Finding Zen

Mr. Stella - My Josh Hartnett

Holy effing shit. 

We aint gots to lie Craig, my man is fine (pronounced 'foy-en').

And thats about all I can think of when I see this sweater I spent a year knitting for his xmas gift.  I can't even talk about it.

Enjoy my husband, who could easily pass for a model...but instead kayaks and climbs rocks and builds houses and furniture for me to put my yarn balls in.  Now if you'll excuse me...I must be ovulating. 

**Single ladies: This is the kind of mens you can find on the INTERNET.  FINE ASS JOSH HARTNETT LOOK-A-LIKES! Its awesome.  I highly recommend online dating. 

***A great many thanks to NIN for the inspiration to take on this project. 

   

In The Pipe

On the needles...same thing.

I'm hoping to channel this model as well.  I wouldn't mind her hair, her eyes and those arms.  Something is telling me she's not 5'5" and this drapey business isn't going to look quite the same on my Umpa torso.

These others aren't on the needles yet - but in my 'queue'.

This looks more like me - I think (the style - not the girl...although we're getting warmer on the models with this one.  I can do a ponytail). 

Damn Gina - Muy Calliente!  When I showed Zack this one, I don't think he was much interested in the sweater.  I mean, you've got a hot brunette standing in front of a boulder.  I don't blame him, she's beautiful.  And for the love, what is up with these knitter model chicks???  I have been drooling over this pattern in my Knitting Nature book for some time.  Problem is that in order to make the knee length version (which is what I want), it requires about 20 sheep.  And thats a lot of dollars.  It's also knit on size 6 needles which for a project this large will feel like knitting on toothpicks.  I look at this and I can picture myself standing out in that Nye Montana breeze with a cup of coffee watching my children play in the pasture with their dad.  *gag me I know.  Sorry.

 

Finally, another summer project.  Isn't this cute as a button?

Busy Knittin' STUFF

Here.  Is what I've been up to lately.

I'm hormonal.  Shut up.

 

Remember I asked for TEACAKES?  I called out unto the universe, and the universe gaveth teacakes to me.  The universe is Nanjeeka - my new Scottish friend and Tunnocks Distributor.  I got chocolate covered marshmellow and graham cracker, she got these little doodads.  Neato eh?  I love this pattern.  It's a quick knit...and perfect for long hair lassies who don't like stuffing all that bidness up into a regular cap.  Not to mention, I can't stand the patterns with a little hole in the hat for the ponytail.  It just looks weird.  If you ask me.

And finally...my latest project!!!  I dream of this one.  I roll over in the middle of the night and contemplate knitting a few rows at 3am. 

Here is what the final should look like:

Here is the backside of mine almost complete.  I am using pima cotton instead of linen. 

  How friggin awesome is that?

The Knitting Chest

While I'm on this whole Ode to Husband Won't You Please JUST GIVE IN Grace Me With Child thing - I might as well tell you about the coolness of his Christmas gift to me this year.  And while I'm at it, the mens in the house (all 2 of them) can be all "Isn't it about time for a gratuitous Jessica Biel shot already?" - to which I reply..."No.  It is not."

I am a knitter.  I love to knit.  I will knit just about anywhere, anytime.  I also have a tendency to get anxious much quicker than normal people.  While the xanex is nice for those completely unsolicited panic attacks on the interstate, knitting seems to be a wonderful substitute.  And yes, I have knitted while driving - but only while sitting in traffic (it was just a row?!).  But not on the interstate.  Because that would be very dangerous. 

I have knit in the tub (I'd give it a solid 7 on the technical difficulty scale), I've knit on the plane, knit while my grandmother laid in the room beside me...dying...very slowly.  It's a welcomed distraction in times when I'm antsy.  It's like smoking a bowl, only this way, I don't have to worry that the Taco Bell drive thru lady is secretly paging the police on that little mic on her lapel.  It's a set up.  And if you have to write a $2 dollar check for a burrito, than you must be stoned.  At this point in my life, thats too much drama for me.  I need something more reliable.  Something that makes me less paranoid.  Legal is good.  What I need - is fiber.  And boy do I have a stock pile of it.

Zack had been assessing my growing basket of yarn balls.  He'd noticed all the times I'd pile my project on my lap and have to go chasing after rolling balls across the hardwood floors.  He felt as though the yarn and all my knitting paraphernalia was beginning to take over my little slice of the family room.   Thus, he set out to construct the Pièce de résistance!

A knitting chest.  But of course!  Doesn't every knitter need a knitting chest?  And the best part?  This couldn't just be a box - Zack Pitts doesn't make boxes.  It had to be functional!  It had to serve a purpose!   Inside there is a compartment for all my books/patterns and he is making me a tray to sit on the top that slides back and forth (so I have access to the yarn) where I can put all my needles and doodads.  But the best part?  Well, it opens up to reveal a little box where my yarn balls go and feed me yarn!! How swell is that?  You know you want one.  I'd be happy to take orders.  It will only cost you about $1,000 dollas. 

      

Hand Knit Baby Blankets

Are you pregnant?  Working on it?  Know someone pregnant?  Anyone you know just had a baby?  Great!  You'll need a blanket.  Babies need blankets.  Especially with winter coming. 

At some point, I will be posting a link to a website I have been working on that will feature some artists and their crafts.  Myself included.  But it's not ready yet. 

In the meantime...I have an idea, and I want you to tell me, what you think.

Once a month, I am going to knit a baby blanket.  You will vote on the color and I will knit furiously to produce something luxurious.  Most blankets I have done, average about $100 in yarn cost alone.  It will be made using either cotton, alpaca, or silk...or a combination of any of those.  It will be one of a kind.  I will post pictures when it is complete and then auction them off.  Like EBAY but not.

I'm not sure exactly how this will work, but the last 'bidder'-commenter, will win.  I will start all the auctions at 1 dollar.  There will be a time window, and I'm not sure what that will be yet.  They could go for $10 bucks...or $300.  I don't really care.  I am willing to take the chance I would have to absorb the costs (in yarn and time), just to get my blankets 'out there'. 

Take this for example.  My latest project, hijacked from Vern Of Blog Fame.  Inspired by the pattern I created when I made the Priveledged Baby Mama blanket...she had gotten about 15 rows into a new blanket she wanted to make for ummm...you know...little Stella's.   Whenever they happen to arrive.  I was so smitten by this wonderful idea especially since she had chosen to use the baby alpaca I brought back from Peru for her, with a YUMMY silk yarn....I selfishly stole the damn thing from her and haven't been able to put it down since.

Tell me this is not the most delicious baby blanket you have ever seen?

And in case you don't remember see: privileged Baby Mama.

So what do you think?  Yes, you would love a Stella Knit blanket...and would tell all your friends...or, very bad idea, sure to crush my ego?