GAAAaaa 1-3

Here is a peak at my newest project. I've decided to make the Great American Aran Afghan, and I'm only three squares in. This project will probably take me a couple of years, but in the end I will end up with something heirloom-worthy. I hope.

The first square was fun. See the spider on the bottom right, crawling up to his web? I love tree/leaf/nature themes in knitting.

cute "xo" cable pattern. one of my favorite arans...

The second square was a pretty straight forward cable pattern. Not mindless, but no real surprises either.

little bobble inside a cable opening

The third square was, well, crazy. It was based on an "80s pattern" and I guess nobody knit in the '80s, because this pattern was all over the place.

I think I have about 17 more squares to go, then I have to block all the squares and sew the dang thing up. This is an epic project, but I'm excited to continue to share my progress.

(BTW-it is customary to refer to the Great American Aran Afghan as the GAAA, but one must include as many additional aaaaa's as possible. Ala-GAAAaaa. I'll add more and more aaaaa's with each square I complete.)

xo

Alli

Happy as a Raven

photo taken by me. quote: unknown.

Bike rides and sunsets.

Street festivals and farmers markets.

Huge heads of lettuce and heaps of kale.

A local play and a rock concert.

Vacation planning and "Friends" episodes.

Blog renovation contemplation and online shoe shopping.

Cable knitting and project pondering.

A cute boy and a sweet pup.

Oh, and a kitty.

Happy Weekend!

xo

Alli

Finished Socks

 I am finally done with a knitting project. 

These socks were pretty fun to knit, but I made a couple of bad decisions: I should have done an afterthought heel (because the feet are too long), and a ribbed cuff instead of the picot (because they're crazy tight on my calves). 

 Even though they're not quite wearable, I have learned my lesson. I am looking forward to more sock knitting, and I'm already scoping out some pretty self-striping yarn. 

xo
Alli

Not Finished and Not Started

I feel pretty freaking busy these days with the legislative session, performing, and rehearsing. And any bits of down time I can find, I do a bit of knitting and think about my next projects.

I am pretty much done with the bobble sweater. I just need to weave in the ends, bind off the neck, and block it. Which just sounds too overwhelming to think about.

The socks are coming along nicely, and they go with me everywhere. I try to fit in some rows whenever I can-the dressing room, bus stop, or wherever I happen to be waiting for something or somebody.

And I just got the yarn for my next project-The Great American Aran Afghan. I am so excited for this project. I know it will probably take me years to complete, but I think it will be a treasure.

xo

Alli

PS-Thank you, everyone, for your thoughts on the Kindle. Still pondering my decision...

PPS-The sun is shining brightly, so I'm off to beach for a bonfire. Happy Sunday!

coffee shop knitting

Never hurts to fit in a little knitting, while I wait for my beau.

Gotta fit in knitting time wherever and whenever I can.
(these pictures were obviously taken weeks ago-before I died my hair black)

xo
Alli

Lazy Days of Winter

What a lovely little winter break I've had here in Salt Lake. Last week was full of getting pampered at the spa with my mom and sisters, hanging out with my perfect niece and nephews, and embracing the lovely lazy life in my parents' basement.
After hours of working on my blaze sweater, I realized I had done too many cables! So I frogged half of it, and now I'm bored with finishing it.

 I've just been hastily tossing it aside. I hope I can get in the knitting groove with a good movie. 

 I am embracing the Christmas spirit, though. Mom and I enjoyed the lights at Temple Square. I think it'd been years since I'd been downtown at Christmas.

And lookey! I'm blondER! 

I think I'll keep stitching, now. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills is calling my name.

Happy Sunday!
xo

Knitting Currents

 I am reveling in the lazy days of winter. I spent my weekend hours knitting with Dexter and Mad Men. I was so dissappointed to reach the end of my Saturday with no more Netflix to fill my Sunday.

Luckily I took the day to focus on documenting my latest wip's.


The Mustard Socks. 

 The Mustard Socks are the first of (hopefully many) socks. I am just stuck on the mitered toe! I can't get the hang of short rows, but I am determined to make them classic. I hate using short-cuts. I love thinking of women knitting socks during World War I, wishing I could make a contribution like that to my freedom. Ah, well. I'm happy to be free to knit.


The Midnight Blue Cowl

 The Midnight Blue Cowl sweater is such a piece of cake. Stockinette stitch over and over and over and over. Can't share much, because it's a Christmas gift....but I am definitely pleased with the easy peasy pattern.


Blaze Cardigan

I couldn't wait until after Christmas to start the Blaze Cardigan. I'm so in love. I love to wear cardigans, and I can't believe that I haven't been knitting them for the past six years. This is the first of many.

As I have been tossing my blog into the world, I came across another fellow Southeast knitter named Allison (I already have a knit-name twin in Skagway: Alaskan Purl). And she lives right here in Juneau! Her blog is knitosaurus, and she calls herself "Alligator." I have to admit, I'm a little pissed I didn't think of it first. I am so giddy about a name triplet,  I think we need an Allisons' Knits Trio Spectacular!

Ferocious Knitting

Looks like the bobble sweater is on hold until my new metal needle gets here. I need to avoid the small wooden needles. They break like toothpicks. Grumble. Grumble. Grumble.