I suck, ok? I know I do. Cristi suggests we race to see who finishes Tomato first, and I am crazy enough to put sock yarn on the line. So today, she posts this. Yeah, she’s done. Want to know how “close” it was? This is where I am:

(That’s Lion Cotton Ease in “Popsical Blue” and “Bubble Gum”, by the way)

So, clearly I was delusional on this one. Want to know where I was when she sent a text message to my phone last night asking if she should block it before posting her victory? Right below the colorwork. I had NO chance. This thing just moved ridiculously slow. I think I might have shot myself in the foot from the very beginning, though. Looking at Cristi’s, I’m thinking this should have ben done with negative ease, and I probably should have done the next size down. That would have given me a few less stitches to do. :) I actually considered ripping back on this one, but I just can’t bear to. I’ve got ridiculous amounts of Cotton-Ease, so I can always do the smaller size on another one if I choose to.

Oh well, if I had to lose to someone, I can honestly say I’m very ok with it being my dear darling Turtlegirl. I’ll be happy to present her with her prize sock yarn at MDS&W next weekend (Woohoo!)

I’ve got an inch or so to go in the “waist” area before I start the increases, and then the bottom of the body and the ribbing before I do the neckline and the sleeves. I’ve got an idea I think I’m going to play with on that, so it won’t be identical to the pattern, but when is ANYTHING I knit?

You got ‘em!

First - my Chrysanthemum Tea Shawl from Amazing Crochet Lace. This is a FABULOUS book. If you crochet, you really should give it a look.

Blocking:
Artfully draped over, er, a box:

And now, semi-knitting FO. I went to Ikea (Ah, how I love thee…) last Friday night (while Kris was working from 6am to 4am. Yes, you read that right. A 22-hour day. And that was just the start of the weekend…) I was going there to pick up a shelf unit. Specifically, an Expedit bookcase. Why?

For this:
My new stash organization system. I was really, really tired of ugly plastic boxes piled up against the wall. It was a total pain in the ass to get into anything that wasn’t on the top level, and it just wasn’t PRETTY.

Those boxes on the far left? Those would be the same kinds that used to house the whole stash. The 6 orange canvas drawers on the bottom shelves hold sock yarn (yes, all of them) and the 4 baskets hold random single skeins that don’t have projects planned yet. The two big lidded baskets on the floor house spinning stuff - one for bobbins and spindles and my lazy kates, and the other for in-progress fiber on spindles.

Oh, and this:

Is all stuff I’m going to be putting up for swap or sale in the near future. (OK, maybe not “near” - I’ve got stuff going on every weekend in May, so it might not be until June)

And the completely non-knitting FO - our new powder room! We attacked it last week and finished it up on Saturday. Previously, it was white walls, a ridiculously oversized mirror, and a very, very basic sink cabinet and sink. Blah. We tore out everything but the floor and the toilet, and now we have this:

Pedestal sink! Yay!
And the decorating inspiration - four of Kris’s photos of the flowering cherry tree out front:

Now, back to work on Tomato before Cristi completely humiliates me by finishing it. I’m fairly certain I’m losing this particular race, but I’m ok with that. Mine’s going to be cuter.

Here are the two colors of Claudia Handpaints sock yarn that I am using for my Chevron Scarf.

Eat Your Veggies (Best. Color name. Ever.):

Caribbean Blue:

Happy Friday! (And yeah, I owe FO pics. I’m hoping to take them this weekend, finally. It’s been an odd week around here.)

ETA: For Zonda:
And the pattern is from Last-Minute Knitted Gifts. Two hanks of each color in the case of this yarn.

First of all, I blame Turtlegirl for the fact that, instead of working on the SEVEN projects currently in my sidebar, I cast on today for “Tomato” from No Sheep for You. See, she was talking about working on her Textured Tunic, and that since it is now finished she was going to start Tomato. I was teasing her, asking if she thought she could finish it by the time she came up for Maryland Sheep and Wool (A week from Friday! Yay!). I mentioned that I was thinking of looking locally for the yarn (BSA Cotton), and she scoffed at me, insisting that there had to be something in my stash that would work.

OK, so she had a point there.

So, I thought about it, and I remembered my massive score of Lion Cotton Ease from last August. I pulled some skeins out, and compared colors, and I finally settled on a main color of Popsical Blue (the turquoise in the top half of the right-hand box in that pic) and a contrast of Bubble Gum (the pink in the top box). I think it will be fun and springy. I’m currently about halfway through the increases before the sleeves are separated, and I like the way it is working up so far. Now the question is, will it be done to wear to MDS&W? (No, not the same day Turtlegirl wears hers. That would just be weird.)

And I know I promised FO pics, but it’s been a busy weekend around here. Kris worked from 6am Friday until 4am Saturday, and then spent half of Saturday night on the phone with work, so he’s a little beat. I’m going to try to get a couple of my own tomorrow - I’ve got the Chrysanthemum Tea Shawl to show off (Love it, love it, love it!), as well as a couple of house-oriented projects.

And now… on to the show!

Week 6 - Latin and Swing

Joey & Kym - I love that Joey was singing along while they danced. They both looked like they were having such fun. And Joey was just a complete maniac. Loved it! Judges: 27
Heather & Jonathan - Heather is looking rather clunky this week - not as graceful as she had been. Not nearly as impressive as previous dances. Judges: 23
John & Edyta - I continue to be amazed at how nimble John is for such a teddybear of a guy - this was great. Judges: 19
Laila & Maks - Very enjoyable - energetic and fun. I fear what Len is going to have to say about the funky stuff, though. :) Judges: 28
Billy Ray & Karina - Probably the most relaxed he has been dancing the entire competition. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t all that great to me. Not terrible, just very middle-of-the-road. It feels a little like a swan song to me - they’ve decided they are going home, and decided to quit trying. Judges: 21
Apolo & Julianne - Great chemistry. Sexy and romantic without being dirty. Wonderful. Judges: 28
Ian & Cheryl - Strong, but not stiff, confident, intense, sexy. Awesome! Judges: 24

I felt so bad for Ian this week. He tried so, so hard to give the judges what they wanted, and they just shredded him in their comments.

I’m guessing that Billy Ray and John will be the bottom two, and I’m going to have to say that it will be John going home. Not because I think he’s the worse dancer, but because Billy Ray really has a likeability thing going - sort of the aw, shucks-ness.

And the group swing number? Was a total hoot. I can only imagine what that particular rehearsal was really like…

OK, not really cheap, per se, but at least on sale. I scored these at the Knit Happens sale a couple of weeks ago.

Alchemy Silk Purse in Rust Red and Synchronicity in Foxglove:

I have a FO or two to show you, but I need my photographer for that, and he’s stuck at work until midnight tonight, so those will have to wait a bit.

Happy Friday!

Well, I was half right last week. And at least the half was that Leeza was leaving. And I totally didn’t notice until they mentioned it that there are only two women celebrities left!

Week 5 - The Samba and the Rhumba

Ian & Cheryl - Ian is having WAY too much fun. The more this goes on, the more I love him. Judges: 24
Clyde & Elena - Well, now. THAT’s an outfit! Oh, Clyde, still with those lazy, noodley arms. Elena is working it, and you look downright bored. THAT’s what the judges mean about it looking like you aren’t trying. Judges: 13
Heather & Jonathan - Hmm… she’s looking a little clunky this week. I’m not quite sure what to make of this one. It’s definitely not my favorite of theirs so far. Judges: 21
Joey & Kym - Ok, I never thought I would say this about Joey freakin’ Fatone, but that was hot. Really, really sexy. This is still his competition to lose. Judges: 25
John & Edyta - You know, he’s not the most graceful dancer out there, but he did a great job tonight, and he’s certainly having a blast with it. Judges: 18
Laila & Maks - Hey, she’s not wearing orange! She started a little slow, but she came more to life a little into it. Great job. Sexy, sexy, sexy. Judges: 28
Apolo & Julianne - Once again, a really, really strong performance from Apolo and Julianne. And he definitely worked the sexy on this one! Judges: 30
Billy Ray & Karina - Oh, Billy… he was so uncomfortable and stiff this week after making so much progress. It makes me sad, because I loved how hard he has been working. Judges: 17

I’m thinking it’s Billy and Clyde on the chopping block this week, and it could go either way. Personally, I think it’s time for Clyde to go.

He’s probably going to kill me for this, but Kris has watched a few episodes with me (mostly he’s been in the room on his laptop while I watch), and he’s taken to commenting while we watch. He even applauded a bit when Apolo and Julianne got their perfect score. I think he’s turning into a fan, despite his best efforts to the contrary. :D

So, I did actually finish that crocheted scarf that I showed you, and courtesy of the crappy-ass weather we’ve been having, I’ve been wearing it quite a bit. Here ’tis:
I also finished the Counterpoint scarf I’ve been working on as a “Congratulations” gift for my friend Hillary, who is off to NYU this fall for graduate school in the vocal performance program. (Classic Elite Lush. A new fave. It’s SO SOFT!)

I’ve got 2 WIPs I’m carrying with me at the moment. The Chevron Scarf from Last-Minute Knitted Gifts, in Claudia Handpaints “Eat Your Veggies” and “Caribbean Blue” (They will be the subject of a future YPF post):

and the Chrysanthemum Tea Shawl from Doris Chan’s Amazing Crochet Lace (FABULOUS book - beautiful patterns. You will be seeing more stuff from it here.) in King Tut Cotton.

And finally, a little proof that Knitties rule. I’ve been working on my Simple Knitted Bodice, and the further I got, the more I worried that I was going to run short on the Berroco Denim Silk I was using for it. The biggest problem with that is that the yarn is discontinued. So, I posted on the board that I was looking for something to work with the Denim Silk to use for the lace bands and the neckline/cuffs/hemline. The wonderful, fabulous, ohsoverysweet Mary Mary came to my rescue - she had some Denim Silk in another color that would work wonderfully with my funky Absinthe green. So, we swapped for it. The package from her arrived yesterday, and in with the Denim Silk (6 of the Creme Caramel, plus one in Carob - any and all leftovers will be combined into something fun), she tucked a little surprise for me.

According to her note, Texas is cracking down on license plate frames, so she thought I would be able to get some good use out of this one. I cracked up! I can’t wait to put it on my van. Thank you, sweetie. You rule! And your box will be in the mail tomorrow, I promise.

The loveliness that I picked up at the Twinkle Party with Annemarie 2 weeks ago. :)

Twinkle Handknits Soft Chunky in “Haze” (Probably will be the Princess Capelet from Big City Knits.)

And Twinkle Handknits Kid Mohair in “Dusty Rose” (Will be the Mohair Shrug from Big City Knits)
Speaking of Annemarie, I saw her today at Barnes and Noble for our knitting group, and she is just CRANKING out the Tuxedo Sweater from Big City Knits. It is going to look awesome on her!

I’ve got some new WIP and FO pics for you, but I think those will wait until later. I need my rest - I’m meeting Maryanne tomorrow (Friday) for the Stitch DC sale. :D (And yes, I know that I need help. Assuming I’m not actually beyond help at this point…)

Happy Friday everyone!

And here we go for week 4! Is it really Monday night already?

And for the record, Len is a bitter, bitter man. He actually took the time to research how much time people were spending in training? He needs to get a hobby. Maybe he should learn to knit! :D

Week 4 - The Waltz and the Paso Doble

Laila & Maks - Hmm…I’m not sure if it is just that I don’t care for the Paso Doble, or if this was not a good one, but I was kind of bored. They move well together, and they both look gorgeous as always, but this is just kind of a dull dance to me. I’ll have to see if the rest of them strike me the same way. Judges: 21
Apolo & Julianne - See, now, the waltz I can get into. :) This was lovely and romantic and just wonderful. Of course, the fact that they are just too adorable for words doesn’t hurt. Judges: 26
Leeza & Tony - Wow… props to Leeza for wearing that outfit at 50, and looking pretty damn good in it! Sadly, she’s not as comforatble with the dance. She’s working hard, and you can see it on her face - good dance should look effortless. Judges: 16
Ian & Cheryl - Ah, see, now CHERYL has the coloring for yellow, unlike Heather. :D Ian’s looking great - really doing well. This was great - he’s definitely in the running to win this one! Judges: 24
John & Edyta - Holy fabulous dress, Batman! That is awesome! Of course, you have to have her body to pull it off… This was a cool dance - very engaging, relaxed, but with energy. I liked it a lot. Judges: 16
Clyde & Elena - Argh… if Clyde would just put some energy and strength into his frame, they’d be in great shape, but his arms are always slack. It just ends up looking unpolished. Judges: 15
Billy Ray & Karina - He’s working harder and harder every week. You can see it in his face, and in the set of his shoulders. He’s just defeating himself with his attitude of “Oh, well, I’ll never be good enough.” Judges: 21
Heather & Jonathan - Graceful and lovely. They are doing a consistently wonderful job of working around the issues with her leg without making it obvious. Judges: 23
Joey & Kym - THIS was awesome. Strong, and engaging, and precise, and just wonderful to watch. There was passion and fire. Fantastic. Judges: 28

Leeza and Clyde are going to be at the bottom after the vote, and Leeza’s going home. That’s my call. And I’m good with that. I have nothing against Leeza, I’m just over her on this show.

OK, not really April Fool, since it’s the sixth, but I’m running low on clever titles. :)

Bamboo, courtesy of the kickass sale at Discontinued Brand Name Yarns. It was one of those “We can’t tell you what it actually is, but you usually pay a lot more” deals. SWTC Bamboo is one of my favorite yarns, so I pounced. Here it is in Jade and Purple, which will eventually become Glee and Sahara (I’m still debating which sleeve length on Sahara).

And some Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock in “Gold Hill”, just because I like it. :D

Happy Easter, everyone!