A Multitude of Posts all in one

I've been meaning to blog about 4+ times in the past few weeks. BUT instead I've been tested by the fates and set through the gauntlet. I had some family problems. Plenty of car problems. An unexplained illness. A family tragedy/issue. Work drama and stress up to past my eyeballs.

To those of you who have sent virtual hugs either via Ravelry forums, PMs, texts, comments, tweets, etc. You are greatly appreciated. I was definitely in need of some major huggage. I love you all and I appreciate the hugs.


First up I finished my Gap-Tastic Infinty Scarf cowl. And it is AWESOME

And super versatile. That's me wearing it 5!!! ways. I've been wearing it around the house at night it's been a bit chilly. It's not really that chilly, my giant cowl is just SUPER comfy.

Second up: I have conquered, or at least won the first battle with stranded colorwork. I knit myself an Opus Spicatum. It's a wonderful pattern and it made a beautiful beret. I'm hoping tomorrow I'll have my hair cute and can get some photos of me actually wearing it. I love it. Right now it is blocking. I *MAY* have enough leftovers in these two colors to make matching herringbone mittens, but we'll have to do some weighing measuring/waiting to see on that development.
For inquiring minds I used leftovers/scrsps of Malabrigo Worsted in Jewel Blue and Marine Blue. I did follow the suggestions of other Ravelers and did 2 extra repeat of rows 16-19 for more slouch. I'm loving the slouchy hats lately. I also took A TON of WIP photos for this project so you can check those out either here via Ravelry or here via Flikr.

I actually mesed this up a little bit by reading the chart backwards, which really only resulted in one row beng SLIGHTLY screwy, but honestly you can't tell. I do have one LITTLE trick for when I get to the DPN portion of hats and my 'beginning of the round marker' doesn't stay in place. I have all these old BOYE aluminun DPNs and I always use a different color for the first one. So that's how I know to knit the next row, I'm at the blue DPN. Or at least it was blue in the case. It's not always blue, it works like a charm though. It saves me plenty of headaches. Especially on the rare occasion where I get bored and weave in ends before I'm finished.

Third up: I bought a second Namaste needle case to separate out my "sock knitting" circs from my "other circs." Then I decided to organize them to night. I'm not sure the sock sizes are in the right pockets. I REALLY need a needle gauge that can tell the difference between 2.5 mm and 2.75 mm and so on.

I took pictures though! And I'm still happy with my end result!

Messy Needles

Sock Needle Mess vs. Easily Organized Not-Sock Needles

My Sock Needles are a P.I.T.A.

All Organized
Dark Pink is US 4/3.5mm +
Light Pink is US 1/2.25mm to US 3/3.25mm
(Don't ask me about 0s I'll laugh at you. I knit to tight to ever need 0s)

These last two pictures just show off my nice labels. I love labels. <3

So now my new goal is to keep these nice and organized.


I have one more thing to blog about!

A long while ago I got this AWESOME pair of 10" wooden straight needles from Carrie/Dharmafey as part of the nefarious club. They were size 5, and I've used them every opportunity that I've had to use them; I LOVE them. Anyway, I found the seller on etsy and splurged a bit to buy myself an entire set of her 10" needles. The price included a needle roll. She was seriously the fast etsy shipper EVER. I ordered Friday afternoon. Had a delivery confirmation number Friday night and my needles were here Monday. If your looking for a a great new etsy shop to stalk I definitely recommend her: Lambsears. She will not disappoint. See how pretty my new needles are??? She also send me a sample of her Peace Fleece I intend to knit a little something with that and maybe review it to get her even more good reviews. I'm obsessed with handspun right now and she really does have some PRETTIES in her shop.

Im actually so enamored with these needles I'm thinking of pulling out my BLUE manos wool (which I have slightly less than 2 skeins of after Scarf Travels) and knitting into a pretty Prismatic Scarf. Unless someone else has a better scarf suggestion. I've also got this awesome handspun that I got in my 'Have a Cuppa' swap that I'd like to knit into something. Just as long as I can use my pretty new needles!

My new GORGEOUS handspun

So Scarf suggestions for my BLUE manos or handspun are greatly appreciated. (As log as I can use my new needles with them. AND mostly mindless is good. I've been coming home from work EX-HAUS-TED!)

I'll be off the 'net this weekend but I do check my comments/some rav/some emails through my phone when I get bored. SO COMMENT! Give me inspiration.

Currently listening to: Death Cab for Cutie 
They had the 'sound' I needed this evening.

Also follow me on twitter! I mostly tweet random geeky things, comic things and some knitting. Lucyfer97