I finished my "Memory Vest" - designed by Kristen Kapur in honor of her father - the pattern is beautiful and easy (you can get it through Ravelry or through her website) a simple donation to help fight alzheimers grants you the key to make your own... this is the first cabling project I have made and I loved doing it - I made an excel spreadsheet that lists out each chart and its repeat - it helped me keep track although I was still able to mess up a time or two and forced myself to rip back... but I did it and I'm proud!  I can't wait to model and show it off! :)

On other news, I have a friend that has posed a challenge - her grandmother passed away while knitting a baby sweater for her yet to be born great great grandchild - the lineage is all a little confusing to try to write - but the jist of the story is that there's no pattern and only the back was completed - my friend would LOVE to get the little baby sweater completed - and I know that we can figure out the sweater pattern issues, but I'm not sure what the stitch pattern it!  If anyone has any idea, please email me and let me know what it is... once I find this out, we can figure out the rest of the pattern.  It's part of the family history that this wonderful lady would knit each newborn a sweater - and we want the future first great great grandchild to have this sweater that was started for him/her..

 

help?  Thanks for any info or thoughts you have!!

This is my new dress form / mannequin - I got it through Studio Rox online - they're made in NY I believe and it looks a lot like the ones from Abercrombie and Fitch - pretty vintage looking - I must admit I would prefer a "real" old form, but the chances of finding a MALE one (yes, this is a "male" form) and in my size (36" chest; I'm a small guy) is pretty far fetched.  The plan for the form is to use it for designing, assembling, etc. and mostly for assembling components in freeform knitting... He doesn't have a name yet... any ideas? - for now it will live in the office - next to my rusty "K" and my EEG machine - which I got from a Dr's office in Pasadena - it's one of the original prototypes for the real one - from the dr. who helped invent it - (I know, I know... I'm strange)

The form arrived quick via UPS, in 2 boxes and is a cinch to assemble, although the directions don't make a ton of sense... I plan on re-doing the metal plates that cover the arm holes - making them wood, and replacing or painting the knob at the top with either wood or something - I already changed out the screws on the armholes to be brass to more match the gold paint they made them... I love my new toy! 

On the form right now is the zip up cardigan I made earlier this year...

while I was cleaning up this afternoon, I ran across more of my squares for the mitered square blanket!  It inspired me to clean up the next batch of squares that I have completed - these 10 make a total of 20 squares completed and ready for assembly - I pinned them to size and blocked them out so that they're all ready to go when it's time.  I have about 30-40 squares to go before I'll assemble... If you ever make the mitered square blanket, be sure to weave in your ends as you go or they'll make you cry.  I'm happy to say that 20 squares are knitted, blocked, trimmed and all ready to go when the time comes!

I also finished the rust raglan sweater this past weekend, but haven't taken any photos of it - I'm also days away from finishing the snowflake sweater - it needs its zipper and then it'll be done too! 

I have revised and updated the shop a bit - I completed design for the first of the Animal Rescue card series - here it is - featuring Willow - my 3 legged baby - it's up for sale on the shop now - remember, proceeds are going to an animal rescue center - what better way to send a note than to have it do "double duty" and help save a pet - This critter is my life and soul - along with her sister (Winky), they are beyond wonderful and loving.  Anyone who has a rescue animal understands - but those of us lucky enough to harbor animals that were not only saved but also have endured tragedy know a special love.  Willow is missing her leg, Winky is missing one of her eyes (the rumor is that she was the victim of a nasty fight) - they are both lucky now - sleeping in the sun during the day...

If you have an animal you'd like to feature on the animal rescue card series, email me - I'm accepting contributions of photos - and if you're in the Los Angeles area, and you have a rescue pet you'd like me to photograph, get in touch and we'll work something out!

On the knitting front, I have finished the back of my "Dr. G's Memory Vest"... I am *almost* done with the snowflake sweater... I just knitted a square for a blanket that will be auctioned off to raise money for Breast Cancer research... and this past weekend I organized the yarn to continue the trudging along on my circle blanket.  Lots of knitting to do... I just need more hours in the day! :)

I ordered my needle gauge pendant from Dream Weaver Yarns out of NY - I got it 2 days later (remember, I'm in California!) - I was impressed with the speed - and once I opened the package, I was impressed with the product!  As far as I can tell, it's made of enameled aluminum - I handed it to Gregg along with a needle, and he tried it out - "size 8" he said - confidently - and he was right (I guess it works haha) - I had been wanting a good needle gauge that was compact, contemporary and fun and stylish - this one from Debra's Garden is all that and MORE!

I ordered the Teal one - it's a bit bigger than I thought it would be - I guess you could use it as a pendant on a necklace (if you're a girl) but for me it's a bit too big - at least for jewelry! :)

It was $16 + 4.95 shipping/handling which totals out to $20.95- what an awesome gift for knitter friends - the holidays are coming up - or even just a gift for Stitch and Bitch pals you want to show you care... I should have bought a few of them but only got one.

Go to their website and order up one or two - and let 'em know that Kyle sent ya! :) - every knitter who has seen mine now wants one - trust me - it's the coolest gauge I have ever seen.... and thought I should let you know!

Craftyminx tagged me - so I'm doing my duty :) she's super cool - go check her out!

What was I doing 10 years ago?
 I was working in Tennessee as a decorator at a furniture store - moving furniture and painting walls - I LOVED what I did but the pay wasn't much - I also was going to school at Middle Tennessee State University pursuing a degree in Interior Design which didn't ever get finished.

Five snacks I enjoy:
1. Trail Mix (the kind with M&M's in it!)
2. GOLDEN SPOON Frozen Yogurt!

3. A bowl of cereal (LIFE) with a scoop of peanut butter in it
4. cut up orange or peach in a bowl of vanilla yogurt
5. scoops and mild salsa

Five things on my to-do list today:
1. Do research for logo
2. Finish a specification book for work
3. Call my mommy
4. get some knitting done
5. Try to find a card to send with a gift I finished yesterday


Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
1. Pay off debt - mine, moms, my sister's...
2. Start an animal rescue and hire family members to run it
3. Create a scholarship fund for people who need direction but don't have the means (which doesn't always meen textbook poor)
4. Buy lots of yarn and goodies and make things for others - maybe own a yarn shop (an ultimate dream)
5. Travel and randomly buy people's food or pay their fees - giving back has proven for me to be the best way to live


Five jobs I have had:
Movie Theater Concessions (ick)
Furniture Sales
Mail Sorting (by computer) for the USPS
Art Room Assistant (at Boys and Girls Club)
Plumbing and Hardware Specialist (for high end residential projects)

Five of my bad habits:
1. Starting things that I don't finish -
2. A little messy
3. Not giving myself any credit
4. Getting stuck on one kind of song and playing it till it's wayyyy burnt
5. Baking or cooking or whatever but not cleaning up my mess

Five places I have lived:
1. New Middletown, IN (I consider my "hometown")
2. Covina, CA (for exactly 1 year)
3. Glendale (Phoenix, AZ)
4. Coldwater, MS (for 6 weeks!)
5. Pacific Grove, CA (the most beautiful)

Five people I want to get to know better (yes, this means you are tagged!)
Tagging is always a dangerous thing - but here goes - I hope my buddies will play nicely :)
VT Knit Boy
Janice Rosema
Geek Knitter
Homespun
Jadielady
Check each of them out and see what they have to say - they're all amazing people :)

Five random things
1. I have 2 rescued kitties - Winky and Willow - they're my life
2. I lived in more than 30 places my first 30 years - and I am not an army brat.... (I am a brat; just not an army one!) hehe
3. I don't give money to homeless people, but if I have money and time, I'll buy them lunch - if they have a pet with them, I have been known to spend my lunch money buying dog food and bottled water and snacks for both of them...
4. I talk to trees and birds and rocks and clouds - (they don't talk back; I just sometimes say hello to them) - I don't know if they don't talk because they don't understand English or spoken language) or possibly because they don't like me... I just pretend they listen...  (OK; I'm crazy.)
5. Every time I go to a musical, I secretly want to be on stage - I wish I could dance but I missed the day dance talent was passed out - 

Have a great day everyone!