Purls and Pugs

Hello? Anyone out there?

Why, yes, I am still alive! A lot has happened since I've last blogged, and I'm ready to get back into the saddle, so to speak.

Where to begin...well, first of all, BFF and I are no longer BFFs. So, you won't be seeing him much around the blog any more. What else? Oh, I have a photographer now. I'll be using her for finished modeled pictures. They might not all happen right away, but she's got some great ideas. I was sick for about two weeks which kept me from doing much of anything really. I think it was possibly Swine Flu, but I don't know for sure. Even knitting was an effort. I've been trying to get back into the swing of things with knitting and blogging. I'm not going to promise that I'll be blogging every day this summer, but I'll be better than I was the last month or so.

I have some knitting up dates, but you'll have to wait for those! Until next time!!

I'm not so lazy!

Hey, there! I hope everyone enjoyed a day off for Memorial Day and had wonderful weather. We've been having some strange weather lately. It was a gorgeous weekend, but tonight is rainy and cooler.

Anyway, you didn't come here to read about the weather! I actually got off my lazy butt and took some pictures of my misadventures and knitting. I might even throw in a Yoda here or there!

So, BFF and I went to Memphis for Memphis in May a couple weeks ago. And guess what! We were rained out! We still managed to have a great time, but we didn't see any  bands. I didn't even bring appropriate clothing for the mud we would have encountered. I would have lost my shoes, and we can't go and have that, can we? So, we entertained ourselves by checking out Beale Street, drinking "Big Ass Beers" To Go, and seeing the ducks at the Peabody Hotel. They sure were cute!! And let's just say I had more than one Big Ass Beer!!

I also was able to visit my sorority national headquarters. I went there on a Sunday after  driving past Elvis' house, so it wasn't open. But I was able to see how pretty it is! AOT, Ladies!

 And I've made some progress on the Tweedy Coat Thingy. I've put the sleeves on waste yarn and am moving along on the length of the coat. The way the weather has been, I may be able to wear it once I'm done! My luck it'll jump from 50s to 90s in a few days. But I'm knitting and loving it!!

I've worked on the Blooming Cotton Scarf, but it requires more concentration, so I'm just not having the time to work on it. By the time I get knitting time, I'm not into thinking. You all know what I mean...don't try to deny it.

And I'll leave you with this:

Have you seen my (base)ball?

I'm alive!

Really, I am. I made it back from Memphis and have just been lazy. That's all it comes down to - laziness. I also knit about 2 rounds while on my trip, so I was a little embarrassed that I didn't get much done to show off. And to tell the truth, I've been lazy about knitting. It's been rainy and wet and droopy. I just don't have much motivation. Then I have some good books to read while riding the train, so those have taken over my commute. I'll get there, I promise.

As a consolation, and because I don't have Memphis pictures yet, I have compiled a list for all you fashionistas to online sample sales. I know I've mentioned Gilt Group previously, but there are quite a few out there. If nothing more than to get ideas for the next thing to make, they are interesting to check out. I've seen everything from La Perla to BCBG to Ivanka Trump to Cole Haan on sale on these sites. Speaking of Cole Haan, I've been collecting!! Somehow, I'm four pairs heavier on them, and they are fab...and at wonderful prices.
Amanda's ulitmate online sample sale list:

1. Gilt Groupe- So far my favorite for shoes!
2. Haute Look
3. Billion Dollar Babes -Everything from Sunglasses to clothes to jewelry.
4. Editor's Closet - (Referrer's email: aaswanson@gmail.com)
5. ideeli -In addition to awesome sales, they feature giveaways.
6. Rue La La -Upcoming sales include Movado, Cole Haan, and Kate Spade.
7. Secret Style (Sponsor Email/ Code: aaswanson@gmail.com) -Coming up sales include Cosa Nostra (Bad boy Jeffrey Sebelia from Project Runway's line)
8. The Top Secret (email me and I'll send an invite) -Everything from workout clothes, men's clothes, dresses, accessories.
9. Mini Social (referral email: aaswanson@gmail.com) - The cutest little kid's clothes and supplies!

Happy Shopping!!

Road Trip!!

Well, everyone, I am off to Memphis, TN! I've never been there, and there is Music Fest happening this weekend, so BFF and I decided to take a roadtrip. To be honest, I'm terrible in the car. I get all weird around hour 4, but don't tell BFF that. I think we are going to stop in Missouri for some food at a place my friend recommended that throws rolls at you! Sounds fun, no?

To keep myself busy in the car, I'll be bringing some knitting. I started the Blooming Cotton Scarf (about 3 times), but with 400 stitches, it's slow going. I haven't had tons of time to get to it. Now I will have tons of time while I am not driving.

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Loving the UPS Man

The UPS Man left me the best gift since, oh, a week ago. He left me more yarn! Though I have to say, it is sort of a one side relationship. I am the one picking out the gifts and paying for them...but I digress. I got the Blooming Cotton Scarf Kit (Murex and Mango) that I ordered from Webs. It was back ordered and I was hoping the yarn would come in before the leaves started falling off the trees again. I really didn't have to wait that long, so I can't complain too much. I know I've already started the Tweed Coat and that I am very monogamous with my knitting, BUT I am casting on for this now! I see girls with cute spring scarves all over the city, and I want one. I especially want one that will be unique.

This really will be my first forte into colorwork, and I'm excited. I'm not big on intarsia and I've not been moved enough to try fair isle or something along those lines. Maybe this will be the beginning of something beautiful...

Sassy Sweaters

BFF was over last night, so we decided to do a photo shoot! I put on my new Pleat Neck Sweater and a khaki skirt and headed outside. I tried to get Yoda in some of the pics, but she was more interested in chasing bunnies around the neighborhood. Silly pug!

You can see my tank from the armholes, and this is much better than it was. I was thinking this might be the type of top that I would throw over a swim suit. Comfy and stylish, yet casual.

New Beginnings

Yeah, yeah, I seem to have new beginnings a lot. But, why not, right?

Anyway, here is the beginnings of my Texturized Tweed Coat from Stefanie Japel's Glam Knits: 25 Designs For Luxe Yarns . I really like the texture, and it's easy to do on the train. I think it's looking good so far, but I'm a bit biased. I'm right about to the point where I will be doing the neck shaping.

I was looking for errata before I cast on because I have a tendency to mess up really well after not checking. And while I couldn't find any errata, I did find a tutorial on Stefanie's blog about how to do the collar. I guess there was a less than happy knitter with her tutorial, but it looked quite thorough to me. I'm actually excited to make this sweater because I'll be learning some new techniques - short rows in pattern and top down with an all over pattern.

Springy New Sweater

Over the weekend, I finished up the modified Pleat Neck Sweater. I have to say that it looks much better than the first time I finished it. This is wearable in public!! No bits hanging out! No hot tranny mess!

I really like the style, but I don't know if it's the yarn or what that is making it all weird. It's better than it was, but I don't see it being my FAVORITE sweater ever. Who knows, though, I may start wearing it and love it. As a first impression from the 30-odd seconds I tried it on, I don't think it'll be my most worn top, but I will wear it.

Pattern: Knit Simple Spring/Summer 2009 - Pleat Neck Sweater
Yarn: Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece - Berry
Needles: Knit Picks Options  size 7
Notes: CO 160 sts and follow body shaping for size Small.
At arm shaping: BO 12 sts. Then cast on 44 sts for arms. (224 sts).
Complete as for size small, but complete 7 total pleats.

Modeled Pics to come soon!!!

Reorganization of Priorities

I've been a little blah about projects lately. You can probably tell. But since I've ordered some yarn blindly, I've decided to try to pair some of the yarn up with things I've marked in my queue. Also, that damn chic cable and lace sweater is going to be frogged. It's too warm, has too many directions, and is just too...eh. I say frog and do something else with the yarn.

So, I think I'm going to try to make the Garnstudio DROPS Jacket, or at least a version of it. Canary Knits has a post on how she made it top-down and in (heavy) worsted weight yarn. Perfect! I'll probably have tons of the Cloud 9 left afterward, but that means another sweater. That's not a bad thing.

I think some of the next projects are going to be the Texturized Tweed Coat by Stefanie Japel (Ravelry link) and the Wheat-Ear Cable Yoke by Pam Allen (Ravelry link). I know these are probably more Autumn or Winter sweaters, but I just am not feeling the Spring ones right now. Even though the Spring ones are quick to knit. Hmm...I may have to rethink this plan....

I think I really need to just get back into the groove and get excited about new projects again. The only way that seems to happen is when I am already working on other things. It's the whole "grass is greener" thing. Speaking of green, I got my Palm Cascade 220 yesterday! I might be starting to see the enchantment Bonne Marie has with green.

Mmmm.....yarn!

Webs knows what they are doing. They really do. This anniversary sale gets me every time! I have been very good abut knitting from my stash, and I am getting down to the bottom of my basket, so I decided to order a little bit of yarn for myself. Mostly, I got Cascade 220, but I also ordered the Blooming Cotton Scarf Kit in Murex and Mango (which is backordered). Here are the yarns that the lovely UPS man delivered today (palm is on it's way) Cerise, Silver Grey, Heather Walnut, Burgandy, Burnt Orange, Charcoal Grey: