Sweater Vest

Well, after 48 hours, as predicted, I would like to present the Berkshire Sweater Vest. The neckline is bound off and the pullover is ready for sleeves. I'm actually pleasantly surprised. After reading a few other blogs on how tedious, heavy, slow going this sweater was, I was a little concerned that I would hate the pattern. But I love the simplicity of it. The yarn is just gorgeous and I can't wait to finish the sleeves so I can cast on the next one for my dad. And judging by the 3 or 4 "make me one, I'd love to have a sweater like that's" that I got this weekend from friends, I'd say this pattern is definitely a winner, and there's no question that I'll make this quite a few more times before I reture the pattern. Just for the record, I knit an extra inch of length for the torso, the guy I'm knitting this for is 6"2'.

Sorry about the awful pictures, but a flash in low light at 1 am doesn't make for great pictures.

:-)

Berkshire Progress

I know this sweater is part of Weekend Knitting, but they really weren't kidding. You could probably finish this entire sweater in a weekend if you're willing to forgo showers, meals, and contact with any human beings whatsoever. While I have absolutely no intention of going the weekend without bathing, after a very exciting Friday night of knitting and season 2 of House, I have 13" of the 17 that I need before I split the sweater for the armholes. I figure about 3 more episodes will get me to that point, then it's 8" on each side and then the sleeves. Okay, so maybe a long weekend would be needed, but if you gave up sleep altogether, you could finish the whole thing, but a vest....absolutely. Yes! If you forgot about the sleeves, it would be totally feasible to finish this sweater in a weekend. And don't even think about answering a phone...

:-)

The B's: Berkshire Pullover and Babbling...

This baby (Berkshire Pullover from Weekend Knitting) is swatched and ready to go!Nothing like psyching yourself up to do hours upon hours of mindless stockinette in the round.....Whooohooo!!!!!!

Honestly, I can't wait to see the finished product. I LOVE this sweater. I even love the mind numbingness of the pattern. What I love most is that it's knit in the round. I love knitting in the round. Knitting in the round = no seams!!!!!!!!!

Even though I can finish pretty decently, nothing makes me want to tear my hair out more than weaving in unnecessary ends. Case in point, all of the Christmas presents I've done so far are all knit in the round, (top down when possible). So far, I have two of Wendy's Girlfriend School Spirit Sweaters and one of Julia's Honeymoon Cami completed, as well as another Honeymoon underway (pics to follow shortly). I loved every minute of both of these patterns...obviously...i've made them both twice. And I can't thank either of these brilliant women enough for creating such wonderful patterns. I almost, ALMOST, don't want to wait until Christmas to give my handknits to their very lucky recipients.

Because what do you do when you give the present before the holiday. I'm a little CRAZY when it comes to that holiday time of year. I can't keep a surprise to save my life, so every year, I end up giving my sister, my cousin, friends, whomever....their present before Christmas. So what happens; I feel so horrible that they won't be able to open a present from me on Christmas that I will BUY THEM ANOTHER PRESENT. INSANE...I am INSANE!!!!! And I know I do it. I do it every year. I do it on birthdays. Birthdays are even worse....But this year, this year will be different, simply because I am making EVERYONE their present this year, and the idea of making two gifts for everyone I have to knit for is just enough to keep me from giving anyone anything. So welcome to one of my little idiosyncrasies....and while we're at it, babbling is another one....once I get going, I just won't shut up....but at least it gives you something to read....

:-)

P.S. The Berkshire Sweater is being knit on size 13 Addi Turbos *swoon* with 8 skeins (i hope) of Morehouse Bulky Merino. I bought 9, just in case, so if there's extra, I'm feeling a hat....

Ladybug, ladybug fly away home...

About an hour ago a ladybug landed on me while I was crocheting squares for a friendship afghan. About twenty minutes later, two more ladybugs landed on my lampshade. Apparently I'm the luckiest person on the planet...because not one window is open in my house. Then I got to thinking, maybe the wish I had made on those ladybugs wasn't the right wish to make when ladybug number four showed up, shortly followed by number five. So I changed my wish, and sure enough, ladybug number six just landed. Maybe I have a better shot at finishing all those Christmas presents this year after all....

:-)

Where to begin?

I learned to knit and crochet when I was 17, and the rest as they say, is history. A friend taught me how to cast on and knit (incorrectely) and I learned to purl from my step-father's sister (who also corrected my cast on issue). From the second I cast on I couldn't put my needles down... size 10 1/2, 2 skeins of Lionbrand Homespun in Antique...garter stitch....ugh!... Let's just say I danced around the house a bit after learning to purl...

My Aunt taught me how to crochet, which sadly made me abandon my needles for a few months (crochet is just so much faster, I didn't even care how much more yarn it took to make something). Fortunately I got bored with granny squares and scarves, so I picked up the needles again and haven't looked back. I'm sure I'll develop carpal tunnel in the near future, but in the meantime I'll just keep knitting like a madwoman, swearing to myself I'll actually get every Christmas present I have planned finished in time.....three down....about 9,000 to go....wish me luck!

:-)