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!