Christmas Break!!!

I have a whole week off for Christmas and New Year's. This is the first for me, ever. I love my new job. No knitting or crochet pic's this time. I will definitely post some in the New Year. I have the new Afya Ibomu book, "Get Your Crochet On: Fly Tops and Funky Flavas" I love it and have tried to resist looking at it until I get to work a project out of it. I have one in mind, just have to get some yarn for it. My big thing to finish is my da's sweater. I am on the sleeves and am doing them at the same time. Next time I do this sweater I will be doing it in the round. I hope everyone had a great Xmas and I wish you all a glorious New Year.

Some Cool Buys

I've been a very busy girl lately. Who would've thought that a new job would take up majority of your life. Anyway, I did find time to stalk ebay for a whole set of dp's from sz 1 to 15 and look what I got. Its not the whole set pictured, but you get the idea. Having a entire set of dp's are great. A plus is that they are bamboo. I was so happy to win these and when they came I was elated. Now I am ready for anything. I thought this bear was oddly cute. Death by bee...so morbid. So me. Its from Debbie Stoller's new S & B book, " Son of Stitch and Bitch". Its full of great things for guys and girls. Admit it, guys have some cool things to wear now-adays that women can get away with wearing. This is a must to add to the S & B collection.

Argyle is definately in this yr. And what better way to wear it than a scarf using double knit. This is also From "Son of Stitch and Bitch". I already know one person who is going to knit this without complaint.

This is the cover

Thanks to other knitting blogs, (i.e. hipchicknits and deliciousstitches) I have found my way to Etsy and I bought these gorgeous stitch markers. They are blue...how could I pass on them.

I hope you go and get the new S & B book and visit Etsy if you get the chance.

Gift Giving

I have just finished my gifts for the girls at work as a going away gesture. The first is a crocheted tea pot cozy from www.lullabiesandlace.com/simpleteacozy.html I did it with MSU colors since the person I made this for went to MSU. I found the pattern very simple and can be done in one night. New stitch for me was the popcorn stitch. A very simple stitch to do.

This next one is a double crochet scarf made out of Lion Brand Homespun. I like the color and everything, but the yarn splits every so often. Not completely sold on it, but it comes in cute colors so I will more than likely get more.

This is the simple seamed hat done in the round. Just didn't want to seam it up later. I just eliminated 2 stitches. How simple is that? I also did better with the color change. Hated it at first but once I did it I was happy. Also, I made a pom pom for the first time without one of those gadgets. It wasn't all that hard. I think the hat looks good with a pom pom. And yes, this person also went to MSU hence the colors.

A time for new things

I've been eyeing the broomstick lace stitch for a yr now and just worked up the balls to attempt it. This is the beginning of the broomstick lace wristlets from Gritty Knits . I'm using worsted weight yarn SWS from patons. It self stripes even if you are crocheting. I think that is so cool. It also felts pretty good. Who would have thought that soy and wool would work well together. Go figure.

Also, I bought a new knitting needle case on ebay. It has 48 pockets to hold sp and dp needles, cable needles and crochet hooks. I was so excited when this came in the mail. I put all my needles in it (that weren't involved with a project). I'm very proud of this purchase. Now my needles have a proper home. They can all be in the same place.

Turning another yr older

Today I turned 28 yrs old and I feel no older than I did when I was 18. May be a little stiffer than before, but that can be fixed with exercise. There are alot of things I should have accomplised by now like becoming a published author, married with children and traveling. Yet, I have no regrets about how my life has actually turned out. I do enjoy my life and yes I do complain, but who doesn't. I have alot to be thankful for and that is what I focus on. Things could be worse than they are now.

I do enjoy crocheting and knitting. These are my hobbies. I love to crochet more than knit. I've been crocheting for 18 yrs and knitting for 4. There is nothing like having some good yarn and making something like a hat or a skirt out of it. Its so good to finish a project and to wear it in public and having people ask you where you got it from and to say, "I made this". That is the best feeling in the world to me. The photo shows my new winter hat the simple seamed hat. It was finished in 2 days. How cool is that.