Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

I finally finished the Peace Fleece sweater this past weekend! I promptly started a Debbie Bliss toddler sized cardigan, but I had to restart it a couple of times, since I was knitting outside at the lake at oh, probably 11:00 at night. By the light of some rope lighting around the deck railing. Size 3 needles and 4-ply yarn with lace, cables, and tiny bobbles. Do I have pictures of either for you? Not at the moment, but soon, I promise. I will wet block the Peace Fleece sweater tonight, hopefully it will dry in a day or two, and I can model it for a photo shoot.

I know my blog has been more quiet recently, but there have been some things going on I didn't feel comfortable talking about here until now. I am looking for another job, this time not in the world of public accounting. I love what I do, and I really like my clients, but I cannot work tax season hours with my children being the ages they are. I can only imagine it will get harder once they start school and have homework, etc. So, last night I sat down with the partners in my firm and let them know what was going on. They were very understanding, and very appreciative of the "advance-advance notice", as one put it. Fortunately, I can be a little picky about my next job, and I feel confident I will find something great in plenty of time before the next tax season starts up. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted :)

Vacation

Who knew vacation could be so exhausting? Yes, I took off work last Friday and don't return until next Tuesday. I'm been doing a lot of little things that don't really seem to be anything, and am exhausted, lol.

The vow renewal and anniversary party Saturday night were both a success (pictures to follow tomorrow). I've caught up on almost all of my TV shows that were languishing on the DVR, and have been knitting a little. I hope to finished the top down cardi tomorrow or Friday, and start something new for the weekend.

Sorry to cut this short, but I have an early appointment tomorrow morning!

Slowly but Surely

This is one project that should have been super fast, but I guess I'm not too motivated to knit heavy worsted weight in 80 degree weather.... I have finished both sleeves, finished the collar, and am back on the body. At this point I have worked about an inch below the arms, and need to calculate the decreases for the waist shaping. I think I am going to love wearing this sweater next fall & winter, and I am going to love when it's finished! I am itching to cast on for something more seasonal, but I have to wait until this is finished. If I cast on for something else now, I won't pick this up again until its cold out. I know me.

BHE and I are getting ready for a big party this weekend. We are renewing our vows in celebration of our tenth wedding anniversary, and it is getting here pretty fast! BHE is building an outdoor kitchen of sorts in our backyard, and the party will be luau themed. Have I ever mentioned we have a tiki bar in our house? Not one of those freestanding raffia and bamboo jobs you see here and there, but a sunroom converted into a full fledged Hawaiian-esque tiki bar. Yes, I do live in a land locked state. Does that really make a difference? I'll post pictures next week of the Coconut Monkey in full party mode :)

Aloha!

Backwards Knitting

This is a new experience for me, this knitting from the top down. I've now completed both sleeves, and have picked up stitches for the collar. Once I finished the collar, I'll go back to the body, and finish the cardigan from just under the sleeves down to the hem. Casting off where I normally cast on. I have to say, I really like being able to try it on as I go, and I will definitely be knitting more sweaters in this fashion. I also like that I can use up every bit of my yarn, if I want, and not worry that I'll have enough to finish the collar or button bands. This is yarn has been in the stash for well over a year now, and I'm certain I couldn't find a matching hank. I have a bit of a hank left for the collar, probably enough for the collar, and then two full hanks for the body. I used almost three so far for the yoke and both sleeves. More updates as it progresses!

I'm having trouble locating the camera, so no pictures today :(

On the Needles

I have new projects to report! I think I'm finally coming out of my knitting slump :) I have a couple if inches worked on a Jaywalker cuff, size small instead of large. I'm using stash yarn - Dancing from Knitpicks, and I think it has been discontinued. It is cotton, wool, and nylon, plus a bit of elastic, and I'm knitting it on size 1's. This is my to-go project, so it's not moving very fast right now.

I've also started a top down raglan cardi in Peace Fleece. No pattern, I'm making it up as I go along, using Barbara Walker's book. I had thought this would be a pretty quick one, given I'm knitting it on size 9s, but I keep ripping back a few rows once in a while to ensure proper fit. So far, I've used nearly 2 hanks of yarn, and have knit the body to the bottom of the arm holes, and have knit about halfway down one sleeve. The color is Sheplova Mushroom. The yarn is a little scratchy, but my washed swatch softened up very nicely. Plus there is some lanolin left in the yarn, so my hands are always super soft after a bit of knitting :)

I do want to get this one finished pretty quick though, because I really want to cast on for Marihone, a Dale of Norway toddler pattern. I can't start until the size 0s circs I ordered get here. I am making a few changes to this pattern though. I am making it a cardigan instead of a pullover, probably with a separating zipper. Also, the largest pattern size is 24 months, and Sweetpea will be 2 in August. I'm going to calculate what a 36 month size would be and knit that instead. She is a petite little thing, but for the amount of work that will go into this knit, I want her to be able to wear it for more than a few months. (ETA: the needles arrived today!)

On a final note, my life is slowly getting back to normal. I still have about 500 posts to read in my Bloglines, but I'm trying to clear a few off each day. My house is getting cleaner, and I'm even cleaning and organizing my sewing room / office. I mopped every floor that wasn't carpet or wood tonight! I will say I think I just finished my last tax season. More on that as it develops....