Star Crossed Slouchy Beanie

I needed some gratification, so I knit this hat up this weekend with some random Plymouth Encore yarn that I had in my stash from who knows what. (It was a half finished skein! So I know I used it for something!) I knit it up using size 10 needles, because slouchy hats tend to slowly slouch off my head. I really like it! It's great for the chilly spring weather that we're having, and I think the color looks really good on me.

I finished it in the car on the way to a night out, and thought I could use it to cover up my hair. So I wore it, and people had trouble recognizing me! I recently got new glasses for work, and was wearing them because my non-safety glasses were at home, so I did look very different. Someone called it "a hipster disguise."  Here's photo evidence:

Dan and I are both constantly in a "hipster disguise." Here's some broccolini that I picked up from the organic market and we grilled (because it's never too early in the summer to convince the man in your life to cook dinner for you.)

Here's Dan adjusting the grill while holding a craft beer.

Hipster disguises, guys.

Finally, something to show for my efforts!

Attention feels like it's been spread really thin lately. Reading, weight loss, exercising... there hasn't been much room for knitting. But really, I think it's because I've been knitting less due to stress, sickness, etc. Yesterday I took the whole day off to recover from a pretty miserable kidney infection (it was also my last day on antibiotics, but I still feel kind of crummy) and I spent yesterday and today taking it easy - knitting, reading, and going for walks.

Finally, I have something to show for my effort! A Dan's blueberry waltz socks are done!

I was really proud... until he tried them on. The heel is just way, way, way too tight. I don't know what to do here - on the last socks I made him, the heel fit well! He says he doesn't mind it, but I mind it! For all the time and effort, they should fit like a glove.

Anyway, he told me not to worry, which felt patronizing, but I'm going to trust him. When I'm re-making the heel in a year's time because they wore out, I'll point to this post as an I told you so!

Other than the socks, I'm making progress on my puppycat and my little afghan for my hope chest. Slowly but surely. I haven't really been in a mental state to read blogs though... I've just gotten gloomy from it, so I hope ya'll will forgive me. Have less awesome lives, darn it! :P

Bonus photo of my landlord's adorable cat, Curtis:

And I'm Off! On a new pair of socks!

I started these almost as soon as I'd finished the Reeses Pieces socks.  They are socks for Dan, made out of Zauberball Crazy that I had in my stash.  I am knitting them one row at a time, like my Watermelon Waltz socks, and it's been fun going! I really like the way the yarn works up.  This may be my go-to "design" for zauberball crazy, haha! And it's so simple and lovely.  I'm calling these "Blueberry Waltz" socks, because the blues, purples, and greens remind me of blueberries. Here's a photo, but the colors aren't really true to life (darn daylight light that I have isn't always the best)

The first time we went to Maine (Before he even asked me to "go steady" we went on vacation together with his family in Maine! Can you believe him?!) his little cousin dressed up as a blueberry patch for a costume contest on the island.  I remember that she looked so adorable, with blueberry branches and blue and purple balloons.

Anyway, that's the memory of the week.  And here's my project of the week.  My knitting is set to speed up, since I'm mostly recovered from my wrist injury last summer.  Maybe soon I'll be able to look at other knitting blogs again without feeling sorry for myself!

Reeses Pieces Socks Finished!

I finished them over the weekend, and I have to say I love the yarn.  They knit up so well, and the stripes are STRIPEY and fun. I couldn't resist just using plain stockinette.  The fabric is so lovely as is, I didn't want to muddle it with a pattern (but that's how I feel about most self-striping yarn!)

I knit them two at a time, and just kept knitting until I felt my calves were too big.  I could have increased the number of stitches and kept going, but I just didn't want to. I felt like it was the right length.

One thing I love about this yarn is that the striping pattern isn't mirrored - so the socks don't quite match. One sock was knit from one end, the other from the other, so the stripes don't line up and they have a mismatched look!

The pair was 70 grams, which means I am just short of making a third sock! Though that might be for the best, since 3 socks of the same would confuse me down the line. 

If you're interested, I bought the yarn from the Revelations of a Delusional Knitter.  Her blog is here, and her shop is here!

Change of Address

My ymail account has been hacked.  AGAIN! So, I'm just going to stop using it.  If you need to contact me, send me an email at alyoopsknitting AT gmail DOT com.

Boo yahoo! :(

I have Centerpiece photos!

My Seattle trip was amazing.  I love Seattle, the energy and vibe is really great.  The wedding was perfect, and we're all happy (except, of course, that I'm not still in Seattle :( )

I forgot to take photos of the centerpieces with my camera, but Alysia was kind enough to send me these photos that were taken by their photographer, Jeremiah Sjoberg.  And they are absolutely amazing. I'm wondering if I can save up money to have all my FOs photographed by him! :P

These may be the most epic photographs of wedding centerpieces that ever was.  Really.  I'm totally blown away by these!

So, a great FO finished! And please check out Jeremiah's website if you have any photography needs!

Blizzard and Inspiration

The snow is coming down today across New England, and Dan and I are at home because our workplaces are closed! Which is good... because there is no way I'm driving in this weather.

So, what to do? Watch cartoons, duh! I discovered Bee and Puppycat through a friend, and I am obsessed.

If you haven't seen it and have ten minutes, you need to watch it NOW.

Ok, now you're back.  So, I'm going to make a puppycat.

Thankfully I got a gift certificate to WEBS for Christmas from some cool people, so I ordered the yarn today! It should be in next week. 

I'm really excited.  I haven't had a strong inspiration like this to knit for a long time. Hopefully it doesn't fizzle out! :(