Purls and Pugs

That is one HUGE ball of yarn!

So, I got a little ahead of myself and wound some yarn tonight...I decided to wind the Tess yarn for the Cable Down Raglan. It's ginormous! I took a picture of it, but you couldn't tell how big it is without something there for scale....this is the yarn with a regular size ball of Pastaza. Massive!

I'm getting excited to start this sweater...I need to keep myself focused on the Rusted Root #2 even though I may not get to wear it this year. It's getting to be a little cool and, well, wet. That's wool, alpaca, cashmere time and not cotton time.

I also think I might really pick up the ribby pulli sleeves again. I looked on Ravelry and got some good ideas on how to do the sleeves and help my brain blockage. I just was having one of those moments EVERY time I picked that sweater up. And it's CUTE! So my inability to figure out the sleeves was due to me just wanting to wear it. Makes sense, right?!

Ressurected

Yeah, so I picked up the Ribby Pulli again. I started on the first sleeve and I'm not sure how much I'm liking it. I followed the directions, but instead of 2x2 ribbing, I'm going to have some weirdness because of how it's all working out. I'm thinking I might just rip it out and alter the way that I do the increasing. Or go back to my original plan of doing it top down...hmmm

I thought it's been a while since Yoda made an appearance, so here she is already for me to leave for work. She gets up on the couch and awaits her treat every morning...Spoiled!!!

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!

TGIM?! Nah....

Another weekend, another wedding. One of my classmates and fellow coworkers was married on Saturday. She was beautiful, the weather was a bit chilly, but beautiful, and there was much fun! Here is a picture of 'The Girls'. There is, of course, the bride missing as well as one more 'girl' that had to drive to St. Louis for a funeral instead of attending the wedding. We drank, ate, and had an over all great time! The favors were fabulous truffles and caramels made by Heidi!

I purchased my first pair of Cole Haan shoes, with Nike Air technology, for the occasion. I am still having a difficult time justifying the price tag to myself, but I figure I deserve them. Every girl needs to feel like Carrie Bradshaw once in a while. And yes, they were that comfortable.

Sunday brought time to knit. Yes, I still do that! I have completed part one of the Ribby Pulli. Here you can see it waiting for some sleeves. I cast on for sleeve one and am making my way up the ribbing. I hadn't thought about it before now, but I might think about casting on for two at a time. While it might slow me down a little bit, I may also save some sanity and have perfectly matching sleeves.

Edited to Add: Notice how I am wearing 3" heals and still am the short one in the picture!!

Rib on up

Yup, still working on the Ribby Pulli. It's a little bit difficult to want to work on it when it is 90 degrees Fahrenheit outside. It's just not conducive to working with wool.

However, no matter how bad the weather is, it's starting to look great, and that make me want to keep going. I almost wish Bonne Marie would have written her Cardi pattern in the round like this and used steeks...maybe I will try it one day.

I can't wait to finish this sweater and for the weather to turn chillier...I could see myself wearing this running around a straw maze and getting some hot chocolate/cider afterwards....maybe even screaming at a haunted house or two! It's almost that time...

And They're Off...

Labor Day weekend is here! I am so happy to have that extra day off this weekend, but it's going to be a wild and crazy weekend, nonetheless. I have a 30th Birthday Party, a wedding, and my grandmother's birthday...Not to mention all the other things going on in my life (more to come on that soon)... I don't know if I will survive the weekend! I do hope that I get a minute here and there to relax.

I worked on the Ribby Cardi a bit last night. I am passed the initial ribbing and working my way through the plain panel/body sections now. It's funny how small it looks, but I know that the ribbing is pulling a lot and that it will relax once it's done. I am starting to really like the color...very fall.

On another note, I was introduced to a new store called Lush. They have minimal packaging, natural/organic ingredients, and some interesting stuff. It's like the Body Shop only, um, less. Know what I mean? Well, I would recommend the Ocean Salt. It won't make the bottom of your tub a slick oily mess that attracts grime. I also like the Amazonian as a moisturizing bar. Be careful, though....you may end up looking like a greased pig. Don't ask how I know...

Beginning the Ribby Pulli

So, I cast on for the Ribby Pulli last night. I am almost done with the initial ribbing on the smaller needles. Then I move up to ribbing on bigger needles. Did I ever mention that I really dislike ribbing? But I will suffer through it because this is one super cute sweater.

The picture makes the yarn look a bit on the orange side, but it's really not. I promise. This is more of a heather red. I think it's the lighting and the white table. I need to figure out how to do a photo tent for better pictures.

Rainy Sunday

Well, Yoda is doing much better! She even had a bath yesterday and smells very nice.

I have started working on the Rusted Root again. Originally, I had to rip it twice. Once because I was using the wrong needles, and the second time because I was, um, I don't know--crazy. It was a bit big, so out it went. Now, I look to be right on track. I am using the right needles, the gauge looks good, and it looks like it will fit me rather than a giant.

I just put the sleeves on scrap yarn, so I am just knitting away now. So, I guess now it's time to think about what I want to do next, right? That's how these things work. So, I looked at my 'To Do' list, and saw the Ribby Pulli, and thought, "I haven't really seen any of these done up...I think I'll try it." I'm all set on the pattern and yarn. AND it's a good thing I have on pair of Addi Turbos Size 6, and that they are being used for Rusted Root, otherwise, I would have cast on already!

Go Bonne Marie...

In addition to the Fitted Knits book I bought, I also picked up Bonne Marie's Ribby Pulli. Elann offers it now, which is great because you can buy lots of pretty (inexpensive) yarn at the same time. When I did, I bought enough Highland Peruvian Wool for the long sleeve version of the pulli in Oxblood. I need more red, too...

The pattern is printed nicely on a folder-like cardstock. It, of course, has the same layout as all Bonne Marie's patterns. I would recommend this pattern to anyone on the fence. I can't wait to finish the Scoop to Start the Ribby!