Update on Annabelle

Just wanted to let you guys know that Annabelle is now available for purchase outright at Hipknits. I know a few of you were wondering if it would be, since at first it was only offered free with yarn purchase.

Details for Annabelle can be found here.

Did You Know?

I received an email today at work with some "fun" facts about merino wool. The little video is a bit strange though. Do they really think that techno music makes everything better?

They talk about merino being sexy. (They even mention underwear?) The video is on this page, click "see sexy merino."

It's now machine washable. (A chemical is added, but hey, who's checking.)

It's good for sportswear. (Removes unpleasant odors? Ok.)

It's a renewable resource. (No way!)

And last but not least, it's a UV protectant.

If you ask me, they could have done a little bit better on the marketing. "Hey, come make sweaters with merino! It makes you less stinky and more pleasant to be around" just doesn't sound too appealing to me.

Sorry for the somewhat boring post. Not much knitting going on. I've mainly been focused on getting out the pattern for the sweater I teased you guys with the other day. It's been a bit of a nightmare because I've been very tired and there are so many parts. For such an easy sweater, this one has really tested my patience over and over! If or when I make it through, I hope it does well!

Another Secret Done

Another secret done, or at least almost done! I just need to sew in the sleeves and the buttons and I've got another FO! Yay!



As you can see, it's sitting across the room with the sleeve all ready to be sewn on. Crappy pic you say? You want more details? Sorry, not for at least another 2-3 weeks!

And last but not least, here is Valerie, another test knitter for the secret Sundara yarn project! She only has 31 rows to go!

So Did I finish?

Yes! I did finish my pomatomus socks on Friday night - well, technically Saturday morning. I finished weaving in the last end close to 2am. I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep until I finished, so why lie awake in bed thinking about the sock you could have finished by now? There's just no sense in it!



Pomatomus by Cookie A
Size 2: 5" Brittany DPN
2 skeins Koigu KPPPM color P42227

I loved making these socks! I didn't even have to make any adjustments for my tiny feet - they are just tight enough around my leg and foot. Towards the end my wrists started to hurt a little bit from the ribbing, I was knitting a bit tight, but other than that, no problems at all.

Fall is in the air, can't wait to wear them with my Docs!

Must Get This Sock Done + Misc.

Thanks so much for the nice comments about Annabelle! It was also nice to see some new bloggers in the comments too! I love learning about new blogs and I check out every one.

So test knitting has begun for the top secret Sundara Yarn pattern. So far, I know of two blogs you can track their progress on: here and here. If you read Grumperina's blog, you may have recognized the second blog from her post on Wednesday!

Two of my friends have opened up etsy shops for their cute stuff recently. So check out Sulu-design for jewelry and knottybits for cute softies. Both ladies are so talented!

Now onto the sock. I really, really, really want to finish it tonight and I'm so close!

If I don't sleep then I probably could, but I need to get up early to travel back to Jersey tomorrow morning (as if not getting any sleep could really be a solution). The reason why I want to wrap this up is due to another project I am just itching to start. This is the secret I mentioned about 2 or 3 weeks ago - and no, I still can't tell. Sorry! But I can say that the yarn the sock is resting on, well that's what I'll be making the project out of. Isn't it purty!

Secret Project Revealed!

The first pattern that I designed for Hipknits is up! Go check it out here. It's at the very bottom of the page.

And here are the details:

Annabelle by Melissa Wehrle





Difficulty Level

Intermediate/Advanced

Materials needed

Hipknits Sock Weight Cashmere: 100% Cashmere; 656yds/600m per 100g skein; 2 [2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4] skeins
1 pair size US 2 (2.75mm) straight needles, or size needed to obtain gauge
1 size US 2 (2.75mm) 24” or longer circular needle
1 size US B (2.25mm) crochet hook
Stitch holders
One button

Sizes

To Fit Bust: 32 [34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44] in / 81 [86, 91, 97, 102, 107, 112] cm
Finished Bust: 30 [32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42] in / 76 [81, 86, 91, 97, 102, 107] cm
Finished Length: 21.5 [22, 22.5, 23, 23.5, 24, 25] in / 54.5 [56, 57, 58, 60, 61, 64] cm

Gauge

30 sts to 39 rows measured over 10cm (4 inches) in stockinette stitch
37 sts to 40 rows measured over 10cm (4 inches) in smocking pattern

One Down, One to Go!

Here was the first pomatomus sock last Thursday. My co-workers suggested it looked like a seamonster:



And here is the first sock as of last night:



I'm loving them so far. Or should I say loving it! Off to cast-on for sock two. I am lucky and thankful that I don't suffer from SSS!

Goodies!

Everyone loves goodies and presents, right? When I came back from having lunch in Bryant park, this package was waiting on my chair.

This is a little package I received from Anjo over at the Craftymodster for entering in her August Project Spectrum giveaway. The grand prize was a CD of neutral titled songs, but I have to say, Anjo was very generous with her "runner up" prizes too! Check it out:




Hand stamped birdie card - so cute!



Mmm, chocolate! There's also some neutral colored thread and embroidery floss, some buttons, and a handmade pin. Thanks Anjo! This made my day!

Rockn' Weekend

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Check It Out!

Here are the first two finished Grannie Smiths I've seen posted on the net:

Here

and here

How exciting!

Heat = No Brain

Is this why some people tend to put down their needles during the summer months? (Well, besides the heat of course!)

Sleeve before


Sleeve after


I have no excuse. This is simple stockinette for goodness sake! This time I forgot to change needle size when I started the jersey part of the sleeve. This sweater has been my own personal patience challenge even though it's probably the most simple thing I've knit in months! So now, I officially blame it on the heat cooking my poor brain! (Oh and this is actually the second sleeve. The first one I felt was too small, so I ripped that too.) Basically, I've had to rip so many times, I think I could have made 2 complete ones by now!

Thanks for all the suggestions on site hosting. I've decided to go with dreamhost and hope to have a new site up soon! Or at least when I am not knitting, ripping, and re-knitting this darn sweater anymore!