Purls and Pugs

Happy Halloween!!

Cabled Sweater

I am usually not a huge fan of the patterns on Lion Brand's website, but when I saw this one, I decided I should try it. I think it was the orange sample in the picture is what hooked me.

I was going to do it in orange. That really was the plan. But when I got to Hobby Lobby (because they had Thick and Quick on sale for less than $4 a ball), there was no orange to be found. So, I chose the closest color to orange: spice. I actually really like the color and the pattern is easy to follow. I think it would be a great first "Aran" pattern for someone to try. You get three different charts at once and it moves along pretty fast. I think it's going to be one of those weekend cuddle sweaters. And it's machine washable! And it was less than $30 in yarn!

If I really like the way it comes out I might try some Panache to do the same pattern. How nice would that feel? There would be some math involved, but I think I might be able to handle it!

How the White Sox won the World Series

Some might say that it was the excellent pitching, or the wondrous manager, or possibly even the help of a ghost named Shoeless Joe that catapulted the Sox into the Champion's Seat. Some might, but I know the real reasons--a goat.

The Goat

Every Chicagoan knows the story of the Billy Goat Curse. It has haunted the Chicago Cubs since 1945, or so the story goes. What some people have forgotten is the part of the curse that was cast upon the Astros in 2003 (Scroll to The Story of Reverse The Curse!).

Yes, I said the Houston Astros.

During the Cubs excellent season, three Cubs fans took matters into their own hands. These three young men flew to Houston, rented an SUV, bought a goat, and some tickets to the playoff game being played at Minute Maid Park. The goat was not allowed enterance as hoped and the curse was passed to the Astros.

And so, two years later, the Chicago White Sox face the Houston Astros in the World Series. And the curse is still there. As far as I know there was not a lifting of the curse by Houston or even a counter curse. How can a team go to the World Series and not take care of the CURSE?!

As legend has it the goat is still living well on a farm somewhere in Illinois eating everything in sight and helping Chicago baseball teams win the World Series. So, this Sox fan must bow to those Cubs fans and say, "Thanks!"

The curse on the Astros explains quite a bit, I think. How else would all those calls go in favor of the White Sox? A ghost named Joe? I think not. And to the Houston Astros I say, Good Luck with that curse!

Gift Scarf

In addition to Soctoberfest socks, I am on a deadline to finish a hat and scarf set for my aunt's 50th  birthday party on Saturday. I have the hat done (remember the Jelly Bean one?), so I am working on the scarf. I am using the Irish Hiking Scarf pattern. I have used this same pattern in the past for a scarf for my mom. It's simple, yet looks great. I am about 1.5 balls in and I plan on using 3 balls of yarn. That should be plenty long enough.

Socktoberfest 2005 Update

I finished the first sock of this set last night. I was pretty much already done except for the toe shaping. As far as the pattern I am using, I am doing a hybrid of Alison's Ankle Socks (for the heel) and then traditional socks (toe shaping & length). I think they are coming out quite well, but I think I would use smaller needles next time since the fabric seems to be very loose.

Orange Crush

My obsession with Orange started out as a crush really. So how fitting would it be to name the newest addition to my wardrobe Orange Crush? I really liked this merino wool from Knit Picks. It was soft while knitting and when washed it really softened more. One thing I noticed was that my sweater grew slightly when washed. Nothing to be alarmed about, but something to note. Guess I really should wash those swatches.

I think Yoda liked it, too. Excuse the hair. We had just gotten back from a walk. As you can imagine  Yoda walks are not typical. She always does something different. Whether it is run around me in circles or run ahead and stop, then run ahead when I get close, Yoda keeps it interesting.

Sock it to me!

As you might have noticed on my sidebar, I have joined the Soctoberfest. I already have started one sock that has been staring at me everyday. I decided that I am going to try to knit as many socks as possible until the end of the month to get my sock yarn stash down. I have some pretty nice Cherry Tree Hill yarn that I've been meaning to use and tons of stuff from my first secret pal. I also want to try some two socks at a time things and maybe a toe up sock. Anyone have a good pattern for toe up socks? I was trying to use the free Knit Picks one, but I think I was doing something wrong. The toes just didn't look right. I think it was the whole cast-on thing that threw me off. Any suggestions are welcome!

Wish us luck

First off, what is the deal with Bloglines? I posted yesterday in the morning and Bloglines didn't show there was a post until last night! Argh!

So, wish my sister and I luck. We are going to try to get World Series tickets. Yes, we are crazy. This is going to have to be an organized feat! My mom has a plan to help us out. Though, I am not going to pay $1000 a ticket. That is ridiculous. I'll just have a party at the house if we can't get tix, but we have to at least try...

No cold shoulders here! Look at the sleeves! This is an extremely quick knit and I am surprised. Maybe I just want the project!

In fact, I know I want the project. That's me. A project girl. I love the process, but what moves me to make something is the project! Right, Yoda?

Go Sox!

So, our house is a divided house. One of us roots for the Northsiders and one of us roots for the Southsiders. Poor Yoda is torn between the two teams. Lucky fo us the two teams are not playing each other in the World Series, so Yoda has become the Sox Rally Pug. Every time she wears her bandana they win. Want to explain Tuesaday's loss? I was at school and the Northsider fan did not put the pug's bandana on her. She has worn it ever since. Good track record don't you think? BTW, the Northsider fan is rooting for the Southsiders. I did root for the Northsiders a couple years back....I guess it could be worse--at least he is not a Packers fan!

Since school is now over for me, I have been knitting... A LOT. Remember the alpaca yarn I showed last week? The oh so soft alpaca is now a scarf (click for close-up). I love it!! I want a throw or a sweater made out of this stuff. Seriously. It'll happen.

And what about my orange obsession? Oh, it's taken hold. I am on the second sleeve.  Watching baseball is good for knitting sleeves in the round. I hope to have this sweater done by Halloween. Who wouldn't want an orange sweater for the big scary day? Let's just hope the temperature drops a little more before then. 70s will not do!

Ode to Orange

Did I ever mention that I am obsessed with orange? Seriously. I think it was all those years of cheering on the Bears. Then my high school colors were navy and orange. Then there is the Illini. I think Orange should be the official color of the state of Illinois.

So, what is an orange lover to do? She orders a bunch of orange yarn from Knit Picks to knit a sweater. Then fatasizes about all the other orange yarns she didn't buy. It's a sickness really. I wonder if there are support groups to help people forget the orange and move on to black or white.

Funny how I don't have anything orange in my wardrobe at this time. Hmmm, I better get knitting!

Mmmm, soft

Today is my final for my marketing class. Yippee!! Just wanted to let you all know why I haven't written back to comments and why I haven't been posting quite so frequently. Just wanted to let you know.

Well, while I was supposed to be studying, I decided to hit the yarn store. It's been awhile, so I just walked around and touched things. I hadn't planned on buying anything, but the damn alpaca was SO SOFT. I had to buy a couple of hanks to make  a scarf. If I ever made a sweater out of this stuff I. WOULD. NEVER. TAKE. IT. OFF. Yes, it's that soft.

I also snatched up Knitscene by Interweave. I didn't think it was supposed to be out until next week, so why wait. It's got some cute things in it, and some free patterns already on the website.

After reading about top down sweaters, I have been on a quest to find a good pattern. Or at least a good template that I can follow. That's the pattern in the picture. I am going to forget all the roll stuff and do ribbing. I'm also using this pattern guide to try a raglan.

I also stopped at Joann's this weekend. I am very surprised by their new line of yarns (which, by the way, it on sale this week), so I picked up a ball of Dolcetto and used the Jelly Bean Hat Pattern from Stitch 'n Bitch Nation. It's so soft, too. I haven't washed it yet, but I love how the hat turned out.

Now to leave you with my photostylist. She is hip, she is sausy, she is Yoda. She manges to get into just about every picture I take!

A Weekend of FOs

I was busy this weekend. Since my team at school already finished our paper, I really didn't have any other homework to do. So, I decided to knit. And knit I did. I finished the Yarn Girls Cardi. Well, minus the buttons, but those are on order. Wanna see?

It fits perfectly. It really does. When the buttons are on, it will be well worn. Who can't use a black cardi?

So, what else did I work on this weekend? A hat. Not that it is going to get cold ever here in Chicagoland, but I want to be prepared. I found this pattern and decided to give it a go. Pretty in blue, huh? PLease excuse the fisherman look I am going for here. At least I don't look like a thug...

So, you want to see a close up of the cables? Ok,  here you go.

After I got my knitting fill, I tortured Yoda. Doesn't she look cute in her costume that fits her..um, I mean fits around her big chest and neck...

She's fire breathing, you know.