Recently in PhillyKnitter Secret Pal Gift Category
I had such a good weekend!
Sunday was the PhillyKnitter secret pal reveal and it was alot of fun. We piled the gifts on a table in the middle of the yard and as each pal's name was called she walked up, took her gift from the table, and presented it to her pal. Then her pal sat in the chair of honor and unwraped the gift for all to see.
There were some really creative and well-made gifts -- shawls, scarves, bags, and sachets. It was nice to see so much happiness and thoughtfulness together like that.
I was finally able to tell Stella that she was my secret pal (although I still suspect she knew before that!). In my last package to her I gave Knitting Tips & Trade Secrets, a canister of Blackberry Sage Tea (great for iced tea), and a knitted scarf.
It's a baby alpaca scarf made from a free pattern from Heartstrings. I like this pattern alot! It makes a very nice non-roll edge by doing a YO k2togtbl (or p2tog) at the beginning of each row. The edge has a long chain along the side.
For fringe I initially thought I'd do a beaded fringe, but once I finished the scarf that didn't seem right. Instead I opted for a simple knotted fringe. I've been wanting to do that kind of fringe for a while and this finally seemed like the right project for it.
I was joking at the SnB yesterday that had I not been on a deadline for this scarf I never would have finished it so quickly. But the thought of showing up with an IOU was too awful so I even finished a few days early!
Ever since I read Kristine's post about fall knitting I've been feeling frenzied to clear out all my summery projects so I can be ready for the fall. The truth is, I enjoy cool weather projects alot more anyway.
So, I'm motoring thru cheesylove. See...
I'm at the start of the bust increases. I could definitely see finishing this project in a week or a bit more. But (there's always a but, right?). Memorial Day Weekend is coming up and we've slated it as a house weekend. Meaning, while you all are out at the beach, or enjoying a picnic, or sunning by the pool, we'll be on ladders and digging in dirt making the house a little bit more presenatable.
Of course, this scenario does have a silver lining, which is getting a bit closer to being able to list and sell the house!
Ribbing Problem
I'm decided to rip my PK Secret Pal gift. It has some 4x2 ribbing and the last knit is loose. I've never had this problem before! I tried wrapping the yarn in the opposite direction and then untwisting it as I knit. It did help, but it's still not perfect. I know others have had this problem before, but since I never have til this project, I never paid attention to the fixes. I'll take any and all advice. This is a gift - for a fellow knitter - so there's no way it's not going to be right.
I had another fabulous weekend. Saturday was the PhillyKnitters monthly Stitch n Bitch. We all got together and knitted at Megan's - what a beautiful house!. I was there for more than 6 hours.
Beforehand Evelyn and I stopped at Rosie's. It was her first time there and she really liked it. Luckily there was no class going on this Saturday so you could actually walk around the store. I picked up some yarn and a pattern for my PhillyKnitter Secret Pal finale gift. Our last gift has to be something we've knit. I think I picked a good one because it's something I don't think my pal would make for herself, but something that she'd appreciate and enjoy. I even cast on for it Sunday. It kills me not to post pics but you all are gonna have to wait until August when I give the gift!
I also started another project last week. A modified cheesylove. I've changed the yarn to be Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece - which I absolutely love. This will definitely not be my last Cotton Fleece sweater. I'm also changing the top part to be a raglan with a straight or very shallow V across the front, and short or 3/4 length sleeves. This project is really flying. I'm thru the bodice decreases and just have a few more rows before the increases start. I decided to make this pattern because I thought the rib would shrink with me as I lose weight.
Commute Music
I broke out my Lilith Fair Volume 1 CD today. I haven't listened to it in a while and it really made the commute go quickly. My favorite song - Mississippi by Paula Cole. I love the lows and highs she goes thru with that song, and even the snarling/growling she starts out with. I laugh when I hear that part because they have a pic of her at the concert inside the CD cover and there she is in a girly black and white flower print sundress with pigtails. And the lyrics are great. Here are a few lines:
Who would love my many selves
The wife, the bitch, the rapunzel?
and in the chorus...
I have a piece of my heart....on the sole of your shoe
I've got a little bit of thunder...trapped inside of a cloud
That dog in you spit me out into the Mississippi
OK, not the most uplifting of lyrics, but she does an awesome job with them. And the music is great too.
