...don't know when I'll be back again! I heard this song in a movie preview the other day, and now I can't get it out of my head!

(compare to previous photo of slipper no. 1 with about 100 loose ends)

Last night I knitted my brains out until I finished slipper no. 2 (no, it did not take THAT long, but I have a lot to do). When I read Jennifer’s comment about all those ends on the first one, I decided to do things differently the second time around. Why did I cut the yarn EVERY TIME I changed colors? Oh right, because the pattern for another striped slipper in the book said to. Oh, the trials and tribulations of a beginner. On slipper no. 2, I carried all three colors along the length of the foot (albeit incorrectly, I’m sure) and saved myself a lot of trouble! I’m sure I did something wrong because I just made up a way to carry them along and the stripes don’t match up quite right. Since I’m a busy girl and no one is going to see the bottom of my slipper anyway, I zipped through all the color changes and wove in the few ends in a jiffy.

When I got up this morning I got right to work and tossed my two huge slippers in the washing machine for the first of 5 (or 6? I lost count) washes. It usually takes us 3 washes to correctly felt in our machine so I wasn’t surprised. I finally settled on the finished product a little while ago, realizing that these really weren’t going to shrink any more.

My slippers ended up a bit bigger than I had anticipated, but I think it’s because I used Lamb’s pride and not the yarn suggested in the pattern. Should have felted a swatch, whoops! They look a bit like clown shoes to me with the rounded puffy toe, but I think they will actually work quite well as slippers. If I made them again, I would knit the heel a lot shorter so they would actually be clog style, instead of having the bootie shape. As soon as they dry off they are going into the “to be sent: winter” box that I’ll certainly need in the winter months.

Tomorrow I'm off to DC for orientation and then I'll be taking Japan by storm so there will be a short blogging hiatus. I'll be back next week if all goes as planned!

Posted by Molly at 08:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Look at what my mom whipped up today!

I have been pining for a needle case forever and now that I’m actually traveling, I got one! Isn’t it great? I got to raid her stash of all possible patterned fabrics and decided on these great polka dots. It makes me want to start sewing! Since she doesn't have her own blog to showcase such fabulous wares, I had to feature it here.

In other good news, my mom ordered the Caryl’s Kerchief pattern and some Koigu from foxy knits which came a few days ago. The two skeins of the greenish color that would make a nice pair of gloves… I have wanted to make Caryn’s Kerchief… and who knows when I’ll stumble upon Koigu again. Plus, it is a nice light yarn to stuff in the empty spots of my suitcase. So she gave it to me! All 4 skeins! What a mom! I picked up some valuable HTML know-how from Kerstin a few days ago, and was excited to debut my new skills here! But alas, mouse rollovers are really more complicated than they sound. Its almost 2 am so I give up. Here are the two pictures of Koigu side by side. (The colors in the close-up are more accurate, don't ask me why).

I started to panic yesterday that I wouldn’t have enough time to finish my felted slippers before I go. But tonight I finished knitting ‘em up instead of packing away, so I ought to have some felted wonders in just before I head out of here. I just have to finish up a few more projects, like adding buttons to my new camera case and sewing the neckband on Kate so I can get to Japan with a clean slate. If I have time, I’d also like to finish packing and clean my room. I’ve got to get to work!

* This is just a celebratory comment adapted from the best mothers’ day card ever that I got for my mum in London. The original reads: "Mums! They're like Dads, only smarter."

Posted by Molly at 02:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

When we left on Monday we had high hopes about stopping at the yarn store in Columbus. Who could think of a better pit stop? Well it was mildly disappointing although they did have a good stock of basic yarns. I stocked up on some Lamb's Pride so I could make a pair of slippers from Knit One Felt Too and maybe some more over mitts. I am going to felt my heart out this week--if I can fit it in, that is. Not knowing what my washing machine situation will be in Japan, I'm going to have to put a moratorium on felting for a while. The trip to Indy went smoothly, but I was so tired by the end of the trip that this was all I managed to knit on the drive home:

I can't wait to see what these look like when they're felted! Right now it's huge and reminds me of something out of a Dr. Seuss book.

I haven't knit anything striped like this before, but I really like it! The only thing is that I have a FEW ends to weave in before felting (and another slipper to knit while I'm at it).

In other news, today I stumbled upon the peanut variety of Ginger people brand ginger chews at our local natural foods store. I discovered the original ones last summer at the gift shop where I worked, but I had kind of forgotten about them until recently. These are SO good. If you haven’t had them before, run out and look for the original ginger ones in the green bag. Hopefully the peanut ones will prove to be tasty as well… but we’ll just have to see.

Posted by Molly at 06:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Tomorrow morning I'm off to Indianapolis in the station wagon to help my parents find a house. I just stocked up on some classics at Half Price Books so I have some quality reading to get me through the week. At first I was panicked that I have no major projects to take along since I will hopefully be finishing off Kate tonight. Then I thought I'd run to the yarn store today and snatch up some new yarn to start something new, even though I have tons of sock yarn that is up for grabs. Well my mom saved the day with her bright idea that we stop at a big yarn store in Columbus along the way, so its decided! I'm hoping I can find some great yarn to knit my first pair of gloves, even though the prospect of wearing them is pretty far off. I'll be back at the end of the week with some pictures!

Posted by Molly at 08:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Things with my Kate are not moving along as speedily as I would have liked! My big plan was to have the Kate done for tomorrow, because there is a good-bye party for me since I'm leaving in two weeks. Out-of-towners are coming to visit and it ought to be quite the fun time! Unfortunately, I will not be sporting any new knitwear.

I blocked the front and back pieces and successfully sewed up the side seams yesterday, but the neckband is proving a little more difficult. When I followed the instructions I came up with a giant stretched-out looking neckpiece that just will not do. The pattern calls for 16 stitches in between the front and back pieces, but I think mine needs more like 2 or 4. Maybe I'm reading the pattern wrong? Who knows, I might just have stretched it out with my enormous head. I think I might just dismiss the pattern instructions at this point (maybe not the best idea...), pick up stitches along the front and back and knit it up. We shall see.

Today I took the GREs! That's one more thing crossed off my summer to-do list. There's hardly anything left!

Posted by Molly at 05:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Previous | Next

Posted by Molly at 10:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You're France!
Most people think you're snobby, but it's really just that you're better than everyone else.  At least you're more loyal to the real language, the fine arts, and the fine wines than anyone else.  You aren't worth beans in a fight, unless you're really short, but you're so good at other things that it usually doesn't matter.  Some of your finest works were intended to be short-term projects.
Take the Country Quiz at the Blue Pyramid

This proves it--I must have been French in a previous life (my finest works ARE meant to be short-term projects!!, although I doubt anyone thinks I'm snobby). Its all starting to make sense. I was a French major, I studied abroad in Lyon and now I am starting to LOVE Phildar. I am almost done with my Kate, but have already earmarked other patterns in my Phildar Famille that I am dying to make. Each page had something else that I loved! I really liked this white sweater, but I definitely would not want it so long and hip-hugging.

I'm lugging this baby with me to Japan to hopefully make myself some stylish wears while I'm settling in. Has anyone made other patterns from this magazine?

Posted by Molly at 06:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I'm on a roll! I have been knitting a ton this week now that I have a project to work on, but I have a feeling that its going to be done before I know it. I've finished the back of Kate and now I'm working my way up the front. I've only been knitting since Thanksgiving, but I've never blocked any of my knitting before. This could be why I've never made a fitted piece that actually fits. Either way, I'm looking forward to blocking this one and hopefully having a nice fitting sweater to add to my list of knitting accomplishments.

I worked ALL DAY today and I'll probably be working 12 hours a day tomorrow and Sunday for our big arts festival. So maybe all the crazed knitting will have to be put on hold for a few days. In other news, I am starting to cave and really wanting to knit something with Koigu. Dare I try a Charlotte's Web? I am going to Japan in just three weeks now, but I'm thinking it might be a good light project to pack. Hmm...

Tonight I'm putting up my tired feet and knitting in front of Risky Business which I've never seen before. Hopefully I'll be posting some photos of major Kate advances soon.

Posted by Molly at 10:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I know Kate is named for Katherine Hepburn, but whenever I think of it I get the classic Ben Folds Five song KATE! in my head.

So yesterday’s mail came at the RECORD late hour of 5pm, but I guess that should just teach me not to stake out the front door waiting for the mailman all day. I did make some daytime knitting progress on a sock though…

Anyways, at about 5 pm, I was rewarded for a day of relative patience when this came:

Yahoooo!

At about 5:01 it was out of the envelope.

5:02 The pattern I had so good-naturedly been waiting for! (Mine is going to fit just as well as the model).

5:03 I started to cast on.

As of this morning, here is my progress!

All my pictures are a little blurry but I think you get the idea (I was a little excited).

Posted by Molly at 11:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

After a relatively uneventful holiday weekend, I am ready to take on a fresh new week with the hopes that my Phildar Famille will arrive with the mail today!! After a few weeks of happy knitting small and easy items, I have suddenly become bored out of my SKULL and need to get motivated and working on something new. So I have decided to join the kate-along and get knitting!

I bought a bunch of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino at Knit Happens a few months ago when I was hot on making a basic sweater without a pattern. Well, that didn’t turn out exactly as planned, and now I am thrilled to have something new to use it for. I've even already made a swatch, even though I rushed just a bit (I always forget to do a few rows of garter stitch at the beginning so its all rolled). Even though it doesn’t EXACTLY fit the bill gauge-wise, a few minor calculations and I will be on my way.

This holiday weekend I came to terms with the boredom of summer. I just graduated from college and was actually sad that this is my last summer before I start off in the working world. I know I’ll look back fondly on these days if I turn into a working stiff, but that doesn't change the fact that I am bored. I am sick of studying Japanese, I am sick of studying for the GREs and I am sick of TV. What’s a girl to do? I have plowed through almost all of “The Corrections” in about the last week, but now I’m getting concerned that I’ll have nothing to read when I’m finished. So bring on more knitting! Here is what I managed to finish up this weekend trying to fight off the demons of ennui.

Before and after shots of my oven mitt--will make a great gift.

Crocheted flowers really are fun.

I always wanted a sleeping mask! Celebrating the new knitty and the only pattern I could stomach from this issue. (This is the best I could do on the self portrait front while wearing a mask).

Well I’m off to the post office to send out some fun packages and to hopefully pick up some good postal karma. I enjoy sending mail more than anyone I know. Just knowing that some unsuspecting individual will find something fun and unexpected in their mailbox is a thrill.

Posted by Molly at 11:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Preparations for my move to Japan are snowballing this week!! My visa application and flight info went out, and I FINALLY got the info about my situation in Japan that I have been itching to know. Among other things, I’m going to be a high school teacher! Getting the scoop has made me all the more excited about the big move, so I think that along with the passage of the 1-month mark on my countdown, this is the perfect time to get my online chronicle of all things Japan up and running. If you’re interested in following my adventures, check out my other blog here:

In case you haven’t figured it out, Mori (also spelled Morry) is my Japanese alter-ego since L’s become R's in Japanese. I’m getting irritated with Paint Shop and have had about enough with my inability to use nice text instead of all these jaggedly-looking letters. Somebody help me!!! I’ve tried everything I can think of right now and can’t figure it out, so I am rejecting my perfectionist tendencies and just posting my button and banner image the way they are (until further notice). They are readable, so I guess that’s all that matters.

Aside from all that fun, time here is being spent waiting anxiously for my Phildar Famille from Threadbear and the new project that is waiting for me inside. Kate-along here I come!

Posted by Molly at 02:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)