Backpack backpack!

I tried to start the Punk Rock Backpack from Stitch n’ Bitch once before… with aluminum straight needles and acrylic. Needless to say, I only got about an inch in. Well, this time, I’m using Cascade 220 with a nice circular needle, and I’ve finished the front panels, the back, and am happily working away on the strap.

I changed the design on  the front to be a Yoshi egg from Mario. I’m planning on doing some back stitch edging around it to enhance the circular egg feel. And, so far, it looks pretty darn good. Also, I’ve changed the stitch pattern for the gusset to the Little Harringbone stitch from Barbara Walker’s First Treasury (Woo! New book!).

Speaking of Barbara Walker’s book, I love it. After much indecision, I decided on her series of books for my stitchionary needs (Liz has the Vogue Stitchionary set) and the first one is really cool. I’m hoping to work more of the stitch patterns from it into more of my projects and patterns.

Which brings me to patterns, I’m feeling the need to design more, but I’m at a loss for what. Any ideas? Seriously, I would appreciate any ideas for spring/summer patterns. I think my hang up is that I like to design things that are new and unique, and Ravelry has EVERYTHING.

Hopefully I can get a new idea soon.

New Year, New Commitment

Last year was crazy. Things didn’t change all that much, but there were a few big things that kept me from focusing on my blog. And, I really do enjoy video blogging. It’s fabulous and fun, but I don’t always find the time to do it and put it all together. (Always = not for most of last year.) However, this year, I’m going to recommit myself to knit blogging in general, both text and video.

What this means for you: more posts! Hopefully more pictures (I know I always say to check Ravelry, but I promise to post more on here, too.

And, finally, some knitting! I have three big things right now. I have the Rogue Sweater (the pocket is finished, lots more to go), my brother’s scarf (which was the Voltaire scarf, and is now 2×2 rib, and much further along), and I’m just waiting on my yarn for the Tech Squares Afghan (29 balls of Wool of the Andes in 6 colors, I’m so excited!)

I need to get updated pictures of each of these and pictures of a bunch of projects I finished a while back in a finishing spurt (I need more of those…)

So, cheers to more knitting and blogging in 2010!

No Holiday Knitting for Me

My year has been full of knitting, even if I’ve failed at blogging about it. But, come the holidays (you know, the time of year where retail gets busy — and, the family christmas letter goes out) I’m going to try to renew and maybe reinvent my blog.

So, I’m going to do a quick run down of recent knitterly accomplishments. Today I sent out my swap package for the Feel the Rainbow swap. I haven’t received my package yet, but I’m hoping it will be soon. Around early October I was on a finishing kick and finished 4 or 5 projects in as many days. None of them had much left, and they all turned out pretty cool. Just before that, maybe mid-September, I stepped up to the challenge and finally BOUGHT YARN and CAST ON for my very first sweater. It’s gorgeous (and in semi-hibernation, due to the Feel the Rainbow swap) but I plan on digging it back out here and putting some more serious time into it. For the curious, it’s the Rogue by Jenna Wilson. It’s Cascade 220 Superwash in Navy and Malabrigo Sock in “Impressionist Sky” (which is a sort of denim-y blue color). Anyways, gorgeous.

Also, in addition to knitting news, I’ve started dabbling in spinning. I had posted video of the drop spindle before, but I expect the videos of my upcoming christmas present to be much more amazing and fun to watch. I’ve been spinning on my friend’s Ashford Kiwi, but we’ve discovered art yarns, so I’m getting the more versatile Spinolutions Mach II. Anyways, I have finished a couple skeins of yarn, and more will certainly come.

I’m hoping to be able to put a Blog Video together here this week or next, or at least get some good still shots up to show off my work. And, I think I’m going to do some sort of giveaway or prize thing beginning in January, so tell your friends to check out my blog!

Going Green Swap

So, I just finished and put together all the parts for the Going Green Swap on Ravelry. I’m mailing it to Sydney in Florida tomorrow. I’m so excited! It was so much fun to put together and I hope she enjoys it.

Once she’s received it, I’ll be sharing pics and info with you, here on the blog. Also, I hope to blog soon, I promise. I think I’ve started a few more projects, and all that.

Oh, and if you want more information on anything, but aren’t on Ravelry (why not?!), then leave me a comment, and I’ll get more information up here for you.

New Blog!

For more information about Handknits for Horizon, please check out the pdf here.  Or, if you need more information, feel free to leave a comment or email me.

Stitch Corner Links: Baby Fern Lace and Woven Basket Stitch

Go Check this out!

Logan (over at Love and Peas) is asking for sweater advice on a sweater s/he knit for a class last semester. It’s a funky entrelac design, but I’m just one voice!

Head on over here and let her know what you think she can do to make this a better sweater! And, if that wasn’t enough of a reason, if you leave hir a comment, you’ll be entered to win some yarn!

Ps. If you do comment, please say you found hir through my blog!

No New Blog Yet

So, I know that I owe you a blog. And, I think I even have some things to share, but I need to find the time between work, volunteering, and hanging out with Liz. Anyways, I think I should have some time to do it later tonight. Otherwise, I might still be able to get it up Thursday/Friday, because it looks like I have a short day and an early one. So, please be patient with me. I’m trying to juggle lots of things (and projects!) at once.

Carly

Knit Blog 16

It’s been up on YouTube for a couple days, and I kept forgetting I needed to post it here. But, here it is!

And, while I’m blogging, I have some bittersweet news to share with you. I’m still unpublished, but you get a shiny new pattern! So, I will be posting that soon and sharing it next time in my blog!

Cthulhu Penguin on Lime & Violet!

Check it out here! Also, make sure to check out the rest of their Knitting Advent Calendar!

Knit Blog 15

TECHknitting – Jogless Stripes Method

Christina Slattery – Rose’s Wrist Warmers (Cable filled with Seed Stitch)

Knitting on the Net – Criss Cross Cable with Twists

Edit: Check out my mention here on the Dark Roasted Blend blog!