1 Jackson Down, I don't know, a lot more to go. . .

So, I know this is a knitting blog, not a look how awesome I am blog, but last night I officially became awesome. So, that's kind of a big deal, and therefore blog-worthy. Why? Because I got to meet Janet Jackson:

I can't believe that Janet Jackson is my new BFF!

How did this happen, you ask? Well, I had won some concert tickets from The Mix one morning, and was apparently entered in to win the backstage Meet and Greet thing. I didn't think I would actually win. It was ridiculous that I won the tickets in the first place. I don't win anything! So, on Monday, I was at work, doing some lab stuff that required me to stay at the lab bench and not walk away. My cell phone rings. The caller ID says 'unknown.' I put it back in my pocket. It rings again. I ignore. Then the third time (and I am finishing up the work I was doing by this time) I start to get nervous. What if it's some kind of emergency? So, I answer. The lady on the phone is like, "Please hold for Eric and Kathy." (those are the morning show hosts) Anywho, I get on the phone with them, they tell me I have won and get to go backstage. I was in utter shock! So crazy!

So, that was my last night. Now, to keep in the theme of this blog, I will now show you some knitting. Here is my Clapotis I have been working on:

The yarn is STR Mediumweight in the Cobalt Bloom colorway. I bought this yarn at Stitches specifically for this project. So far, so good on this. It is practically a mindless project, which is perfect for me.

Anyway, that's all for now. Hope everyone has a good weekend. Mine is looking pretty good. Tonight we are having Knit N Drink with my knitting group. Tomorrow is the Cubs/Brewers game in Milwaukee. So, lot's of knitting time this weekend.

Happy knitting!

Abrazo!

Well, I have still been on that sock hiatus, and have started and finished a nice little fall/winter-y project: Abrazo!

Damn, I am one warm vest!

Ah, the cable-y goodness.

The Specs:
Pattern: Abrazo from Knitty
The Yarn: Araucania Limari, purchased from Stitches Midwest 2008, 7 skeins (I got the bag of 10 skeins for $45)
The needles: Size 10 and 11
Time to knit: One week
The result: This thing sure is going to keep me warm this winter!

I really really enjoyed knitting this pattern. The needles and yarn were definitely bigger than what I am used to (I mean, I am known as the sock goddess in my knitting group). The vest still could use a good blocking, which I plan on doing tomorrow on my day off.

The knitting on my Juliet is also completed, but it still needs a blocking as well. The only other major thing I have been working on is a Clapotis I just started the other night. I needed one, just like everyone else. So far, so good on that. I am really enjoying the pattern!

Have a good weekend. Happy knitting!

From Socks to Sweaters?

So, last night, some of the ladies from the Northwest Suburban Knitting Group came over for Charity knit night. We meet once a month at a member's house to knit rectangles/drink some alcohol/eat ourselves silly. Last night it was me, Mary, Jen, Tammy, Cathy, Melissa, Beth, and Cindy. We had a wonderful time. And, in between all the chatting, we got some more squares done for our charity blanket:

Yes, we are supposed to all be 7x9in, but we all like to be different. You can block acrylic, right?

I actually like the colors of those squares together. There is some chance I will try to dye some yarn like that in the near future.

My sock mojo is still gone, but I have been making some considerable progress on Juliet:

Thanks to the deary weekend we seem to be having, I am thinking it may get finished my tomorrow. And, I have another project in mind, for the moment this one is done (actually, it's all I can do not to cast it on right now). It's Abrazo. I love that little vest. I think it is positively adorable. I have just the yarn for it too.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend. And, I hope everyone is staying dry and safe!

Happy knitting.

News from Knitting Like Crazy

Good morning, everyone!

So, I have been thinking a lot about my yarn business and where I want it to go in the past few days and I have made few decisions that I want to share with everyone.

The main thing is I have decided, for the time being, I am not going to accept any new custom orders. If you have a custom order being worked on by me right now, of course, I am going to get it finished (probably in the next 3-4 days you will be hearing from me with pics). And, I do think I will take custom orders again in the near future.

I do love doing custom orders, but lately it has gotten to be a bit much, and I am hardly ever getting anything new dyed to put in my etsy shop. I think I just need to step back a bit from the custom orders, dye some new colorways for the shop, get my yarn dyeing mojo back, etc.

I also am going to start casually looking around for new base yarns. This, my friends, is exciting! I love the Crazy Soft, and I don't think I would get rid of that, as lots of you love it to, but I think I am going to try to find some new things to dye. Perhaps something involving bamboo, if I can find something I like. :)

I also think that within the next couple months I am going to revisit the sock club plan that I had awhile back. This time it will involve patterns. So, be on the look out for that sometime in the next 3-6 months, I would say.

Thank you to everyone for being in love with the yarn I dye, and making it such a fun little side business to have. I really appreciate everyone's business! And, remember, the break from custom orders means pretty soon my etsy shop will be stocked with lots of new colorways (and a few old favorites too).

Happy knitting!