Back from Rochester

I was visiting my parents over the weekend. I didn't bring my knitting, because I'm too paranoid about it being seized by airport security. I did do some crocheting, but I don't have pics of that. I got back last night.

Today I actually used my sewing machine. I made the "Flare Bag," the first pattern in a book called Bag Boutique by Amy Barickman. Since I really suck at sewing, I'm pretty pleased that this came out useable. I'm hoping to make some totes soon too.

I also finished the body and started the first sleeve of my "Not-Really-Something-Red" sweater. I'm feeling pretty good about it.

Plus, tomorrow Michelle and I are going to the Hub Mills Classic Elite warehouse store!

Almost there

I have made good progress on my "formerly Something Red" sweater. I had to rip back a couple times because I didn't like the waist and bust shaping, but I'm cool with what I've got now. From here on in, I just have to make sure it fits over my hips and that the button holes look good. And of course, the sleeves. Can't forget those.

In other news, I forgot to mention two movies I saw in the last month. The first was Wordplay, a documentary about the crossword puzzle culture encouraged by Will Shortz and the NY Times. I very much enjoyed it, even if the story wasn't exactly groundbreaking. They had great personalities featured, including Bill Clinton and Jon Stewart. Stewart was particularly endearing when he said he was so confident about his Monday crossword skills that he would write it in glue stick. I would give it a 7.

The second movie was Clerks II. This was the usual offensive Kevin Smith fare, complete with lots of lurid sexual and bathroom humor. But surprisingly, this movie was also a very sweet love story. I was bored during the first half, but then there was this random extended dance sequence (I kid you not). And from there on out, the heart of the movie won me over. I'd say it was a 6.

It's still okay

So I didn't freak out and suddenly rip out my sweater. At least not yet. I am liking the way the collar is shaping up, and the color is still speaking to me. I really do not like how much this yarn (Mainline from Knitpicks) sheds, though. After I knit for a while, I am covered in little pieces of red fuzz. And these fuzzies pill up on the surface of the knitted fabric too. This may start to piss me off alot, as time goes by. However, I only paid about $20 for the yarn, so I'm not really going to complain too much. Hopefully I will reach the part where I divide out the sleeves from the body soon. I do love knitting top down sweaters!

Let's try that again

I frogged Something Red. I decided to try to make myself a jacket without using a pattern. I wanted a notched collar, but I didn't really have any other vision for the project. So I decided to just cast on for the collar and go with it. After I started rolling, I realized that this may end up looking a bit like a top-down raglan version of Kim Hargreaves new pattern, Thea. That is totally cool with me, as I like the look of that. Plus, if I run out of yarn, I can opt for the short sleeve version Ms. Hargreaves has so kindly already worked out. I'm debating what sort of shaping I'm going to use and whether I should do a back vent or not. I would probably edge the whole thing in seed stitch if I did (as opposed to ribbing along the bottom). We shall see, I guess.

Rewind

So I got to the button band on Something Red, and I decided that I don't like this project. Between the praying that the yarn lasts and picking up 200 stitches, it lost some of the fun. Plus, I don't think it looks quite right on me. So it's time for a jump into the frog pond! I'm not sure what will actually emerge from this project.

Progress

I have been really busy with Something Red. But I'm not sure I'm going to have enough yarn. I skipped the second round of increases in the ribbing portion, and went up two needle sizes instead. Fingers crossed. If I do make it, I'll probably be down to the last yard.