The KALs

So we all know that I was on board to do the Leethal KAL and that's going well... after frogging about 3 or 4 times in the beginning. I love Lee and her nontraditional way of knitting but sometimes when I start one of her patterns, I have a hard time switching gears.Just telling my brain that yes, I can knit it that way. Anyhow, once I got on track, it went great. Here is my first clue:

 















I like it and I'm super stoked to see where this is gonna go.

Being that it is now Socktober, I felt I needed to add another beautiful pair of socks to my drawer. At least I hope they will be beautiful since its a mystery KAL and I have no idea what they will look like. It's called the Keep It Simple Mystery Sock Knit-a-long October 2012 (KISS Mock October 2012). The socks are a top down heel flap construction. I didn't bother taking a picture as only 13 rows of the cuff are done. I'm using some wonderful Malabrigo Sock in the Tuner colorway. Maybe you'll get a picture next time :P

Time is NOT on my side!

Yeah, I know. It's been almost a year since I started this blog thing. Apparently I'm not the commitment type. But wonderful things have happened in this span of time. I've knit many of beautiful things, cultivating my meager knitting skills. I've picked up spinning, completing my first yarn. Last, I've found a knitting group, which I've learned is an asset in my knitting world.

OK, rather than try to examine all the things I've done in the last almost-year, lets focus on things to come. For the month of October, I will be doing the Leethal Mystery Shawl KAL. I'm super excited about this as I am for all things Leethal. I love how she structures her knits and how her colors always seem to pop.

The yarn I have chosen is one ball of KnitPicks Chroma Worsted in Roller Skate and three balls of  Full Circle Worsted in Quarry. I didn't want to have to work too hard during this project so the color changing Chroma was picked to give the shawl a little color. We'll just have to wait and see...

Enticement

So I'm well on my way with this years Xmas gift's when I'm suddenly blindsided by this gorgeous hat.

Regina by Carina Spencer is my latest obsession. I dropped the hat I'm working on for my niece, found some grey and red Caron Simply Soft and went to town. I doesn't help that I have been completely frustrated by my niece's hat. On a plus, I did finish the hats for the twins. Red Heart Shimmer is perfect for the two 7 year old girls!

Acrylic: A Yarn Snob's Nightmare

I find that most knitting or crochet comments and blogs I come across take a particular sneer towards acrylic fibers. I suppose since I don't find a lot of natural fibers in my price range, I don't quite understand what the fuss is. I look at my stash and it's 98% acrylic yarn. It's affordable and comes in a variety of colors and textures.

I mainly make hats but I'm going to take a leap in to the world of sweaters. I've always wanted to make something big for myself but always dreaded the sweater idea because I'm fat. Fat mean it will take more yarn and more time. And when it comes to a non-acrylic yarn, more expensive. I'm gonna start with a simple top down raglan sweater. Wendy Bernard's Pink seems like a good choice although I do not look forward to the sea of stockinette stitch.

But first things first, I have to start and finish this years round of Xmas presents for friends and family. Yep, a bunch of hats. My ADD addled mind can't handle much more around the holiday season. I'm hoping that blogging will keep me on track.

And yes, I'm using acrylic yarn.