 2005
Yarn: Sirdar DK and Foxy
Needle: US 3 and US 10.5
Pattern: Simply Knitting Swedish Christmas Gnome
Size:Medium Gnome

I realized when he was all together...that he has a slight tilt of the head. I think it makes him look like he's pondering where to travel next.

This guy is a gift...and as sad as I am to part with him...he is after all a Traveling Gnome...and must go.

*ha! Really I didn't name him...but my one NON never-to-knit-not-ever-I-said-ever-also-lets-skip-the yarn-store-and-NOT-touch-the yarn-today-please-or-I-will-protest Sister just can't wrap her grey cells about why we name our knits. Ha! This name is for you, dearie.

Stash Reduction continues at a brisk pace...

I'm making a cabled scarf (also a belated Xmas present) out of the Peace Fleece I had left over from Mean Green.

It is going to block out lovely. (read:block out lovely in length)
I really am not using a pattern...and it's so basic...I just glommed together what I thought would work...
I really like the garter stitch border - nothing makes me want to stop knitting a scarf like when it rolls. Besides I really wanted to do something a little nicer for a Xmas scarf that I've owed the recipient for 2 years. *ahem*

Pixiestikz Knitting 2006
---------------------------
My Olive, kalamata is getting her zipper. I can't wait to wear her...Coming Soon

I'm trying to decide what to knit next. ALL FROM MY STASH!!!
Don't you Loooove that!
Here are my choices...for right now...

Whaddya think?

Knit and Tonic's Somewhat Cowl - I'd use my Stash Lavold's Silky Wool (with a little help from a friend's stash)

or

Rowan Cork Collection's Kathy in Light Blueish Cork Stash Yarn

It's lots of work on US 10s-11s.
But so perfect for the winter!

or do I do little projects (like another pair of fabulous socks and a few more xmas pressies - jeez) and wait to do this lovely lovely lovely knit...

Salina (I'm waiting for my sis to get her felted tweed) so this is a definate but a later definate for sure! Use my Stash Felted Tweed in Midnight.

HELP! Opinions in the comments, please! Ya'll rule. thx.

Holidays?
Pixie and I rang in 2006 by falling asleep before 9:30!
I think we OD'd on T.V.

I hope everyone had a wonderful safe holiday!