Thursday, March 31, 2005

Stop me before I start another project!

Egads! I told myself that I wasn't going to start another project until I finished another one that I have on the needles. Now, I've got four projects on the needles currently: the Hello Kitty handbag, my son's blanket, Honeymoon Cami, and my mother's roll-neck sweater. If I'm realistic, my son's blanket is going to take forever, and my mother's sweater is really a cooler weather project. In order to keep my internal promise, I really should finish the handbag or the Honeymoon Cami. Here's the problem. I recently bought one of those lacy tank top deals that people have been wearing under cardigans, and so need a cardigan to wear over mine. I've been thinking about knitting Stephanie Japel's mini-sweater for this purpose. I've got the yarn for it, but not really the time. What to do? I think I'll knit like mad through the weekend and try to ward off temptation until Monday. Do I have such willpower? We'll see!

Sunday, March 27, 2005


Here's a close-up of the eyelet border.  Posted by Hello

A finished Bad Penny! I really like it! Posted by Hello

Thursday, March 24, 2005

Existentialism and knitting

I'm reading a book right now called Useless Beauty: Ecclesiastes Through the Lens of Modern Film by Robert K. Johnston. The books takes the Hebrew Testament book Ecclesiastes and uses it to interpret and inform several modern films such as Magnolia, Run Lola Run, American Beauty, among others. One of the main themes of Ecclesiastes and the films in question is that life is unpredictable, and "useless" in the sense that we all are destined to die and what we do in this life isn't lasting, however, within this life what we are really meant to do is be with each other, helping each other, and enjoying life as we can. It occured to me that perhaps that's one of the reasons I enjoy knitting so much. I really feel "in the moment" when I knit. I like knitting with other people and enjoy just the feel of the yarn, and the meditative quality of making the stitches.

Monday, March 21, 2005

Knitting and knitting and knitting

I've been knitting a lot on Bad Penny. My goal was to get it close to completion so that I could start on my Honeymoon Cami for the Honeymoon KAL yesterday. Of course, the best laid plans! My son got sick on Friday, and had a fever all weekend. Needless to say, ill children can crimp knitting time! I dream of having a house where no one is ill. I think having a kid in preschool pretty much means that's not happening. I have gotten fairly far on Bad Penny. I've still got to finish one sleeve and pick up and knit the collar. I cast on for Honeymoon, not being able to wait, but probably won't get too far. On a more positive note, DH and I taped the new episodes of Deadwood and Carnivale last night, so there should be some good TV viewing this evening! Maybe I can at least get the sleeves done while watching.

Tuesday, March 15, 2005

Bad Penny Progress

It's been a busy day here at Casa de Lilly, so I can't write a lot. I wanted, however, to post a pic of Bad Penny in her current state. I've got about 4 more inches before I can start the ribbing at the bottom. I really like how it's turning out. The color swirling after working on the straight knitting under the arms is kind of cool.

Friday, March 11, 2005

Bad Penny is taking over!

I have neglected all my other knitting projects for Bad Penny. I've been steadily knitting on her for that last week. I love the pattern! It's so easy, so far, and I'm enjoying watching how the colors are coming out. It's been rather warm here in the East Bay and thus been too hot to work on the pullover or my son's blanket. I'm also eager to start working on a summer tank top of some sort. I'm thinking about the Chickami in my favorite color, purple! With all the knitting I want to start, I'm glad I've got months to complete all the wedding jewelry I've promised to make. I'm making bracelets for two weddings, and a bracelet and necklace combo for another wedding I'm attending in June. I'm excited to get started on those projects as well, but when you've got two little ones under three, the only time one can bead is when they are sleeping. Cuts down on time!

Monday, March 07, 2005

Multi-Knitting

As if I didn't have enough stuff going on in my knitting basket, I signed up for one more! I joined a Bad Penny knit-a-long over the weekend. I've had the yarn for this pattern for some time now and just needed a reason to get started. Also, most of the stuff on the needles right now is really winterish, and I'm just not feeling them as of late. I cast on for Bad Penny yesterday and am liking how the colors are coming together. I picked a variegated Plymouth Encore Colorspun for the body. I'm still trucking along with the other things. My son's blanket is going slowly, but it's mindless and good for TV watching. The pullover is going slowly as well. What I probably need to do is to concentrate on one project to just get it done!!!

Thursday, March 03, 2005

I hate Kaiser waiting rooms!

I finally went to the doctor yesterday about my bad cold that I can't seem to shake. While sitting in the waiting room, I was reminded how much I hate all medical waiting rooms, but especially Kaiser's. First, everyone in the waiting area is sick including me, so I get convinced I'm going to leave even more sick. Then, I try to find a seat not near anyone, as to not infect and in turn not be infected by anyone else. Invariably, someone chooses to sit right next to me, even if there are other seats available. Also, since this is Kaiser, (or any HMO for that matter), the doctor is running late, 30 minutes late. When I finally got to see the doctor, I was told that I just had a very bad cold, to take some Robitussin Severe congestion formula, and hopefully I'll get better. Drat!! Not cool all the way around. I hope this evil virus goes away soon, I've been sick for almost three weeks! The upshot of all this illness is, no knitting or beading to speak of. I've done a few rows on my son's lapghan because it's mindless, but that's it. I'm going to take some pictures of the back of the roll-top sweater and hopefully post them tomorrow.
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