The Simper's Wild Kingdom

This was going to be a post about how glad I was that we moved from our townhouse in a tidy subdivision to an older neighborhood.  That was before I found out earlier that the owner of the new house we just moved into has decided to sell it, just like the owner of the townhouse decided to do.  It really makes a person never want to rent again.  I guess it's just something we have to accept. :(

Onto the post's original content though.  I love having a yard.  Not just a yard, but a yard that has actual trees.  We have birds and squirells everywhere.  It makes me so happy to look out the window and see critters.  The cats love it too.

Now onto the pictures.  These are basically snapshots, nothing fancy, but I wanted to share the cuteness.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="On the Fence"][/caption]

The squirells are loving all the mushrooms that have been popping up all over the yard.   The other day they were everywhere, chowing down.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Tasty treat time!"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Nom, nom!"][/caption]

If the squirrels weren't cute enough, today I looked out the back window and saw a little lizard on the deck.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="393" caption="Lizard time!"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="393" caption="Hanging out!"][/caption]

I shot the lizard shots through the back window because I didn't want to scare him off.  He was hanging out on our deck box which is still empty since we can't find any cushions we like for our deck benches.

That's really all I have to blog about now.  The next post should include another finished knitted object so stay tuned!

First knitted top - Check!

It's been a year and a half since I started this whole knitting thing (I did take about 5 months off there in the middle somewhere, but there was still over a year of knitting that happened.) and I've finally completed my first top.  It was started near the end of January and took over 4 months to finish, which is pretty sad seeing as most people knit it up in a month or less, but I'm both a procrastinator and just naturally do everything at a slow pace, so 4 months really isn't that bad.  I suppose I should stop babbling and show it off, huh?

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Complete and Wearable! Yay!"][/caption]

If you're wondering, that's my grumpy, I hate my picture taken, but I'm trying to hide it face and in no way reflects how I actually feel about the top.  The top is actually very nice and comfy and I'm very glad it fits.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="332" caption="Ribs and Lace"][/caption]

Pattern: Drop-Stitch Lace Tank by Stefanie Japel from Fitted Knits

Yarn: Estelle Young Touch Cotton DK

Needles: US 7

More details… here (ravelry link)

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="332" caption="Buttonless Buttonband"][/caption]

I think I've decided not to put buttons on it.  I did the buttonband, but the 'v' isn't as deep as I thought it would be and I think it looks good as it is.

My thoughts on the pattern?  I think it's a great pattern for a first top.  You get to try things like lace, picking up stitches, and seaming with a pattern that is very forgiving as far as sizing goes because it is soooo stretchy.

So, do y'all like it?

Knitting from the sick bed :(

I had 3 wisdom teeth extracted on Thursday morning and although I've thankfully been in little pain, I'm suppose to take it easy.  On the bright side, there's nothing like having time for getting knitting done because you're not allowed to do much else.  So I thought I'd do a quick blog to update everyone on my works in progress.

I've been working on my U-Neck Tunic.  It's coming along nicely.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="U-Neck Tunic Progress"][/caption]

I've also done a bit on a new scarf.  It is being done in a lovely green Malabrigo.  Also peaking from the side of the picture is my favorite and most used knitting book, The Knitting Answer Book by Margaret Radcliffe.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="375" caption="Marylin Scarf Started"][/caption]

Lastly, I've done a bit of work on my Lace Ribbon Scarf.  Sadly I cannot seem to learn my lesson about not knitting lace in public.  I managed to mess up my pattern on the first round I did at the new knitting meet-up I attended.  I forgot a yarn over, as can clearly be seen in the circle below.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Bad, Bad Lace!"][/caption]

I can live with the error though.  Speaking of the knitting meet-up...  (You can find group at Meetup.com.)  It was a lot of fun.  It's held on James Island every Monday at a nice little cafe and everyone's really nice.  I just hope I'm well enough to go this next week.

Next time I blog, it should be about my first finished object in FOREVER.  I just have to seam up the Drop Stitch Tank and it will be complete.

Scarves and a very important tutorial

Basically, I started knitting because I discovered a love for scarves.  I had never had one until my MIL gave me one she had made for me.  It's gray and simple and long and I LOVE it.  I suppose I've never had  much need for scarves because I've lived in places that never get cold for very long.  It never occured to me how great scarves could be.  Once it gets warmer and the AC is running constantly I'll probably be wearing a scarf around the house.  I get too cold with the AC on, but it's too hot without it.  The scarf around my neck keeps me just warm enough. :D

I have two scarves going right now.  There is a Lace Ribbon Scarf (the pattern is free from Knitty) and one from Issue 13 of Yarn Forward magazine, Marylin.

The Lace Ribbon Scarf is maybe 15% complete.  I'm using a sock yarn from Pagewood Farms that is a lovely mix of reds and pinks.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="332" caption="Lace Ribbon Scarf: The Beginning"][/caption]

The other, Marylin, is being made out of Malabrigo Worsted in a lovely shade of green.  I've barely started it and haven't taken any pictures of the two inches I've done.  I did take a picture of the lovely yarn after spending the evening winding it.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Malabrigo for Marylin"][/caption]

Now on to the tutorial section of this blog.  Sorry, I don't feel I know enough about knitting to tutor anyone, but there is one thing I know about that I feel I need to share with the world.  It's come to my attention that a large majority of people do not know the way to properly assemble a peanut butter and banana sandwich.   It seems that many people just spread some peanut butter on the bread and slice some banana on top of it and call it a sandwich.  If you are one of those people, you are truley missing out on how good a simple pb&b can be.

Here's what you'll need for one sandwich:

1/2 a ripe banana

1 tablespoon of peanut butter

2 pieces of bread

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="435" caption="Nice and simple ingredients"][/caption]

You will need a fork for the next and most important step.  You need to mash the banana and peanut butter all together until it resembles something you might not want to eat.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="435" caption="I know. It looks gross."][/caption]

It may not look yummy, but you'll have to trust me.  Just scoop up your mashed pb&b and spread it onto the bread.  Once you've got it all on there, place the other piece of bread on top and enjoy. :P

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="435" caption="YUMMY!"][/caption]