First Entrelac!

I have completed my first entrelac project! I drove 2 hours with my best knitting friend to take a class at a LYS in Sioux City, IA (Susan's Yarn Garden -- DON'T miss it if you're ever driving through on I-29!!) And this is the result!




It's knit with Noro Kuryeon (sp?). I really like it!

I completed one sock of the pair from Charlene Schurch's More Sensational Knitted Socks, but haven't photographed it yet due to not being done with the pair. Also I'm knitting away on a knee - thigh high pair of magic stripes in school colors for my DD. She plans to wear them for marching band next fall.

At work I'm in the official position of taking over as editor for the local monthly magazine -- and LOVING it! I write 5 articles (ok, one of those is just a photograph with a quote as a "Parting Shot" on the last page!) and put together 2 other sections: the community calendar of things to see and do as well as the "Seen About Town" which features photos of people at community, social or charitable events and galas, etc. I also take photos for the articles I write and shoot the cover each month. So it's keeping me busy! In the publishing business we're working 2 months ahead, so currently working on July's issue. Sometimes makes the photography aspect "interesting!" (Shooting "summer" when spring blossoms are blooming for instance!)

Here's my June cover for the theme and cover story, "Celebrating Dad! Why We Love Our Fathers."



This is just my mock-up to give the art dep't an idea, so I'm not sure if the actual cover will look this way, but it IS the photo they'll use.

Well, that's it for today.
Happy Shooting & Knitting!

A New Nephew! (& Coffee!!)

I've been busy with work related stuff, but did take time to visit family for Easter. My brother and his wife welcomed our new little nephew--Logan--on Wed. April 4th. We happen to think he's a gorgeous kiddo -- you GOTTA love that HAIR!!




Also took a few food photos as filler for a local Visitor's Guide. Thought you might enjoy this one:



The word "cappuccino" on the table is a shadow being cast from the signage on the big picture window of the coffee shop on Main St. I thought it was kinda cool!

I did knit my DD a sweater over the Easter weekend...it's one of those quickies done in super chunky yarn on size 15 needles and only comes down to about 2-3 inches above the waistline. It looks cute on her and she had friends at school asking for one in different colors. I'll try to snap a photo when she wears it again and post a pic.

That's all for now. Have a great weekend!

First Cables

I completed my first pair of cable-down-the-side socks! I think they turned out gret and will make a nice birthday gift for my sis!


Here's a closer look at those cables! (Yes, they mirror each other!)

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Busy, busy, busy

I've been very busy with work. Coming to deadlines on a local county's annual Visitors Guide. (Last minute rush to edit and grab forgotten photos or filler material, etc, etc.)

Also crunch time on the transition between simply writing for and actually becoming the managing editor for the local monthly magazine. *enough said*

Also had a great lunch in the state capital with another publishing outfit for which one of my photos graced the cover of one of their magazines a couple months ago. Hope to perhaps get some more assignment work from them as well!

All in all, it's been BUSY!

I did go out last night to capture an image that says "Small, rural communities" for the Visitors Guide.

How did I do?



On the knitting front: I have been working on 2 socks on 2 circs with my first-ever cable design down each cuff. They are being knit with Knit Picks' Essential yarn in a rich, deep green. (Also using Knit Picks circular 24" needles in US #1) I'm hoping to finish them up by Saturday to take to my sister for her birthday gift.

(Last minute gift idea, just in case: she also wants a copy of my blue-ribbon state fair photo...so I can get one of those printed in a pinch!)

Happy Shooting & Knitting!

Finished

I thought I should post a picture of the finished project. Buttons attached, somewhat blocked (I think those sleeves are going to roll up no matter what I do!) and ready to be delivered this weekend to my 3 yr. old niece. I hope she and her mommy will like it!



I also finished over the weekend the first of the "Loopy Socks" from Knit Picks (using their yarn "Dancing.") This was my first experience with "loop stitch" and it was easy and fun. My 15 yr. old dtr. loves them!





I've already got about 4" out of 7" done on cuff number two, and since they are only 56 stitches around on size US#3 needles, they knit up very quickly.

Well, gotta get to work!
Happy Knitting!

Spring Fever

Even with huge piles of snow still on the ground, the temperature is rising day by day. Water is dripping and running and puddling all around. Birds are singing. Geese are flying north. And there's a feeling of expectancy in the air. You can smell spring's nearness!

I had lunch with a friend last Friday and she brought me some daffodils. I want to share them with you!



I posted some close-ups of single blooms in my photo gallery. There's a link on the right side of the page.

Happy Shooting, Knitting and Spring!

Ok, I'll Admit It

I am disappointed with how the swap turned out for me.

Here are just a few of the pics of packages others received:

Not to mention the box that I myself shipped off. I realize the whole point is that it's better to give than to receive. And I did have fun making that cashmere shrug for Gudron and learning new stitches. It was really fun to imagine her delight in opening the box and discovering the many little treasures I had included.

And it looks like almost everyone else had the same idea and feeling in getting into the spirit of the exchange.

And then my package arrived. In an envelope. A ripped envelope.

I feel guilty about feeling ripped off. (And this is probably why I asked the people putting the swap together at the very beginning what the perameters were for what should be sent/included in the package!) Guilty feelings aside, I do in fact, feel as though I definitely got the short end of the stick.

And I'm not sure I'll do a swap again. At least one that's not clearly defined r.e. how much to spend or include, etc.

Thus the second of my "poor me" themed blog entries. Not that anyone is actually reading them. I'm going to work on my latest pair of socks now.

Happy Knitting!

Follow this link to look at the photo album of the packages people received from their swap partners:

http://de.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/luitgard2/album?.dir=6036re2&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//de.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/luitgard2/my_photos

It Came!

My package from the International Swap ("Colors of Spring") arrived today from Germany. (*yeah!*)

It contained one very bright, very "springy" green scarf in fun fur!!

I don't believe I've ever seen this color in yarn before and I think it will look OUTSTANDING against my black coat!!!

Thank you Katja!

(p.s. The flowery card is her postcard to me!)

I Would Have Been Knitting...BUT

The weather had me imprisoned in a never-ending cycle of shoveling and scooping!

We got socked with a big winter storm over the weekend. It started with thunder and lightning on Friday which turned over to sleet/ice overnight. Woke up to about 1/4 inch of ice on Saturday morning and by noon it turned over to snow which continued until Sunday night. In the end we got about 10" of it! We kept going out to shovel every 2 inches or so in order to keep up and not kill our backs. (It was the wet, heavy stuff!)

I did actually finish the pair of KnitPicks socks I was doing in the s'mores colorway and I started a quick pair of slipper socks in 100% bamboo DK weight on US #5 dpns. Pictures later. I've got to get kids to school (we had a late start), finish scooping the driveway and front walk for the mailman and get to work on my project for the newspaper.

Getting the Knack of It

Here it is, sweater #2. This one is done top down following the Daisy Cardigan pattern from The Garter Belt. The pattern was done by Marie Grace Smith.

This one is a size 4T and should fit my niece beautifully! I still have to block it (hoping it will work with this acrylic yarn!!) and figure out closures (debating about what to use....I-cord loops and buttons....ribbons to tie??) and whether or not to embroider the flowers along the bottom.

I did switch up the pattern a bit and did 5 rows of garter stitch at the bottom before the picot bind off. I thought it would match the garter edging along the fronts and neck line and prevent the curling which you can see happened on the sleeves.

Also, you'll notice I completed a hat to match the first sweater for the yet-to-be-born nephew. (See post before this one!)

Now I must force myself to go back and finish the second sock in that lovely S'mores colorway. The Knit Picks yarn is really wonderful to work with. I've just had my worst case of SSS (second sock syndrome) EVER!!! [Dare I wonder if I knit too many pairs for Christmas!???! Eeegad!]

Well, I've got stitches to knit and photos to process for my magazine deadline at the end of the week.

Happy Knitting and Shooting!

She Shoots......She SCORES!!!

Ok, this phrase always reminds me of watching hockey (although admittedly the pronoun is usually "he" in that situation!) It happens, as you may know or guess, each time a player makes . . .

. . . what??? . . .


. . . oh yes.....ahem.....

A GOAL!!!!!!

(Drum roll please!)

I have made one of my 2007 knitting goals!

(cue rauckus applause!)

I completed a "5 Hour Baby Sweater" this morning, thus fulfilling my goal of making a sweater. It is intended for my yet-to-be-born nephew who is due end of March/beginning of April. (If you're reading this say a quick prayer for my SIL who is having very premature labor and is trying to have bed rest at home with a very active & sweet 3 year old dtr!!!)

Without further ado, here's the sweater!



Now we just hope the baby will hold out another month before insisting on joining us!
I will make a hat to match.

And something for big sister too!

Experienced Knitters Needed

Okay, I finished my first ever toe-up sock:




I generally happy with the way it turned out, I guess. (Still can't get past my cuff down prejudice though!) What I'm not so happy about, and quite sure I totally goofed up is the heel (never having done this sort of short row with wraps before.)
This is what one side of the heel looks like:



And here is the other side (which, I'm sure you'll notice, looks completely different from the other side!! argh!):



So my question to all you more experienced knitters it this: what the heck did I do wrong??? Or is it normal for heels to look like this??

In one pattern I looked at, it said your heel would look nicer if you lifted the wrap up and over the stitch before you knit them together. I gave it a try, but honestly I'm not quite sure I was doing it right. Plus then I discovered (much too late) that on the double wrapped stitches I was supposed to lift BOTH wraps--which I didn't do because I only noticed this little helpful tip at the very end of the pattern after I was done with the heel!!!

If anyone can offer me some wisdom before I get to the heel on sock number two (I'm just past the toe and working my way up the foot.....) I'd greatly appreciate it!

Thanks a bunch! & Happy Knitting!

SWAG

Well, here's my package bound for Germany! It's my first international shipment and I hope that the various postal systems take good care of it!

Also, I really hope my new friend in knitting enjoys the stash!



That's all for now!
Knit On & Happy Shooting!

My New Pick (and a Shrug Too!)

I have to let you know how THRILLED I am with Knit Picks!! This is their Memories - 100% Merino Wool--sock yarn in the "Smores" colorway. It is every bit as luscious IMHO as Lorna's Laces and is knitting up wonderfully! (Yes, those are KnitPicks 6" dpns in size 0 which I got for a wonderful price too!!) Knit Picks is definitely my new pick for where to buy yarn!! Less expense, wonderful quality.....what more is there to say??!!




As promised, here is a photo of the shrug I knit for my swap partner in Germany. It is knit from 7.5 balls of Lion Brand Merino/Cashmere blend which was on sale at a LYS. It is super soft and wonderfully warm and it will be hard to pack it up and ship it off......but alas! I must! I used a pattern found on DIY Network's website for the show Knitty Gritty. It is basically a knit sampler of lace stitches. Because you knit it with bulky yarn on size 11 needles, it knits up super fast! It looks cute on my 15 year old daughter and my 50-something knitting pal as well....so I'm quite sure that my swap partner will like it! (It is made in colors she likes!)
When I get her full package put together, I'll be sure and post a photo. I've never shipped anything overseas.....I'm hoping the postage won't shock me into heart failure! (Then again, I filled up both our vehicles at the pumps today.....can't get much more sticker shock than THAT, can we???!!!)

That's all for now!
Knit On!

Cover Girl

I made the cover!!! I knew that The Iowan was going to publish my State Fair blue-ribbon photo in the portfolio section of the new issue, but to my great surprise they also used it on the cover! I am thrilled to say the least!

I'm afraid I'm going to fail miserably at one of my resolutions......I haven't been out to shoot any photos just for fun or personal challenge in the month of January despite my good intent to do so twice a month. There's still a week (plus)... so I may not be a total failure yet. We'll see. I have a deadline this Thursday at the paper and a new project on top of my regular monthly commitments....so we shall see indeed.

On the knitting front....I finished a shrug!! It's so soft--made of merino and cashmere (and headed for Germany soon!) It's a gift to my swap partner there. I promise to take pics and post them soon!

Also, I broke down and went crazy shopping at Knit Picks. I went to get some sock yarn for my swap partner.....and of course got some for myself as well! I am loving working with the one type--it feels and works up very much like Lorna's Laces...but it's only $3.99 a hank! I can dig that!! I'll take some pics and post. I'm trying my first ever "toe up" sock to see how long I can go on the cuff. It's been fun!

Well, that's all for now. Pics to come....SOON!!!

Knit On! (And Happy Shooting to you photo bugs out there!)

Happy New Year!

Well here it is 2007 already! I remember vaguely thinking that my folks and grandparents were kidding when they talked about time going faster and faster the older you get. I so totally get it now! Happy New Year one and all! (Even if it is the 3rd already!)

I'm looking forward to this new year. It's like the slate has been wiped clean and we all get a big "do over." I like that! Some things about the new year I can anticipate (like the promotion I got just as 2006 was ending! I'm still doing freelance writing and photography for the local newspaper/publishing company....but I'm also taking on Managing Editor duties for the local monthly magazine and perhaps a book project for the publisher! Dreams come true!)

Our family is looking forward to the birth of a new baby: my brother and his wife are expecting in April. That will be great! (And I'll be knitting up a baby blanket before then! Mark one project in the list of things I must accomplish in 2007.) I also have to knit a few more blocks for the Aran afghan I did for my sister & her husband for Christmas. It really does need a little more girth if it's going to warm anyone other than her 7 year old. (Project #2!)

In the list of "resolutions" for the New Year: I've told myself I am going to knit my first sweater this year. Period. I'm not kidding.

I AM giving myself permission to let it be child or even infant sized rather than the extra-lovely size it would need to be to fit moi. But hey! Everyone's got to start somewhere, right??!!

I am also going to use up my current sock yarn stash on members of my own, immediate family. They watched all those lovely socks march out the door as Chritmas gifts to others. I think they deserve a little of the love too!

I am also going to get out and shoot photos just for fun at least twice a month. I realize I need to keep the creative juices flowing and keep honing my eye. So that's the deal and I'm sticking with it.

(Have you noticed how NONE of these resolutions have anything to do with losing weight?!?)

I'm starting off the New Year with my first international swap via some lovely ladies in Germany. I'm so excited I can hardly stand it!! Stay tuned....I'll keep you posted. If all goes well I hope to do another one later in the year.

Well, that's it for now! I've got a sock to finish for myself from the yarn I bought as a souvenir on vacation in Michigan this past summer. (I put it off while finishing up Christmas knitting.)

Let me know what your plans for 2007 are!

HO HO HO

Well, here we are headed into the home stretch of the holidays. I've finished up all my Christmas projects except one. Here's my total:

*15 pairs of socks (only 4 of which were "slipper socks" that knit up quickly)
*7 hats (4 teen/men sizes, 3 child sized)
*4 scarves (3 men, 1 child)
*5 pairs of fingerless mitts in various patterns
*1 3'x3' Aran panels lap afghan

I have one more pair of fingerless mitts to do and I'll be done!

We have our tree up. I've managed to bake 5 or 6 different goodies for Christmas.
The cards have been mailed. The packages that are traveling to other states have been gone for several days now. I still have wrapping to do and groceries to purchase for Christmas dinner, etc. But I think I will make it!

I'm looking forward to finishing a pair of socks for myself and one for my daughter after the Christmas knitting is complete. I have a nice stash of yarn just waiting for snowy weather to blow in so that I can curl up on the couch with a cup of cocoa and knit away! Hope you have a wonderful holiday in whatever way to celebrate the season!

Christmas Frenzy

I've been busy knitting away for Christmas! I've gotten 6 of 9 panels done on my aran afghan. I completed two pairs of slippers, a hat, and some fingerless gloves for nephews. And I just whipped up two smaller hats for 4 and 7 yr. old friends. (See picture below.) Phew! All this and I've been busy helping out with sports photos at the paper and other projects there. (*yeah!*) Of course, my house isn't tidy and I don't have the tree or decorations up yet....but hey, it's not even December yet, right??!!

Just a quick post to show off the first bowl I completed. It was a fun and quick project!

Back to work for me!

Silly Nonsense Stuff

Looks like this promises to be another busy week at work! Final deadline on the project is Friday so wish me luck!

In the meantime, I took the "What Kind of American English Do You Speak?" quiz. Here are my results.

Your Linguistic Profile:

75% General American English

15% Upper Midwestern

5% Midwestern

0% Dixie

0% Yankee

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

Guess that makes sense! My parents were born in Minnesota and Iowa. And although I was born in California, it doesn't really count as we moved back to Iowa when I was 6 months old. (And just for the record, I'm from the part of Iowa where the word "wash" has NO "r" in it!!!!)

OTN: Lana Grossa MegaBoots Stretch sock #2 along with the Aran afghan I'm making for my DS and some fingerless gloves I'm doing for my 15 yr. old DN for Christmas as well.

Here's my felting supplies for "Get Felted" over at Romancing the Yarn (check them out!) I've got my first bowl knitted and will take pics tomorrow before I felt it.