FO's #12 & #13 for 2010 – Ravelympics 2010 FO's #4 & #5

Busy, busy, busy… That’s all I can say about the past couple of days. Not busy with life stuff. Busy with KNITTING!!! I’m on a mission to get all of my projects completed for Ravelympics, and let’s just say… I’m off to a great start!

2010 FO #12 - Men's Fingerless Gloves #1

Pattern: Men’s Fingerless Gloves by J. Campbell (My Ravelry Page)
Made For: My FIL For Christmas 2010 – Ravelympics 2010 Project
Size: Men’s
Yarn: KnitPicks Comfy Sport – Cypress
Needles: Size 3 DPN’s
Started: January 14, 2010 Completed: February 16, 2010
Modifications: None

This one was particularly a tough one for me. I had gotten my first glove done on the day that I cast on for it. Then I got “second-glove syndrome” and just couldn’t seem to get the second one done. It had been sitting in my bag for what seemed like forever! Didn’t touch it… didn’t even want to think about it!!! Ravelympics provided a great motivation for me to get these done! These actually go with the Regular Guy Beanie that I made in the same color back in January. My FIL works outside as a groundskeeper for a local school district and I thought he might like a pair of gloves that he can work in as well as a hat to match. I’m actually planning on making my dad the same set for Christmas this year in the same yarn, just the color is Fedora. Hopefully now that I’ve got one set behind me, the second set won’t seem like such an undertaking!

2010 FO #13 - Kerchief Scarf

Pattern: Kerchief Scarf by Joelle Hoverson from Last-Minute Knitted Gifts (My Ravelry Page)
Made For: My My Niece – Ravelympics 2010 Project
Size: none
Yarn: Classic Elite Yarns Flash Print Marled in Candy Stripe
Needles: Size 7 Circulars (KP Options)
Started: February 16, 2010 Completed: February 16, 2010
Modifications: Only ended up doing about 90 stitches across. Knit until I ran out of yarn, which happened to be during the bind off. I ended up using a bit of plain white I had in my stash to finish off the bind-off. Fortunately it’s at the end so when worn you won’t see it

This was another stash-busting project. I got this gorgeous cotton for a Secret Pal gift and didn’t quite know what to do with it. When I found the pattern, I knew it would be perfect. It’s a little too small for me, so I’m going to give it to my 7-year old niece. She’s a pink-girl, so I know she’ll love it!

I’ve got two more projects to finish up for Ravelympics 2010. The socks I started for my mom that were intended to be a Christmas gift, and another Regular Guy Beanie for my Dad for Christmas. Hopefully I can keep plugging along at my current pace. The socks have been sitting in my bag since December, and I’d really like to get them done and outta there. My mom has been so very patient for these. I promised her that I would get them done by the end of February, and you never want to break a promise to your mommy!! I’ve got a ways to go, but definately do-able.

02.17.10 - WIP Twitterpated Socks for Mom

Almost ready to do the toe, and then it’s on to the second one. I’m really kinda regretting not doing them two-at-a-time, but ah well. You live and you learn right? That’s my motto for this year! Every year I put off doing Christmas gifts until the beginning of December, and EVERY year I end up working like mad the days leading up to Christmas (and some years until 3 am on Christmas Day) trying to get everything done. I’m not allowing that to happen this year. I’m getting started on gifts early this year and my goal is to get them all done by the time I go on vacation in November. That way I may actually be able to enjoy the holidays this year instead of being locked in my “cave” sewing and knitting my fingers to the bone. I’m gonna do it this year… even though I say this EVERY year!

Posted by Rosie in 2010 Finished Projects, Ravelympics 2010, Stash Busting, WIPs

FO #10 & #11 for 2010 – Raveylmpics 2010 FO #2 & #3

I was a busy girl all weekend, considering my carpal tunnel was acting up so badly that I could barely move my fingers at some points. I did, however, manage to crank out two small charity projects on Saturday that are also Ravelympics projects.

2010 FO #10

Pattern: Whistler Headband by Kira Jessup (My Ravelry Page)
Made For: Charity – Ravelympics 2010 Project
Size: Standard
Yarn: Bernat Softee Chunky from Stash – Country Ombre
Needles: Size 9 Circulars (KnitPicks Options)
Started: February 13, 2010 Completed: February 13, 2010
Modifications: Used Bulky weight yarn instead of DK weight

Whipped up this one for our Charity project. I’m on a mission this year to use up some of my stash yarn and figured that the charity knits would be a good way to do it. Since this one didn’t take up nearly enough of my skein, I decided to make a hat too!

2010 FO #11 - Snowboarder Skully

Pattern: Snowboarder Skully by Catherine Lindsay (My Ravelry Page)
Made For: Charity – Ravelympics 2010 Project
Size: Standard
Yarn: Bernat Softee Chunky from Stash – Country Ombre
Hook: Size J
Started: February 13, 2010 Completed: February 13, 2010
Modifications: Didn’t quite make it as long as I should have as I ran out of yarn, but it still fits nicely

The stash knit-down isn’t going as quickly as I would like, but even so… I’m still using it. Having completed these two projects for Ravelympics, I’ve now got 2 more to cast on for, and my 2 WIPs to finish. I think I can… I think I can…. I think I can. Hopefully the carpal tunnel doesn’t come back with a vengeance again and I can get the rest done. I have a feeling that Motrin and my braces will become my new best friends until the 28th!

Posted by Rosie in 2010 Finished Projects, Charity, Ravelympics 2010, Stash Busting

Happy Valentines' Day!

Just wanted to pop in to wish everyone a very Happy Valentines’ Day!! Also wanted to wish my beautiful sister, J, a VERY HAPPY 25TH BIRTHDAY!!! I can’t believe she’s 25! Where does time go?

Circa 1995

J's Junior Prom - 2002

Mine and Hubs' Wedding - 2005

J's Graduation from Kent Nursing School - 2008

Our Cousin's Wedding - 2009

The Birthday Girl - 2010

Happy birthday ‘lil sis!!! You are the greatest sister a girl could ask for! Sure, we had our rough moments growing up, but those moments made us the people we are today!! I love you!!!

Hubby and I celebrated Valentines Day last night with our friends Kendall and Jonas. They took us to an awesome restaurant in Munroe Falls where they have the BEST BBQ!!! After a fun night out, we spent today celebrating with my family. Birthday dinner for J made by my mom was probably the best Valentines’ Day dinner! Didn’t have to cook or clean up Hope everyone had a wonderful day!

Posted by Rosie in Daily Happenings, Holidays

FO #9 for 2010 – Ravelympics 2010 FO #1

I got it done! In the wee hours of this morning, I was able to finish up my gorgeous Snowflake Hat!

2010 FO #9 - Snowflake Hat

Pattern: Snowflake Hat by Jenny Kostka (My Ravelry Page)
Made For: Me – Ravelympics 2010 Project
Size: Standard
Yarn: Plymouth Encore Worsted from Stash – Lavender, Rose, and Off White
Needles: Size 7 DPN’s
Started: February 12, 2010 Completed: February 13, 2010
Modifications: None

I LOVE how this one came out!!!! After doing Hubby’s Rain Down Hat, I wanted to try another colorwork project. This one was quick and easy, and fits like a dream. I’ve never been a big hat girl, but this one is just too cute I couldn’t resist! It’s already washed and dried and ready to wear. Can’t wait to try it out!

Posted by Rosie in 2010 Finished Projects, Ravelympics 2010

And They're Off….

Ravelympics 2010 kicked off tonight at 9pm EST. That calls for a celebration!

Team TCK: Debbie, Barbara, Norma, Bonnie, and Kendall

Jen, Tara, and Debbie

For some reason, I never got a pic of myself or Erica. Hummm… Well at lest this time I remembered to bring out the camera

There was great food, plenty of laughs, and lots of knitting to be had by all! We all met at 7:30 for some pre-Opening Ceremony festivities, and then at 9 pm….. It was time to cast on! Hats, afghans, sweaters, and socks…. OH MY! I personally committed myself to 2 WIPs to finish and 5 small projects. I’m off to a good start though. I cast on for my Snowflake Hat when the “gun sounded.” Made decent progress throughout the night, considering all the distractions

02.12.10 - WIP Snowflake Hat

By the time I got home, I had made it thru the first half of the hat. It’s really an easy knit, even with the colorwork involved. Goal is to have it done tomorrow so it can be one project to check off my list of “to-do.” Also on my list are a couple of projects for the charity that our group is knitting for. The goal that I set for our group was 45 items donated. So far, I’ve got one done with another two to complete during Ravelympics. At the rate I’m going, I may personally donate half of our goal myself! It’s all going to be made of stash yarn that needs some love, and hopefully after all is said and done… I’ll have some more room in my closet for some new stash to covet!

GO TEAM TCK!!!

Posted by Rosie in Charity, Ravelympics 2010, WIPs

FO #8 for 2010

I know, I know… ANOTHER FO!!! I needed some “redemption” for the Steelers Blanket.

2010 FO #8 - Browns Rain Down Hat

Pattern: Rain Down by Robyn Devine (My Ravelry Page)
Made For: Hubby
Size: Medium/Large
Yarn: KnitPicks Swish Worsted in Allspice and Truffle
Needles: Size 6 DPN’s and Size 7 DPN’s
Started: February 7, 2010 Completed: February 8, 2010
Modifications: Adjusted pattern for 16 stitch repeat instead of 14 stitches. Also, cast on for the large size but only made it 6” until decreases for a better fit. Only did one knit round between decrease rounds until I got to the k2tog round and then decreased every round. Made more of a “skully” type hat.

I needed some redemption and I figured there was no better way than to make a Browns hat for Hubby. This hat was inspired by the new hats that all the teams are wearing on the sidelines during the games. Hubby LOVED that hat, but I wasn’t about to spend $25 for a stinkin hat when I could make him one! Thanks to Robyn for designing this one! Hubby absolutely LOVES it! Actually, he wore it to work today and a coworker asked if it was one of the ones that the team wears. They were floored when he told him that his wife made it for him. That’s a great feeling! The hat fits him perfectly, and better yet… he love it. Couldn’t have been a better project!

Posted by Rosie in 2010 Finished Projects

FO #7 for 2010

Again, here I go with another FO!!! Seriously, how the heck to I have time for all of this?

2010 FO #7 - Hooded Baby Blanket

Pattern: Hoodie Baby Blanket by Nikol Lohr (My Ravelry Page)
Made For: My Cousin’s Son, Mason
Size: Baby
Yarn: Berroco Comfort in Primary Yellow and Licorice
Needles: Size 8 Circulars (KnitPicks Options)
Started: January 28, 2010 Completed: February 6, 2010
Modifications: None

I made an (UGH) “Steelers” colored blanket for my cousin’s new son Mason. Since they did his ENTIRE room in Steelers colors, I figured this would go well with the room decor. They are a Steelers family thru and thru, so I didn’t mind betraying my beloved Browns to do this one. Plus, it was a total stash-busting project. I happened to have 2 skeins of the yellow and 1 skein of the black in my stash that I bought over a year ago to make a scarf for a girlfriend that I never got around to doing. I had no clue what I was going to do with the yarn. I ended up searching Ravelry projects and stumbled upon this pattern and it was a perfect fit. The blanket took exactly two skeins of the yellow, and about half of the black. Not too bad. The yellow was the color I was concerned about finding a project for. The black, easy peasy.

Now it’s just time to get this baby packaged up and shipped out to my cousin. I don’t want to wait until the baby’s first birthday to get this to him

Posted by Rosie in 2010 Finished Projects, Stash Busting

February Already?

I can’t believe it’s already February!!! My mom was right… once you get older, the time really flies. I remember when I was younger, and time seemed to go so slowly. When school started in September it seemed like years before June came and school was out for the summer. Now, it seems like I blink my eyes and six months has passed and I have no clue where the time went.

This month, my beautiful niece turns 7! CRAZY!! Seriously seems like yesterday we were going to see her in the hospital right after she was born and now she’s going to be 7! Makes me feel really old. It’s hard for me, too, to remember that she’s 7… not 3 anymore. Sometimes she really amazes me as to all the things she knows. I keep thinking she’s still in preschool, but she’s now in 1st grade. She talks and knows what she’s talking about (not just repeating what you say), and she remembers things that happen and things that she hears. Over the holidays, she started talking about when Hubby and I took her to the zoo last spring after her baptism (we are her godparents too). I was floored that she remembered that! Not only did she remember that we took her to the zoo, but she also remembered that when she spent the night at our house that her and I sat up on my bed and ate pudding cups and watched movies until midnight. She actually remembered those details! Sheesh! Next thing you know, she’s going to be on her way to high school!

I’m honestly praying that the next 10 months go slowly since I’ll be the big 2-9 come November. I’m not ready for all that yet.

Posted by Rosie in Daily Happenings

Sleepovers ROCK!

That’s what my knitting group did this weekend. We had a “Harry Potter Movie Marathon Sleepover.” A night filled with food, friends, movies, and of course knitting! It was a BLAST! Unfortunately, I didn’t bring out my camera to take pictures. It never fails…. I bring it with good intentions of taking pics, but for some reason it never leaves my bag.

We made it thru the first four Harry Potter movies last night, and then watched the fifth one this morning. I brought the sixth one, but unfortunately, we never made it to that one. We’ll just have to have another one soon! We all sat in Barbara’s living room in our jammies and knitted and chatted to our hearts’ content. I actually got the first charity project done. In one night! Albeit was a crocheted scarf in a super bulky yarn, but still…. one down… only 44 more to go Unfortunately, I left it at my mom’s house on my way home today, so I don’t have pics or anything of it yet. As soon as I get it back, I will make sure to post it!

Last night wasn’t just a girls nite sleepover. It was also the first night since Hubby and I have been married that we haven’t slept in the same house. Now, there was the time a few years ago when he was working third shift, but it was different. He was always in bed by the time I woke up in the morning so it didn’t seem like he was gone. This time, I was GONE gone. He didn’t know what to do with himself! I think he ended up at the bar for a bit and then finally came home at like 10:30. He told me when I got home today that he didn’t sleep at all. He ended up on the couch all night watching TV. He he he…. I always knew he’d never be able to live without me

Posted by Rosie in Charity, Daily Happenings, TCK

Knitting for Charity

Recently, my mom was asked by a neighbor about the knitting group I started. She mentioned to my mom that she help coordinate a “Elf Shop” for a local headstart program and was wondering if my group would be interested in donating handknit and crocheted items. I mentioned it to my group a few weeks back and of course they were interested. Hats, scarves, and other quick knits are what they’re looking for and we decided we were up to the challenge.

We’ve committed to donating minimally 45 projects to the shop. Not only does charity knitting make you feel good, it’s also a great way to do some stash busting. Since it’s a shop for underprivileged children, cashmere scarves aren’t exactly on the agenda. However, I’ve got a TON of acrylic stashed away in my closet from my earlier years of knitting and crocheting (before I became a yarn snob) that will be perfect.

I’ve been scouring Ravelry trying to find the best projects. Quick, easy, and inexpensive are my goals. I’ve managed to find about a dozen patterns or so that fit the bill so far and I know there are a TON more out there. Now it’s time to dive into the stash and see what I can come up with. Personally, I know that 5 or 6 projects are on the horizon, but give me some time, and I’m sure I’ll come up with another 5 or 6 after that.

Looks like 2010 is going to be a VERY busy knitting year for me

Posted by Rosie in Charity

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