Redgina

You all know what this one looks like. According to ravelry, 66 other people have made or are making Orangina, and another 79 have it in their queue to make it. It is no wonder! The finished garment is universally flattering, especially the neckline. The pattern is easy to follow, easy to modify and fast to seam up. A winner.

Pattern: Orangina (for obvious reasons mine is Redgina)
Yarn: A little over 5 skeins of Karabella Vintage Cotton
Needles: Size 5 Addis in Red. I loved this yarn. Super soft, almost silky.

As soon as Redgina was blocking, my mind started racing to an annoying degree. I am sure other knitters have had several thought patterns - right? As I was pinning this down to dry, I started thinking "ohmygosh, what I am going to knit now? Should I start on my habu tunic, or just finish the design for my free people sweater? Do I use this leftover Karabella to start up that idea that has been swimming in my head? Oh and my dad reminded me that I promised to knit him a vest? and what about the one pair of socks that I promised tony I would knit him ages ago, maybe that - but... hmmmm.... habu.... should i do something easy that I can take to the pool with me like the razor cami so many people have done and look so cute in? Do I start making SMBP for a baby that won't be born until November? UGH! So many ideas, so little time!"

I go through this A LOT! So I decided to play around with the Karabella surprise (more of that to come) and when I ran out of yarn, start on the razor cami. Now that my mind is a little bit more at ease, I will start casting on with the habu, and strategize the remainder ideas/projects/obsessions that are in my head.

I think I need help!

Pittsburgh Anyone?

My dad is having his very first solo show! It is going on for almost a month In Pittsburgh, but the artist himself will be there Saturday June 30th! If you live in the area or will be in the area stop by. You can see some of his other work here.

(shameless plug - I know. But, they are all for sale, and maybe I can get some yarn out of any profit!)

Is it something in the water?

Because it seems that everyone is having babies now a days. Not that there is anything wrong with that, I just will have to quit my job to make gifts for all these people. We found out a little while ago that another one of my closest friends, Michi, is pregnant! So watch out as I make a lot of SMBP (Secret Michi Baby Projects). We are fighting with her to find out what the sex of the baby is so that I know what colors to use, but I do not know if our persuasion is working. I will keep trying, but I have a feeling there will be a lot of white involved in these projects * sigh *.

My co-worker (who has now drank the water FIVE times!) is due in a few weeks. She is like the mom of the group, and always so helpful so I made her a little something something:

Pattern Details:

Pattern: Baby Kimono from Greetings from Knit Cafe
Yarn: Caron's So Soft 1 skein
Needles: Size 6 Addis

Truth be told, I am not super happy with this. I was not in the mood for making it, I am now not so much liking Caron's and I just kept dreaming about my redgina. Also, the back looks super silly, and I kept messing up the pattern. However, I do think that she will like it. Everyone loves a handmade gift - right?

Remember how I told you last time that I had a special friend visiting over the weekend?I wasn't lying! Kat came and spent Sunday night at our house and did not complain ONCE about my horrible impromptu cooking or Tony's demands of no shoes in the house and no talking during the last episode of the Sopranos. (which I have to say was a tremendous dissapointment). She was even sweet enough to bring me some birthday gifts (yes - I drag my birthday out - do you have a problem with that?)

Isn't that gorgeous merino lace yarn??? I love it. I woke up in the middle of the night thinking about what I want to make with it. I have no concrete ideas, so please, come forth and suggest. I really cannot wait to make something with it. It is so pretty! She also gifted me some feltable soap. I have not done it yet, but basically you put the wool over the soap and felt it. As you wash it acts like an exfoliator. How cool is that? Thanks again Katalancheeee! Come and visit again so we can hit the adult pool - okay?

On monday I took off from work (yay) and we met up with Isel at Stitch DC where we met up with Olgita who works there. They could not have asked for a more knowledgeable employee, she rattles off ideas like crazy! I wish that I could take off from work everyday and hang out with my friends.
If you want to see more pictures of our meet up, including Isel's close encounter with mohair, check out my flickrpage.

Also go check out Olgita's new pattern on knitty. She is so freaking talented! (and her photographer is not so bad either if I do say so myself.)

Seriously PEOPLE!!

I don't usually rant and rave much (hahaha - that was such a lie!) but I have to rant and rave now. I have told you all about ravelry. I love it, it's a fantastic site, frecklegirl and casey are awesome. There may be some of my lovely readers that are patiently waiting to get inside ravelry. However, it seems that there are some people that are not so patient. To that, I want to say, please be the considerate nice knitters that I know you are - please! frecklegirl and casey devote their free time to making this site all nice and pretty for all, and they need to do some things to make it able to hold this wonderful ever expanding world of knitters. So be nice, and wait, and then you will say "yay! frecklegirl and casey are so awesome! ravelry was worth the wait!"

end of rant - beginning of rave

I have the best knitting friends ever! Look what Olgita gifted me for my bday:Isn't it the bestest, cutest little bag ever? I still am trying to decide what to store in there since its super special. What? You are jealous out there in blogland? Well, don't just sit there! Go get yourself one! Sheesh!

Also, I gave myself a little birthday knitting gift (there were also birthday non-knitting gifts as well). Delishiousness! Habu Tsumugi Silk that I just stare at and sniff. Yummie yum yum! I am such a Habu member now - it is so pretty! I want to make a nice tunic from it, but it will have to wait.

I am working on the Knit Cafe's Baby Kimono for a co-worker. I swear, it is such an easy knit but because I cannot stop thinking about how I want to finish my redgina, and I want to figure out the front of my free people cardi, and I want to make a secret project for Ava, and I have so many other ideas, it is going soooo sloowwwww.

But keep your fingers crossed that I will finish it by tomorrow so hopefully I will have it done this weekend. I have a special visitor coming to hang out with me and I cannot wait to get a chance to visit some yarn shops together. Maybe we will run into someone we know!

Oh and thank you to all that wished me a happy birthday and that I did not get a chance to personally respond to. I hate that blogger does not let you just hit "reply" and send an email back. My birthday was awesome! Let's see how I look when I turn 30!