Suggestions?

I'm thinking about taking the neoknits blog over to an independent site and need some suggestions of reliable, easy to use hosting services. I need something pretty cheap (under $10 a month), fast download speed, very reliable, good tech support, easy blog setup (templates and RSS feed included).

So if you have your own website, please share your experiences - good and bad!

Also, if anyone uses 1&1, please let me know. They are one of my top choices so far.

Thanks!

Finally an Update Picture!

I know I promised twice before, but I mean it this time! Here's an update shot on the second project for Hipknits:



In Hipknits Aran weight cashmere

As you can see, I've made quite a bit of progress in the 2 1/2 or so weeks I've been working on it. I probably could have been to the sleeves already if I didn't have so much pattern writing to do last week!

I feel like my knitting speed has picked up significantly since the beginning of the year. I like to think it was my training for and participation in the knitting olympics, but then there's that little thing called a deadline! It's a tough call.

For All You Girly Hockey Fans

I just read in WWD today that Reebok will be launching a line of women's NHL apparel at the start of the 06-07 season. But that's not the best part, listen to this:

"New Era Caps is also coming out with a line of women's NHL hats this fall. The caps, which will wholesale from $9 - $12, are redesigned to specifically fit a woman's head and to incorporate more fashion elements, like shine and rhinestones."

Now, I'm not exactly a girly girl, but I'm sorry THERE ARE NO RHINESTONES IN HOCKEY!

So now you can get your pink and white Maple Leafs Jersey with a matching pink hat with rhinestones. Does anyone else find this a bit frightening?

It's amazing they are finally getting on the ball with women's NHL apparel, apparently women make up 40% of the fan base. I wonder how many of them are chicks with sticks?

In knitting news, I sent off the finished Sundara yarn and Hipknits patterns this week. It feels so good to have them off my plate and to move on to new and exciting things. The second Hipknits pattern is making good progress and I hope to start the sleeves by next week. I also will have another exciting announcement soon, but I'm not allowed to spill the beans yet! Sorry!

Lux Errata

A few corrections for Lux from Magknits June 2006 issue (all changes are marked in RED:

Chart Key:

Pattern Front/Back:

Using smaller needles and holding two strands together throughout, cast on 99 [107, 113, 123, 131, 141] sts.

It Could Be Worse

So the forecasters say it felt like 101 degrees in NYC today and I'm sweating my butt off right now. But, it could be worse, it could be 1891:



I don't know how those women lived through hot summers with all those clothes on! However, I guess the argument would be they didn't have to deal with global warming. Anyone know what the average temperature would have been during a northeastern summer in 1891? Well, whatever it was, I'm sure it was still unbearable!

Because of the weather, it's been pretty hard to sit at my computer and do any work. It's just so darn hot, and it doesn't help I'm on the top floor of my building. I've noticed that I've been spending a lot more time at work lately too - sometimes til 7pm. Hey, it's nice and cool, we have nice Macs and I'd just be at home, on my crappy PC in the heat doing the same thing. Right?

Sundara's pattern is back from the tech editor and will be sent off to the test knitters after a few minor corrections (Yay!). The Hipknits pattern is just about finished and was photographed this weekend. The second Hipknits pattern is also well on it's way, though I had quite a time of knitting 11 rows, ripping out 9, knitting 5 rows, ripping out 7, etc. Basically I ended up with the same amount of knitting at the end of the weekend as in the beginning, but it's all under control now! Some progress shots coming soon.

Secret Knitting Update #6

I can't even believe that it is July already! I hope everyone had a nice relaxing holiday. I spent my four day weekend knitting up a storm. DB was pretty sick (he's much better now) but I didn't want to chance getting infected, so I hung out with my family. My grandma (who taught me how to knit) was up from Florida, so it was a very nice visit. However,I wish my grandma still knit. She used to knit up the cutest sweaters for my sister and I when we were younger, but then she just...stopped. I bought her some beautiful yarn and set her up with a simple pattern about 2 years ago, but she just can't get back into it. It's so very sad!



So progress......I am happy to report that the secret project for HipKnits is only 2 seams away from being a complete sweater. It looks so cute! Sorry, you guys will just have to take my word for it!

And next on my plate will be:


Another pattern for HipKnits

And some smaller projects for Sundara Yarn.

I sent the first Sundara Yarn Pattern out to the tech editor last Friday. Need to write up the pattern for the HipKnits project. Do some sketches for Sundara. And start knitting something new. So much work, but so worth every little bit!

I also picked up a copy of Big Girl Knits from the library last week. In the future, I'm thinking about doing a line of pattern for all you lovely curvy women out there. So I'm reading up and learning the ropes. It's such a great book - Amy and Jillian are just so funny and it is just packed with information!

Now I must go pack for the weekend trip home to NJ. Speaking of NJ, I've also joined the NJ knitters webring recently. If you get a chance, check them out and give the garden state knitters some love! Have a great weekend and happy knitting!