Hey Mickey!

This time next week we will be in Disney World! I don't know who's more excited, the little guy or his mom and dad. So this will be just a quick post because I need to pack everything up. First on the packing list is the all important travel knitting projects. The Stripe Study shawl is progressing nicely and hopefully will be finished soon.

And I can't think of a more crazy fun yarn to bring with me to the Magical World of Mouse than Zauberball.

Totally copying Eskimimi's Baktus for this. Hope everyone is having a great week and go check out WIP Wednesday with Tami's Amis for some crafty fun.

FO: Textured Shawl

Finally got around to blocking my textured shawl. This was a fun and quick pattern. The textured stitch is so cool to knit and I love the finished results.

I only wish it was done a little sooner since it is too warm to wear a wool/alpaca shawl now. This always happens. I need to plan out my knitting better, maybe knit a season ahead (or try to knit faster)(or have less WIP's)(or actually finish those UFO's left over from last spring/summer)(or pray to the knitting goddesses for wisdom). But all that's for later. Right now, I am going to turn up the air conditioner, make myself a cup of hot cocoa and settle into my warm textured shawl while I scope out the summer Knitscene. Have a fun weekend and make sure to check out these great blogs participating in FO Friday with TAMI'S AMIS.

Knitter's Indecision

You probably can't tell that I worked all day yesterday on my Stripe Study, can you? That's because I had to rip it out three times due to an acute case of knitter's indecision. I couldn't decide on 1) what size needles to use in order to get the desired amount of drape 2) what color stripes - blue or beige 3) whether to pick up the wraps or not. At one point, the situation was so dire, my two guys felt the need to escape the house and leave me alone with my sad tangle of yarn. After a night's rest, I woke up to a sunny day and a clear head. With a little more optimism, I have decided to 1) use the original size needles 2) knit the blue stripes 3) pick up the wraps. And this is what I have so far.

The colors make me think of summertime. Another project that I have worked on this week is my continuing effort to wear the old FO's that are buried in my closet. After viewing this great video made by Julie from Knitted Bliss about different ways to wear a caplet, I dug this one out that I had made years ago. What a difference some time and a fresh perspective makes. I really am loving how versatile this piece is now. And why didn't I ever think to wear a caplet as a cowl?

For more WIP fun, check out WIP Wednesday with TAMI'S AMIS.

My Knitting Time - 2KCBWDAY7

Wow, day seven already! Funny, inspiring, beautiful, witty, talented, creative....I am truly lucky to be sharing my love of knitting with such amazing bloggers! Thank you to Eskimimi Knits for organizing a fantastic event.

Now on to the last day's topic: write about your typical crafting time. Ssshh, I'll let you in on a secret. In the mornings, after I put my little guy on the school bus, I hurry into the house, make myself a big pot of black tea with a little milk and lots of sugar, and jump back into bed.

Nothing starts the day off right like a good hour or two of peaceful knitting. My other favorite knitting time is late at night when my son and husband are asleep.

I usually knit to the accompaniment of my favorite tunes on the iPod (currently listening to lots of Idlewild and Jimmy Eat World). Sometimes I take a little chocolate break and catch up on my bloglist on the iPad. Then back to knitting. Although the majority of the day is filled to the brim with my two wonderful guys, I treasure these knitting moments that are mine alone.

Something To Aspire To - 2KCBWDAY6

One of the reasons that I love knitting is that there is always something new to learn. Although sometimes I feel like I have just dipped my toes into the shallow water and have yet to dive in. That is especially the case when it comes to stranded color work, even though I am familiar with the technique and have made small projects using it. So one of my future knitting goals is to make a sweater involving steeks. A pattern that has long been a favorite is Little Birds by Ysolda Teague. I love that it uses traditional techniques but the finished sweater is fresh and modern. Plus any project involving buttons, my embellishment of choice, is absolutely irresistible.

Big Green Monster

There hasn't been much knitting this week due to Knitting and Crochet Blog Week. It's been so much fun to post everyday, but a lot of work, too. I did manage to get my niece's birthday present finished. Presenting Mac the Not-So Gourmet Monster:

How did he come by this name?

(head on over to Tami's blog for more FO Friday fun)

Closeup - 2KCBWDAY5