Purls and Pugs

I've been thinking...

Dangerous, I know! But I need to get knitting on something, so I've been thinking about what I have and what I like to wear a lot. So, I've decided that I think I am going to knit another Rusted Root. I love my black one and wear it all the time. I get so many compliments on it, too. I think I'm gonna pull the pink Cotton Fleece from my stash sale and use that. That'll be cute, no?

Also, I think it's about time I write up that Gucci Knockoff Pattern. Fall will be here before we know it, and people will need a big, warm, stylish sweater! It's a quick knit and warm and cuddly!

I just wasn't fast enough

Yoda was hiding under the foot part of my blankets this morning. Here she is emerging as I tried to take a picture of her cuteness lying down. I knew she would move as soon as I tried to get the camera and take a picture. I need a camera in every room of the house! That's the only way I am going to get those spontaneous pictures.

Over the weekend I visited Fringe, which is going out of business. The owners started dying yarn and became so wildly successful that the store needs to close because there is not enough time in the day. Well, at 30% off, I bought some yarn and some buttons. I found some great buttons for the Gucci Sweater. here they are in all their glory. I have sewed them on the sweater, but I want to make some adjustments to the collar, so I won't photograph the absolutely finished sweater yet. But, I have to say that these buttons look fabulous on the sweater. And they were 50% off, so I might have to go back and look at the rest of the buttons...you never know.

Thank goodness it's above freezing today

Yesterday was a C-O-L-D day. When I woke up at 4:30, it was -3 F (actualy temperature)! Yoda was not so happy about having to potty in the cold like that. It took me 30 minutes to get her to go, and I was 15 minutes late for work. I know it was because her little paws were so cold, so what is a mommy to do? I decided to bite the bullet and get her doggie boots. Now, I am really not a big fan of boots. I mean, she's a dog...a sweater or shirt is ok, but boots?!

Well, I went to Petsmart and bought them anyway and spent $43 in the process! Yes, $43. I was told that I can return them even after we try them out. Well, after 10 minutes of getting these things on (can you see me playing with dog boots at 4:30 in the morning?), she was set. It was the funniest thing I have ever seen...even funnier than the Yoda Dragon. She looked like she was swimming on land trying to get these off, or maybe it was just walk. We went out and that was a disaster. Needless to say, the boots are going back, but not after I get out the video camera...

Also yesterday was my sister's last day of her graduate program. Yippee for her! I'm a bit jealous, but I am  proud of her. Here she is next to her walk through presentation. Doesn't she look smarter? Those are some lucky fourth graders she teaches!

I decided to wear the Gucci sweater since it was colder than cold, and that sweater is so warm. While I was at my parent's I had Becky take a couple pictures of me in it, so I hope you are all happy to have your modeled picture. Sarah left a comment the other day that she saw the real one in the Gucci store in NY, and that mine is a good replica. Yippee! I still need to fix the things I don't like about it that I mentioned the other day, but that's what the weekend it for, right?

Done!

I did it! I finished the Gucci Inspired sweater. I wore it to work today, and have a few things I want to fix. First, the buttons need to have some gold or brass in them. I think it will bring out the color. Second, I need to adjust part of the placket...it just fit funny at one part. And this sweater is SO warm! I am usually freezing at work, but after some hot coco, I was literally sweating. Sweating! Can you believe it?!

But I LOVE this yarn. I was skeptical at first, but I LOVE it! I think it's very soft, and warm. I want to buy tons of it to make tons of warm comfy sweaters, but I won't. I have to use what it left in my stash. I do...from now on, that's it! once I am done with what I have, I might entertain the idea of more yarn.

Anyway, I am going to really work on the pattern once school is out. The final is next week, so don't fret! I will also try to get a good picture of me in the sweater.

Pattern: My Own
Yarn: Knit Picks Cadena in Mahogany
Needles: Denise Size 9 and 11
Notes: I so didn't spend $1000 on this sweater! Now, I just need Angie Harmon to model it for me!

I've been thinking

So I have been working on the Ribby Pulli for a while. It kind of went on the back burner due to the immediate nature of needing a Gucci knockoff sweater. But I haven't been very happy with the way the sleeves are going. I just don't like the ribbing in the round and the increases and all that...just not looking as pretty as decreases. So, I have decided that I am going to work them from the top down.

The game plan is to cast on with waste yarn and start knitting backwards from the 'top' of the sleeve and do decreases instead of increases. Then I can go back and remove the waste yarn to finish the sweater in the round. Anyone think I am off my rocker? Maybe I am not doing something right on the sleeves? I don't know...any advice would be great! Bonne Marie, you there?!

Gucci Update: I have one side of the sweater totally sewn up/on. I just need to do the other side and then the collar. I was so tired yesterday that I was really having a hard time doing anything other than sitting, so that's why it is not done. This weekend the weather is not looking to be that great, so I have a feeling there will be a new sweater for me on Monday!

Everyone stay dry and warm this weekend!

Pieces

Here are all the pieces of the Gucci sweater waiting to be seamed and finished. Tonight I have class (only 3 more this semester!), so no seaming will happen tonight. I plan on getting cuddly with Yoda and a darning needle on Thursday. So I should have most of the garment finished by Friday, and hopefully I'll have a new sweater to wear to work on Monday. Yippee!

I also started putting together the pattern. I still have some math to do on the other sizes, but I think that should be done fairly soon.

In other crafty news, I hit the after Thanksgiving sale at JoAnn's and brought some nice scissors at 50% off.  One of the things that most good sewing books tell you is that a nice pair of scissors is a must, and they will last a lifetime. Here are a pair of 8" Gingher dressmaker scissors that cost me only 17ish dollars. I don't think that's too bad for a pair of scissors that will last a lifetime. I also picked up a larger self healing cutting mat, a second rotary cutter, and a pinking blade for the cutter. And all I went there for was thread!

Done!

I love being on vacation! I have been so productive. I am crossing things off my list, which is huge, and getting to do things I want to do. And it's only the second day.

So one of those things I wanted to finish was this sweater. And then I immediately cast on for the 'real' one. I also hope to get the pattern written up for a range of sizes while I am being so productive. But in the mean time, here are the details. By the way, pay no attention to the bulging shirt you can see under the sweater. It's not my fat or the sweater, I swear.

Pattern: My own based on a Gucci design
Yarn: Jaeger Chamonix
Needles: Denise circulars in size 9 & 11
Notes: A quick knit that really is very stylish and warm. On to the real sweater...

Yoda is very happy to have her mom home on vacation, too! She likes to use me as a pillow or a bed to sleep on. She even slept in longer than me today!! I think she thinks the sweater is nice, but I can't tell...what do you think?

Happy 4th Birthday, Yoda!

Yes, today Yoda is 4! She is such a big girl compared to when I got her. She was 4 pounds when I brought her home! I can't believe she has grown so much and is already getting a grey beard...

We are going to be celebrating this weekend with a doggie birthday cake and gifts. I know she is excited.

She has several friends in her gallery, but I think she is getting greedy and wants more. She knows there are more pets or pet parents that read this blog...

In other news, I have been working on the sleeve of Gucci and the pattern. That should be done shortly. I  also have been working on a 'practice' quilt. I found this kit at Jo Ann Fabrics and loved the fabric so decided to try it. I am a little unsure of the acutal quilting and binding process, so this gives me step by step directions.

Only 2 more days of work this week! Can't you tell I'm excited?

Riiip...

I had great intentions of working on the second sleeve of Gucci. I really did. But then I got so excited about how I am going to do my sorority t-shirt quilt that I started ripping that apart.  I have some of the backs of the bazillion shirts already freed from the original design. Yoda was a little tired when I was taking pictures this morning....can't you tell she just wants to lay on the quilt?

I also made a swatch from the Andean Silk I bought from Knit Picks. I washed it and am sending it to my friend so she can wear it against her skin and see how scratchy it feels. She has very sensitive skin, so I figured this would be the best way to see if it is ok or if we need to go back to the drawing board. As a side note, I have never had a problem with yarn color running, but this Cranberry really turned the water red. Just wanted to throw that out there for anyone who might want to know.

Class tonight, so probably not much to report tomorrow....and I start vacation in 8 days!!! Yippee!!!

From Gucci to Yoda

The Gucci sweater is taking shape. Here you can see the buttons I picked out for it. I have the whole thing done except for the second sleeve. I tried it on and I think it will be really comfy. I am so excited to start on the brown one! I'm just having some motivation getting going on the second sleeve of this one. I know that once I am done with it, I can start the other one. BUT, I want to start the other one NOW! I'll get over it...

Yoda and I had a little picture session, too. Please excuse my freshly washed face. I had just indulged myself in a green facial mask that would make Frankenstein's monster jealous. I think Yoda is ready for B-E-D...but don't say the word! It's known to send a cranky pug into a spiral.

Please check out the Friends of Yoda album and keep sending in those pictures. Yoda is surprised to not see a picture of a pug in Japan or a mini long-haired dachshund from Peoria or a dalmatian named Lillie...She likes to diversify!
Have a great day!

Have you seen my baseball...er...football?

I picked up Yoda's Halloween costume and general Sunday wear - A Chicago Bears jersey! She is so happy, can't you tell? Here are some of the best shots I got of her...

What a ham! I swear she could be a supermodel. Look at those poses!

So, while I was out last night, I also picked up some buttons for the Gucci Sweater (still working on a new  name). I found these silver swirls that will look great with the gray yarn. I am also almost done with the first sleeve. It's taken a bit, but I'll get there. I might get the second done this weekend...we'll see how that goes. But once that sweater is done, I can do some adjustments and start the 'real' one. I can't wait!!

Have a great weekend! Bear down!

Random Thoughts of the Day

Here is all my hard work on the collar for the Gucci sweater. BTW, I think I need to come up with a better name than the Gucci sweater or Gucci Inspired....any ideas?
Anyway, Here it is ready for some buttons. I think I will go to JoAnns this weekend to check out buttons. I am thinking silverish since the gray is on the cooler side of the color pallet, but we'll see what I can find.

Here are some pictures of the yarn I bought for the sweater (Knit Picks Candena in Mahogany), as well as for a scarf (maybe hat) for my grandmother (Knit Picks Elegance in Oatmeal), and for a swatch for a friend's sweater (Knit Picks Andean Silk in Cranberry).

Lastly, if you like salsa, I found a new favorite. Melina's Salsa is made in the Chicagoland area, and is AWESOME! I decided that I need to start buying this stuff by the case. I've had the medium and hot, and both are equally yummy! I like to make a baked potato and pour some salsa on top. Yum! The chips are pretty good, too.

Yoda doesn't like spicy stuff...She's not impressed with the salsa, but she will have a piece of potato!

I love the Mailman!

I came home yesterday unaware that the mailman was so nice to me. And for the record, I think I have a female mailman. Yes, I said mailman...old habits die hard.

Anyway, in addition to those yucky bills and such, I was greeted at my front door by a soft squishy package - yarn! The yarn for the real Gucci Sweater arrived. I also had a few balls in there for a scarf/hat for my grandmother, and one ball to swatch for a friend. I didn't take any pictures yet...but the mahogany is the perfect match to the magazine color. I am so excited! I want to cast on right now, but I first need to finish the first sweater.

See, I have everything but the sleeves done. I decided to sew the shoulder seems together and do the double breasted neck trim. The first iteration was close, but not quite what I wanted. I had added button holes for all the buttons, but after seeing the shape of the sweater and looking at the picture more, I realized the two buttons on your left looking at the picture were not functional but more decoration. So, I pulled out my handy crochet hook and got rid of those button holes. The next thing to tackle was the bind-off. I usually have no problem with how tight it is...but this time it was way too tight. So, I decided to use needles about 4 times bigger to help me out. I think it worked like a charm. I have a couple more details to work out with that part and then it's on to the sleeves.

Not only did the mailman bring the yarn, but she also dropped off my sister's birthday gift. I thought I wasn't going to see the gift until November! Yesterday was a good mail day.

School just gets in the way...

Last night I had my midterm in my Corporate Social Responsibility class, and I think I did ok. There were some fill-in-the-blank questions that were impossible, but for the most part I think it wasn't too difficult. So, because I had been studying cramming,   I have not worked on the Gucci sweater. I do have about 1/4 of the placket neck ribbing done, and that is moving along pretty well. I will post pictures once that is done. Right now it's all bunched up and makes the sweater look goofy!

I want to work on it tonight, but instead I am going out to dinner with school friends. There are some of us who have already graduated, and some that are in other classes this semester, so it's nice to get together once in a while and catch up.

This is such a quick knit! I have to say that I never really liked drop shoulder sweaters. I don't know if it's that they are not as form fitting, or that they were 'too easy', but I have to say it's appropriate for this style. It can be layered and not add too much bulk to the wearer. I do think the sleeves are going to be pretty easy as well...no sleeve cap to shape! The tricky part will be sewing the sleeves in evenly. But, like I said, I like seeming when it all comes out so pretty!

I think it's getting to be time to order yarn for the real version of the sweater. Darn! I have to order yarn! I know, it's such a hardship.

I want to put this out there as just something to think about...I might need some test knitters to make sure the sizing is right, etc. So, if you are interested, keep this in mind when planning projects. I wouldn't be able to offer anything other than you getting to see the pattern before most everyone else, but sometimes that's the payoff...

Gucci Inspired

So, I saw this sweater in an O Magazine spread and fell in love with it. Ok, so I don't have $1095 for a sweater, but I do know how to knit! I've started working on my prototype. It's actually a pretty simple design, which makes me feel bad for all those people that are paying over $1K for it.

My take on it is an over-sized drop shoulder sweater with a BIG placket neck. Shouldn't be too difficult. I'm doing my first one in the Jaeger Chamonix I was using for my Japanese sweater that is now in the land of nothing. I was anxious to begin, but didn't want to shell out the money just yet for it, so this is the test knit. If this turns out how I am hoping, I might write up a free pattern for those who would be interested...I am planning to use Knit Picks Cadena in Mahogany for the real one. The color is one of the things that drew me to it. And I think the alpaca and wool blend will lend more to being an outdoor type sweater like the original.