{Flags App}

Has anyone else noticed my new App that displays the flags of my visitors? I already have 7 flags there! You can get one too over at flagcounter.com.

Thanks Carla for the tip!!

{Etsy Feature}

I found a super cute and brand new etsy store that I really like! It's called Mama Roux and look at these super cute tote bags!

They are 9" x 11" (not including straps) and she's selling them for $15 with only $1 shipping for the Grand Opening! Which one is my favourite? I think maybe the greenish blue flower bag in the bottom left corner. But they're all yum!

{Updates on WIP}

Yay! I finally get to write you guys a real post. Hi, New Followers! *waves!* :D

Not to get TOO far off course with what I was planning on writing today but I just wanted to say that I'm unhappy with how Blogger keeps track of followers. I hate that I can't see who's new to following me and who isn't. So if you're new I'd love to check out your blog if you have one, or just see your profile, and I can't do that unless you let me know you're here. Leave a comment for me, will ya? :)

Okay! On with business. I haven't done a ton of knitting the last week because of my internship! I'm sad and excited that I'm done with that month-long endeavor because I was really enjoying myself and it went by very quickly. I was with the local Chamber of Commerce and I feel like I was wined and dined pretty good! I visited our state capital and met with state senators and other legislators; I even got to watch legislation being passed, which was pretty cool. I learned a whole bunch and met a ton of people, including the fabulous people at the Chamber itself. Everyone was so amazing and supportive of me and I'm sad to be done.

This is the yarn that I won from Lizzknits , which believe me, has helped with the back-to-school blues! Isn't it gorgeous? (I'm particularly proud of this photo. lol)


I'm having problems finding a suitable pattern, even though I've been trying all morning. It's not a stretchy yarn at all, so I'm afraid a hat, mittens or socks really aren't the answer, and I'm not liking any scarf patterns with lots of lace because the thick-and-thin of it just sorta makes it look messy. This is my first hand-spun yarn and I want to do a really special project! Any ideas anyone?

This next pic is a better representation of the colours on my Modern Log Cabin Blanket. It got some work done on it while Mr. Pie and I were at the cabin last weekend.


And finally, this is the beginnings of my Hey Teach! cardigan. I like how this is shaping up. I've just begun the lace part at the top. You may notice if you're familiar with this pattern (as about 7000 of you Ravelry people have already knit this... lol) then you may notice I've lengthed the body quite a bit. I'm hoping this will suit my shape a little bit better.


And Finally, here are the few yarns that I ordered piggy-backed with Jenny's latest KnitPicks order. It's not a lot, but it'll be fun to play. A couple new colours of Palette to go with a few others that I bought back at Christmas time and used for ornaments. These two colours are Oyster Heather and Edamame. I hope to get some colourwork done with these.


And two of Wool of the Andes in Dove Heather. I had been planning on this yarn for my fingerless gloves that have been at the top of my queue, but when I started it at the cabin I decided the yarn was just a tad too scratchy for wearing against the delicate under-wrist skin. Instead, I think I've decided to use this yarn for one of those cool Vase Covers!


So that's about it for me. I'm so glad to be back on top of things and I'm looking forward to finding my school rhythm again next week. Yep, that's right. I'm starting my spring semester on Wednesday! Wish me luck!

{A Giveaway}

My good friend Jenny from Jenny's blog on Knitting has officially written 100 posts! YAY! Congratulations, girlie!!

She's giving away some gorgeous yarn to celebrate, so cruise on over to her site!



http://jenny-stickar.blogspot.com/2010/01/100th-post-celebration.html

{My Socks Are The Awesome}

Knitting socks might become my next favorite thing to do. Especially comfy cozy socks (which I wear in the house even in to summer lol).


The only thing I'm not totally hip on is the holes that keep appearing in the heels of the socks i knit. I think I do a short row type heel, where you wrap the stitch and then turn around and go the other way.... and I even wrapped an extra time and knit or purled three together as per Silver's Sock Class.


I was finished just in time for our weekend away at a cabin and these were perfect for keeping my little feets warm!

{Book Reviews}

I got a few new knitting books for Christmas and I wanted to let you guys in on which ones I liked and which ones I don't think are worth buying. Keep in mind these are only my opinions and others may think differently. :)

the knitter's handy Book of Patterns


Let me just say that I never plan on being a knitwear designer. I got frustrated though when I was searching for a pattern and I didn't have *just* the right weight of yarn in order to knit the pattern that I liked. I think with this book I'll be able to use a pattern and just change the stitch counts depending on my gauge swatch with this book.

It covers the basics - a sweater, hat, gloves, mittens, socks and scarf. Someone was thinking too because it's a book that's made to lay flat with rings in the middle. Smart, right? I'm looking forward to the knitter's handy book of Sweater Patterns too.

The Best of Interweave Knits


I was excited about this book because of the reputation that Interweave has of making great patterns, but I don't think my expectations lived up to the reality of this book. There are a couple of patterns that I'll probably knit, including the shawl you see on the cover, this cool bag pattern and maybe this summery top. Many of the patterns are kinda shapeless (ex: Simply Marilyn oversized sweater) and others are kind of out of date (ex: Cropped Argyle Vest). Then there are a few others that look like they are designed for someone twice my age and wouldn't really look great.

The Men's patterns in this book are timeless and fashionable forever, of course. How do men get away with that??

Free Pattern Giveaway

I met Petite Vache when she became my very first Swap partner on Ravelry. She was super duper sweet and I got the COOLEST swap packet, EVA from her! She designs her own patterns and has her very first pattern up for sale on Ravelry now too! As a celebration she's giving away two free copies of her pattern over here on her blog - head on over and enter. :)