My new work in progress...

I have had loads of knitting to keep me busy, I've mentioned before the shawl I'm doing. It's been a lot of fun, I've done up two medallion type things already and I plan on taking that project with me on the plane. Here's a quick pic of what they look like so far, of course I'm going to block them so they lay nicer but I'm going to wait until I have them all done first. I plan on taking a peek at the book I have at home with a similar pattern to see how many they did and how they put theirs together.

Knitting Resolutions...

Happy New Year!!!!

I know it's a wee bit late, but better late than never....

I'm usually one of those to make New Year Resolutions, nor am I all that affected by the new year; it's just a continuation of what was. But this year it's different for me...not sure why. I have a lot of plans for this year.

I've already decided to make some afghans, and I figure I best start now that way I'll have all year to finish them. And if you knew me you'd chuckle at that, because I'm the kind of gal who gets very bored very easily with my knitting...I'm like the poster girl for procrastination. But I'm bound and determined this year will be different. *fingers crossed* I've also started to get more involved in some groups, I'm hoping to be a part of a yarn box exchange and I've discovered the art of being a Yarrn Ninjja! Which I think will be fun and a great way to use up some leftover yarn.

I have also started a new project for myself...I saw some shawls in a vogue knitting book I have and decided to use a stitch pattern and do something similar to it. I don't have the book with me so I'm going off the top of my head but I'm sure it'll be great!

Not only do I have resolutions for my knitting but I also have decided that it's time I get my butt up and in shape. I know that's like the #1 resolution every year for people but I've been thinking about this for a while.  I've just never been motivated enough to want to do anything about it. But my resolution is not to diet or become some ubber gym goer. I simply want to start eating healthy, and getting more active with our dogs. I've never been 'ok' with giving up everything you enjoy eating simply to lose weight, I mean I want to be happy....not skinny and miserable because I can't have a chocolate bar every now and then. My new motto is "In Moderation". Plus I don't want to be skinny, I want to keep my curves!!  Even now as unhappy as I am with my body I love my curves, it's the bulges I'm not a big fan of. ha ha

I guess to really sum up my New Year's Resolutions is this...I simply want to live my life. I've spent the last couple of years living in a bubble in my house and I'm tired of that. I want to get out and enjoy life, enjoy my family and really dive into the things that make me happy. Even if they are nerdy. : p

Snowflakes and colour work

I've weighted out the pros and con's of doing colour work and have come to a conclusion...it's one big pain in the butt! I've mentioned in a previous post that I'm working on a hat for my mom and I'm doing a snowflake pattern in it, and all that got me through the colour section was that I knew how much my mom would love it. If it wasn't for that I don't think I would have done the snowflake section; at least not if it was just for me.

Well...now that I'm done my rant, I'm writing this to show off my colour section of the hat...he he As mush as I complain I have to say I am proud of what I've accomplished.

I had my doubts on how they were going to look, because it didn't look good; I even contemplated pulling it out and doing something else. But I figured I may as well wait until the whole thing was done and then decide. I'm glad I didn't rip it out, because I think they're cute. : )

I'm hoping to get the hat done by tomorrow, fingers crossed...I was going to post a picture of another colour work project I did but it's already wrapped and under the tree. : p

Home - A cowl pattern

Alright so I've been working all week on a cowl, and I'm proud to say it's done. : ) I bought this yarn that is so soft and chunky, I love it. The yarn is by Loops and Threads called Country Loom in colour Driftwood (01165). Since I have yet to figure out how to use windows word I decided to just type it on here...without further a due, my pattern. : )

Home - Cowl

Yarn: Loops & Threads Country Loom, colour Driftwood. 1 Ball
Needles: 8mm / 11US
**I'll admit I didn't care about the gauge, but the yarn itself has a gauge of 11stitches and 16 rows to create 4x4inches, using a 9mm needle.**

Using 8mm needles cast-on 28 stitches, working back and forth proceed with pattern bellow...

Row 1: K4, P4 - repeat to last 4 sts. K4
Row 2: P4, K4 - repeat to last 4 sts. P4
Row 3: K4, P4 - repeat to last 4 sts. K4
Row 4: P4, K4 - repeat to last 4 sts. P4
Row 5-6: KNIT
Row 7: P4, K4 - repeat to last 4 sts. P4
Row 8: K4, P4 - repeat to last 4 sts. K4
Row 9: P4, K4 - repeat to last 4 sts. P4
Row 10: K4, P4 - repeat to last 4 sts. K4
Row 11-12: KNIT

Repeat rows 1-12 until piece measures desired length, then loosely cast off. I did 8 repeats for my cowl. Once you cast off sew cast on and cast off ends together and ENJOY!

Here's a close up of the stitch pattern, the picture's not that great; kinda hard to do it own your own with a big honkin' camera. ha ha

Feel free to re-create this pattern, post pictures for me!

**As a disclaimer, I've made this pattern on my own and I have posted the pattern on here because I'm proud to share it. And if you're going to recreate and sell it for profit or for charity all I ask is that you don't pass the pattern off as your own. Thanks.**

Tis the Season

I always tell people my favorite holiday is Boxing Day (Dec. 26). As a shopaholic it gives me such a thrill to be out and around looking for the best deals on items. I love it! But my favorite season is the Christmas season, as soon as November 1st hits I start getting my decorations out, playing holiday music, baking, and so many other things. I still remember making a mess at my Grandmothers baking Christmas cookies as a little girl. And to this day I still take time to go over and make a mess.

And even though I've been home now for almost a month I'm still not in the Christmas spirit...at least not until this morning. I woke up to S-N-O-W! I was so excited, a crisp white blanket has covered the city and it's perked me right up. So, today I've spent the day cozed up on the couch, watching movies and attempting to knit.

I've been wanting to make a cowl for myself, something big and warm to wrap around my neck for the winter. And I've been wanting to make something myself but I have been having the worse time finding a stitch pattern I love. I had this great green yarn that I used for my previous cowl but came to the sad conclusion today that it's not the stitch patterns I'm not liking it's the yarn itself. There's just something about the yarn that's just not what I want. And it's so sad because it's a beautiful, soft yarn.

I'm off to find some yarn more fitting and to make myself a nice big cup of hot chocolate. Enjoy this season and I hope you all have as many happy memories and traditions as I do.