Saturday, October 3, 2009

October Knitting

In the first 2 days of October I made a Thorpe hat for myself....okay, I kindof made it twice. I used super bulky yarn instead of bulky and the first one turned out HUGE so I ripped it back to row 10 (56 stitches) and stopped increasing there. When I got to the bottom I BO 22 stitches for the front, 10 sts on each ear flap, and BO 10 sts for the back. If I were to do it again I would only BO 20 sts in the front and have 11 on each ear flap. It still turned out great and it is super warm. I usually wear a size medium and it fits great, so that is what I would guess for a size.

I started Kernel today using my Edward Cullen Silk Sock yarn from Fresh from the Cauldron. I love this yarn and its colorway! It is so soft and nice to work with. I can't bring myself to use the gorgeous yarn on socks. I really like this pattern too. I am leaving off the beads but it is looking great so far. I'm a bit nervous about the grafting because I have never done it before and I really don't want to screw it up!!

October classes are up for HPKCHC. So far I have:
I want to fit My Thorpe in there somewhere since I made it this month. I have to start on Layton's xmas stocking for my OWL as well. And make more hats for Quidditch!

So far it looks like October will be a good knitting month....especially if the weather stays so crappy :(

And I am still on track for my weight loss work. I lost 6 pounds so far and I can finally fit in one pair of my too small jeans :)

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Unitarian Universalist

I started attending the UU church in my area and I really like it. I wish I would have found it before. I feel very comfortable there, something that has never happened at any other church I've been to. They also have tons of different programs that I am interested in. I just have to remind myself that I can't sign up for everything right away :)

I'm thinking about joining the choir. I am not a very good singer....I'm hoping that some direction would make me better...really hoping. This morning a little girl (probably about 9yrs old) sang a solo and it was amazing.

I love how many programs they have to help the community and the environment. It just feels like a great place to be.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Enough is enough

Alright, I have said this many times before but I really mean it now. I need to lose weight! My clothes aren't fitting well and I feel terrible about myself. I need to make my wedding dress and I refuse to do it when I look like this (luckily I have a little over a year until the wedding).

So, starting today I am on a weight loss journey. I won't even pretend that I won't eat any sweets. My body would probably shrivel up and die if I didn't give it some chocolate :) I do need to exercise more and limit my intake of sweets though.

My goal is to lose 20 pounds by Christmas.

I know I can do this!!!

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

WIPs, WIPs, WIPs

Okay, I have a problem, I admit it. I love to start projects!! I like finishing them to but I have a major case of startitis and I start way more projects than I finish.

This month in the HPKCHC the classes are awesome and I can take something from my queue for every assignment. I have big hopes of getting things done this month. I should take myself to detention and finish all my WIPs....but hey, what fun is that? :)

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Long Time

Okay, so it has been a really long time since I posted.....naughty me. This summer has been pretty busy and lately I haven't been doing much knitting or crocheting. I have been walking a lot and I am determined to lose some weight.

As for the project front, I started the Baby Starghan for Jen's baby (I think it is a girl but they decided to not find out) that is due in October. The project is perfect because her theme is "Twinkle, twinkle little star" in light green, brown, and tan.

The new term of HPKCHC starts on September 1st and I am excited. The next round of Reducio has started as well so I will definitely keep busy :)

Friday, May 1, 2009

New Term for HPKCHC and surgery

Yay, the new term starts today!!! I also had surgery on my foot earlier this morning. Everything went well and I'm feeling pretty good. The best part is that I have the next 4 weeks off of work :) I will be getting lots of knitting and crocheting done. The down side is that I pretty much can't do anything except sit on the couch :( I can't put any pressure on the foot so I can't even drive!

Good thing the new term of HPKCHC starts today so that I have something to do. This term I am Prefect and Quidditch Captain again and I am also the TA for Muggle Studies. I already have some ideas for projects.

I will be doing Fawkes for DADA but I am making it a fingerless mitts pattern instead of socks since I won't be able to put a sock on my right foot for over a month. It works great because Fawkes is the May KAL pattern for the Harry Potter Knit along grop :)

Saturday, March 14, 2009

When will winter and sick season end?

I'm sick again! I have been more sick this winter than for the last 5 years combined. I guess it has to do with Layton being sick all the time and me taking care of him but sheesh, enough is enough. At least I don't have any plans this weekend except to knit and crochet, and that can be done while I'm sick.

I'm making great progress on my Herbology and Potions OWLs. Charms is probably a lost cause to finish by the end of the month and we will see about Arithmancy. I have way to many things in my queue and now I am itching to start new projects. I have to finish some of my WIPs first though, they are starting to get out of hand!

Yesterday I stopped at my LYS and picked up some new yarn :) Five skeins of yummy Malabrigo Merino Worsted and 5 balls of this really fun Jojoland Melody Superwash.



Now I just have to get some darn WIPs out of the way so that I can play with my new pretties :)

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

New Month=New Projects

Well, first of all...I got into the Vamp yarn club!!!!!!! ::squee:: As you can tell, I am super excited. I already have patterns picked out for some of the yarn...too bad I don't get any until May.

As far as the House Cup goes here are the projects I will be working on:

Herbology: baby things for my boss and coworkers' new babies
DADA: Patons Cabled Bag
Charms: Elf Hats - Tea Cozy Hat (I will learn how to and only use continental knitting!)
CoMC: Paw print bookmark
Arithmancy: Unsure as of yet

I also have to finish my 4 OWLs....this will be a busy month :)

Sunday, March 1, 2009

TGIM (Thank Goodness its March)

I did not have a very good February and I'm so glad it is over. Nothing really bad or major happened, it was just a rough month. I'm pretty sure I suffer from seasonal depression and I just had no energy to do anything...I didn't even feel like knitting or crocheting!!

Luckily I got some oompf back towards the end of the month and I was able to finish projects for all my House Cup classes except for History of Magic. I even reached the 25% mark on all four of my OWLs...that was a challenge. March classes should be posted in about 2 hours. I'm really excited again and I hope that the Bella's Mittens will count for a class because I have to make them. I bought some KnitPicks Wool of the Andes Bulky yarn that is so soft and squishy and I really need some nice mittens.

It is winter again here in the north. Thursday and Friday it snowed like crazy and we got about 6-7 inches. A lot of the snow was gone before this latest storm, it just had to tease us :(

Well, I was sucked into the Twilight hype and I decided to read the books. I read all 4 of them within 5 days!! I couldn't put them down. Stephanie Meyer is an awesome author and now I want to be a vampire, lol! There is a new yarn club starting that I really want to do. It is the Vamp yarn club by Squibstitcher on Ravelry (Jen). She dyes yarn in the vampire colorways and they are absolutely gorgeous, I have to have them! She is limiting the signups to the first 50 people so I have been hitting refresh on my computer all morning so I don't miss the thread. The hard part is going to be deciding which 12 I want, I already have some picked out :)

I woke up at 6:30 this morning and couldn't fall back asleep so I am working on my OWLs until the new classes are posted. I will have to be a knitting and crochet fiend this month to finish everything I want to!

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Cauldron Pattern

I switched to blogger from LiveJournal and I wanted to post this over here so I wouldn't lose it.

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This is the first time I have ever written a pattern so I apologize if there are any mistakes. This cauldron ends up being 6 in. wide and 4.5 in. tall.

Materials:
4.5mm hook
4 oz worsted weight black yarn (I used Red Heart)
Yarn needle
Stitch marker

Instructions:
Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of every row.
Make a magic loop

R1 – 6sc in loop (pull loop tight)

R2 – 2sc in each st (12 sc)

R3 – *sc in next st, 2sc in next st* continue around (18 sts)

R4 – *sc in next 2 sts, 2sc in next st* continue around (24 sts)

R5 – *sc in next 3 sts, 2sc in next st* continue around (30 sts)

R6 – *sc in next 4 sts, 2sc in next st* continue around (36 sts)

R7 – *sc in next 5 sts, 2sc in next st* continue around (42 sts)

R8 – *sc in next 6 sts, 2sc in next st* continue around (48 sts)

R9 – *sc in next 7 sts, 2sc in next st* continue around (54 sts)

R10 – *sc in next 8 sts, 2sc in next st* continue around (60 sts)

R11-14 – sc around (60 sts)

R15 – *sc in next 9 sts, 2sc in next st* continue around (66 sts)

R16-17 – sc around (66sts)

R18 – *sc in next 10 sts, 2sc in next st* continue around (72 sts)

R19-22 – sc around (72 sts)

R23 – *sc in next 10 sts, sc2tog* continue around (66 sts)

R24 – sc around (66 sts)

R25 – *sc in next 9 sts, sc2tog* continue around (60 sts)

R26 – *sc in next 8 sts, sc2tog* continue around (54 sts)

R27 – *sc in next 7 sts, sc2tog* continue around (48 sts)

R28 – *sc in next 3 sts, 2sc in next st* continue around (60 sts)

R29 – *sc in next 4 sts, 2sc in next st* continue around (72 sts)

R30 – sc around (72sts)

Slst into first sc of previous round. Fasten off. Weave in end. Finished.


Enjoy :)

Sunday, February 1, 2009

My Patronus

I took a quiz to find out what my patronus is because I need to know for a House Cup assignment this month. My result:
1070929659_ResultWolf.jpg
Your Patronus is the Wolf! The wolf is a symbol of wisdom, loyalty and independence. He is one of history's more revered (and feared) characters.
That your Patronus is a wolf says that you are very wise as a person. You tend to be loyal to your friends, even when they screw up, but you are also independent. Finding that balance is key; finding it will ensure that you will be a wonderful witch or wizard!
The description fits me very well :) The quiz is available here.

As for homework this month...I signed up for everything, again. CoMC is to make an amigurumi animal, DADA is to make my patronus (hence the quiz), Arithmancy is something with a labyrinth (have to think on that one a bit), Charms is the Fidelius charm...so anything that is a secret, and Herbology isn't posted yet but I'm sure I will do that one too :) I still have to think about what I will do for some projects...I'm so glad its the weekend.

Saturday, January 31, 2009

First Month Done

Well, January is done...that went by really fast. Tomorrow new classes will be posted for the House Cup. I have a lot of projects I need to do for other people so I really hope they fit in with the class assignments. I'm so excited!! (Yes, I realize I am a dork)

I have been working hard on my OWLs, I signed up for 4 of them! I am doing the Seascape Stole that I mentioned before, 9 mini Weasley Sweaters, a granny square blanket, and Ingenue with added cables to the front and sleeves. I am 16 rows into Seascape...out of 421 :( I have the 5 different squares designed for the granny square blanket. There is a front and back of one sweater done and 2.5 other backs :) As for Ingenue, I have the neck/collar finished...40 rows at 124 sts each is a huge neck!! (it does get folded in half though), now I have to start the cable portions so I need to figure out exactly how I want to do the sleeve cables.

I am determined to finish all 4 of the OWLs because a lot of people don't think it can be done. I also plan to take every class, unless I really can't think of something that fits the assignment...and if you saw my queue you wouldn't believe that is possible :)

I'm sure I will post again tomorrow when I find out the assignments :)

Monday, January 19, 2009

I lost it!

Well, today starts an 8 week weight loss program through my gym (Anytime Fitness) called 'I lost it!' I'm really excited for the one hour a week training sessions with the personal trainer. I really want to get in shape and be ready for the Half-Marathon this year and to look good once bikini season comes 'round again. I must beat my marathon time from last year and hopefully not feel like I will die at the end (like I did last year).
I hate to post this in public but here are my stats:

Weight: 156
Body Fat: 27.6%
BMI: 26.8
Waist: 29.5"
Chest: 35.75"
Hips: 38.75"
Biceps: R-10.25" L-10.5"
Thighs: R-22" L-21"

I may update periodically but I will for sure at the end of the 8 weeks.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Startitis

I have at least 12 WIPs, homework to finish for the House Cup, and swap stuff to work on, yet I still want to start new projects. I'm trying to restrain myself but it is difficult. I did however finish my Butterfly Garden Baby Blanket for my friend. Her baby shower is this Thursday so I'm glad I'm not down to the wire on that one.

I used the Butterfly Garden afghan square, which is supposed to be 12 inches, and I just kept adding rounds until it was the size I wanted. I then added a shell stitch border. I'm really happy with the way it turned out and it was really easy to make and alter.

Now I'm working on my Arithmancy homework which is a pair of mittens that is a DROPS design. I did the cuff the same as in the pattern but I modified the entire top. I added a cable in the center and used stockinette instead of moss stitch. I also had to add some stitches because for some reason the cuff fit fine with the amount of stitches the pattern called for but the hand part was too small. Maybe it is because of the ribbing, I don't know.

I'm also working on a Snuggle Rug for Izzie's kennel. Her bed in the kennel right now is pretty dirty and it doesn't wash well so I will be replacing it with the blanket. I'm using some old Red Heart that I got from Nicole's grandma for the blanket, I'm really trying to use up stash yarn.

I started an OWL for Arithmancy and I have to make 8 Weasley sweater ornaments by the end of March. I will save them for xmas next year to give out. I might not duplicate stitch letters on all of them, I'm not sure yet. I have to start my Charms OWL as well. I am making the Seascape Stole from Knitty with some Knit Picks yarn I bought. I'm really excited to make this but it is a bit daunting to me because I've never worked with lace weight yarn, never done a lace pattern this big, and I've never used multiple charts on one project before...scary. I really like it though and if it works out well I want to use it as my wrap for my wedding.

Aright, that is enough blabbing for now.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Sick, sick, sick

I hate being sick!!! Everyone is getting sick all the time this winter. I did get to stay home today and work on some knitting but it was bittersweet since I felt like crap :(

On a brighter note I am now finished with Herbology, Defense Against the Dark Arts (DADA), Charms, and History of Magic (HoM)...now all I have left is Care of Magical Creatures (CoMC), OWLs, and Arithmancy. I have started both CoMC and Arithmancy so I'm doing really well so far this month. I do have to finish a baby blanket for a coworker (her shower is next Thursday) and I would like to work on my Brea bag as well. I really want to get that finished and Puck is making one for a class this month so it gave me a reason to want to work on it. I'm surprised that mom didn't ask about it when she came up, she bought the yarn for it for my birthday last year.

I was pretty excited today because I got my Knit Picks order which included my new Ball Winder! I made my very first yarn cake today and I am really excited about it. I also got some yarn in the package as well :)

Thursday, January 8, 2009

New Year's Resolutions

Alright, its that time of year again. I have a few, some are typical, some are not.

1) Actually fulfill all my New Year's Resolutions :)
2) Lose 15 pounds
3) Run the Half-Marathon in June and beat my time from last year (shouldn't be hard)
4) Finish all my WIPs from last year or frog all those that will never be finished
5) Learn at least 2 new knitting techniques
6) Update my blog more
7) Work on my Spanish more

Okay, those should be enough to work on.

Empecé a practicar mi español esta noche. Unas amigas y yo fuimos a un restaurante mexicano y yo hablaba con el dueño, Pedro. Este fin de semana voy a escribir una carta a mi familia en España porque no he escrito en mucho tiempo. Tengo que decirles que estoy prometido. Me gustaría leer uno de mis libros de España, posiblemente El Lazarillo de Tormes.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

HPHC January 2009 Term

Well, the new year is off to a good start :) The classes were posted for the House Cup and I signed up for all of them, of course. I am also the quidditch captain and I may end up as a beater or chaser as well.

So, here are my classes and the projects for them:

Herbology: Organize yarn, patterns and Rav queue, and pick one project to do every month for the next 12 months. I love this assignment because I am organizing my new craft room and this gives me a kick in the butt to do it. Also some of us decided earlier that we would start on yule/xmas gifts now and do one a month, so that works in perfectly :)

Defense Against the Dark Arts: The assignment is the Imperius Curse. We had to look at another students project page and do one of the projects that they have done. I am doing Calorimetry. It has been in my queue forever and I can use the leftover Malabrigo Worsted from Jenni's scarf that I am working on now.

Charms: We are supposed to knit something that will make us happy, something for ourselves. I chose the Celtic Cable Neckwarmer from my queue and I will use the amazingly soft and lovely pink Araucania Azapa!

Care of Magical Creatures: Something to keep our magical pet warm. I am crocheting a blanket for Izzie. I have been meaning to do this for some time so this is great. I am using up some really old Red Heart that I got from Nicole's grandma.

Artimancy: Find our numbers and create something with them. Not sure what I will do for this one yet....

OWLs: I want to do the Seascape Stole. I ordered some yarn from Knit Picks for it. This one we have all term (3 months) to finish.

History of Magic is the last class but I don't know what the assignment is yet.

I started Jenni's scarf today. I was hoping it would fit in for homework for one of the classes but it didn't, oh well. I am already 2/3 of the way done, so I should be finished by Saturday night when we go out to the cabin to see them. It was supposed to be her xmas present but I was doing the Herringbone Neckwarmer and I just didn't like it. I frogged that and started the Ribbed Mini-Scarf which I like a lot better.

I have a feeling there will be a lot of knitting and crocheting this year :)

House Cup

Most people are excited today because of the New Year, I am excited because the new term of the House Cup is starting on Ravelry. Hopefully the new classes with be posted in the next few hours and I can plan my projects :)

I am also excited because we are finally moved into our new house. I still have a lot of things to organize and do here, but everything is here now :) And, we both love this house!

And, another reason I am excited is that I just got engaged a few days ago!! The wedding is tentatively set for October 2010 in Bermuda. I will be knitting and crocheting my entire wedding dress and some extras for the trip.

All in all this is set up to be a great new year. Happy New Year to everyone. Prospero año nuevo.