Work in Progress Wednesday: for a friend

1. Something Blue: I'd hoped to finish the collar on my Something Blue this week but I didn't quite make it. Hopefully next week I'll have a finished collar to show. I've never done short rows before so did some research on Rav and decided to use the German Short Rows method and so far I'm pleased with the results.

2. A new quilt: I had all the strips cut for a Triple Irish Chain quilt for a friend who was recently diagnosed with colon cancer, but then the wedding preparations took over my life. I finally got my sewing machine out again and sewed them together.

Her favorite colors are dark red, green and peach and I'm worried it's looking a little too Christmasy but the floral fabric will be used in the center of the plain block square similar to the blue/white one below:

so I hope once it's assembled the green will look like a vine through the quilt.

                         For more WIP Wednesday check out Tami's Amis.

Work-in-Progress Wednesday: Hemmed In

I had a lot of extra knitting time this week thanks to getting the oil changed, staying home from work because we had to get new hot water heater, and a weekend trip to see my family = car knitting!

1. Something New:  I finished the body, sewed down the hem and picked up the collar stitches. Based on suggestions by several ravelers, I picked up every stitch instead of 5 stitches per inch like the pattern said which I hope I don't regret. . . I have broad shoulders so  top down sweaters are usually very baggy on me so I added more waist shaping. In retrospect, I should have started the shaping an inch or so earlier because I had to increase back out faster than I would have liked. I tried it on and it seems to fit okay which is all that matters I guess.

2. Adagioro: I started this sweater 2 years ago May 10th! My goal is to get it done before May 10th of this year. . . The name of the pattern, Allegoro, reminded me of the musical tempo term Allegro. Since it's taking me sooo long to get it done, I combined the pattern name with Adagio, which means music that is to be played slowly.  I got quite a bit done in the car and calculated that I have 55 more rounds to go. The sleeves/neckband are only a few rows each so they shouldn't take too long. 

3. Hey Teach: I wove in the ends and sewed the buttons on = a F.O!

For more WIP Wednesday check out Tami's Amis!

Hey a F.O.

I finally finished my Hey Teach! This project took entirely too long because it languished in the U.F.O basket for months at a time but it's finally done. I'm fairly happy with it. I have a waist and this sweater makes it look like I don't so if I had to make it again I'd use less stitches on the middle ribbing section or go down another  needle size. 

Also, the buttonholes aren't too great. I did the one row buttonhole method but the buttons were only 2 stitches wide and I read that that method works best if your button is at least 3 stitches wide.They work but it takes some effort to get the buttons through the hole and I'm not sure how well they'll hold up in the long run. I have 1 skein of yarn leftover so I could re-knit them some day if that happened. Maybe.

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Work-in-Progress Wednesday: Joining In

As an incentive to finish the many U.F.O I have going, I'm joining the WIPW blogging group. Not that I'll be posting every Wed but hopefully every so often.

I started Something Blue last November as I was planning my wedding and had hoped to wear it on my wedding day as I was running around getting ready, but I didn't get it done in time. The wedding was February 18th and happily it was a warm day! Now that things have settled down somewhat I have started working on it again. I have just a few more rows left on the body.

The yarn on the side is what I'm planning to use for the underside of the hem.

Newlywed Bliss

Since it's been a while since I posted here's a quick update:

LIFE

- I've been married for 3 weeks and 4 days and so far it's been great. The wedding day was beautiful (warm!) and full of joy. As promised, here are my something new, blue etc:

Something Old: I carried a handkerchief that belonged to my grandmother

Something Borrowed: I wore the garter my aunt and sister wore in their weddings

Something Blue: I carried a blue earring that belonged to my groom's late mother in a small pocket on the garter

Something New: my dress and veil

BLOG

- I added my knitting projects with progress bars in hopes they will inspire me to finish the many projects I have going!

KNITTING

- I'll post a photo of a F.O. soon. Hey Teach just needs the ends woven in and the buttons sewn on! And an update on a new project that I had no business starting. . .

something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue

something old:

I made this quilt for my boss's daughter ~8 years ago, and when I was at their house for Thanksgiving to my delight she still has it on her bed! She's in 8th grade now and I thought for sure she would have re-done her room in some trendy style but nope it's still there. And even better it looks worn and well-loved.

something new:

I decided to make a lap quilt for my friend that was recently diagnosed with cancer so I emailed her daughter to find out her favorite colors (peach, dark reds and greens) and these are the fabrics I came home with:

I'm making a triple irish chain quilt with the floral in the center similar to my blue and white quilt. Over the weekend I cut the first set of strips so I'm ready to start sewing:

something borrowed:

This is the best I can come up with. . . it's a photo of the my boss's wife's Thanksgiving table arrangement. Her table is always beautiful and this year I finally remembered to take my camera.

something blue:

Inspired by a friend's Vodka Gimlet sweater, I decided to make one too with yarn I already had in my stash. I'm getting married in February 2012 and while I won't be wearing it with my wedding dress, I thought it would be fun to wear around on my wedding day as I get my hair and make-up done. I made a lot of progress on it over Thanksgiving so am hoping I can get it done before the wedding. Working on it also so helps relieve some of the wedding planning stress :) The color in this shot is terrible because I waited until last night to take it so had to use the flash. In real life it's a very pretty pale blue.

And after the wedding, I'll post what I wore for my something old, blue etc :)

Thankful

As Thanksgiving approaches I have so much to be thankful for:

1. I'm 44 today

I was thinking "oh man 44, that sounds so old" but then a really good friend got diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer and that knocked some sense into me. I'm so thankful to be celebrating another year and I aim to appreciate that every day.

2. Finding the love of my life!

I waited 43.5 years for this sweet man and he waited 46 for me. Neither one of us has ever been married but after dating for only 3 weeks we both knew it was the real deal :) He was definitely worth the wait and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with him!

3. My family

Here is a photo of my sweet family (minus my dad and brother-in-law) taken at my recent bridal shower. They have been so excited and supportive in helping me plan the wedding. I'd never have be able to do it without them! I love them all dearly.

4. My health

I'm extremely lucky in that I get to swim in this beautiful pool 3 times a week.

5. My friends

I have awesome friends that make me laugh, cry and who love me unconditionally. And they are the ones with whom I share my love of knitting and all things Carolina. I am blessed.

6. My job

I am so grateful that I get to do something that some day might make a difference in someone's life.