Banana Bag

I whipped up that market bag out of banana fibre on the weekend :) And what better to put in a Banana Bag than bananas:

I really enjoyed knitting with this fibre. I don't think I'd do it again as it's really sticky so it's pretty time consuming to knit with, but it was fun. And hey, now I can say I knit with banana fibre! Thanks Secret Pal!

Sweater Choices

Okay so I've come up with a top 5 list of choices for my new sweater. This will be out of the Berroco Peruvia from my SecretPal in a light grey. Here's what I'm trying to decide on and would really like your input:

1. Cardigan for Arwen


2. Bristow... yes I know I just made this for my mom.


3. Samus


4. Rogue


5. Demi (would require purchase of this book)

Which one do you think I should make?

Bristow Cardigan Update

As promised, there has been much progress. I was able to finish up the last front last night. I even managed to finish up the button band and button hole band to boot!

Somehow I managed to use ChartA from the pattern and not ChartB so all the cables are going in the same direction... oh well it's too late now in my mind to go back. So I'll just make sure to continue the mistake throughout and it will end up looking intentional :) All that's left is the sleeves (which are always quick), seaming in all together and the neckband. Too easy. Hmmmm I'll also have to decide on some buttons...

I went to Beehive yesterday and ordered more of the Peruvia that my Secret Pal bought me. It's way too nice to be something small. I ordered enough for a sweater, and will be perusing Ravelry most of the morning looking for the perfect pattern :)

Most of the Christmas catalogues from various stores were delivered this weekend, Canadian Tire, Sears, London Drugs, etc. I don't know why, but this year I'm just not into it. I'm normally the person who has their decorations up on Nov 1st if Greg will let me. This year I haven't even started my Cards, and I should have because normally I make them all... perhaps this will be a store bought year :(

Baroo?

It's been a busy week. Between busy work issues, hockey games, Halloween parties, trying to patch things up with my dad, and then Halloween itself time just seems to have been lost. The good news is, knitting has not been lost :) There has been much progress, although it's not much to photograph at the momment. I've finished the back, the left front and half of the right front on my mom's cardigan. I suspect the right front will be finished this weekend, although my schedule seems to be full again - I really don't know how that happens.

I have climbing tomorrow after work, and a rushed dinner before a Salmon Kings game (my work gives these tickets away all season and it ROCKS!). I plan on going for sushi lunch and a thrift store knitting needle mission with AnnaK on Saturday (absolutely cannot wait. weeeee!). Followed by a night out with another couple. Soooo Sunday, yes, Sunday I will knit this right front. And I will finish it damnit! Only 53 sleeps till Christmas!

I was also called tonight and informed I will have house guests on Tuesday night. This unfortunately means I will have to postpone Knit Night... and I can't even do it the following Tuesday as it's our strata AGM, yuck. Ack, and I will need to take the Wednesday off of work... I hate giving late notice for these sorts of things.. but I can't very well kick family out at 6:30AM... Can I?

two of two - Secret Pal!!

This morning there was ring at the door... kind of early so I was confused as I wasn't expecting anyone. It was Canada Post! I immeditately ran upstairs and jumped on the bed waking up Greg so we could open the package together, not that he cares too much, but I like to share my excitement even if it means waking him up :)

Secret Pal, you. are. amazing. Banana Fiber!

Left to Right, Banana Fibre which will be made into this, Peruvia which will be made into... something, little animal magnets (SO cute), kitty toys, and delicate wash stuff for my hand knits(I've been meaning to pick some of that up).

The colour for the banana fiber is definitely bold, but I still love it. Love it! I think the bag I'll make from it might be a bit smaller than the pattern says, but I was planning on doing that anyways. YAY, banana fiber!

The Peruvia is amazing, so soft. I'm not sure what to make out of it yet. So far mittens and hat have come to mind. But it's so nice... I may pick up some more of this and go for a full on sweater.

The magnets are already on my fridge and seem to be quite entertaining for Greg, LOL. So cute. And my kitties thank you for the toys, they are playing with them now even as I type.

one of two

Here is the finished scarf for Teresa. I'm so glad to be finished another Christmas present. This was actually a pretty easy knit once you get the hang of the pattern/charts.
Almost immediately after finishing I cast on for my mothers Christmas present. Bristow. It's going well so far although I have my concerns about size... oh well if it doesn't fit her at least it's something I would wear and I can just make her something else. So I will continue :) Plus you never know what will happen after blocking, maybe it really will be big enough.

Workin' Late

So I'm at work, and have been at work for 14 hours now... expect to be here for another 4-6 hours. Upside, a lot of it is just waiting so I was able to finish my Step-mom, Teresa's, scarf. It's beautiful. I'll block it and take some pictures to share with all. I'm proud of it. Now I'm off to do more waiting, er, working and knit away at the second sock for Greg.

My weekend in a photo-nutshell

Progress as of Friday night:

- 2 chocolate bars, 3 coffees, 2 hours of GuildWars and some sock progress

Saturday:

- Driving to Cowichan Fibre Fair... alone :(

- Sushi with AnnaK and then shopping at Beehive = yay!

- Sock and Scarf progress as well

Sunday:

- 3 hours at the inlaws trying to pry the china cabinet from their clutches, 4 hours of Guildwars and a bunch of time on the couch knitting (and sneezing damnit)

- Sylus approves of the progress thus far


I didn't quite accomplish the goals for the weekend as far as knitting goes, but I think it went well. One sock finished, the second started, and 14 repeats done on the scarf (only 6 to go). Scarf will be done by end of week... promise.... looking at calendar, 63 days left, ACK! Ok 4 more repeats WILL be finished tonight and the last two... tomorrow! Maybe.


In other news, I scored an amazing set of China with the cabinet we are getting from Greg's parents. I love it pretty, but not frilly. I already have China, but not nearly a full set. My mother has a similar pattern and is delighted to keep mine for me, for now. I managed to get Mother-in-law to empty the cabinet and put everything into three piles, sell, give away, and find new homes for... to clarify she offered the cabinet, I'm not forcing her to give it up LOL.


Christmas plans are starting to come in as well, my Aunt has 'booked' Christmas Day Dinner at her place, yay that means I don't have to do it! Birthday plans so far are to eat sushi and lots of it with Greg and Anna. I plan on being tipped over and rolled out the door after such a feast :) Although I'm still in denial about having to get any older. Every year I seem to get closer to 30 and I don't like how fast it's coming up on me.

Dear Weekend, I missed you!

Plans for the weekend:
- attend Cowichan Fibre Fair with the lovely Miss AnnaK
- finish step-mom's scarf (only 12 repeats to go... I think I can do it)
- finish one sock (I'm just working the heel flap now)

I was thinking about Christmas earlier this week and was excited about being only 70 days to go. Later this week, my mind went 'Holy Crap! 68 days! I better get knitting! Knit like the wind fingers, knit!' What has everyone else got on their Christmas knitting list? Here's what I have left:

Finish step-mom's scarf
Mom's Cardigan
Dad's Scarf
Somthing for husband.. socks? Sweater?
Something special for someone that reads my blog
Hat for friend

I think I can get that all done in time...

All Better

I am feeling much better after a good weekend of rest and relaxation. There was much video games and knitting involved in my recovery :) And to prove it, take a look at the wicked progress on my Step-Mom's Christmas present. I am so excited at how fast this is coming along, I'm 40% finished already! And yes, it will be much longer - blocking works wonders... and yes, I know I made a mistake on one of the diamonds, but I don't care :)

I also started a new sock. The Jacket I made for Greg... well I gave it to him for his birthday instead of Christmas. I know, I know, but I just couldn't help it. It was finished two days prior to his bday and it was so wonderful and great. Anyways He's wearing it a lot which makes me SO happy. So now I need to knit him something for Christmas, therefore we have the beginnings of a sock:And here is the second attempt at Beth's socks... I think I will take my Secret Pals advice, finish them and give them away. I'll make Beth some different socks... something better.

I stopped taking the bus. I drove in one day last week cause I was sick and didn't feel like walking the 20min from bus to work. Well, I was hooked. I have a really nice car and I miss it. I really, really miss it. The heated leather seats are workin' their majic as winter weather sets in and I just can't help myself. So I talked it over with Greg and I'm going to drive to work, but park on the road to save on parking space costs. I get in early enough in the morning that getting a spot on the road isn't a problem. We'll see how it works out.

edit: As I sit here reading over my post, I wonder if anyone will actually see the error in the one diamond... Also 3 words for you Lace Blocking Wires! I guess I'll hop on Knit Picks later today.