Apple Hat and Cowl

All right then, another hat, and quickie Cowl done.

Pumpkin Hat and Cowl

This was one of those days that startitis hit me.
I had, at work, yarn for a pumpkin hat for my grandson; Kimono Jacket WIP and a hoodie WIP for my granddaughter.

I started the pumpkin hat at my lunch time, and continued when I came home. The pattern is a combination of several Pumpkin Hat patterns from the web. That is why there is no link to the pattern.

As the evening progressed, I started thinking of a gift for a friend, and spent almost an hour looking for yarn which was in my mind for the gift. Guess what, I didn't find that yarn, but found some other yarn that I started using. I also found a pattern almost immediately. It is listed in Ravelry, but linked to this blog. It is called "Quickie Cowl.

These are pictures of the yarn, and the start of the cowl for my friend.

She likes green, and I hope this
gift will please her.

Kimono Jacket

Here is my wip on Kimono Jacket, so far.

Do you like my blocking tools? (scotch tape)

There is no chart or drawing of the pieces with the pattern instructions, but I think that the wider part is one side of the back and the narrow part is part of a sleeve. I could be wrong, but nah, no.

I am loving this work, and can't think of anything else to make right now. Let's see how long this mood is going to last.

This morning I spent over an hour fixing pictures from my Portland trip (over 300 pictures in all), and then, duh, forgot to save the changes.

Must love Picasa, I went back to see if there are any interesting pictures (I had closed the dang thing), and there it was "save the changes?" WOW, I clicked on it, and all my changes are there in my files. Somehow I feel happy. Little things make me happy. Just like seeing all kinds of bridges when sitting in that Max train.

I'm still seriously thinking of knitting a hoodie, but have not found a pattern that I reeeeeellly like. There is a nice pattern in Big Girl's knitting book, called Susie Hoodie, which I like very much.

Startitis strikes again

I was to tell you more about Portland trip, but I got distracted with some new projects.
One of them is a Kimono Striped Jacket, pattern from Crystal Palace Yarns.

Since I am not even near feeling comfortable in those colors, I decided to make mine with colors that suit my whims. This is a sample of my new project.



I have done quite a bit already, and starting to increase stitches to over 280, ack!
Other than that, I have been checking my stash room and finding many UFOs that should be worked on as soon as possible.
However, as my startitis aches my being, I have not been able to work on one project for too long.

Here is some pictures from Portland, just to keep my promise of showing more pictures.




















I really like the costume Laurie was wearing. She even had her "hook" with her.






My freeform vest from the back.










I took a freeform
knitting class with Jenny Dowde. It was an interesting experience. I learned a few new tricks, and lots of inspiration. Jenny is a wonderful instructor, and her work is amazing.









My friend Janet and I spent a wonderful time together. We had smoothies every chance we got, and she told me how to make them at home. We went downtown, got some souvenirs and went to Powell's book store (of course). I bought Melissa Leapman's book "Hot Knits".

We also went to see the artesan, which was overwhelmingly large. I was dead tired by the time we had gone thru four aisles. That meant that we headed back to the hotel to take a rest before dinner and Fashion Show. Janet has some fashion show pictures in her blog.

I was pleased to meet Jorel from California and Bonnie from Washington state. We have "talked" by e-mails in our Freeform group, but meeting the person in real life is a wonderful experience. When I heard someone talking about me behind me, at a lineup in a cafe, I turned around and there was Vashti. WOW,
that was amazing. We had a quick hug, and some words and my smile lasted a long time after that. I guess until I started eating my lunch.










Of course I was also delighted to meet Margaret, Myra, Mel, Noreen, Pam and Crochet Dude, and many, many other friends from our International Freeform group.

Portland, OR part 2

It was early in the morning when I went to the airport. The flight to Vancouver was over 4 hours, which worked out quite well, with some napping and watching the personal screen in front of me.

Vancouver airport. What can I say? It's nice and fairly big, and modern. HOWEVER, why in the friggggging world didn't the builders put some moving walkways? I think I stepped on one or maybe two, and that's it. To get to Portland gate I had to walk forever, and thensome. Plus I had to leave my orange juice bottle at the security, even though I had just bought it, inside the airport.
Oh, I know, I know, you don't have to tell me. And I knew I couldn't take it inside the secure area.

I had a long sip of the juice before I threw it in the bin, where all the other prohibited items were.

As soon as I got to the other side, another bottle was in my bag. Somewhat expensive orange juice, don't ya think?

Portland! Airport! My aim was for Red Lion Hotel by the Convention Center. I remembered the talk about this MAX train. I found it and it was FREE, can you believe it?

Arrived at the hotel, and met Janet, my friend from California. She had driven 1000 miles just to meet me. That is so special.

We settled into our hotel room and chatted and chatted. Then I decided that I was hungry and Janet had no objections. We walked across the street to Burgerville.

I had fish and chips. Janet had sweet potato fries, and a smoothie. My late lunch was great, but I didn't care too much for the sweet potato fries. I took one to taste from Janet's serving.

After the meal we headed towards the convention center and then to the Knit and Crochet Show Vendors' Market.
I did buy yarn, even though I had promised everyone else but me that I would not buy any. How can you resist, when there are so many yummy yarns calling your name. More coming another day.

Portland, OR

I am feverishly working on my freeform vest, and this has been a real ordeal. There has been a lot of frogging, crocheting, tears, heart palpitations, joy, and frustration.

The best part is that I will be leaving on Thursday morning, and getting to Portland in the afternoon.

I am not sure how the vest is going to look, but I will take it with me, and then if there are any
corrections to be made, I will do that when I get back home.

Talk to you after my trip.