An Update- A Clutch and Dye class

For starters- I have 5 knitting projects that I'm working on in my spare time to have ready by Christmas...It's October. I might be kidding myself. We'll see.

I've also started an 8 week yarn dyeing course, which is fun, but nerve racking since I haven't really done much dyeing before. I didn't even experiment with food/non-toxic dyes until week one of the class. Here are those results:

"Violent Violet" (I saw this YouTube video and ran out to get the Wilton's Violet Icing Dye- this was a lot of fun):

"Barn and Silo" (McCormick's Food coloring in Red and Blue) :

Once the class is over I'll show off all of the skeins of yarn I've dyed using the acid dyes- but here's a preview of a few in pots:

 But here's an update on the "clutch" I was working on and mentioned in this post:

The first attempt did not turn out how I had hoped it would...unfortunately.

There's supposed to be an even seam between the flap and the clutch...which there is not- the pattern called for the same number of cast on stitches for the flap as for the clutch...that's not accurate:

And I have a feeling I know why this yarn was in the clearance section at Joann's:

There are little bunches where the yarn is flawed and I didn't want to have to piece the yarn together, I didn't want a lot of joins, so I just kept knitting thru the flaws. It's not pretty.
But I really do like the braided closure:

That's definitely a great detail that is on this pattern.

Here's a look at the back:

I think, once the holiday season is over and I have time for "my" projects- I'm going to revisit this pattern and try to make it correct...once it looks like I want it, then it will get a lining and a zip closure (the braid will just become decoration).

Now I have to get back to my dye class. Like I said, I'll post pics of everything once class is over. I'm learning a lot. Did I mention the teacher is the owner and dyer for Phydeaux? Pretty sure I've mentioned a time or two, in other posts, about how much I love that yarn...now I'm learning how to make it!

Something in the works

I saw a pattern for something not too long ago, and I thought to myself "I must make it!"
Which wouldn't be bad, except I had to go purchase specific yarn for this project. The spare bedroom in our house looks like a yarn store, people...I don't need anymore yarn. I don't. I could knit on all the yarn I have for another 2 years and still have some left. Then I could go to my storage unit and my parents house and get the other stashes of yarn I have and still be able to knit continuously for several years- then spin all the fiber I have and knit some more...this is a sick hobby.

Anyway, the pattern is one I attempted before when I made myself a pair of socks, which turned into short socks with only this pattern on the cuff, because I really didn't like knitting it...with sock yarn. Using this yarn is pretty freakin' sweet.

I found the Buttercream Luxe Craft Soft Knit Solid yarn on clearance at Joann's in a "purple" color. The yarn is 100% polyester, which is bizarre, but actually really fun to knit. For only $3.97/skein I bought several different colors and have this grand vision of making this particular item for all the women I know...Who knows if I'll keep up with that idea or not. But I will at least finish this one. More details on the pattern (which was free) and what it is, to come. I've gotta get back to knitting,  only 3 more inches of this pattern before I get to switch to a different stitch!

Happy 10 year anniversary to this blog!

So the automatic post schedule doesn't exactly work...this should have gone out on the 18th, forgive the inaccurate post date.

10 years ago today blogs were a big deal. You could consider yourself a published writer if you had a blog. You could claim it was your own personal website, if you didn't have an actual website. I started mine with the thought that it would motivate me to draw more, to animate, to paint.

While I didn't do so much animation (sorry college degree, you've collected so much dust), I did produce a bunch of drawings, several paintings, and low and behold I kind of went crazy with the knitting and crochet.

10 years has seen the following:
- 1 relationship that's still going (Hi Gonzo!)
- quite a few job changes
- 2 layoffs
- 6 moves (one of those being across the country...hello CA)
- Approximately 147 pieces of art (Drawings, paintings, vinyl customs) (that I posted)
- Approximately 36 knitted/crocheted pieces (that I posted)
- Approximately 2 sewing projects (that I posted)
- Approximately 3 craft items (that I posted)
- Countless other crafts and art that I didn't post or keep track of
- Many other things...

I've learned a lot about myself in the last 10 years. I've done a lot in the last 10 years. There are some days that it feels like yesterday that I started this blog, and some days that it feels like forever ago.  There have been days that I feel like throwing in the towel and just letting my blog hang out in cyber space for eternity, leaving people who read what I write here, to wonder, "what happened to her?"
Whenever I think of getting an instagram account, I think, "Well, would I still post on my blog?" which I bet I wouldn't. I could hashtag it out, instead of leaving a whole bunch of non-sense here. But I'm a creature of habit. I like my blog. I like that I have low viewership/readership (although, Groot...that post...it's still crazy and I've seen it linked to news stories for crafty people-Say What?! Little 'ol me over here? So many page views- so many messages on my Ravelry account- THANK YOU!!! To everyone who looked at that post or made a comment or asked a question or reached out- THANK YOU!!! That was really unexpected and wonderful!)

The next 10 years? I'm looking into writing (some of you may know that), maybe I'll self-publish something soon (fiction, don't take what I write here as my writing style); I'm even designing some knitting patterns (maybe I'll post another free pattern soon) I'm looking into dying my own yarn and fiber for knitting; I've gotten back into spinning fiber into yarn, so maybe I can sell some hanks of hand spun fibers; I'm still drawing, and don't see my style (of semi-photo realistic portraits) changing any time soon- but who knows what the next 10 years will bring. I do follow Loish online and absolutely love her style, so maybe more digital art...we shall see, we shall see.

Thank you all for a wonderful 10 years. Thanks for reading!

Oye with the Poodles already!

I heard there's a thing called "The Olympics" going on right now. Unfortunately, I've completely ignored them this year. I've opted instead to binge watch all 7 seasons of Gilmore Girls (you know, just in time for the next 4 episodes to come out in November- I like to get an early start).

I thought binge watching the episodes would give me plenty of time to knit and finish the long list of projects I have going, but I kind of forgot how amazing that TV show was. So I find myself actually watching the episodes, even though I've seen them all too many times to count.

Currently on my needles:
1. A crochet mermaid tail for my niece. It should be done in time for Christmas (here's to hoping)
2. My dad's knitted socks...I knit them two at a time, I've just turned the heels and am working the foot- a few more weeks of of the easy part of the pattern and I should be done.
3. A Dobby hat for my niece for Halloween. This should be soon, I'm practically done with the hat, I just have to knit the ears and attach them.
4. A pretty little Capelet/Shawlette/short sweater for myself.

I'll post these as I finish them.

I just purchased the yarn for the Virgo Shawlette for the Toshstrology collection. I'm pretty excited about it, cause it's really cute! Can't wait until the yarn gets here! It's my favorite shade of green!

That's it for an update right now. I've got to get started knitting today.

Taurus Slouch Hat

Once again, this is an update for the Toshstrology Collection that can be found on Ravelry.com

This time it's for the Taurus Slouch - a somewhat oversized (hence the word "slouch") hat. I don't know that I'm a huge fan of the Taurus colorway. I used to love the color green, and I still love it, but I think there's some better Madelinetosh Vintage yarn colors. (seriously, the image above and the one below is the same hat...One is at night time-above-and the one below is in daylight...weird)

I'm fairly sure I screwed up on the pattern when it came time for the last leaf (top leaf). I've read and re-read the pattern, and there haven't been any updates on Ravelry, so I'm fairly sure it's just a misunderstanding on my part, as mine didn't turn out as pretty as the example for the Taurus Slouch found here. I wound up with extra stitches around round 37 and couldn't figure out my mistake, so I just kept moving forward so I wouldn't have to frog it.

One side of the hat has no decoration, which is fine. Keep in mind, this isn't blocked yet. My steamer is in storage, so it won't be blocked for a while. Blocking will help make it look slouchy, as right now it fits pretty snuggly.

I did buy two skeins of this colorway, and since I had problems with the first try at this pattern, I may try it again just to figure out where I went wrong. Although, I can't say I'm a fan of this pattern either. I may wait and use the skein on a leaf pattern hat that I like. We'll see.

Hope everyone in the U.S.A. is having a great Independence Day; and for those everywhere else, I hope you are enjoying your 4th of July a.k.a Monday.

Aries Shawlette

It's not completely finished yet, but I couldn't help it. I had to share! (I'll weave in the ends and block it soon)

I've been working on the Toshstrology collection since January, and while I'm severely behind on the monthly projects, I did just finish the Aries Shawlette. (Toshstrology can be found on Ravelry.com- it's $15 for all 12 patterns, yarn is sold separately...I've been getting mine at Jimmy Beans Wool)

The pattern has this cute little short rows section that creates a pretty awesome look.

And the pattern includes this awesome edging around the top. I'm looking forward to blocking this one.

Can I just say, Madelinetosh yarn, is my all time favorite...particularly the vintage yarn (this shawlette is knit with the Merino Light yarn). I love how it feels and how it knits up. It's fantastic (all Madelinetosh yarn feels amazing- vintage is just my personal favorite). I'm using the vintage Madelinetosh for the Taurus Slouch hat that I started immediately after the shawlette. I'll post it as soon as it's done.

Nobody Panic: Knitting and a drawing

I couldn't go thru the month of May and not post something.

I've been busy. I have been working on stuff.

Here's the Koolhaas hat I did in a blue color.

And the Orange Shawl I'm working on (Part of the Toshstrology Collection: Aries Shawlette in Tosh Merino Light: Toshstrology-March '16-Aries...you can join the Toshstrology collection on Ravelry $15 (I believe that's the cost) gets you 12 months of patterns- they come out monthly, so we're all on May right now.)

And of course the completed drawing of my baby niece (which is a year over due so she's way cuter now)

I had been nominated this past week to post 7 pieces of art for 7 days and nominate people daily to do the same (on social media, not on the blog)...I nominated 6 people and I think only 2 people opted in, and only 1 is actually carrying it out past day 2, so yeah. I'm still proud of myself for doing it every day. I've been in a funk recently and the challenge helped pull me out of it. I completed the drawing of my niece and started another drawing that is long over due.

I've got another drawing that has to be completed relatively soon, so I've got to get started. Fingers crossed, June will have way more posts than May :)

Koolhaas hat- FINALLY

I don't think anyone knows this about me.

There has been a hat pattern that I have drooled over for nearly 10 years. I obtained the pattern 10 years ago when I saw it, and lost it. I've had dreams about this hat, and finally. I re-purchased the pattern and began to knit it using the Madelinetosh Vintage yarn in the color way I used for this hat.

It's the Koolhaas hat by Jared Flood. I love love love Jared Flood (I've never met him, so don't get it twisted- everything he creates is drool-worthy- If I had an unlimited supply of yarn and unlimited time to knit I would want to make everything he has created). 

The pattern is pretty easy to work up. I'm actually mad at myself that I didn't pursue this earlier in life. People all over the place could have versions of this hat on their heads. Not that I won't make more, because I will. I love this hat. Love it. Just look at it!

Back to knitting I go, I've got some more hats to work on, I've got some socks to finish for my dad, and a shawl called "Water Lilies", as well as the "Aries Shawlette" from the Toshstrology Collection.

I'll be busy...because on top of all the knitting, I have the spinning thing going on. Not to mention, I'm learning how to Brioche knit...it's going to be a long knitting season.

Spinning

A few years ago, while I was in Dallas, I took a few spinning classes. No, not the kind at the gym on a stationary bike. I'm talking yarn-spinning, classes.
I loved it.
Spindle spinning, wheel spinning, the whole thing.
I had several large wheels, that were in various different stages of wear and tear (second hand wheels)- which brought my dad into the picture, since he's a work worker- he learned about the wheels so he could make the repairs. I've since sold/traded those wheels for others. My dad has since repaired wheels that are in museums. He's even made several spindles for spinning, which are fantastic!
Well, when Gonzo and I made the move to California, I thought it was going to be a brief stay, so I left my spinning wheel with my parents, only taking my spindles. Thinking that the move could possibly damage the wheel, and I just couldn't have that.
Here we are, nearly a year and a half later, still in CA, and I've been having spinning withdrawals. I miss my wheel.

So I made a rather large purchase, and bought my all time favorite wheel (well ascetically it's been my favorite, but I had never actually interacted with one) - Ashford Joy 2, it arrived this past week.
I would like to thank the lovely people at The Woolery for packing and shipping this puppy with expert precision.
They may have created a monster because I just made another purchase with them for more fiber and additional bobbins.

Last night, I got all the adjustments made to the wheel, so it was drawing in the fiber- I'm still re-teaching myself how to draft quickly, so there are a few more twists in my yarn that I typically like, but I did spend the majority of last night at the wheel.

Since I had two whole bobbins full, I decided to ply them together.

The skien on the left has 138 yards, the one on the right has 146 yards (roughly).
These were a lot of fun and worked up fast. I'm so glad I got a new spinning wheel.

Aquarius Hat

Good morning and happy President's day for all those living in the U.S.A. or Happy Valentine's Hang Over Day...you pick.

One good thing about working in the mortgage business full time, bank holidays are usually a good day for me to catch up on projects, blogging and house work- since banks are closed and loans typically aren't funded. No work day!

I saw an awesome, year long, knitting challenge online last month and decided to add it to my ever growing list of knitting projects to complete before Christmas.

The Toshstrology Collection can be found on Ravelry and each month the creator releases another pattern. For January, we had the Aquarius hat:

It knitted up really quick...working on it for an hour before work and an hour after work each day I managed to get it done in a week. The yarn used is from Madelinetosh (Yarn dyer out of Texas and quite possibly my favorite yarn to knit) . The color used is from the Tosh Vintage collection in colorway: Aquarius, which I purchased from Jimmy Beans Wool out of Nevada.

The next item for February is the Pisces Cowl...which quite honestly I'm not sure that I want to knit. It looks cute and all, but I have the Winter Dreams Shawl that I purchased right before I found out about the Toshstrology Collection, and would rather work on it for this month. I'm still going to print the pattern and mull it over in time for my yarn to get here (again, it will be Madelinetosh Vintage in colorway Pisces)...but I do have quite a lot of projects to get done this year, so we'll see.

Fingers crossed I get some drawing in soon...I feel out of practice at this point...but I'm getting really good at my needle art work :)

This year is already speeding by

January is practically over and I haven't completed much.

The hats I made for my niece that were mentioned in the previous post, turned out to be too small. So once I receive them back I'll re-knit and send back.

I haven't drawn much of anything this month. Yes, I have at least 3 drawings I'm supposed to be working on, but there are just some days that drawing isn't my priority. If I don't feel like it's my priority then I won't do my best work.

I've spent most of the month crocheting this awesome Granite Cape. Since I'm not the most experienced crocheter, I thought this seemed like the least complicated garment to attempt. Fingers crossed I'll be finished with it in the next few weeks and can show it off.

I also want to bring something up that I'm kind of ashamed of. Last year, I posted this knitting pattern of Baby Groot. I'll be honest, I set up the link on Ravelry.com, under my account, in case there was anyone who was looking for a knitting pattern, since there were a bunch of crochet patterns available. Then I kind of sort of forgot about my Ravelry account. Sure, that pattern has a bunch of views on my blog, which is great to see, and I hoped it was helpful- but wasn't aware of the messages that had been sent to me via Ravelry. For all of you who read the blog and looked at the Groot pattern, I thank you. I'm extremely grateful to each of you who left a message for me over on Ravelry and I feel completely awful that I never responded. I'm glad I inspired so many kind folks to knit their own baby Groot. You guys are awesome! I'll just go ahead and apologize for the fact that I don't check my Ravelry account very often because I'll get side tracked and take time away from my current projects...I don't need additional help in the procrastination area.

Anyway, I've got a list of knitting projects to work on this year, and a bunch of yarn that I don't know what to do with (I'll find something, I'm sure). I may have a problem, though...I want to go to the L.A. County Yarn Crawl again this year...I don't need any more yarn, but I can't not go, right?

Oh well. January went quick, maybe the rest of this year will go as quickly.

Happy 2016

I didn't get out any of the blogs I had in mind for December, but then again I spent a lot of time in Texas- away from my computer (10 days total stretched between two separate visits).

I completed a bunch of knitting projects, surprisingly.

For my precious niece that I got to meet in person at the beginning of December, I crafted a monster based on one of the monsters in this book. I have crafted my own pattern for hands with fingers and ears (those are not in the book)- and upon her receiving the monster she managed to fit it's fingers and toes in her mouth- which I call a success.

So while I was in Texas (which the first visit just happened to be my birthday weekend), my parents introduced me to two knitting stores located in Farmersville, TX. Fiber Circle is quite possibly the holy grail of yarn...there's so much that I think I walked thru the same row four times and still didn't see everything. But I did find some cute yarn to make some hats for my niece (they come with a small stuffed animal head to attach):

I also managed to knit one with a unicorn but didn't get around to photographing.

I do want to mention another of the yarn/fiber places that my parents took me to in Farmersville, TX... Fancy Fibers, I'm actually quite sad that I didn't know about this place while I lived in Texas. They have fibers for spinning and weaving, yarn for knitting and crocheting and classes for pretty much everything!  The woman who runs the store, I believe her name is Mary- was so helpful and actually got me started on a new hobby...I bought a blending board to start making my own rolags for spinning. It's been quite a while since I've done any fiber spinning, so hopefully this will lead me back to it.

Ok, and last but not least I bought some fun yarn (mystery mini skein set from Phydeaux which I loved simply based on the theme of the colors (Pride and Prejudice themed). They came with patterns and I completed one and decided to give it to one of my coworkers for Christmas:

(Please ignore the spots on the black mat...I had opened a glittery package seconds before and the glitter went everywhere.) It's a fun little shawl that "hooks" around your neck so you don't necessarily need a shawl pin.

I've got things coming in 2016 that should be exciting...a few drawings that are behind schedule, more knitting, hopefully just more of everything.

Hope everyone had a wonderful 2015, and I truly hope that you all have a fantastic 2016.

Mermaid socks

I began knitting myself a pair of socks sometime in April. Typically it doesn't take me this long to knit a pair...but I had several projects that superseded these. After all, this was a pair of socks for myself, and projects for myself get put off if something else comes up. The photos don't do the color justice (they are sitting on a black mat if that gives you an idea as to how off the color is on my camera right now...soon I will have a new one so hopefully the picture quality gets better...).

The yarn color is "Mermaid Lagoon". I believe the brand is Phydeaux (I hope it was, I've lost the paper that went with it...but I'm kind of obsessed with Phydeaux at the moment so I wouldn't be surprised if it is)...I found it at a really great yarn store in Burbank called Unwind one of my first weeks in CA. Sadly I have not been back to the yarn store since about a week after the LA Yarn Crawl...and according to the newsletter, I believe they are closing or may have already closed. Which is unfortunate, but the last time I was in the store, there wasn't much of a yarn selection. It looked like they were becoming more focused on sewing, which is great, just not something I'm interested in most of the time.

I don't remember the knitting pattern I used (something I found online...but have misplaced the link). The socks ended up being short top socks, based on the simple fact, that the stitch pattern was making my fingers cramp. Normally I would have carried the pattern down the top of the foot, but it's an odd pattern and I didn't have it in me to figure out the exact mechanics of the slipping of a stitch at the beginning and the end...I was paranoid if I continued it down the top of the foot it would end up twirling down the foot instead of staying on top (The pattern is meant for something flat like a scarf...not a knitted in the round type of pattern- I had to improvise)...so at the ankle it just goes to a stockinette stitch down to the toe, which worked up quickly.  

Yes, I do knit my socks 2-at-a-time...if I didn't, the second sock would never get made, or it would look completely different than the first. If I can find the pattern I used, I'll update this post and link you to it. The book I use for most of my socks knitting is this one. But I'm sure you can find something online or on Ravelry if you wanted to learn how to knit socks 2-at-a-time. 

Wise words will not come easily

I haven't been in the mood to do anything recently. I call it the "calm before winter"... yeah...ok...maybe I don't, that sounds really lame.

There are a grand total of 5 drawings I need to get done...or more like, I need to get started on at least 3 of them, and finish the two that are nearly completed!

I have a barely started painting that's been in the works for over 3 weeks now...a pair of socks I've been knitting on since April or was it March (but I've already turned the heel so I'm half way there!)?

I just received my Yarnbox (if you aren't aware of what that is, and you love yarn or knitting or crochet, then please go here. You can curse me later), so of course that makes me want to immediately start knitting something and ignore the socks...but I'm determined to have will power...I will finish my socks first!!!!

Speaking of mail order boxes (is that what they are calling them?), I'm currently into two: Lootcrate and of course, the already mentioned, Yarnbox. There's a zillion others that my facebook newsfeed tries to remind me of every day...but I'm limiting myself to these two guilty pleasures...for now.

Lootcrate feeds my inner child, with vinyl toys I can decorate my desk with, without going into debt surfing Kidrobot's website (I'm not even going to link that one...it's trouble- I had an almost addiction to vinyl toys a few years back...circa 2007 it looks like- I stopped cold turkey and haven't been back in years...but every time I smell a freshly opened box containing a piece of vinyl I have to inhale deeply...). There's sometimes a comic book or some trinket from a card game or tv show...it's good times...I'm over here, as I type this, admiring my golden Buddha....yeah maybe I should stop there in case people haven't opened theirs yet. If you like Pokemon you are in for a BIG treat this month (I'm not into Pokemon but I was pretty ecstatic about it.)

Yarnbox, I'm fairly new to it...meaning this month is my first box. I received two lovely lovely lovely skeins of the most perfect color yarn they could have sent. No joke, I don't even know if that's a lucky coincidence or if they are mind readers...seriously perfect for me (Teresa Ruch Designs- hand dyed yarn...that's all I'll say). Not to mention 3 knitting patterns and a simple crochet stitch pattern. I'd post pictures, but I really don't want to spoil it for anyone else.

I like the whole mystery behind these mail order boxes. You don't know what you are going to get...but if you are even slightly interested, each box you receive is like opening a fantastic present.

If I find a decent art/drawing mail order box, we're all in trouble.  

Knitted Pie?

I haven't been posting!!! I know! I'd say it was laziness, but that's not it. 

 

I've been doing some baking...I've made 2 pies in two weeks along with some other sweets. Lemon Meringue is apparently my pie.

 

In other news, I finished that sweater I think I've mentioned a time or two...

It's being blocked here, and shocker, it doesn't fit me. Well, it sort of fits me, but isn't flattering at all, so I won't be wearing it any time soon. Back to knitting socks, I go.

Completed and blocked Clairmore

Remember the Clairmore post I did a little bit ago? Well it's been blocked.
I'm still new at blocking knitted items, so this one didn't turn out as pretty as it should have (sorry Jess!), but I couldn't leave it unblocked because then you wouldn't have been able to see the lace design.

I'm wearing it here to demonstrate how it should look when worn, not entirely sure how to feel about it. It's soft and would probably be great at blocking the cold winter winds of Wisconsin, but probably not something she will use as an accessory in every day life...but I could be wrong.

Anyway. I've got a blue one knitted for my mom, I just need to block it, I'm going to review a few more blocking techniques before I do that though- to make sure I'm doing it right.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend! 

Clairmore- in the works

As I've mentioned, numerous times, I went to the LA Yarn Crawl this year...Not only did I acquire some amazing yarn, but I also received several free patterns, just for stopping in at the yarn shops. 

One such pattern, which I obtained on The Yarnover Truck, is called the Clairmore. It's described as a cowl and a shawlette. If you have a Ravelry.com account you can find the pattern here. The fun thing about this pattern is it uses just one skein of Anzula Cricket (250 yards), which is some of the best yarn I have knit with (for various reasons, but the yarn is so soft it makes it hard to put down).

It's a fairly easy pattern and works up pretty quickly.  This one definitely requires blocking once finished, as the lace pattern doesn't really show up (see photo above for pre-blocking image). This particular one is for my friend Jessica- a hand-knit birthday present; and I will post a follow up once it's finished blocking (I use the wet-blocking method as opposed to the steaming method so it takes a few days to dry in it's "new" form). I'm working on a second Clairmore Cowl/Shawlette as we speak which will probably go to my mom, if she wants it.  Otherwise it'll be up for grabs.

Apologies for not posting more, recently. We (Gonzo and myself) are attempting to find a new place to move to and that has taken me on some crazy journey's to some very interesting areas in Los Angeles county. Hasn't left me with a whole lot of time to blog.

Take care!

Baby's Sweater

I just finished sewing the buttons on this knitted sweater for my niece.  It took me a little longer than I had anticipated, as I vanished to parts unknown for two weeks and only took along socks to knit instead of a nearly completed sweater.

Originally I picked this sweater for the awesome cable that runs along both sides of the front.  I love cables...they take forever (sometimes), but I love knitting them.  The pattern I used was from the book "Baby Basics to knit for new moms"...which, no- I'm not a mom- but I'm not sure my sister-in-law will be picking up knitting needles anytime soon and the pattern was too cute not to make.  

I found the cute little white buttons while I was visiting parts unknown...at a Hobby Lobby...yes, parts unknown have Hobby Lobby's. 

The yarns are ones that I picked up during the Yarn Crawl The pinkish-purple yarn (Stripes on the front and sleeve color) was a yarn that was in the basket I won at The Altered Stitch; the speckled yarn is from Ancient Arts Yarns called Unwind Hello 1 Speckled and is from their Hello Kitty line of yarn colors- that I picked up at Unwind.  I figured my barely over 2 month old niece could use a sweater that has a little Hello Kitty inspiration in it, right?

Since I know how kids are with knits I am anticipating my niece's hatred for me for sending her an itchy sweater to wear...One day she'll understand it was made with love. 

Some Knits and some Comedy

Aside from some laziness on my part, I really have no other reason for not posting sooner, so I won't bore you with the details.

This post is going to be a mess of randomness, so be patient.

I've already begun using the yarn that was purchased and won at the L.A. Yarn Crawl.  Gonzo had asked for a hat out of the blue Rowan yarn- and since hats tend to be quick knits for me, I just dove right in.

There's a bit of a point at the top that I will probably go back and alter at some point, but Gonzo didn't seem to mind it, so it might stay.

I'm in the process of knitting a sweater for my niece.  This image is from the book "Baby Basics to knit for new moms" (no I'm not a new mom, but they have some cute items for babies, so I got it...I will also make note that there are mistakes in the pattern, so I'm taking my time on it to make sure I straighten it all out)

Using the splatter Hello Kitty yarn with stripes of the Irene colorway yarn from the basket I won.  As soon as I'm done, I'll post some pictures.

With that out of the way, I can tell you about my Monday night.  Gonzo managed to get us passes to the free Beta Test at Meltdown Comics/The Nerdist.  We got there kind of early, so we wandered Sunset Blvd.

Got some words of wisdom from some graffiti art; ate some Chipotle; walked some more; then stood in line for a good long while.  We made some line friends, one of whom gave me a Nerdist temporary tattoo for holding their spot in line.  The other entertained us with banter between her and the store employees.  While there is a good chunk of LA that is unfriendly, I've encountered a slew of very friendly people who aren't trying to recruit me for a cult. 

Anyway, a Beta Test at The Nerdist is where Chris Hardwick and special guests test out new standup material to find out if it's good enough to use. 

Apologies for the blurred picture, but I won't apologize for the fact that I am essentially making eye contact with Mr. Chris Hardwick here.  If you don't know who he is, there is a search engine called Google that you might want to type his name into to find answers.  I have no other photos from the set because a few moments after I snapped this picture Chris encouraged us to just be in the moment and put our cell phones down.  He didn't say we couldn't take pictures, but he was right...we've lost touch with just enjoying the moment.
The other surprise guests were Ron Funches, who I've seen on TV, but is also in the movie "Get Hard" with Will Farrell and Kevin Hart.  Doug Benson who was on a movie called "Super High Me".  Yes the theater smelled like pot (if you know or have seen either of the above mentioned then you know they get high...a lot).  Both were funny.  Chris Hardwick was, perhaps, more funny.  That's probably my opinion only- as I could relate more with his material than the other two.  But they were all entertaining and hilarious and definitely made my day. 

Not really anything else going on at the moment.  I've got some drawings I need to work on and will post those later.  Hope everyone had a great Easter!