Purls and Pugs

One of these things doesn't belong...

Ever since the Kappa Delta Reunion last fall, a bunch of people have been saying we need to get together more regularly. So, Saturday night a bunch of us got together for a night of dancing and fun. As you can see, I seem to be the odd man out. I didn't get the memo about the black shirt! There is another girl that is blocked who is not in black, too, but you can't see her in the picture as well as you can see me. Bottom line, though, is that we had fun!

In my downtime on Sunday, I made some huge headway on the  Drop Stitch Tank. I'm getting close to finishing the front. I'm not usually too excited about summer knits, to be honest, but I am liking the speed! And I am liking the pattern of this one--simple, yet, stylish. I think it's going to turn out looking like a great sweater to wear with a cute khaki skirt...

And I'll leave you with a picture of one of my favorite plants. I picked this Gerber Daisy up at the grocery store...it just looked so happy sitting there. And it's orange, so that's a plus. For some reason, I always name my Gerbers "Petunia"...is that confusing for a plant? I think they just look like a "Petunia"! Silly, Amanda...

Breakfast of Champions

Hmm...so I was doing my hair and makeup this morning, and heard this weird noise coming from Yoda sitting behind me. I turned around, and I think she was eating, or at least tasting, my Cole Haan shoe! I have never had a problem with her eating shoes before this...apparently, she knows and like quality. And of course, I received the look of innocence when I asked her what she was doing. Crazy, silly, dog.

I worked a little bit here and there on the drop stitch tank. Do you ever  get into a mood where you are just NOT in the mood to knit what you are working on? You look at it sitting there on the table mocking you, and you just don't want to pick it up? That's me lately...I think it's the nice weather! And the company I have been keeping...but that's a different story for a different day! Last night, I decided that I should just pick it up and do a few rows, and you know what? It wasn't that bad! It's such an easy lace pattern and easy sweater that I can't help but work on it and finish it.

Who ordered a pitcher?

This was one great weekend! The weather is getting so nice that I haven't been spending much time knitting, but I have been having some fun.

There is a bar in downtown Plainfield called Moe Joe's--it's constantly Mardi Gras there. Well, without the flashing...But they have some good Cajun food! I had a crab cake po boy with sweet potato fries on Friday night. I actually only ate half the sandwich because it was so big. But after several beers, my friend and I were hungry and broke into our leftovers! We ate them before we even left the place. But I guess that's going to happen when you've had 5 beers, you've got the munchies, and it's 10 pm! It was nice to get out with some chicks and be silly.

Saturday was not quite as nice weather-wise, but I had a good day regardless. I saw that new movie Forgetting Sarah Marshall. It was funny, but beware there is male frontal nudity in the like first couple minutes. Scary. I shutter just reliving it! Then I had a French Martini at the Capital Grill....mmmm. I was telling my friend that I think the nicer places make them better. It might be the grade of champaign they use or that the bar tenders are just a little bit better. I don't know, but I like 'em. Even at $9 a pop. And if you love guacamole, you need to get to Adobo and order theirs. I am not a huge fan of the green stuff, but this was AMAZING! Get there now!

I know I've mentioned my like for Hooters. Well, my friends and I are being silly and participating in the Hooters' 25th Anniversary Passport for wing parties. So, Sunday we had tickets to the Chicago Rush Arena Football team, and we hit 3 Hooters Restaurants. Yes, you read that right -- 3 Hooters. Now, I had a plan, and that was eat at #1, drink at #2, and not even have a clue we were going to #3. So, I ate at #1. But this is where the story gets a little weird...see, we had 2 cars of people. One car went directly to #2 and the other car (the one I was in) went to pick up one more person. Well, we ended up taking a detour to Schaumburg when we need to be in Rosemont (for those of you who don't know this area--they are no where near each other). The new passenger told us to get on I-290 instead of I-294 because he thought we were going to Hoffman Estates (again, even farther from where we were supposed to be!). So, we realized in Schuamburg what was going on...so there was less time to drink at Hooters #2.

So, when we finally got to #2, I ran the the washroom and asked my friends to order me a mug of Sangria. When the waitress brought it, it was a pitcher. Yes, a pitcher of sangria...so, I drank it. Yup, I drank the whole thing. And quickly. The funny thing was I got a pitcher of Sangria for the cost of a French Martini! But, I was good to go for the game and didn't need to buy a $6 beer. In fact, I was pretty good for most of the rest of the night. The best part was that I even felt a little better about our detour.

I had never been to an AFL game, and I have to say it was pretty fun. The Rush won a pretty close game, and we saw some amazing plays. Those guys hit into the boards harder than hockey players!

What's your singature color?

I've noticed lately that I have a certain color that I am drawn to. I have a winter coat in this color, my running shoes have a shade of this color as an accent, my bluetooth headset is in the same color family, as well as, a pair of my Oakleys...I have cardigans, fleeces, shirts, golf cubs, and tanks in this color, and now I am making a summer sweater in this color. Heck, my blog has hints of it in the layout!

I realized this last weekend when I picked up (but did not purchase) a couple sweaters in the same color that maybe this is my signature color. You know, that color that people see and think of you or that you just about always have something on in that color. Sort of like a signature scent (mine is Emporio Armani She and Diamonds) where people smell it and think of you.

My color is magenta. Not that bright, hurt your eyes magenta, but a bit more purple. I think this color perks me right up, I feel good in it, and it's cute and girly. This color is different than my favorite color, orange. It's the color that I KNOW looks good on me. Orange is not always the most flattering on me, though I love it.

What's your signature color?

There is always a bright spot...

What a crappy weekend! The previous weekend was mid-60s and sunny. This last weekend was 30s and snowy. Yeah, snowy. I don't think it would have been so bad if we hadn't been teased with such great weather the previous weekend. Because of the weather, it seemed that everyone was a little lethargic this weekend. Saturday I did some shopping (and today I am wearing some new stuff--I'm feeling a little Katherine Hepburn) and then stayed in and "rented" and On Demand movie. I was the ultimate in lazy! And what's the best thing to do while watching a movie? Well, knit, of course.

I started the Fitted Knits Drop-Stitch Tank in Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece. I'm using a yarn in my 'signature color'--kind of a magenta. I'm hoping that by the time I finish it, I can wear it. I've gotten to the 2x2 ribbing section and seem to be flying on it. I was reading on Ravelry that quite a few people knit the whole thing in the round, but I decided I wanted to do pieces this time. I think the seams will give it a little stability, and really, it's like 2 straight seams. I think I can handle that...especially if I do a 3 needle bind-off for the shoulders!

I feel human again

It's amazing how much difference a day makes! I went back to work yesterday and felt like crap. There is just no nice way to say it...I was premature in going back to work. Today, I feel tons better. I'm still tired, but I think solid food is in my future again!

So, I played with the tripod and camera last night trying to get a picture of me in the Cozy V-Neck Pullover. I'm just not happy at how the pics turned out. I think I look like a fat blob, but I think a lot of it has to do with the angle, distance, etc. I just think it's hard to get a flattering pic in a small room with the auto photo set. But, I promised you a pic of me in it, so here you go!

Have a great weekend everyone and stay healthy!

Finished in between Consciousness

Yup, Folks, I finished my Fitted Knits Deep V-Neck Pullover. I thought that I was done with all the sick stuff this season, and I was happy about it since it seemed I got off pretty easily. Well, I was wrong...I have had strep the last few days--yuck. In between the 102.5 F fever and not being able to swallow, I found some awake time to work on knitting. And I really didn't mess up so badly either!

Here she is on the mannequin drying in front of an open in window. It is only 40-some degrees here, but I figured that a little fresh air might help kill some germs in my room. And why not multi-task by letting the sweater dry at the same time?

I plan on going back to work for the first time this week tomorrow, and I think I'll be wearing a new sweater. I'll try to make myself not look so in pain, and have someone snap a picture of me in it. Sounds like a plan to me.

Pattern: Fitted Knits Cosy V-Neck pullover
Yarn: Cascade Pastaza - 70
Needles: Knit Picks Options size 9 & 7
Notes: I made the smallest size since I've been warned (and learned first hand) that the patterns run on the larger sizes. I had EXACTLY one ball of yarn left when completed. The only changes I made to the pattern was that I picked up 2 sts on each arm and knit them in the round instead of flat. Viola!

Cozy is right

I had a little time to work on the V Neck Sweater yesterday, so I worked on the neck ribbing. To be honest, my real motivation is that I am worried I am going to run out of yarn for the second sleeve. So, I decided that I should do the neck ribbing and then use the rest of the yarn for the sleeve with no worries. I think that's a good plan. So, either I didn't purchase enough yarn or the book is dead on for how much is needed. I don't think any knitting will be getting done tonight, so it's up to the weekend to get it all finished.

Quick update

I'm getting so close to finishing this sweater. I have to say that the ribbing on the arm went so much faster than the body. Must be that smaller circumfrence. In any case, I can see myself getting this done to wear next week. Even though the temperature is on the rise, it's still chilly when the sun goes away, so I should get to wear it in public. That's the true test, no?