2ktog

I counted my FOs for 2006, and it was a pretty measly number. It does, however, make a nice mosaic.

Between wedding planning, moving, and a grueling job, the last third of the year had very little knitting.
I don't even think 2006 produced that many UFOs, which is good.

I hope I can double that number in 2007! At least! We'll see. I need to crank out some of these secret projects so there's something to blog about.

My Hourglass Sweater needs to be ripped out to before the waist shaping because when I followed the pattern it was way, way too short. I also want to make some socks for my grandpa who moved to Minnesota, but I am not sure if I can get them done before he won't need wool socks anymore. We'll see.

I'm trying to get Omar back on the wagon, too. We'll be spending our New Year's Day knitting at Tempe Yarn and Fiber!

Posted by Miz Boots Valentine at 5:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

My dad called me from Minnesota where he was visiting his brother and my grandparents. He took his fingerless gloves, apparently ( I don't know why, because I'd want fingers in my gloves if I were up there). Apparently my wealthy uncle said I could make him some. I think my response should be if he buys me some cashmere to make them out of, I'll do it. I have sworn off Baby Ull forever.
Anyway, when I gifted him with these last year, he sort of hinted that actually what he wanted was some rugged wool fingerless gloves for fishing. After those size 2 needles, that splity yarn, I was a little disheartened. But I'm finally ready to start some mitts for him (i don't think he needs chunky fingers, maybe a little thumb) I'm using some leftover Donegal Tweed from Omar's Irish Creel.

Look how gorgeous it is outside today. It has actually been sort of rainy and grey in Phoenix.

I'm just using a simple waffle stitch I found in my favorite sock book, Sensational Knitted Socks. My parents are visiting around my birthday, 2/14, and my dad's 60th birthday is 2/23, so I hope to have them done when I see him.

Of course there is some non-bloggable knitting and crocheting going on. I struggled with what to do about it, but Tessa solved the problem for me.
"Mama, i will just lay on the secret projects and then eat the rest, then you can put a picture on your blog!"

Posted by Miz Boots Valentine at 3:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I sort of expect the star spangled banner and then the buzz of snow in this blog lately. I'm doing my best to generate new content, but the knitting is not as brisk as it once was, and as I said we're dealing with some secret projectage.

I sort of hate you, Lion Brand. Despite the fact that I found someone over on Knitter's Review taking credit for the return of Cotton Ease, I'd like to point out our blog is on the first page of google results if you type it in. I was not, nor ever have been a raving cotton ease maniac. Honestly, I've only ever had one ball of the stuff. But I love cotton yarn and of course I love affordability, so that's what motivated my original post. The "New" Cotton Ease is available in many more adult colors, but at least from the official Lion Brand site, the price has gone up a lot. I'm not even sure I like any of the new colors that much. I resent the whole makeover of Lion Brand into less of a "craft store" yarn.
We're still unpacking our knitting stuff. There have been a few knitted things misplaced that have caused much distress in our household.
The first is a repeat performance, Lopi Mouse has gone missing again. That's what MiMi gets for sharing her toy with the little hellion.
The second one is more grave. Omar's gorgeous 7-foot-long entrelac scarf hasn't been seen since MA. Going back through the blog, it looks like he never really made an entry about it, which is amazing because it was the most beautiful thing he's ever made, hands down (Unless you have a felted llama fetish.) Maybe I'm missing it? I'm not sure. But if it's lost, that's about $100 of Noro and many, many hours down the drain. We're sad, I hope it's shoved in a box somewhere.
He working on the Monk's Travel Satchel from Folk Bags right now, which was on hold because we couldn't find the book. It looks like a square of blue seed stitch, so I'm kind of off the hook with digging up a picture.
Still unfinished is the amazing Via Diagonale for ME! We need to get over to the Fiber Factory in Mesa to get more yarn for it, then someone needs to learn to sew so we can line it. :)
I think I will be starting on some bloggable footies soon, I got a great firey shade of Cascade Fixation at Tempe Yarn and Fiber on one of my first visits. Arizona is not good for the footsies, so I need to wear socks more and keep moisturizing.
I'm really trying to come up with projects for the yarn we have. I just found out another friend is pregnant. Of course, there's a black pinwheel baby blanket in my closet while the baby is growing like a weed in the midwest. Why am I so bad at getting things in the mail?

Posted by Miz Boots Valentine at 7:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Inspired by the visit of our dear friend whose blog can be found at Ride, Read, Knit, Omar and i are newly inspired to dive back into the knitting. Of course, the first thing that I started is so wonderful luxurious and colorful, I can't keep my hands off it. It is a surprise for a reader of this blog, so I don't know when I 'll be able to reveal it. But rest assured I am back on the horse, and we sought out the fourth yarn for this project this weekend.
At this very minute Omar is rifling through our storage area looking for some Artful Yarns Museum with which to make what he terms a "high fashion fez." I don't know how successful he's going to be, I think he needs to work on the gauntlet gloves he's making for me, even if I only wear them to model them for the blog.
We're going to head out to knitting group at Tempe Yarn and Fiber in a half hour or so. I'll be toting my secret project and thinking of all my knitting friends.
Meanwhile, please accept this prairie dog from the Sonoran Desert Museum as a token of my gratitude for your readership.
Also, if anyone else uses Flickr, please feel free to click below and ad me, I love me some Flickr!

Posted by Miz Boots Valentine at 7:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)