Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Where does all the (knitting) time go?

Thanks for all your comments! I enjoy reading them (and checking out your blogs)!

I had a great visit with two old friends over the weekend! We meant to knit a bit, but, alas, we kind of forgot to amidst all of our yacking, eating, yacking, walking, yacking, siteseeing, and yacking -- besides, it wasn't the greatest knitting weather (humid, in the 90's, no air conditioner...).

The past few weeks I have not been knitting as much as I hoped to.
Case in point: I signed up for Mystery Stole 3 quite a while ago, but, um, this is what my stole looks like right now:
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You might say I'm a little behind. Two clues have already been released, and another is coming in a few days. Hopefully I'll be able to get started soon...

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I'm finished with the back of Iris G's Pencil Sketch Camisole, and I'm working on the fronts.

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I ended up using Debbie Bliss Cathay in an olive-y color for the contrasting band. The cotton/viscose/silk Cathay knits up more smoothly than the viscose/linen Pepe, and I really like the visual and textural interplay of the two yarns.

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This photo is for Mel, who left a comment in my last post asking: "So how long before one of the cats is sporting the camisole?"
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(I know it's kind of cheating, because Bug isn't actually inside the camisole, but I was a little worried about him wigging out and ripping it apart if I tried to stuff him in it ...)

Frankly, I wanted to see Helen or Slinkers in your now defunct sock, Mel.... maybe next time?!

For some reason, I have been quite lucky lately when it comes to blog contests. I won my very first Socks that Rock (and a pattern) from Brandy of The Purl Parables in her blogiversary contest. I think it's just lovely!
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I also won a prize for contributing to Rachel's kitty Digit's recovery fund. Erika of Redshirt Knitting had a "thank you" drawing, and I won 10 (!) balls of Uruguay DK (merino/alpaca/silk) in a sagey green color that were donated by her reader, Katharine (who is apparently blogless, but exceedingly generous)! The color is off in this picture, but you get the idea... it's lovely stuff!
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Lastly, I won yarn(!) from Rosina of Noteworthy Knits. I don't know what it is yet -- but I'm excited!

Thanks, guys!

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Bug: Yawn... are you almost finished with the photoshoot? I can barely keep my eyes open here -- being a model is exhausting!

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This level of cuteness doesn't grow on trees, you know. It's hard to be "on" all the time... Trust me, you don't want to know what will happen if I get behind on my beauty sleep.

P.S. I just learned that Crazy Aunt Purl's kitty, Roy, passed away. We'll miss you, too, Roy.

31 comments:

The A.D.D. Knitter said...

Wow, congrats on all of the yarn you've managed to make away with!

soknitpicky said...

Wow, you HAVE been super lucky! I never win anything, but that is just as well because I really don't need more yarn and don't have any business entering contests anyway :-)

Your pencil sketch top is looking great--wonderful color choices!

Unknown said...

The camisole is looking amazing of course, and I'm sure it will flatter you as much as it does Bug. (He really knows how to work sleeveless.)

It is CRAZY that you've won all those contests! How fun.

Thx for the words on socks...you always give excellent advice. :) Feel free to e-mail me anytime too!
melbender2002@yahoo.com

Cindy said...

Your camisole looks fantastic so far! The yarn was a great choice. I wish I had some of your luck when it comes to contests!

lv2knit said...

You lucky lil so-and-so!! And I love the camie with the contrasting stripe -- very lovely!

Madge said...

Cami is turning out pretty pretty pretty.

And look at all that loot! Congrats...and do you have a four leaf clover I could borrow? I wanna play the lottery.

Anonymous said...

Hee, congrats on winningness! Love all the pictures; you take great ones. The shots of the camisole look fantastic. (So does Bug. Tell him he's a star, that might help. Wait; maybe not. He might start asking for residuals.)

And so sad about Laurie's Roy... :(

Anonymous said...

That shawl yarn is gorgeous! I hope you can get started soon. And the top is coming along beautifully (what, it's not for the cat?).

Sarah said...

Lucky knitter, you! That is a gorgeous shade of green.

The camisole is looking fab, even on the cat!

The Kelly Green Rogue said...

wow you are lucky! That's some great yarn! the pencil sketch looks great, after watching yours I've added it to my "to do" list. :)

Amy said...

Nice run of luck, there! The pencil sketch top looks completely fabulous. And I'm sure your Mystery Stole will, too, with those gorgeous beads!

Kirsten said...

That is a lot of contest booty! You lucky knitter!

The camisole is beautiful. I didn't know about that pattern. Thanks for the link.

Kara said...

The cami is fab. I love the colors you picked. Really gorgeous contrast.

Man, it seems I have missed the mystery stole bandwagon. I can't wait to see yours get started.

amber said...

That camisole looks great! Cathy is a yarn I've been interested in. Can't wait to see how it wears and drapes and whatnot. I read about Roy too... made me cry. R.I.P. Roy.

Anonymous said...

Alas I am blogless at the moment...something I hope will be remedied very soon, as long as the world can deal with another knitter with a multitude of cats and interesting bug photos :)
Enjoy the yarn I know you will make something amazing from it...I am inspired to get much better at knitting (I'm not very patient and I hate following directions, lol!) But I will try! Cause all the stuff you and others are making looks so cool!

Unknown said...

Hmmm...your mystery stole looks just like mine!

Amanda said...

That yarn and those beads would make one beautiful Mystery Stole. I hope you get a chance to work on it because it is so much fun.

Iris G said...

You lucky girl;-)!
Bug looks as handsome as always, and your camisole WIP is amazing--the colors and textures are so yummy!

Anonymous said...

You won STR Sock Club Yarn! No WAY!! That is a major score, as mere mortals are not allowed to possess it. You are lucky indeed!

Anonymous said...

can you send me some lucky blog contest vibes pls??? The delicate pattern on the camilsole is beautiful and your cat is so cute...what blue eyes!!

Rosina said...

I feel so silly doing this, but your email slipped by me again - I just have so much trouble with spam that I'm really strict about opening things that I can't clearly identify. Could you email me again with "Octopus Knits" in the subject line? Sorry to make this so complicated!

PS Bug is sooo cute :)I miss my kitty, but she has to live with my mom since Mr. M is REALLY allergic.

Anonymous said...

That camisole is gorgeous!!! I love the colors and think the shaping and design are all so flattering and are going to look great--excited to see it finished!

schrodinger said...

Wow! You're one luck blog winner, nice stuff.

Love the camisole - it's looking great.

Kasia said...

Eventhough your stole isn't started yet, yarn looks lovely and I am sure that it would be a very pretty one, when you done with it! Camisole looks sooo pretty! And your cat is a walking sweetness! Wish that Smeagol would be so willing to pose with my knitting ;) COngrats on all the yarn you won! You must be thrilled!

rachel iufer said...

mmmm, i love misti alpaca lace...yum yum.

your cami looks perfect wonderful. i love me some green :)looks like the cat loves it too!

Laiane said...

I'm looking forward to seeing your Mystery Stole as it emerges from its inchoate state. I love the color you picked!

Anonymous said...

The camisole is very pretty! And that first picture makes me glad that I abandoned the Mystery Stole almost as soon as I signed up -- no time!

Tarilyn said...

That camisole is beautiful! I agree, the contrasting colors and textures look great. As for all the prizes (and the very patient Bug) you are one lucky gal!

Emily said...

Thanks for commenting on my stole - and the swallowtail! I'm sort of shocked too that I've got so much of both done.

Love your pencil sketch shirt - the colours and taxtures look wonderful together, and so smoothly knit!

anphoe said...

Hi there, you have been tagged, come visit my blog :D

Octopus Knits said...

Thanks everyone for the nice comments! (And thanks again Katharine, for the yarn!)