WIP Wednesday

Hello everyone, I know I've been gone for a VERY long time, but I will be getting back into blogging!! I have been working on some book review posts mainly, but decided to post a WIPW post!

Knitting

I've been knitting on another pair of barter socks, which I'm almost done with, in the orange, blue, brown variegated handspun on size US 1(2.25mm) needles. I've decided cuff down is just my cup-of-tea.

I've also cast on a Featherweight Cardigan by Hannah Fettig in Lost City Knits Oak Barn Merino Lace "Cocksure" on size US 6(4mm) needles. I have just enough yarn for this project, hopefully I make it to the end. The project isn't really holding my attention, since it's all just stockinette, but I really want the finished cardigan, so I'm going to power through. I'm knitting this for the Classic Must Knits KAL with Molly of the A Homespun House Podcast and Kristen of the YarnGasm podcast, and the A Night Bird Cardigan KAL with Clare of A Night Bird Podcast.

I've also been knitting on another pair of socks for my mom, they're in Sweet Georgia Tough Love Sock "Tourmaline" on size US 1(2.25mm) needles. I really, really love this sock yarn.

Spinning

I've been spinning up the gray Merino fiber too, I finished part of it today. It's going to stay as a single (cobweb-lace weight) and fulled. Before fulling/washing the skein was 341 yards, hopefully it's at least 300 yards when it's dry.

Reading

I've started reading Allegiant by Veronica Roth, but I'm only on page 40 so far. I'll let you know how I'm liking it when I get farther in.

That's all I have for this week, I'll try to get a book review post out this weekend! I'll try to post more often! Check out Tami's Amis for more WIPW posts.

WIP Wednesday

This week has been focused on 3 projects. Socks, Hana Hou, and an earwarmer. I finished the first sock the other day and have been working up the foot on the second! These are basic stockinette socks, 64 st around on size US 1(2.25mm) needles.

This earwarmer is a basic stockinette in the round earwarmer on size 8(5mm) needles in some black and blue alpaca.

And last, but certainly not least, this is Hana Hou by Mel Ski (mskiknits on ravelry) I finished the left front on Saturday, but have yet to cast on the next piece. It's a boxy sweater, but it looks like there's shaping because the stockinette is rolling. It's being knit on size 6(4mm) needles in my the Joyful Sheep handspun.

I've added some more motifs on my Snowflakes Throw, but it's really not worth showing, yet.

Right now I'm reading two books, first, the Morganville Vampires book 3, Midnight Alley by Rachel Caine. I'm actually reading from the 1-8 box set (goodreads link) from my library's e-library. The series is of (currently) 15 books.

I am also reading, for school, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn. (Goodreads link) I am actually really enjoying this book!

For more WIPW posts, check out Tami's Amis blog!

WIP Wednesday

   First of all, I have been working on the two at a time, toe up, magic loop socks. Mostly because they're easy to pick up and put down, so I can do different things (like schoolwork) and still get some knitting time in. This project turned out to be a lot easier than I thought it would be! I will definitely be doing two at a time from now on!

Mirasol yarn "812" on size 1(2.25mm) needle

   I've also cast on the right front of my Hana Hou for my Mel Ski March-April KAL! (Still plenty of time to join in!) I've knit quite a bit on it, considering I only cast on on Monday! The camera is tilted, oops!

Hana Hou by Mel Ski, The Joyful Sheep "Zebra" Handspun on size 6(4mm) needles needles

I'm participating in the Stitched Together SAL (Spin-a-long) in which you just have to spin 3oz (100g) of fiber to be eligible to win some gorgeous Fondant Fibre Rolags! I'm spinning up some FiberQuirks "Blueberry Pie and Coffee" on my drop spindle. I love, love, love this fiber! The prep is amazing, and it drafts wonderfully! I suggest you go get yourself some! FiberQuirks on Etsy

FiberQuirks "Blueberry Pie and Coffee"

   Well, that is all I have in progress this week, but I did finish a book! The Help by Kathryn Stockett, so be watching for another book review soon! For WIP Wednesday though, head on over to Tami's Amis blog to get more fibery goodness!

WIP Wednesday

This week, I've been bouncing from project to project. Knitting some on this, some on that, throwing in some spinning here and there, but what I git the most work on was the Butting Sweater by Katie Marcus. I'm knitting it in Purl Essence Rainbow Classic "Bright Pink" on size 9 needles. It's turning out super smooshy, which is surprising considering it's a 100% acrylic yarn, but it is! It's very soft and cuddly! I'm looking forward to wearing it!

What you can't see very well in the picture is that I have separated for the sleeves. I only have 32" needles in sizes 000-8US so this sweater is jammed on a Boye 16" interchangeable needle. Granted,I do have a larger cable, but it's occupied by a hibernating wip. This pattern is super simple, and I'm loving it! Just stockinette with a button band and button holes! Great car knitting!

   I also swatches for my Hana Hou cardigan the other day! The swatch has even been washed and blocked! Gauge for the pattern was 20st x 28 rows=4", and I got 20st x 30 rows=4", so I'll have to do a wee bit of math for the length. It shouldn't be so hard though! The yarn is handspun, so I already knew I may have to do some math.

   So I do shot of barter/trades with a wonderful woman, I knit her socks (mostly) and I get roving or bats in return. I love doing this, because I can get use of both of my crafts pretty much at the same time. This time, I'm knitting 2 pair of socks and 2 earwarmers.  I'm trying a new technique, two at a time, toe up, magic loop, all the same project! It's not as hard as I thought it would be, I actually haven't even tangled the yarn! (Bag is sewn by me, size small)

    I've also started one of the earwarmer, the yarn is done thick and think bulky alpaca.

   For spinning, I've just been working on my the Joyful Sheep "Zebra" fiber for my Hana Hou.I'm almost done with the first braid!

I got a few stashquisitions this week, two are prizes and the fiber is from the barter.

7 skeins of Louisa Grace Harding 

Lost City Knits Oak Barn Merino Lace "Cocksure" colorway 1000 yds

8oz of Shetland wool

That's all I have for this week! I'll be back soon!

For more wip Wednesday posts check out Tami's Amis Blog!

Playing Catch Up

   So I haven't been writing much, hopefully that'll change. But I have been doing a lot lately! Knitting, Spinning, and even sewing! I worked on mainly a few projects for a while, but now I'm back to my normal self.

Knitting
I cast the Wood Elves Gloves by Christelle Nihoul  on for the Ravellenic Games last month, but I'm still on the first glove. I'm Kind of worried that I won't have enough for the other glove. I'm knitting it in Claudia's Hand Painted Yarns Fingering "Peony" on size 1 needles, and size 2 for the fingers.

I'm also knitting on Buttony Sweater by Katie Marcus using Purl Essence Rainbow Classic "Bright Pink" on size 9 needles. I cast this on early last month. It's just a basic raglan, super simple sweater. It's all bunched up on the needle, but there's really not much to see, I'm just working on the sleeve increases.

I've also finished a few things since I last posted. These are just simple projects that I've knit up using my own mind patterns.

When You Frog Projects, You Can Cast More Projects On!

   Since the new year started 5 days ago, I've already started 2 new projects, almost finished 2 projects, and frogged 3 projects. I started a Harry Potter iPad Cozy for my aunt, I'll also be knitting one for my brother, they're both Harry Potter fanatics. It's being knit in Red Heart With Love "Holly Berry" and Red Heart Super Saver "Gold" on size 4 (3.5mm) needles. I finished the back, and have started the chart on the front. I'll hopefully have it done this week.

   I also started Anisette by Kathleen Griffin-Grimes in Patons Lace Sequin "Quartz" on size 9 (5.5mm) needles for the Homespun Podcast January KAL. I've only been working on it for 3 days and already have 13 rows done! It's mainly eyelets with a swirled border.

   I've almost finished my mom's Caffe Macchiato socks by Marian Moldan. I only have the cuff on the right sock left to do. They're being knit in Araucania Nuble "1" on size 1 (2.25mm) needles.

   Now, when I say I frogged 3 projects, I frogged 2 sweaters and a hat. The hat is going to get cast back on though. I had a frogging and balling party the other night until about 2 AM. See my nifty project bag? The yarn doesn't get tangled when it's in there :) The sweaters I frogged were Casablanca, and Cable Hugger. Cable Hugger will get re-knit eventually, but it was just way too big.

WIP Wednesday, Bonus Edition!

It's been far too long since I blogged last, but I have tons to share! Projects, winter weather, delicious drinks, and winter must haves! But since it's also WIP Wednesday, I'll start with my knitting. The Cable Hugger by Karima Sundarji has gotten a second sleeve cap knit! It is very scrunched up in the photo, and there is bad lighting, as it's nighttime here, but it's actually coming along nicely!

Cable Hugger by Karima Sundarji in RHSS "Country Rose" on size 7 needles project page

Second, I am knitting my mom a scarf for the winter, since it's been horribly cold here! (We'll get to that soon!) It's my 5th of the pattern, except this one won't be a cowl.

WIP Wednesday

   This week, I have a ton of things on my plate. 3 projects that I'm actively working on, and probably 50 other things I should be working on. First project, which has gotten the most love this week is my Cable Hugger by Karima Sundarji in Red Heart Super Saver "Country Rose" on size 7 needles. Project Page The Cable Hugger KAL (As well as the Geneveive CAL) have been extended to November 30, Midnight CST, so come join in, we'd love to knit with you!

Vote for the Sept/Oct KAL/CAL!

   Hey y'all! I am going to have both a knit and crochet garment-a-long, so I need help choosing which one for each craft! Head on over to the Podcast Ravelry group and vote! Here's a peek at the polls! We won't be starting the KAL/CAL until probably September 9, so you have about a week and a half to vote! Feel free to cast a vote for either, or both, crafts. As you can see, I already cast my vote!

Mostly a Spinning Post

  Though I haven't been posting often, I promise I am not lacking in knitting and spinning. I have been working furiously on the Casablanca, Crocodile Stitch Baby Booties, Baby Sweater, and now a pair of Vanilla socks. The crocodile stitch botties and vanilla socks are both for a trade, so they are my obligation crafting right now. When the obligation crafting isn't going on, I am either working on Casablanca, which is almost half way done, or spinning the Corriedale I recieved.

June-July KAL - Starts Tomorrow!

   The next KAL starts tomorrow! The poll results that most people wanted a choice of which KAL to do, so there are 2 separate threads.

  This is the FO thread for those of you who want to do a garment (ie: shirt, top, cardigan, pullover etc.) Please tag all garment projects olftkgarment.  This is the FO thread for those of you who want to do a shawl. Please tag all shawl projects olftkshawl. Show off the yarn you're going to use and the pattern you chose IN THE CHAT THREADS :) Feel free to enter for both! Enter as many projects as you like, please only enter projects completed during the time of the KAL. FOs need to be put into the actual threads.
   At the end of the KAL, I will lock both KAL threads and will draw 2 winners (via random number generator) from each thread for a 50% your order coupon from my shop. I will be adding new items to the shop later, so that there will be more of a choice.

   So come and join us! I would love to knit with you! :)

Extended:: KAL Day 2

   So, I wanted to check on all of you, I hope that you have cast on, and started on the pattern. I know that I was confused in the beginning, I dropped some yo's, miscounted, but sooner or later it clicked, and I got it! I don't even think that I could even get my brain to comprehend it at first. I haven't done any knitting since my last post, I've been crocheting. I am going to work on it for a while tonight, making sure that I am knitting along.
   I also want to mention, this KAL is not  a "you have to be here by this time" kind of KAL. I would like each of you to knit as you please, just remember, the FO thread (Will be put up probably late next week) will be closed at 11: 59 P.M. Central Standard Time on May 20, 2013. I will be posting tips that I find as I knit whenever I can, and posting in general about the shawl daily. I will post progress pictures here on my blog as I take them, and there is a thread in the Ravelry Group called "Show off your progress!"

I hope that you all are enjoying knitting along with me, and all of the others! Happy Knitting! :)

KAL Day 2: Cast On!

   Today, let's all cast on and begin our Garden View Shawl! I would love for everyone to complete at least 5-10 rows today, because if we do 5-10 rows a day, we can reach our goal of 2 1/2 leaves a week! :) I got confused on a few parts in the beginning, so I had to start taking notes. Beside each row, I put the number of stitches that should be on the needles and realized it goes up by 3 stitches each row (due to yos) until the decreases start. I'm pretty sure you more experienced knitters out there won't have very much trouble out of the pattern, but as a beginner, that's just what I did and it helped me a lot! I will say, I've had to tick back many many times because the stitch count was not adding up. I've done about 10 rows in the picture, just to give a feel to what it will start to look like. Don't forget to head on over to the Ravelry Group and join in on there too!

KAL Day 1: Information

I have started a ravelry KAL group for any blog KALs that will be hosted here on my blog, if you would like to, please join! Here is the link!

Start Date: April 28, 2013
End Date: May 20, 2013
Pattern Link -> Garden View Shawlette

First KAL

   I am going to have my first KAL here on Only Living for Today. It's a simple pattern, spread over 3 weeks. The goal for each week, is to complete at least 2 1/2 garter leaves. There are 7 garter leaves total. Any progress pictures you would like to share during this KAL can be emailed to jordyndunaway AT gmail DOT com. Please let me know, through the comments if you would like to participate! :) Looking forward to all the fun!
   KAL starts tomorrow, Monday, April 28, 2013!

The pattern is a free ravelry download found here!