For Christmas, James received an i-pod. So yesterday, when I was looking for something to knit, he just happened to mention wanting a case for his i-pod... so, this was born.

Before this, I've never felted anything. Can you believe that? It's true.

I had so much fun seeing this take shape that I'm feeling more drawn toward felted objects at the moment. I want to do something in fair isle and felt that! How fun that will be to felt it by hand and watch the stitches shrink into something different. It reminds me of the old shrinky dinks from my childhood... which, for some reason, I've been thinking of lately.

We'll see how much time I end up having and what takes priority. This would certainly be fun to do though! It's high on my fun-list.

If you're interested in this sort of felted cozy, here are my notes. I don't plan on making it into a pattern unless people really want it.

Yarn used: Cascade Ecological Wool
Needle size: US 10 (6 mm)

Swatch: CO 23 sts, work in St st for 18 rows, BO all sts.
Measurements before felting:
23 sts = 6”
18 rows = 33⁄4”
Measurements after felting:
23 sts = 51⁄2”
18 rows = 21⁄2”

I-Pod Cozy:
CO 26 sts. (RS) Work in St st for 32 rows, end after a WS row.
(RS) BO 11 sts, work to end—15 sts rem. (WS) BO 2 sts, work to end—13 sts rem. Flap: Work 22 more rows, end after a RS row. (WS) BO all sts knitwise.

Strap: CO 26 sts. (RS) Work in St st for 3 rows. (WS) BO all sts knitwise.

Seam around case leaving flap unsewn. Sew side edges of Strap across front of case approx 1" down from BO edge of case. Hand felt in hot water.

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As 2008 comes to a close...

December 22nd, 2008

Here is a survey that I did last year and figured it would be fun to do again this year.

As 2008 comes to an end...

01) Where did you begin 2007?
I think I was in my apartment with friends, can't really remember it clearly though...

02) What was your status by Valentine's Day?
Still in love with James. Is that what this is asking?

03) Were you in school (anytime this year)?
Nope.

04) How did you earn your money?
Working at CEY, tech editing for Interweave Press, and submitting knit and crochet designs to multiple publications.

05) Did you have to go to the hospital?
Yes! Ugh... I don't wish a kidney stone on ANYONE!

06) Did you have any encounters with the police?
No! (knock on wood, the year's not over yet…)

07) Where did you go on holidays?
Since it didn't specify which holidays:
My memory's not as good as it was last year. I couldn't tell you what I did on any of the holidays... So I guess they weren't super eventful.

08) What did you purchase that was over $1000
The Mindful Knitting retreat I went on in march was the biggest expense I've had so far this year.

09) Did you know anybody who got married?
Yes, Cecily Glowik MacDonald.

10) Did you know anyone that passed away?
Wow, no funerals this year? wow.

11) Did you move anywhere?
Yes. Into a new apartment with a yard and a deck.

12) What concerts/shows did you go to?
This is going to have to stay the same as last year:
I see a concert at my apartment very often. James—my favorite band.

13) Are you registered to vote?
Yep

15) Where do you live now?
That can have a multitude of answers. I think the most accurate one is that I live in my body; an alternate answer would be Massachusetts... but it's nothing new. I've been here my whole life.

16) Describe your birthday?
I remember having a salad smorgasbord at my dad's house. That was really tasty.

17) What's one thing you thought you'd never do but did in 2008?
Moved! hehe... no, I'm serious. I dreadlocked my hair, and finally submit my book proposal to my favorite publisher.

18) What has been your favorite moment?
I'm sure there were many, but the one I can think of right now was when I heard that my mom's surgery went much easier than expected. I was SO relieved.

19) Any new additions to your family?
Not yet.

20.) What was your best month?
I think January through August were all pretty good.

21.) What was your worst month?
End of Setpember; beginning of October

22) Made new friends?
Sure.

23) Favorite Night out?
I've had a few favorite nights in… but I don't go "out" much.

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TNNA - San Diego

December 18th, 2008

I'm finally going! I was talking casually with Cecily Glowik MacDonald yesterday, about if she was going, and somehow it turned into a conversation about planning our trip! She ordered plane tickets last night (well, early this morning).

I was originally planning on going to the Fall show in June, but I think it will be more beneficial if I go to this one. There have been a few people who have hinted at wanting to meet me at a TNNA show, and this show especially. So... I'll be there!

I'm really excited about meeting so many people who I've spoken with, and worked with, and reconnecting with people who I've met before. Some people specifically are: Anne Merrow, Ann Budd, Melissa LaBarre, Robyn Chachula, Kim Werker, Marly (Yarn Thing), Vashti Braha, Tara Jon Manning, Amy Singer, Cookie A, Romi, Kate Gilbert, Toni Rexroat, Tanis Gray, oh the list goes on... But those are a few of the people I hope to see there.

Are you going?

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Thank you Jessica!

December 17th, 2008

A weekend without obligations can be pretty productive. I was finally able to organize (and unpack) my stash and UFO's! I've never done that before... I began knitting while living at our previous apartment. So, when the apartment was originally organized, we didn't take into consideration where to put the yarn (god forbid!). Of course, since we've moved into our new place, that was one of the first things on my mind, but I've been making myself wait until I could give my yarn and UFO's the loving attention they deserved.

I must have spent the majority of Saturday weeding through yarn and pulling out partial balls and acrylic yarns that I may never use. My mom and little sister would ceratinly love them, so they're in a few bags in my car, waiting to be sifted through. I'm sure they'll enjoy their new home, where they will certainly be loved, and used to create something.

Sunday was spent photographing and categorizing the yarn I decided to keep. I'm pretty sure most of my old stash consisted of yarns that were borrowed from Classic Elite for swatching. Now that those have been returned, I'm really amazed at how small my stash actually is. It's able to fit into a 2 x 2 foot wooden box-like table, that I'm keeping readily available beside my desk, and in two knitting bags which hide nicely below said desk.

When I was through playing with my yarns and UFO's, I sat down at the computer and finished up a new sock design. A knitter I met through working at CEY—Jessica—is the best test knitter I know. She follows the pattern to the T, and if she has ANY questions what-so-ever, she'll call. I really love that about her. She actually TESTS the pattern, and doesn't just knit the garment. I felt really confident after she worked through this sock pattern that it's ready for the world. So, here they are—the Petal Socks.

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Christmas Knitting Begins!

December 11th, 2008

I stopped at Michaels last night and picked up a spool of steel craft wire to play/knit with. When I got home I pulled it out and while baking some brownies and doing laundry, I knit up a test-foundation for a bracelet I want to make for someone for Christmas. Once I learn if this person prefers silver or gold I'll order the wire for the actual bracelet and hope it gets here in time for me to make one for Christmas.

As I said, this is the foundation, there is another knitted piece to go with it, and there are beads involved. I'm amazed with the elegance of this design. Rosemary really did a great job with this (and the rest of her book too!) I may actually complete this one too and give it to my little sister. She's 11 and it won't matter to her that it's not knit up in sterling silver. She'll be happy with it no matter what.

I've been thinking about these earrings too! Perfect timing... right before Christmas.

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Free time?

December 9th, 2008

I really can't believe it... no super time consuming freelance obligations? What will I do with my time?

Oh, that's an easy question! There are 3 designs that I have knit up that need to be photographed and put onto my website. One pair of socks and two spring-time garments. With the snow just beginning to fall, I figure I have a little time before many people will be thinking of spring-time knitting. But I promise I won't wait TOO long. I know I've been wanting to wear these sweaters, and it's been hard preventing myself from doing so until after they're photographed.

I'm not sure yet what I'm going to do about Christmas... I want to make things for everyone, but TOTALLY don't have the time to do that this year (again).

About a month ago, I began knitting a Kata scarf from Tara Jon Manning's Mindful Knitting book for my yoga instructor. I'm hoping that will be finished by Christmas. I'm using Crystal Palace Kid Merino in a fern colored multi. I absolutely love the way it's coming out. The idea of the Kata scarf is to put thoughts of gratitude toward the recipient as it's being knit. I must admit, when I began knitting the scarf I wasn't sure who it would be for, so I was being just grateful in general, but then a new yoga instructor arrived at the studio I go to, and I knew without a doubt that this scarf was meant for her. She's such a beautiful, light spirit who's teaching style jives really well with my style of learning.

I'm also seriously considering working on some of the jewlery projects from Rosemary Hill's Elements of Style book. As I was tech editing this one, there were a few people who came to mind for many of these projects. However I'm slightly nervous about Christmas only being 2 weeks away and working on teeny-tiny needles... I guess I'd better pull out the book tonight and get started!

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Zoom!

December 1st, 2008

What a productive weekend! I LOVE weekends when I can get lots and lots done. Long ones are especially nice.

Going into this weekend I had to complete tech editing 5 patterns and write one really complicated monster that I'm SOOO happy to be finished with. Hopefully all will go well in the editing process and I won't need to fret about rearranging those numbers again. Phew!

While I did take a little time to celebrate the holiday with family and friends, my main priority this weekend was to finish up as many of these projects as humanly possible. There are still a few left, but it felt good to finish up what I was able to.

James and I also had a mini-photoshoot on Sunday. It was beautifully overcast in the morning, so we spent a little time enjoying our new back yard and photographing a couple sweaters. One is a secret, the other is my Beatrice sweater that I love so dearly. It was originally photographed on a mannequin, which didn't do the sweater much justice. Hopefully these new photos give a much better representation of how wonderful this sweater really is.

I have a plan of someday reknitting this sweater (or something very similar) using Plymouth's Homestead yarn. From what I've read about the yarn I'm hoping the gauge will be comperable. Then I'll have 2 of these fun sweaters! … but my knitting time has been so sparce these days, who knows when/if I'll ever actually have the time to knit one of these up. Step 1 would be to get the yarn… maybe I'll ask for it for Christmas.

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My Raw journey

Patterns for Sale

Tweed Beret

Violet, the Slouchy Head Friend

Lush Woven Scarf

Petal Socks

River of Life Socks

Crochet Motif Cardigan

Beatrice Ribbed Tie Coat