Holiday Knitting

Although I'm a fan of What Not to Wear, I had never seen the original British version.
Due to a quiet Thanksgiving, I have become acquainted. I thought Stacey and Clinton were catty, but Trinny and Susannah take it to a new level. There was much discussion of various body parts, shredding of clothing in the 3-way mirror, Trinny's bum and so much more.

Watching the holiday marathon provided lots of time to work on a new sweater. The pattern is Cables in Chamonix from The Yarn Girls Guide to Beyond the Basics. It's a simple and quick pattern, but the cables (done without a cable needle) keep things interesting. The back is done, and the front is underway.

The combination of late night knitting and TV watching can prove addictive. Instead of starting the week well rested, I'll be a little sleepy. But, it's nice to have something to show for it.

Blog Filler

You Belong in Brooklyn

Down to earth and hard working, you're a true New Yorker. And although you may be turning into a yuppie, you never forget your roots.

Where Should Your Inner New Yorker Live?

Progress, or Lack Thereof

My So Called Scarf has not progressed at all. In fact, there hasn't been much progress on anything.

(That's not totally true. There has been quite a bit of progress on my hourglass sweater. I finished the lower body, and started on a sleeve. That's when I discovered I was knitting at the wrong guage--the sleeve is huge, and I'm afraid to try it on.)

Near constant wear of my Ribs and Ruffles Scarf (made out of Misti Alpaca chunky--the previously mentioned "amazing baby alpaca") has convinced me that my sister will like a scarf made out of this yarn much more. I'm going to use a Diagonal Rib Pattern for this one. This should be a quick project, and I need a project to perk me up and help me face the sweater debacle. Maybe it won't be so bad after all.

My So Called Mystery Scarf

I decided to use the mystery yarn for my sister's Christmas present. The pattern for My So Called Scarf has been calling my name since I first saw it, so I decided to give it a try.

I feel a little bad about gifting someone an acrylic scarf though, especially when I have a skein of amazing baby alpaca that was originally intended for her. This stuff is supposedly the poor man's cashmere, and it really is great. In fact, I made a scarf for myself out of the same yarn.

So this project may stay on the needles for a while--I need to check out my other options. Plus, I'm not sure I have enough yarn...

Mags and Memes

Hi, my name is Ginnie, and I'm addicted to Borders Rewards. It all started with the promise of a 30% off coupon. The thing is the coupons never stop, and I'm a sucker for a discount.

A couple days ago, I checked out my online account. They actually track your spending--who wants to be confronted with that?

My latest discount was too good to pass up, but I swear this is my last purchase for a while. (You also earn a Holiday Reward, but that's free money, right?)

So my latest/last purchase was the new Adorn and Knits magazines. I can't wait to check out Knits--supposedly it wasn't going to be out until the 14th, so I was surprised and happy to see that. I really need to get a subscription. What I was really saving this reward for though was the book Modern Classics by Louisa Harding. I saw it a few weeks ago, and I knew I had to have it. I love the simple, slightly vintage designs. I will be pouring over this as well.

And now for the meme that needs no name.

48 Things You Couldn’t Care Less About

1. FIRST NAME? Ginnie
   
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? A family friend
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? Last night watching Grey’s Anatomy—sad but true. It was a very sad scene, I swear!
4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? I used to love my handwriting, and I received lots of complements. Now I’m lazier and it’s more of a scrawl, but still nice if I take the time.
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT? I’m a vegetarian—I can’t remember the last time I had lunchmeat.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Probably—I’m easy to get along with and have lots of different interests.
7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? No, I’ve journaled on and off, but have never really stuck with it for long.
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes—I’ve only had strep once that I can remember, and that was as an adult. I’m generally very healthy.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Not unless I was forced! I’m afraid of heights.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? I don’t eat much cereal, but if I do, it’s usually Total since I’m trying to be healthy. I also like oatmeal.
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Not unless I have to.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Physically—not really. I’ve gotten a lot stronger in other ways over the past 10 years, but I still have a hard time saying no sometimes.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Chocolate
14. SHOE SIZE? 9
15. RED OR PINK? I like both, but probably red more.
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? I wish I were more motivated, personally and professionally. I tend to think about things more than I actually work to achieve them.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My parents, both of whom passed away in the past five years. I think about them every day.
18. WHAT FOOD WILL GET YOU OUT OF BED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT? I don’t think that has or ever will happen, but it would have to be some sort of amazing feast.
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS, SHIRT AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Red cardigan, black t-shirt, black pants and black boots.
20. LAST THING YOU ATE? A bean burrito and a salad.
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? The TV and the humming computer.
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Red Violet
23. FAVORITE SMELL? That cinnamony Christmas scent—I always look forward to Christmas and winter so I can use candles with that scent.
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My husband
25. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? Height
26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON YOU STOLE THIS FROM? I don’t know her, but I love her blog.
27. FAVORITE DRINK? Alcoholic: Gin and Tonic; Non: Chai Latte from Starbucks
28. FAVORITE SPORT? Volleyball
29. EYE COLOR? Blue
30. HAT SIZE? I have no idea—I’m not really a hat person. The ones I wear tend to be stretchy and knit.
31. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Always
32. FAVORITE FOOD? I love Margerita pizza.
33. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy endings. I don’t watch many scary movies, although I loved them when I was a teen.
34. What happened to 34?
35. SUMMER OR WINTER? Fall! I love the crisp, cool air and breaking out the sweaters for the first time.
36. HUGS OR KISSES? Both from my husband, otherwise hugs.
37. FAVORITE DESSERT? Cheesecake
38. WHAT SIDE OF THE BED DO YOU SLEEP ON AND WHY? I sleep on the right. I’m not sure how this started, but it just feels right.
39. IF YOU DIDN'T MAKE THE DECISION TO GET MARRIED AND HAVE A FAMILY, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING TODAY? I don’t have a family yet, but I am married. It’s hard to imagine being single again—it’s been so long! I would probably have gone back to school for a masters of some kind--I still plan on doing this. I’m not sure where I would be living, hopefully not Green Bay! I think my life would be somewhat similar to what it is now.
40. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? Family by Ian Frazier, and the play Another Part of the Forest by Lillian Hellman.
41. WHAT’S ON YOUR MOUSE Pad? Family photos
42. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? My Name is Earl, The Office, and Grey’s Anatomy
43. FAVORITE SOUNDS? Actually, I really enjoy silence (peace and quiet!), but also I love the sound of wind in the trees.
44. ROLLING STONE OR BEATLES? Beatles
45. THE FURTHEST YOU’VE BEEN FROM HOME? San Francisco. I haven’t traveled internationally (except for Canada), but there are tons of places I’d love to visit.
46. WHAT’S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? I’m very creative, and I’m a good cook, too.
47. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? St. Vincent’s Hospital, Green Bay, Wisconsin
48. WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? No one—I’ve seen this all over the internet, but the last place was My Fashionable Life.

Your turn!

Mystery Yarn

Sometimes you find things in the most unexpected places--like a candy store in Chinatown. After checking out the candy and snacks in the front, I found a large pile of yarn in the back. Of course nothing was labeled, and most of it appeared to be acrylic. There was some pretty ugly stuff, too. But it was dirt cheap!



I'm not entirely sure what is in this yarn, but for $1 a ball how could I pass it up? I'm thinking of using the variegated for a multi-directional scarf. Or maybe something lacy.

Shrug This?

Are shrugs in or out? According to my book, "Shrugs are all the rage." I'm not so sure though. They seem to be one of those things that everyone wears for about 10 seconds, and then it's over. But you still see patterns for them everywhere, and they are quick and easy to make. That's the appeal, I guess.



Pattern: Shrug This from One Skein Wonders
Yarn: Rowan Kid Classic
Needles: US 11
Modifications: I took out 3 rows of increases after deciding the arm openings were too large. I should probably have added more length, too.

Love the yarn! The fabric it created is very soft and fluffy. I'm not sure if this is me though.

In the Beginning...

How do you come up with something to say for your very first post? Hmm.... just start typing, I guess. Hopefully, this will be easier in the future--we'll see.

For now, here are a few things that inspire me:

• A Bird in the Hand always has something interesting
• I love my Campus Cuties
• and The Sartorialist for the fashion voyeur in me