What's the plural of moose?

It's almost done. I finished embroidering the moose on the front and then ran out of black yarn. So yet again, I had to order more yarn. 4th shipment now. 5, counting the needles. I'm so excited to be almost done! Finally. It's so cute, I love it. While I wait for the yarn to finish the back, I'll weave in ends and seam the sides and sleeves. That's my least favorite part, so I could put it off for a while, but hopefully not. Next post will be pics of me wearing the finished sweater!

Baby Dress

This was one of the most fun things I've ever knit. The yarn was a dream to work with, and it just flew by. The pattern came from a Vogue Knitting mag and it was just really easy. I had no problems, and was done in a week. I've been waiting to post it until Tiffanie received it, and I know she's picking it up at her post office today (tomorrow), so I couldn't wait any longer! I can't wait to see Savannah in it. I made the 1 year size, but my knitting is sometimes tight and runs small, plus babies grow at such different rates, I have no clue when it'll fit her. When it does, though, I will get a pic of her wearing it up here!

Savannah's Outfit

I'm dying of suspense, waiting for this gift to show up in London. I really want to post a pic, but want Tiff to see it before I do. I can't wait for it to fit the little munchkin, and see her wearing it! She's soooooooooo cute.

Knitting with Friends

Up until recently, I've been mostly a solo knitter. I really enjoying time alone and just zoning out and letting the needles fly. Except for a short-lived stint in a knitting circle I organized with coworkers/friends in 2004-ish, I've really never knit with anyone else. I even taught myself, alone, with a book. This year though, has been pleasantly different! I've gotten so much pleasure in the few nights I've spent knitting with girlfriends. 2 of the 3 friends had never knit a stitch before, and I really enjoy seeing someone go from slightly frustrated or confused, to satisfied and excited by their newfound hobby. I enjoy the tradition of knitting circles and am aiming to cultivate a little knitting camaraderie this year. Of course, I still enjoy knitting alone, but doing it with friends is proving to be more fun than I ever imagined. :)

Update on the Moose

I finished making up the sleeves, front, and back of the moose sweater. The top is to be finished with circular needles and raglan shaping. I ordered the circulars and they finally arrived yesterday! I went ahead and got the Options Interchangables, off the Knit Picks website, because I know I will use them all. I ordered additional cables in 40" too, as they're the longest they make and I need them. So they've arrived, and I can continue with the sweater. I've never knit a raglan yoke and finished in one piece, so this will be a little challenge for me, especially when the jacquard pattern returns towards the neck. Here I go...

My Red Fair Isle Baby

I started this sweater 4 years ago. The color is a dream to work with for me. I designed the fair isle pattern and painstakingly graphed it out on my computer then printed. I sketched an idea for the shape of the body, which is designed to be form fitting up to the bust and the upper arms, then balloon out a little bit. I stopped knitting after I finished the front and back and grafted the shoulder seams together. I let it sit in my closet this entire time. I've decided to pick it back up and finish the damn thing. I think I was just stumped as to what to do for the sleeves. I’m still not quite sure how to get a poof like I wanted, or if I really even want that shape anymore. I’ve never done short rows, and though I’m sure I could, I’m not sure my first time should be on my own design. Maybe. Here is my sketch of the body. This is why I didn't go to Parsons or FIDM. Now you know. Shhh.

Death of the Local Yarn Store

Recently, I've taken on a few new knitting projects. While my yarn and needle stash is expansive, last week I found myself lacking specific circulars that I wanted immediately. I knew JoAnn's or Michael's would not carry the 40" 10 1/2s I needed, as they never carry any longer than 32", and even those are few and far between. So, I decided to hunt for a Los Angeles LYS.

I used to have my go to places like Black Sheep Knittery, That Yarn Store, the Yarn Garden, and Knit Cafe, whose owner, Suzan, was always so cool and helpful. Unfortunately, all these places are now CLOSED, except the Yarn Garden, which is now under another name by the same owner and sells handmade goods, not yarn.

I know there are a few other local yarn stores that I could try, but I am not keen on driving 45 min to West L.A. or getting on the freeway and going to the Valley or Pasadena. I also needed the needles on a Monday, and most yarn stores are closed on Monday, plus, there is no guarantee they will have what I need. So I resigned myself to ordering the needles online. I hate not supporting an LYS if I can, but it has become so difficult these past few years.

I know this city is not alone in the loss of these gems. I've read articles in my magazines and rants on blogs, encouraging knitters and crocheters to get out there and spend at least a portion of their budgets in a LYS. I want to do this, but it's hard when the internet is right in front of me, and the yarn store is so far away.

German Moosey Sweater

I ordered this Rebecca update from Deutschland during the summer of 2009. I found the ggh Aspen yarn on Jimmy Beans in Sept, and ordered it then. It was delivered, then stolen off my porch while I was away for a couple of days. I understandably, couldn't get a refund. But I was determined to make the sweater! So I ordered it again, about a month ago. The price was about 40% higher this time around, but I finally started making it. Come to find out, the pattern does not call for enough of the orange/rust color. It calls for 4 skeins and even though I made the smallest size, with the smallest needle choice, I think it needs 6 skeins. So I ordered more. I’ve finished the back and am up to the jacquard pattern on the front when I realized that I used the larger size needle for the ribbing on the front. They’re only 1/2 size difference, and it’s not really noticable, but I’m tempted to frog it because I’m a perfectionist. Also tempted to frog half of the back, because I feel I could’ve used better tension on the fair isle pattern. I went LYS hopping today, in search of the rest of the 4 pairs of circulars the pattern calls for (which are so expensive!), but silly me forgot that almost every LYS is closed on Monday. This is quite the project. I’m getting a lot of satisfaction out of it though!

I found this rad Barbie latch hook I made several years back. I'm kind of in love with these silly things again, and might have to pick up a new one soon!

Socks a waste of time?

I ordered this book and a ton of sock yarn ages ago, and it's been sitting in my closet ever since. I used to be interested in knitting socks, but now I just feel like I'd rather make beautiful things to wear above my waist. I don't know. I'm thinking about picking it up soon.

I finished Savannah's baby outfit and I'm dying to blog it, but I want it to be a total surprise for Tiffanie. I'll ship it to London tomorrow, and when she receives it, it'll be up.

Meanwhile, I'm about 35% finished with the German moosey sweater and it's going to be rad.