BeLoved Project Begins

We are coming upon my one-year anniversary as a Knitter. October represents the beginning of a new lifestyle for me that has left me forever changed. What began as a fun hobby became art, love, and life.

I met knitters far and wide throughout Chicago who opened their arms to me. And about 500,000 more on-line from all over the world.

I also found the Yarn Harlot, who I cannot thank enough for sharing her life with the world. I have spent countless nights laughing and crying with her books and checking her blog is a daily ritual of mine.

But most importantly, in the past year, I have grown to really understand what it means to be a Knitter. I have seen generousity, sisterhood, laughter, charity, and peace. Knitters are everywhere and we are improving the quality of life of those around us everyday. I love being a knitter more and more, because it allows me to touch the lives of those around me.

It is with this in mind, that I am beginning a personal project called: BeLoved.

I will be compiling images of the people I knit for posing with their knits, as well as the stories behind some of them. Also, I will chronicle images of those I have taught to knit and sent out into the world changed, as I have been.
The project is still evolving, so if you have suggestions for improvements, I would love to hear them. The basic goal of this is to display through pictures and words every time knitting has allowed me to touch the people in my life.

In other news, Christmas Knitting is in full swing. I am doing a much better job planning it this year than I did last, but I still haven't perfected my system.

Also, I am teaching a girl from work to knit and she's doing fabulously. I have another new knitting student meeting with me early next Tuesday, as well, wish him luck!

Drink Cozy Action Shots

Kelly sent me action shots of the drink cozies I sent her and her roommates. So Cute!

I was happy to see these cozies are not being used for beer. :)

In other news, I am having huge amounts of fun knitting a secret Christmas present for Richard. It's about 2/3 done and looking great so far. I have to be so stealthy when I work on it and I

have to take it with me everywhere to avoid accidental discovery. I feel like a Knitting Ninja!

You can find this image and other images by this artist here.

What I've Been Up To...

I've been away from the blog for too long, I know. Here's what I've been up to:
The Fray Concert
Lounging around the house with the dogsMany evenings spent running and playing with the dogs at Montrose Dog Beach

Trying new restaurants and eating out ALOT.
The No Doubt Concert (awesome).
John Legend and India Arie at Ravinia. We made a new friend, Hi Georgia!
Chicago Criterium.
Dad's Birthday. We ate and played bags in the backyard.
Richard got a new hat! I knit him the Koolhaas hat.
The Jason Mraz Concert.
Richard had so much fun at the Chicago Criterium, he decided to enter a race in the Downers Grove Criterium and he did great!
My little sister went away to college. She loves U of I.
I knit her and her roommates matching drink cozies in U of I colors.
Finished two Christmas stockings and cast on a third.
Cast on a Herringbone Neck Warmer and am almost done with Erin's socks.And sadly, a Goodbye Party for a friend who is following her dream of being a singer and moving to Austin. Look out Texas!

After such a hectic summer, I have begun knitting on a lot of Christmas presents and will keep you posted on my progress. Christmas is only 16 weeks away!

Extreme Sheep Herding

Trickery

It's a chilly day here in Chicago, and I am working at the boutique. I came in, opened up the shop, did some light cleaning, and then - I saw it.I immediately got excited. How perfect that the gift shop I work in would sell yarn (in my special little world, this makes perfect sense). I mean, after all, what a perfect gift! And look at those colors! I raced forward to get a closer look.
It was upon further investigation that my heart sank. This was not yarn.
These were scarves; twisted up and arranged to look like skeins of yarn (I haven't a clue why, except that the evil person who did this was clearly trying to mess with my sanity).

I feel so betrayed.

Sexy Hat for Nilo

I knit this hat for a coworker this week.He did a sexy pose to model his sexy new hat.
There is nothing better for a knitter, than making a hand knit for someone and finding that they love it and will wear it.
You can find the project specifications here. (Ravelry Link)

Find A Knitter Campaign

I have been trying to find new ways to meet knitters around the city and recently I decided to include my car in the campaign. Here it is:
Can you see it? Ok, I'll zoom in.I got this sheep at Loopy Yarns (free with $50 purchase) and decided it was too cute not to share. If you see my car parked around town, drop me a note (or some yarn)! I love meeting new knitters, and am always eager to connect over projects.

I am also considering adding a couple knitting magnets to the back of my car. That would probably be a little more obvious.

What do you do to find other knitters? Join the campaign!

Great Photos of Sheep

I came across this article on Environmental Graffiti with all of these beautiful shots of sheep and thought I would share it with you. Here's my favorite photo:It just looks so heavenly. I wish I could teleport to this exact spot in that moment (with my knitting of course). Maybe, one day, I'll see something this beautiful in person...

You can find the rest of the photos and the article here.

Here's an interesting product:This is nothing if not creative. It's Poopouri. Literally.


One more photo:This caterpillar looks like an alien.

Ready to Rock

I know it has been FOREVER since I have blogged and I'm sorry. My move turned into a three-month odyssey that separated me from my yarn and sucked up all my knitting time.

We've been a bit buried over here...
It is finally over and I am back!

Here's a quick update:

Projects I have completed:
New Ancestral Christmas Stocking from Mason-Dixon Knitting Outside the Lines (1 of 6)

Toto the Extremely Useful and Cute Potholder from Mason Dixon Knitting Outside the Lines

Projects I am working on:
Socks for Richard
Diamond Scarf for Dad

Projects I am planning on Casting On soon:
Ombre Alpaca Blanket from Last Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson
Floor Cushions from Last Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson

Market Tote Bag from KnitPicks
More Christmas Stockings

Have you seen this yet?
It's a Crochet Hook Keychain from ScoutsSwag.com. As a knitter who loses at least one crochet hook a week and otherwise can never find them anyway; this is an essential tool. I can't even imagine how much time and energy will be saved by having this on my keys! Maybe I'll attach a second one to my knitting bag...

In other news...

Nina: A Well Knit Shop is now carrying the magnetic Namaste Buddy Cases that I have been waiting for. Only $15 and they match my knitting bag!

Speaking of Nina:
Louisa Harding will be gracing Nina with her presence on Wednesday June 17th from 11am to 2pm. Come by for an informal discussion, book signing, trunk show, and light refreshments.
I can't wait to see the samples from her book:I also heard rumors on Ysolda's blog that she will be making a trip to Chicago for her own trunk show sometime this week. I have not found any definite details; last I heard she was still in Wisconsin, but I will post as soon as I get the info.
I would love to bring Erin with, so she can show Ysolda her beautiful renditions of the Cairn pattern.

One last bit of news:
Wednesdays on LiveNation.com you can buy tickets to concerts without paying those ridiculous service fees. Concertgoers everywhere are rejoicing.