Spring Cleaning

Posted on April 8, 2014 by atangledyarn84

After my hiatus from blogging/knitting the past couple of months, I haven’t been able to generate much interest in any of the WIPs I had on the needles. And I can’t knit something I don’t love, so I did some organizing!

2014 Stashbustin’ #11: Henry’s Sweater – FROGGED

Undated/Unnamed Baby Girl cotton baby blanket – FROGGED

2014 Stashbustin’ #5: Antrose – HYBERNATING

Calorimetry Headband – FROGGED

2014 Stashbustin’ #13: A Plain Rye Sock – ACTIVE WIP

Call it a Spring Clean! I just couldn’t bring myself to work on any of these so I made a frog-it or stash-it decision. Only my Antrose and Plain Rye Socks made it safely out of the frog pond. Antrose is great but it’s a lot more project than I want right now, so it’s safely tucked away! I’m hoping to start my second Plain Rye sock soon!

But all this begs an important question, what to do next? Pardon me, I’m off to peruse my Ravelry queue!

A Little Post Winter Pick Me Up

Posted on April 7, 2014 by atangledyarn84

I managed to get my mitts on a new book. And I’m beyond in love with it!

Knit to Flatter by Amy Herzog!! I’ve only had time to read the first few pages and flip through the designs. I did manage to snag my seamstress/genius mother to take my measurements and plug them into the measurements page.

I’ve already fallen in love with some of the projects. How amazing is this Flutter Pullover? I’m not ready to dive into a sweater project just yet. So I’m content to just drool for now.

Has anyone else out there knit a project from this book? I’d love to hear your experiences!

FO Friday: Assisted Hatchling

Posted on April 4, 2014 by atangledyarn84

I finally have a FO to show!!! 2014 Stashbustin’ #12 is in the books!

Pattern: Assisted Hatchling by Elizabeth Ditchburn Dew

Size: 3 months

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft in Pagoda

Needles: US 8 circulars and US 8 DPNs

I used 217.7 yards of yarn or about 117 grams. This was just over half of one skein of yarn. The pattern is free and well written. I would definitely make this one again. My bind off at the hem went kind of wonky. Even blocking didn’t fix it all the way. Can’t decide if it bothers me enough to rip out and redo, lol. I do love the open neck detail that makes sure it fits over babies big noggin.

Now I just need to add buttons at the next. Nothing in my “button stash” fits the character of this garment. So I need to go shopping. Or….I’m seriously considering snaps. How easy would those be for a new mommy to fasten!? Any thoughts from the blogging world?

CMA Part 1: Done!!

Posted on April 3, 2014 by atangledyarn84

At the end of February I sat for Part 1 of the Certified Management Accountants exam. To say it was intense was an understatement…I was shaking in my tennis shoes. Not to mention that I was in the middle of some miserable medical symptoms. But once you schedule your test…you can’t back out!

I studied 10-15 hours a week for 9 weeks to prepare.(This was a huge reason for loss of my knitting mojo. My brain couldn’t handle thinking about both at the same time). By the end my test prep scores were in the high 60s and low 70s. You need a 75% to pass. The test is a little under 5 hours from start to finish. But I finished all the multiple choice and 7 out of 8 essay sections. I personally felt that the test prep software was harder than the actual test. So I’m hopeful I passed. Now I have to wait until the middle of April to find out if I passed our not….ITS KILLING ME!

I really need to start studying for Part II, providing I passed Part I, so I can sit for the next test at the end of May. I’m not sure I’m ready to dive back in but no turning back now. This experience has really pushed my professional and education boundaries. Wish me luck!

WIP Wednesday: A Plain Rye Sock

Posted on April 2, 2014 by atangledyarn84

I have been woefully neglectfull of my #SockswithSarah KAL. My knitting mojo kind of went out the window during February and March. All I could manage was a few stitches here and there and only every so often.

But over time those stitches add up! At my last update on this sock I was halfway down the leg. Now I’ve turned the heel and I’m working down the foot.

This project is mindless and portable….and right up my alley at the moment. I’m not into committing to a huge WIP right now and I DEFINITELY don’t want to have to think too hard!

What is your go-to mindless knitting project?

Puppy 911…Or So We Thought

Posted on April 1, 2014 by atangledyarn84

To be clear this is not an April Fools joke….but it sure felt like it at the time!

The hubby and I have two very happy and (knock on wood) healthy pets, Dex and Chloe. Chloe is a six year old King Charles Cavalier Spaniel. She has a minor heart murmur that is under control with exercise and healthy diet. Then we have Dex, a five year old yellow lab that aside from some digestive issues after licking grill goo is very healthy. Until last week…

While visiting my parents Dex developed soreness/pain while jumping up and down from surfaces. He yelped/cried when he tried. Not finding any outward signs of injury we kept him quiet for a few days to ease what we thought was probably a pulled muscle. And for most of the week he continued to show no interest in jumping up and down off the couch or bed. He did absolutely fine running, eating, drinking, and playing. Then last Saturday came…

After having their supper and evening constitutional the pups settled in for their naps. I took up residence on the couch to catch up on my DVR. I turned around to see my lab hunched on his back haunches, ears laid back, and shaking visibly on his pet bed. To say I freaked out is an understatement…I yelled for my husband who came running. Dex didn’t want to stand or move his back legs. They were stiff and shaking. My husband had to carry all 90 pounds of him to our car to take him to the Emergency clinic down the road.

Upon reaching the clinic and getting settled into the exam room, our dog for no apparent reason began acting normally again. The (very sweet and lovely vet) examined him and found no muscle, skeletal, or neurological issues. So 15 minutes and $100 later we walk out of the clinic with doggy NSAID pain relievers and orders to keep him calm for a week.

I was half mad at myself for freaking out and half relieved that nothing serious was wrong. After five years of doggy ownership, this was our first “emergency”. And it scared the crap out of me. Lord help my husband and I when we have human kids, lol.

Have you ever had a puppy false alarm? How did you handle it?

(This is Dex’s sad face because he can’t go for walks or play Frisbee for a week)

Let Me Reintroduce Myself..

Posted on March 31, 2014 by atangledyarn84

Hello, my name is Rachelle and I’ve been an absentee knitter and blogger….

It’s been over a month since my last post. Between the winter blahs and some less than fun medical issues I decided to go “dark” for awhile. I read a lot of books, took walks with my pups, worked on some home organization, and lots and lots of time with my beloved husband. I didn’t read any blogs, used my smartphone only when necessary, and barely picked up my needles at all. I’ll pause for your gasps of horror, lol.

Oh my, was it soooo needed! I had seriously lost my mojo for almost everything. It’s not quite all the way back yet. But I am getting there. I think my priorities have shifted a little. (My home is certainly cleaner for it.) And now I have a better idea of what I want to accomplish in 2014. Have you ever taken a step back to rearrange yourself or searched for a new balance? I highly encourage it in this fast paced digital world!

Stay tuned…this is going to get exciting!

FO Friday: Close Knit Waffle Hat

Posted on February 21, 2014 by atangledyarn84

Tah Dah! A FO for your Friday

This FO has been done for a while, but I didn’t get around to photographing it until this week. Here are the details:

Pattern: Close Knit Waffle Hat by Leah Bandstra

Yarn: Bernat Bamboo Natural Blends in Linen

Needles: US 10 16″ circular and US 10 dpns

Mods: I added 6? stitches to the total count. It now fits easily over my head and is almost more of a slouch hat than a beanie. Totally love this change!

This hat only took 1.28 skeins or 80.6 yards (77 grams) of bulky yarn. I would also say if I had worked on this monogamously it would have been a CRAZY fast knit. But I kept picking it up and putting it back away.

The softness alone is to die for! The fabric created does have a lot of weight and drape. Probably not a great yarn for garments but GREAT for accessories worn close to the skin!

Happy Knitting!

Stitch by Stitch

Posted on February 20, 2014 by atangledyarn84

I think a picture is worth a thousand words….I have taken the #sockswithsarah call for a few stitches a day to heart. I have managed a row here and there over these past few days when I have not felt my best. And little by little I have made some small progress. For the original post on these socks, check here.

Think I can call myself the little knitting engine that could?

Happy Knitting

WIP Wednesday: Assisted Hatching

Posted on February 19, 2014 by atangledyarn84

My knitting has been few and far between lately. But before I lost my knitting mojo, I did make some good progress on my Assisted Hatching sweater…

For a memory refresher, you can find the pattern here. I’m making the smallest size using Caron Simply Soft in Pagoda. My cast off edge at the bottom has quite a bit of curl….I may or may not rip it out and re-do it. I can’t decide yet. Next up, sleeves!!

I do love the side vent opening for baby’s big noggin. What a great way to get a good fit and not smush baby’s face as it’s going on!