xMeePx

Sandy

Hurricane Sandy as chronicled on my iPhone.

One of my Sandy projects, Tallin by Kate Gagnon Osborn.

My LYS had a pre-Sandy sale where I picked up some nice new yarn and needles for my mom.

What else do you really need when the world is ending?

Pre-Sandy baking.

Sandy project #2, Rocky Coast Cardigan by Hannah Fettig.

My mom's first ever knitting!

We were lucky enough to still have gas and hot water so there was a lot of pre-bedtime baking to warm up the house for the night.

Once it got to dark to knit, out popped out the cheesy romance novel.

Mom casting on her first scarf out of Rowan Big Wool.

My sister reading me a bedtime story for my daily 3pm nap.

I hope that this post find you and your loved ones well. Sandy was definitely an experience that I would never want to live through again. While we had no power for five days, we were able to cook and shower thanks to our gas not being cut. Many people in Jersey City and Hoboken weren't as lucky as I was. Please visit the following links to help donate to the cause.

Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org/hurricane-sandy, call 1-800-HELPNOW, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10.

Rebuild Hoboken Fund: www.rebuildhoboken.org

knitting up a storm

"One day you'll find your fingers making the moves and your brain will go to this deliciously soothing place, and all the knots in your brain will unwind just as your fingers make knot after knot in the yarn." -The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs

A look at a few of the recent FO's made in my attempt at unwinding all of those knots.

Pattern: #99 Flutter-Sleeved Blousy Lace Cardigan
Yarn: Spud & Chloe Sweater, 6 hanks
Needles: Addi Clicks US10
Date Completed: June 20, 2010
Ravelry Link

Pattern: Docker
Yarn: Rowan RYC Cashsoft Baby DK & Rowan Wool Cotton
Needles: Addi Turbo US 4 and US 2.5
Date Completed: June 16, 2010
Ravelry Link

Pattern: Anney
Yarn: Rowan Calmer, 5 skeins
Needles: Addi Click US6
Date Completed: June 4, 2010
Ravelry Link

Pattern: Springtime Bandit
Yarn: Koigu KPPPM, 2 hanks
Needles: Addi Turbo US8
Date Completed: May 28, 2010
Ravelry Link

Pattern: Eco Vest
Yarn: Cascade Yarns Ecological Wool, 2 hanks
Needles: Addi Turbo US8
Date Completed: May 27, 2010
Ravelry Link

Pattern: Shalom
Yarn: Cascade Yarns Ecological Wool
Needles Addi Turbo US8
Date Completed: May 15, 2010
Ravelry Link

Pattern: Helena
Yarn: Blue Sky Alpacas Skinny Dyed Cotton, 3 hanks
Needles: Addi Turbo US2 & US6
Date Completed: May 6, 2010
Ravelry Link

I hope you have enjoyed the look through my knitting window.

Que Sera, Sera

When I opened the latest email from Knitty.com and went over for a quick browse I was immediately drawn to the Que Sera pattern in the latest issue. Now I must admit that I love Knitty with all of my heart and have found some really great patterns, but sometimes their issues tend to be a bit lacking for my taste. Boy was I surprised! I immediately began thinking about knitting this pattern, how it would look, what yarn I would use, etc. But at the moment I was working on a few other projects so I added it to my queue and moved on.

That is until I walked into the knit shop one day and Anne was there working on a project and told me that she had just swatched for her own in Spud & Chloe Sweater. I'd originally intended to make the pattern in the original yarn used, but my all knowing LYS owner Patricia convinced me to also use S&C. I took her advise, chose a color that I'd been looking over for months, and off I went with my hanks of yarn and a smile on my face.

I must say that I finished this pattern quickly, even by my standards. But after a fitful argument with my Wing-o'-the-Moth Shawl, which ended in my throwing it in my knitting pile in disgust, I couldn't get enough. The pattern is super simple to follow and memorize, and of course an added perk for me is that it is knit in one piece. I hate to seam so it seems that I always try to pick projects that are as seamless as possible, or find a way to knit them seamlessly. I shortened the sleeves to 3/4 length after much thought and am very happy I did. I personally don't think that the watch length sleeves would have been flattering on me. After a few days of knitting ferociously, behold the finished product.

Pattern: Que Sera
Yarn: Spud & Chloe Sweater Watermelon, 5 hanks
Needles: Addi Turbos, US8 & 6
Ravelry Link

I am extremely happy with the outcome and would definitely recommend this pattern wholeheartedly. This pattern has come into my life in a time when I need to learn to take a deep breath and make lemonade. The simplicity of the pattern and loftiness of the yarn will definitely make it a staple in my wardrobe. Every time I wear this, I will remember to slow down and enjoy life's small pleasures for sometimes they are few and far between.