Before the sleeves it wasn't too bad.

Here’s what I’ve determined as my problem.  Gauge, of course.  I knit a swatch like a good knitter.  I did not wash and block the swatch, but I did knit one.  That has to count for something.

With sleeves, it is obviously HUGE!

Once I started picking up for the first sleeve, I realized I couldn’t pick up the amount for the size I was knitting (36, btw).  I had to pick up the number for the next size up because my armhole was much larger than it should be.  I still managed to fool myself into thinking everything would be ok so I kept on knitting.  At some point I tried it on again and realized this thing made me look 50 lbs heavier than I am and it was unacceptable.

I think I could get about 5 arms in that sleeve.

This is my worst failure as a knitter so let’s hope my second take on this cardigan will be more successful.

Ignore the crazy eyes. I was cold.

Pattern: Loop Entrelac Tank by Allyson Dykhuizen

Yarn: Knit Picks Simply Cotton Sport

Needles: US 4 and 6

More details… here (ravelry link)

What? I'm just trying to show you the neckline detail.

This was fun to knit.  The construction is really neat and keeps things interesting.  I wore it out tonight (with a jacket, of course) and it was very comfy.  I have yet to actually wash and block it.  I think I’ll try to make it a bit more roomy around the waist when I get around to blocking it.

Gotta go now.  I’ve got more knitting to finish before the week’s out.

I'm happier about this scarf than I look.

Pattern: Speedline by Alexandra Tinsley

Yarn: Berroco Vintage and Cascade 220

Needles: US 9

More details… here (ravelry link)

Look at that masterful knitting!

The pattern was super easy and great football knitting.  The only change I made was to cast on less stitches (40 less, I think.) because I was using up stash yarn.  The pattern calls for DK weight yarn, but I used a worsted weight instead.

Just so you don't think I was too serious today.

Now for a little known fact about me (until  now).  Although I don’t get the whole fake mustache craze, I am a bit obsessed with making mustaches out of random things.  My favorite is the kitty tail mustache, but I will use a vine or scarf  in a pinch.

Behold the loveliness (of the top)!

Pattern: Xia by Kessa Tay Anlin

Yarn: Knit Picks Comfy Sport

Needles: US 3 and 6

More details… here (ravelry link)

Look at that crocheted edging!

I actually made it too small, but I think it’s cute as a more fitted top.  Also, I got to crochet for the first time.  I think I did pretty good for a beginner.  As for the pattern, it was pretty straight forward.  The only thing that wasn’t really obvious was the lace chart and how things repeated while doing waist increases.  It was easy enough to figure out as the the lace pattern is obvious, but a beginner might be thrown off for a second.  Also, I should’ve listened to other knitters, the armholes are snug.  For my fitted top, they are fine, but when I make another larger one, it might look a bit funny with pit-hugger sleeves.  I will definitely make them about an inch bigger.

Outside is so dirty!

First off, my “dress” shoes.  I didn’t take any time to photograph these in detail.  I would’ve had to dust them since they get worn only rarely.  All are very inexpensive.  I’d say under $30.

The not-so-fancy fancy shoes.

Next, we have sneakers.  I went through a phase of buying these so I have a nice little collection.  Out of the 10.5 pictured (the .5 are my actual exercise shoes so we can ignore them), my favorites are the bottom left.  They are Rocket Dogs and, with the black, blue, purple, and pink action, they go with about 75% of my wardrobe.

It's like a rainbow up in my closet!

Next up are the shoes worn more than any others, the house shoes.  Most people think it’s odd, but I wear shoes almost all the time.  I don’t sleep or shower in them, but any other time there will be shoes on my feet.  Right now I alternate between a lovely pair of Born Mary Janes (I <3 Born!) and my very cute Minnetonka Moccasins.

House shoes in the house!

Now we get on to the serious stuff.  I’m not going to lie about it.  I love me some boots.  I’ve divided them into categories.

First, we have the cheap boots, which I consider anything under $50.  I’d say most of these were between $25 and $40.

The Brown Collection.  It’s small and I’d say these are my least worn.

Look at that poly-fur!

The Black Collection.  I really like all these.  Both Rocket Dogs (the two pair in back) are made of some weird material that is much nicer to wear than fake leather.

They may be cheap, but I love them.

The Gray Collection.  I wear the Sketchers all the time.  Gray is my favorite color so I always reach for these since I don’t have an expensive gray pair.  The other pair is Not Rated Official.  I picked these up for less than $30 at the end of March which means end of boot season here in Charleston so I have yet to wear these.  Hopefully it will cool off soon so I can try them out.

Gray is Awesome.

This post is getting long, isn’t it?

Next up are the expensive boots.  Anything over $100 is expensive to me.

First we have the boots that started my love for boots.  The Frye boots (on the left) are possibly my favorite boots, look-wise.  I recently had to have the heels adjusted though because I couldn’t wear them for very long without some serious foot pain.  Hopefully, I can wear them more now.  The boots on the right are my newest acquisition.  They are Dr. Martens.  I actually have worn these.  I ignored the temps and wore them a couple of weeks ago.  They are pretty comfy.

Can anyone tell I favor lace-up boots?

Last, my pride and joy.  My Born boots.  Did I mention I <3 Born?!?  I love both pairs.  I would like 10 more pairs, but I guess that’s not happening.  While the ones on the left are the lookers, the others are my favorite boots to wear.  In fact, these boots tromped all over Paris and Belgium last year.  Although, I did hurt my foot on a cobble in Brugge, I do not hold it against the boots.  It could have happened in any shoe.

Born sure knows how to make a nice boot.

So, there we go.  My whole collection.  Ok.  There is one more pair.  I forgot about my Sperry rain shoes that are under Loops Chest of Drawers.  See, I’m all about the honesty here.  I’m not taking a picture of them though.  Let’s not forget that I’m lazy.

If you’re tired of looking at shoes, this last picture is for you.

Dottie <3 Loops, who took this picture.

The yarn I'm using (and Stacy's hat started)

Blues, Greens, and Very Trendy Grellow!

I didn't think Stacy would want to see her hat on someone else's head.

For anyone interested, the pattern  is Howlcat by Alex Tinsley.

I’ll talk more about things once I’ve completed both hats.

First up, the Americano Vest.  Loops says it’s a waistcoat.  I say, this is America and I can call it a vest.

Lovely, no?

Pattern: Americano by Cirilia Rose

Yarn: Berroco Vintage Chunky

Needles: US 10

More details… here (ravelry link)

I <3 Gray!

In all honesty, I got really tired of all the finishing on this thing.  In the end I sewed up the front so the buttons are just for show.  Speaking of buttons, there are suppose to be 5, but I got lazy there too.  After putting 3 on, I decided it looked fine that way.

As long as we’re talking about laziness, I might as well show you the shawl I finished.

It's big enough, right?

Pattern: Sweet November Shawl by Caryl Pierre

Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Covington

Needles: US 11

More details…  here (ravelry link)

I stopped after finishing up with the first ball of yarn.  This was another thing I just totally tired of knitting.  Also, it seemed big enough.  I also opted not to put the fringe on.  I’m just not really that into fringe.

If all this excitement wasn’t enough I should be back soon for another post.  I have a gift for my sister that is almost done.

I think it was a success.

Pattern: Espenson by Cirilia Rose

Yarn: Berroco Linsey

Needles: US 8

More details…  here (ravelry link)

It's a big ol' rectangle with a hole in the center.

It’s very comfy.  I wore it to supper tonight.  I think it’s pretty cool.  That’s all I have to say about it.

Talk to you again soon.

First off,  we have a scarf/shawl I started in February of 2010.

Saroyan in Pink

Pattern: Saroyan by Liz Abinante

Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted

Needles: US 10

More details…  here (ravelry link)

I really liked knitting this.  It would have been finished much earlier if I hadn’t set it down for over a year.  It’s actually a quick knit.  Loopers picked out the color so if it doesn’t suit me, blame him.

Next up, is a pattern I just kind of threw together.  I discovered garter ribbing and loved it.  I combined that with my love of gray and circular scarves and this is the result.

Gray squishiness!

Pattern: None

Yarn: Frog Tree Meriboo

Needles: US 8

More details…  here (ravelry link)

In case you were worried I was being too serious...

I also finished the Twin Cities Headband, but didn’t get any good photos of it.  So that’s 3 whole things complete.  I just counted.  There were 11 UFOs listed in my last post.  I’d be more depressed about this, but since there are 2 more projects on the brink of completion, I’m feeling pretty good about my progress so far.  Stay tuned for more FOs coming your way soon.

There are some things I don’t have a hope of finishing soon.

Winging It Blanket

Pickadilly Cardigan

Soft Bubble Tunic

These things are less than halfway through and are big projects.  Sadly, they’ve all been sitting for far too long.  I should really be ashamed of myself.

Then there are those projects around the halfway mark.  If I apply myself to them, there is a chance I could finish them in the near future.

Sweet November Shawl

Americano Vest

Saroyan Shawl

Uhura Tank

Garter Ribbing of Joy Scarf

I know.  The amount of UFOs is already alarming.  Sadly, I’m not finished.

There are a couple of projects that are almost done.  I just have to take a bit of time and they could be finished.

Espenson Caftan Tee

Twin Cities Headband

Last, but definitely not least.  The project I must complete before Christmas.

Sofo Baby Blanket

We’ll have to wait and see how many of these projects I actually complete in the next month.  I’m not optimistic, but now that I’ve shown them all to the world, maybe  I’ll be shamed into completing at least some of them.