A Mighty Life List

See who started it, here.

In no particular order:
1. See the Northern Lights
2. Knit a sweater every year
3. Run 1000 miles
4. Write and publish a book
5. Play the harp
6. Learn to walk a tightrope
7. Own a house on the water
8. Get a PhD
9. Grow a garden
10. Teach a kid how to swim
11. Bike around Lake Tahoe
12. Make marshmallows from scratch
13. Wear red shoes in the summer
14. Sew my own skirts
15. See lava in person
16. Take a walk every day
17. Perfect a guacamole recipe
18. Bake my own bread
19. Coffee and pastries in Paris
20. Decorate with original art
21. See glaciers
22. Host a garden party each spring
23. Go to Antarctica
24. Volunteer to clean animals with dish soap and toothbrushes after an oil spill
25. Travel Italy

Up and Coming

My Rusted Root is all finished, but I need a sunny day for a photo shoot! Today the weather in Chicago was pretty cruddy, so I hope it clears up soon. I'm excited to wear it this summer, in any case.

Next on the docket is Orangina by Stefanie Japel (Ravelry link here). I ordered yarn from Knit Picks, which should be arriving soon. If I finish it in any sort of decent time, I can get some wear out of it before summer and fall are over.

Happy knitting!

Sunday Sock Update

FO: Two-tone Socks (Ravelry project page)

Yup, all finished and ready for Christmas!

Yarn: Two colors of Knit Picks Palette wool yarn (Tidepool Heather and Garnet Heather), less than one skein each, though more of the green skein than the red.

Needles: US1 dpns

Pattern: None

Basic Recipe: Top-down, 64 sts in the round, ribbed cuff, stockinette leg and foot, slipped stitch pattern on the heel flap, pointed toe.

Verdict: I don't love them for myself, but giving away handknit socks is almost as fun as wearing them.

WIP: Chocolate Simple Socks (Ravelry project page)

Top-down with this really great Regia Galaxy color yarn I bought in Minnesota on my spring break. I think the color swirls look best in plain stockinette, but now I'm itching to start a pair of socks with some sort of pattern!

PS. Ooh! I have progress bars in my sidebar! I'm really excited about it, too!

French Press Cozy

I've finished a number of items in the last few days, but in order to have blog material for a little while, I'm going to reveal them gradually.

First, the semi-secret knit was gifted to a certain Cute Boy, who liked it very much.

French Press Cozy

Check out the details in my Ravelry notebook, or keep reading

Yarn: Leftover Lion Brand Wool from my roommate's foliage hat, about 1/3 of a skein.

Needles: US 6 dpns and 16" interchangeable Boye circular (I love this set!)

Notions: Fancy-Schmancy Shiny button swiped from my mom's button box years ago

Pattern: Mug and French Press Cozy by MK Carroll (blog entry here)

Verdict: As usual, I find the first few rows of a top-down or center-outward circular knitting a bit fiddly, but the final result is well worth it. I love this smocking stitch. It's really simple, but looks lovely both blocked/stretched and unblocked. I also really enjoy making pretty things that are useful but not really necessary. It's all about the silly extras.

More FOs coming soon...

Fits and Starts

I've got a case of start-itis, and I'm blaming it on Ravelry.


My queue is full of exciting projects that I can't wait to knit, but I have so many things sitting around that require finishing. Knitterly confession coming up: finishing is my least favorite stage of the knitting process. I'm sure some of you are with me on this, right? I love having the finished project, I just don't enjoy weaving in ends, washing, blocking, blah.



Come to think of it, this is sort of how I feel about writing papers, too. I love getting the big ideas down, reading primary and secondary sources, constructing arguments in my head, but when it comes to the final stages of editing, I sort of, well, burn out.



My plans for today and tomorrow include lots of paper editing, so I intend to give myself a break on the knitting front. The Rusted Root sweater just needs to have its sleeves bound off and it neckband knit? The Ribby Bolero requires about 6 more inches of knitting and 5 minutes of sewing to be ready to wear? Too bad!







I'm made myself a lace headband and I've started a beaded change purse. Ha.

Mystery Knits

Okay, one mystery knit. It's a semi-secret present for someone who reads here, so I can only give a sneak peek.



I've also been working on a baby sweater for friends who are expecting. I ran out of yarn! Sleeves will have to wait until after I make a trip to Michaels for more dishcloth cotton. I think it's cute so far, though.

It was a really productive and relaxing weekend around here. I got tons of work done, including editing on a paper that I've been sitting on for three months without making much progress. I plan to turn it in before the end of this week, and take extra knitting time as a reward. I've also been really good about going to the gym for the last two weeks (hurrah!). My best friend and I are going on a cruise at the end of the summer, so I want to look good for all that lazy lounging around in the sun.
Here's to another full week...

A bit of knitting

First, a fun dishcloth that reminds me of birthday cake frosting, at least the kind you draw when you're a kid making birthday cards.

I found the pattern on Ravelry (link), and it knit up really quickly in two colors of Peaches and Creme dishcloth cotton.

Next, a Christmas-y sock. When it's just about ready to be summer here. I have good planning skills. I'm halfway through the second sock, so I'll have a finished pair to show you soon.

That's it for now - too much homework to do!

Oh man.

I've been having computer troubles, but I've been knitting a ton! I'll try to get some pictures up soon. In the meantime, a short list of fun links:

Ali loves Curtis - lots of Amelie-inspired picks over here!

Red Robin Land - inspiring lists and fun reading.

YumiYumi shop on Etsy - love all the birds!

Little Odd Forest (also Etsy) - ahhh!! The monster face bags!

Happy knitting, all :)