YoP #2

So I completed my Chevron Lace Cardi and shared it in a FO Friday post on here (thus I won't repost it, don't worry) and I made more progress on my snowflakes throw this week. Being that it was snowing outside was the perfect motivation to do another row on it. It goes surprisingly quick since it's join as you go.

I do have a somewhat dilemma though. I'm dying to continue my Betty's Tunisian Tee because I love the pattern so far, love the way the final product looks, however I don't think I'm too keen on the yarn I'm dong it with. I'm using Caron Simply Soft which is fine but being that it's Tunisian, it's a little thicker. I've decided I think I'm going to frog it, use the Simply Soft with some other skeins I have for a blanket or throw and save the Tunisian Tee for some yarn that I find when I go to Maryland Sheep & Wool next May :). Therefore, I'm replacing it on my list with a Saroyan. I have a yarn I'm very much looking forward to making this with. To me, the colors in it just seem like nature-ish colors with the red being a nice contrast as well.

I feel like I'm lacking pictures this week because the peacock shawlette had to be frogged and started over (it's looking lovely this time around so far), and for whatever reason I couldn't find the motivation to do my ONE remaining fingerless mitt. It was just an off week apparently.

Peacock shawlette is about 8 rows in (many to go) and the Snowflake throw is through two rows now (4 more to go!). Ideally the throw should be done in three weeks which will be perfect time for me to start a new project and work on it in the car over Thanksgiving!

I am starting my 3rd square for my Vortex throw this week so that'll be interesting to see how the colors start working up there!

Overall:

CALs (done by end of 2011):
1. Chevron Lace Cardi (completed 10.23.2011)
2. Betty's Tunisian Tee (frogged and replaced) Saroyan
3. Snowflakes Throw (in progress, 2/6 rows done, 3rd row in progress)
4. Vortex Throw (in progress, 2 squares done, 2 to go)

Crochet:
1. Pinecone Top
2. Lacy Cropped Cardi
3. Custom Tank Version #1
4. Cap Sleeve Top
5. Custom Tank Version #2
6. South Bay Shawlette

Knit:
1. Clapotis
2. Ballet Camisole
3. Peacock Shawlette (in progress)
4. Sagrantino Shawl
5. Summit Shawl

Now I somehow need someone to tell me to STOP adding things to my list :-P. At least everything listed already has yarn assigned to it that's in my house already (no more needs to be purchased).

Speaking of adding though, I am thinking about a few small things to have nice little FO for the week's update instead of the "Um, I did another row of snowflakes on my blanket?" posts. Have to keep it new and refreshing! So I think for every large project I have up there, I'm going to look into my queue and bookmarks for smaller filler projects to feel more productive (and add to my "when I need a quick gift") stash.

What are your favorite small, quick projects? I've seen plenty on others' YoP lists!

Squee Sunday #1

I'm glad to keep participating in all the random blog post days from groups on Rav because honestly it keeps me motivated to blog and motivated to keep working on projects so I have something to share! I've already said I had a million projects going on but....my squee today? I convinced the hubby that we needed a giant ripple blanket for our bed and he's good with the idea! Big squee in my book for being able to buy more yarn :-P.  I think I'm going to end up getting this kit:

Normally I don't go for the kits but for the current price and being that it had the ideal color choice that we wanted, it worked out. I"ll have to buy a few extra skeins eventually (it's Herrschners Worsted 8, I love that yarn and it's a great bargain) but this will get a good start for sure!

Herrschners is also my BFF this week because they sell the Caron Simply Soft Light! I was bummed to not find it this week on my trip to various craft store (most likely because it's still too new I assume) and finding it sold out on a lot of sites but Herrschners came through and has it...in stock!

I figured I had every right to squee about something that's not physically in my hands just yet since it will be soon and I couldn't contain my excitement! Figures my first Squee Sunday post is about yarn hahahaha, that's how exciting the week has been.

Make sure to click the link above and check out what others are squee-ing about today on this lovely Autumn (with snow on the ground) Sunday.

Let is snow *er* slush?

I have to say I'm rather jealous of those who received a nice amount of snow in the northeast. Here about 30-45 min from D.C. we got a slight dusting but enough to make it pretty out. It was disappointing to know that an hour further west it was a complete winter wonderland!

Spent my day inside working on my Dusty Snowflake Throw (what can I say, the weather inspired me to work on it) but took a break for the always addicting rounds on Pinterest, Etsy, Ravelry, all that good stuff. I was very good and didn't buy anymore since I have enough projects going on but couldn't pass up sharing a small tidbit of the cute things I stumbled on.

(1) Really I have no idea what I would do with a giant owl but owls are cute and the pattern is free so I kind of want a reason to make a giant owl! Who doesn't?

(2) I'm wanting to do a crocheted snowflake ornament tree in my house somewhere and I have to say Martha Stewart's idea with the backings on them is a nice touch. Plus, who can turn down free patterns.

(3) I've been eyeing this boots pattern for awhile now. I'm dying to make some for my baby girl! They're just too cute for words!

(4) This little family would be a perfect winter decoration on my mantle if I didn't know for certain that two particular orange tabby cats in my house would see them as toys. PearCreekCottage has the individual snowmen in their store front but also offers the family as a whole...soo cute!

(5) How cute is this hat with the giant statement snowflake on the side of it! YarnBlossomBoutique sells the pattern for $4.99.

FO Friday #1

I was really excited to finish my Chevron Lace cardigan earlier this week! Still haven't found the perfect closure for the top but I'll know it when I see it!

I also managed to finish off a shawl that I had been "technically" finished for awhile but needed to block it and do a few final touches.

Quite the quick post for me today but I've got to run out and do my weekly grocery shopping! We always go on Fridays and today in particular isn't going to be fun because there's snow (!) in the forecast for our area tomorrow and that turns everyone to mass chaos around here (which is unnecessary of course)

My first WIP Wednesday post

Thought since I read everyone's WIP Wednesday posts on Rav, I'd finally join in!

In all technicality I have 8 WIPs going right now and haven't done so bad working on 50% of them the past week! Might as well go down the line...here goes...

Even though it's not much yet, I'm excited for the outcome of this one so I'll start out with the Peacock Shawlette I cast on tonight. I'm normally not much for knitting for long periods of time but somehow this one has sucked me in today and I'm addicted!

I thought I'd be disappointed making a peacock shawlette out of something not so much peacock colors but I'm quite fond of this color combo so we'll keep the fingers crossed! I'm only about four rows in and like I said, doesn't look like much yet but let's just mention it's an accomplishment for two reasons: a) I've managed to keep the CORRECT number of stitches each row and b) I haven't thrown it across the room yet!

I also have my Tunisian tee still going for the CrochetMe CAL. The goal is to have the second base triangle done by Halloween so that'll be my priority this weekend! Here's the first base triangle complete. Excuse the curling in the top corner, it'll work itself out once blocked, finished, etc. I'm making the tee a little thicker so right now it curls more.

I'm also 50% complete with a set of mitts I started. I love the color and the fit of these and finishing the second one should take no time at all!

Now for the big project: my Dusty Snowflake throw for the Red Heart CAL. The goal was to get another row of snowflakes done which I kind of did but didn't meet. I completely forgot I needed to add filler snowflakes in so I added those and then started doing up the second row of seven snowflakes. Each one is just shy of one complete round and a joining round so really a short bit of time and that second row will be done. If I can somehow manage to do it in the next day or so and be ready to start the third row this weekend, I'll be even happier!

That's what's on my hooks and needles this week. I did manage to finish something so I'll even have a quick post on Friday as well, Yay!