Purling Sprite

FO's for the holidays!

One Boyfriend Hat for hubby and one for my little Boyo!

Knitted also another Habitat Hat. Picture is a bit fuzzy but the hat is still gorgeous as ever!

Happy Holidays! :)

Habitat Hat

I love this pattern! It is my fourth time kniting this pattern and I love it more and more each time. I gave my first two to my Grammie and I gave my third to a friend. I hope I can keep this one around for at least one season :).

I used malabrigo yarn in worsted weight.

Pattern: Habitat by Brooklyn Tweed

Five Socks Sampler

My last sample test knit included making 5 sockies. At first, I thought to myself 5 socks, who would want only 5 socks, but it works great for me as I have about 6 socks downstairs waiting for a mate to be knitted. I loved knitting these as it provided me with a little bit of everything, including knitting socks from the toe up. I don't know why but I find knitting them toe up to be a weird way to knit socks, it was a challenge at first but by the time the second toe up sock came along I had the technique down, except I realized a little too late that it called for a swirl toe, so I had to rip it out again, and again, and again. I love doing sample knits, it allows me to learn new techniques that I wouldn't try on my own and it also allows me to simple sit down and knit :).

 

Destashing some yarn

In an effort to clean up my mess downstairs, I am having a mini-destash of my beloved yarn.Everything has been stored in a clean environment--no pets, no smoke.

Prices include shipping within the US via Priority mail.

Paypal only please. Contact me via email.

Click on any of the pictures to get more in depth detail about the yarns.

Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Chunky. 6 skeins: $40

Sublime Aran: 8 skeins, $50

Inca Gold by Berroco: 6 skeins: $42

Cuzco by Berroco: 8 skeins $60

Check the rest of it at my destash at flickr page...lots more. 

Baby Hats

I have been busy these past few days, taper around here usually means extra time for knitting. I mean, what is a girl to do if she can't be outside running or biking or swimming, the only alternative left is knitting (yeah, I could clean the house too but I am not going to).

Two babies were born in the neighborhood on May 5th and I just had to knit a little something for them. One of the hats is not pictured as I gave it away before I could snap a picture (actually, I took a picture but it was with my phone and it turned out craptastic--the picture, not the hat).

My favorite little model is wearing the little hats--they are supposed to fit a newborn, baby C is now two months getting close to three so they fit a little snug around his little noggin.

First up: the Two by Twos stripes:

 
Baby C is such a good baby model! He just sleeps and covers his little face :). I made two of this pattern, one of them has brown and blue the other has gray and blue stripes.

Next: the Slanted Stripes: 

 

Patterns: They are my own patterns. I would need to sit down and write them down exactly, I have a vague idea of what I did...so just give me a couple of days...years...centuries and I'll get them done. :). For my loomy friends, these were needle knitted but I'll try to write something similar for the looms.

 
One last picture...he was waking up....he is so blooming adorable! I love you baby C.

 

An FO & QOW!

It took me a little while to finish this beauty but it is finally done. I started it the week before baby C was born and now two months later, I finished it. It fits him perfectly! I just hope he doesn't outgrow it too soon.

The pattern is Get Ziggy by Anny Rail. I used Sublime yarn in a dark charcoal color--it makes a very soft garment for baby :). This is my second Get Ziggy and just like the first time, I loved it!

Today's quote is something that I needed to read and keep in my head for a little bit: "A goal without a plan is just a wish".

I am working on something right now, basically getting certified in all sorts of fitness training so I can one day become a superb instructor, like my mentor Michelle (she is the fitness director at Golds). There are a lot of certifications that I need to get and I am going to have to get my ducks in a row if I want to get it all done before the end of the year.

But first, my to-dos for this year: Ogden Marathon, Boise 70.3, Top of Utah Marathon, and crossing fingers if I get in, St. George Marathon, plus all the tiny little races I entered.

The quote of today is helping me focus on my goal, it is telling me--"keep your eye on the goal and work towards it. Kick the ball and go after it and don't stop until it hits that net!"

Drilling it!

I am no Michael Phelps for sure, but I think I am getting the hang of the entire "gliding" thing, now if I can just get the idea of the catch, I think I can be a bit faster. My body is getting used to the rotation and breathing while rotating, rather than sticking my head to the side while my body is facing down. It is not easy for sure and it is going to be something that I am going to have to work on for a long time but it is something that I can fix.

I have to say that the first day that I went to the Master's Swim class, I came home deflated and ready to give up on the entire swimming thing but I think I am getting my mojo for swimming back. I just need to train my head to love drills. Drills are a good thing, it helps our body remember the proper technique and with proper technique I can become efficient.

The mail brought in something that cheered me up too, the last catalog from KnitPicks where one of my latest sample test knits appears on page 10. I knitted the gorgeous knee-high Sayonara Socks. The pattern is quite simple and once you work one repeat of the stitch pattern it is really easy to remember the rest. I had a bit of a problem with the decreases but after contacting the designer, we found out that the book has an errata, but if you have knitted at all, you will find the error easy to fix. I have to admit that these socks were very difficult to mail out as I wanted to keep them for myself. 

Tired or Sick?

I think I am getting sick or over training or both. I have had headaches for about a week now and they don't go away. I am tired all the time and get upset quite easily...I have been sleeping in a lot just to catch up on some rest and see if that improves my mood but to no avail. I have been chugging the water too just in case my headaches are hydration related.

My training has been shady this week, I have gone but not really been there all the time. Today for example I was scheduled for a 4 mile run, 1hr bike ride, and some weight training. All I got done was the 1hr bike ride! It was 6pm and I was starving and I knew that if I went to run I wouldn't eat til about 1hr later. It was my fault for being unprepared and for skipping lunch too. But, I guess tomorrow is a new day and I will try again, unfortunately, tomorrow brings another Masters Swim session....ugh!

Despite my terrible mood, I did sit down on Monday to knit a little something. I have had a skein of Tilli Tomas Rock Star yarn for the longest time and I didn't know what to do with it. One skein doesn't stretch very far and I just couldn't bear to do anything silly with it. At the end, I sat down and opened one of my favorite stitch pattern books and created a little something. The one skein of Tilli Tomas wasn't enough but I found a gorgeous Blue Sky Alpaca cotton to go nicely along with the no-pattern scarflette. The little scarflette is super soft and the scarf curls around just perfectly. It is not a big ticket item but it brings some color to the wardrobe without being too bulky. 

Out of my head pattern:

Materials (Just eyeballing the yarn, I don't have exact amounts)

• Size 8 needles.
• 1 Skein of Rock Star Tilli Tomas Yarn
• About 80 yards of some contrasting yarn in same yarn weight. 

Directions

Cast on 360sts with Tilli Tomas yarn

Row 1: (right side) Knit

Row 2: Purl

Row 3: *(k2tog) 3 times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (k2tog) 3 times; rep from * to the end.

Row 4: Knit

Repeat Row 1 with Tillit Tomas yarn. Join the new yarn and Repeat Row 2-4 with this new yarn.

Next row:*k2tog; rep from * to the end of row.

Next row: *k2tog; rep from * to the end of row. Cut the yarn and work the Bind Off with the Tilli Tomas yarn. 

Tip: I find placing stitch markers every 18 stitches helpful to work the pattern on Row 3. 

I wanted to share another pretty something that graced our home for a little bit. Hubby made this firetruck  for his school when he finished the firefighting program. Isn't it cool! I love it. It took him a lot of hours to put it together but I think it was well worth it. Definitely, a one of a kind gift.

Donate to Knitters Without Borders and Win a Pair of Socks

Light Bulb moment!!! I know what to do with the socks!

Let's help those in need by donating to Doctors without Borders! Doctors without Borders is an organization that goes and helps all around the globe. Right now, they are working hard in Haiti to alleviate the pain and devastation. Let's help!!!

Knitters without Borders was created by the Yarn Harlot in an effort to raise funds for Doctors without Borders. Knitters can make a huge difference in this world. So far, knitters have raised $834, 217!!! The goal is $1,000,000! Let's reach the goal and help those in need.

Donate to Knitters Without Borders, any amount (scroll to the middle of the page to get to the link to donate, or just click on this link MSF United States to donate).

Let the Yarn Harlot know by dropping her a note at her email address (kwbATyarnharlotDOTca) that you donated so she can update the tally, then come and tell me in the comments section that you donated. I don't need to know the amount, but if you want to tell me, please go ahead.

Deadline: midnight February 15, MST.

Go donate. Any amount will be greatly appreciated. 

On February 16th, I will write your name on a piece of paper and let one of my children draw a name out of a hat. The name that is chosen will win the pair of socks.

Now for the sock specifications.

They fit a size 6.5 US women foot, will probably fit a size 6.

Yarn used: Sweet Georgia (one of the most sought after yarns!). Color: It has a little cream, green, blues. 

Knitted on size 1.5 needles.

Downtime...

Training was supposed to kick off on Monday, I was good and started the week off right. I lifted weights, did my spin class and a Body Pump Class. Tuesday came and I was good again, I knew I had a doctor's appointment at 9:30am so I woke up early went to the gym to put in 2000 yards at the pool, I was a good trainee and put in 2150. After my swim, I went for a 5 mile run which was completed at a pace of 8:45min/mile.

My training was on track, then 9:30 arrived and I got to my doctor's appointment. It was just a check up on this dumb cyst I have had on my back for a year. She looks at it and says "well, we can take it out right now, it will take 15 minutes tops!" The dilemma was presented: take it out now or wait a full year and get it out during off season. I calculated and figured that season is just starting and I prefer to get things done sooner rather than later. So under the knife I went and I got my first stitches. 32 years old and my very first stitches.

My back hurts like hell and I can move very little without making it hurt. It feels like a truck dumped a ton of rocks on a single little spot. I am sure I have a bruise the size of Texas. The worst is yet to come though,  I have a big @$$ band-aid back there that needs to come off and I am sure tears will be shed when I tell hubby to rip it off, perhaps I should call my doctor for a sedative before I rip it out.

Anyways, my training is now on hold for 10 days. I am not allowed to swim for any reason whatsoever, less I risk infection. I cannot lift weights, this by itself is killing me as I love lifting weights. I can bike and run but I have to take it easy for at least 48 hours to allow the cut to heal a bit and I don't rip out the stitches. Taking it easy is difficult. How do you take days off without feeling guilty and feeling the training slip away? To pass the time, I have been hanging around in Tri forums and websites trying to learn as much as I can...at least in theory.

Another way to pass the time, knitting! I pulled these sockies out and I finally finished the second sock. (I know, it took me almost a whole year to finish the poor mate). Now, I don't know what to do with them. I don't wear any of my knitted socks....weird, but I don't want to ruin them and frankly I can't wear them to run or to train so I'll have to see what I do with them...any ideas?