19.8.08

FO: Inga Hat

i made this hat for my boyfriend a couple of months ago, but never got around to blocking / photographing it.



pattern: Inga hat (ravelry link)
needles: sizes 4 and 6 - i think!?
yarn: knitpicks swish dk, in green, nutmeg, and eggplant
edited to add: oops! i made this in swish worsted, not dk!
mods: i started a few rows into the pattern, so that it wouldn't be too tall.
result: awesome!

i'm really happy with how this hat turned out. it's the perfect size, it's thick and warm and very soft. i enjoyed knitting with the swish, even though i realize that superwash is yucky to some. i was careful to carry the yarn loosely, so this is my first fair isle project that doesn't pucker. and, after a good soak, the brim lays down nice and flat. success! i think i'll probably knit this again with colors that are more my style.

on another note, i'd like to ask - plead - with my few, but very dear readers, to please check out a contest going on over at pipe dreams and purpling plans, if you haven't already seen it. superstar mel is gearing up for a 3day breast cancer walk this fall and needs our help. her passion and commitment to the event are truly remarkable. maybe it's because my mother is a breast cancer survivor, and my life has been many times touched by cancer, but mel's story has really gotten to me and she has inspired me to do more and to care more and to just be... more. the world needs a lot more like her and a i do believe that there is SO MUCH our warm - and powerful - crafting community can do. we all carry a banner for something and perhaps this is not your particular cause, but if it is, and if you, too, have been affected by breast cancer, i highly encourage to check it out and to take part! doesn't hurt that there are some beautiful prizes up for grabs :) thanks everyone!

15.8.08

in lieu of knitting...

another beautiful canyon

13.8.08

demolition!!

i'm turning what used to be an old, nasty, un-permitted addition to my house into a large, covered outdoor room. I've been working on this on and off for *years* now - can't wait to be finished with this and enjoy the great outdoors!

it all started with one swing of the sledgehammer:


followed by lots of hard work:



almost there:


henry the dog has been a great job foreman all along:


it's almost finished! just gotta get painting and get some furniture!!

4.8.08

the ups and downs...

ups:


cute elisa's nest tote
yarn: brown sheep cotton fleece and tahki cotton classic leftovers
needles: size 8 straights and size 6 dpns for i-cord handles
source: the purl bee
raveled

loved it enough to quickly start another with some leftover peaches 'n cream


a very promising koolhaas

downs:

alas, i finished the koolhaas last night and it's too short. i can't pull the ribbing all the way down over my ears and that drives me mad! i'm devastated. especially because i found the knitting to be rather long and tedious, but i endured because i was loving the look of the traveling twists. i'm worried that ripping back and re-establishing myself in the pattern is going to be really hard. maybe i could undo the CO edge and add more ribbing? not sure what to do...

still, it feels good to at least finish a few things :)

and, i did get to do some great climbing the other day. five pitches up rappel rock. 'twas marvelous!


the easy, low-angle finish to the top


view looking up the second pitch (also pretty easy, but FUN!)