The end of an era?

I've been a subscriber to Interweave Knits magazine for the past 6 years and my last issue on my current subscription ended today and I honestly don't think that I'm going to pay to renew and this greatly saddens my heart because I so want to support publications like this, but I just feel like in the past issues, there isn't anything I'm dying to knit. I had great hopes when I heard Eunny Jang was taking over as editor, but still not in love.

I feel as if this edition is just retreading designs that have already been done. The Stanwyk pullover reminds me of a lot of Maude (ravelry link). The Elemental boatneck, reminds me a lot of Green Gable. The wrap cardigan has nothing new to offer either. Even the pleat skirt I've seen elsewhere.

I also feel like I missing some of the fun minutia that was at the beginning of the magazine. There wasn't any fun little history story. The new tools was hidden and looked like an ad. The lace article didn't offer anything new either. The knitted art article was cool, but that was it. I still hate that they've done the Vogue thing and stuck all the pictures in the beginning and then the patterns later in the magazine. You loose the can't wait to turn the page feel. Overall, I was generally just blah.

I want to be inspired!!

Happy Easter

Happy Easter to everyone! I had a great weekend. My friend Vicki and I went to see Easter Parade at a local yarn store on Friday night. Movies, yarn and friends, what more could you ask for?

Saturday I had an early Easter dinner at my brother's house. I made homemade Vanilla Bean ice cream. My sister-in-law made a fabulous ham for dinner. It was super yummy!!! Hurrah. I need to make more ice cream. The Easter Bunny brought my nephew an automatic bubble blowing animal to Aunt Gwen's house. We love the bubbles and the machine that spit out a whole bunch and he could work was a hit.

Today I just hung out at my house and knitted. I made myself some fetticine alfredo with chicken for dinner and indulged in my one easter treat, Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs. Why the eggs seem to taste better than the round circles I'll never know. It's got to be the same thing.

I finally have real forward progress on the Nashua Surplice top. I finished the top and have started the sleeves. I should hopefully finish the sleeves in the next few days as I'm making them at the same time and they're cap sleeves. Yipeee!!! Finally!

Froggin' city baby

So, I was almost at the end of the second half of top of the Nashua Surplice sweater when I came to a sudden realization....I knit the same side of the top twice. UGGHHHHH. Had to frog the entire thing and reknit. I'm about 1/3 of the way through it again. Then 2 sleeves and I'm done.

I left out my blocking board and I think I'll be able to block everything except the sleeves this weekend, so I have something to start seaming. Yeah, after 2 years, I might actually be able to wear the sweater. Hurrah!

THe Magic of blocking wires...

A lace shawl that looks like this....
Goes to this....

Which really looks like this...

Through the magic of blocking wires. Squeee!!!!

...now, if only my back wasn't killing me from leaning over it putting blocking wires through the entire thing. Man I'm getting old.

Still alive

I'm still alive after a very long absence. I've been busy and really haven't finished any projects lately...until tonight!!!

Yippee - 11 months, 1200m meters of yarn and finally a finished object!!!
It's the Cozy shawl in Kauni yarn. It needs to be blocked to really show the lace pattern, which I'll do this weekend. Yeah!!!

Other than that, works been crazy. My parents were in town for a week. You know, the usual stuff. Now, what project should I finish next.... I think it's time to dig the Nashua Surplice back out and finish it off.