Slog along...

So, I was reading some posts by Mooncalf and trying to catch up so that I've read and seen all of her lovely knits, when I started reading a post called Slog Along 2010. In it she references a podcast by Stash and Burn as her inspiration, and it seems to have something to do with working on hibernating WIPS, so of course I want to know more. Didn't I just pull Babette out from the darkness and see what was what?

But what is this Stash and Burn? I typed it into Google and found a website with NINETY-SEVEN podcasts, ready for listening. How have I never heard of this before? I have only listened #97 so far, which prompted me to pull out ALL of the Babette mess that is on my yarn shelf...

Yes, that's 4 plastic shoebox-sized containers of yarn or squares and a bigger showbox, and a project bag of current squares and yarn. It looks like a lot but hey, if it's going to turn into a full/queen blanket then there had better be a lot of yarn! I bought the yarn in two stages. When I first committed to the project I waited until a sale at AC Moore and bought 20? skeins, in 17 colors. Then a long while later, the Vanna's Choice line was expanded to include brighter colors, and I went out and bought 5 of those. Doesn't it look nice with my blue couch?

On another note, the handle end of my Babette crochet hook is nicked and is bothering my hand something terrible. Any thoughts on how to fix? I wrapped the end in medical tape, but that's now a bit sticky and irritating. I know there's Plasti-Dip, cool handle dippy stuff, but it's probably cheaper to just get another hook right? Anyone has a spare round-tipped J hook that they can't stand the sight of and want to get rid of it?

So many projects it's hard to choose.

I know what I'm doing this weekend! The yarn for my very first sweater for me came today! And some yarn for who knows what. I also stopped at the library because two of my requests came in. Um, make that 4 requests. Now do I knit or read? I haven't learned to do them both at the same time yet. Funny, in the foyer getting my mail and packages, a girl said "so you're the Ingrid who gets all the mysterious packages! Now I know." Do I get lots of packages? Have I mentioned that I love packages? Oh, and why is it that every project I make needs size 10 needles?

Spring/Summer Project

Is it spring, or summer? The calendar says June, but it's 54 degrees outside and misty. I LOVE this weather, but I've spent weeks preparing myself for the heat of summer, and where is it? I keep dressing too cold for outside and end up chilly both at work and during my commute. It's high time I make myself a skinny lovely yummy scarf to keep me a bit warmer while I wear my spring/summer clothes.

I've decided to make the Dream Swatch pattern. Saw this swatch hanging in Wolcot Yarn in Harvard Square during May Fair and I must make it! It looks pretty simple once you know the trick. Wish I had some fancy bamboo/silk to use. My lace ribbon scarf is taking forever, so I guess I'm going to make this NOW! I just found leftover bit of the Tofutsies used to kill me in Sock Wars III. There should be just enough of this left to make this pattern.

Here's a link to my project on Ravelry in case you're in the know.

From dirt to skirts

I went shopping with a friend yesterday for all manner of things - garden and housewars and clothes and yarn. The last one was a bit of a falter in terms of my shopping list. We went to Michael's to get supplies for her new craft project, and I wanted to get two more skeins of Naturally Caron Spa, an acrylic/bamboo blend, for a lovely scarf I'm making. Well, Michael's didn't have that yarn but they did have some yarn priced at $.99 a skein, and I sort of fell into the bin and cleaned out most of their remaining stock. 6 skeins of black and 6 skeins of raspberry/maroon in patons Lacette, and 4 skeins of Patons Stretch Socks in Licorice. Maybe they're not carrying Patons anymore? I've been wanting to get some laceweight yarns and also some sock yarn for this pattern I found on Ravelry, and I think I did well even though I hadn't planned on buying it.

I'm trying very hard to make lists for shopping, make estimates of how much I think things will cost, and stick to that.

Also shopped at Ikea and Home Depot, and bought 3 skirts. Two of the skirts were ones my friend bought and didn't want, but they are perfect for me. I seem to be fitting smaller sizes lately, but when I check the scale I haven't lost any weight. Maybe I'm finally starting to see my body differently and buy clothes that actually FIT my body, not just float over it. Hmm.