apparently I'm mohair

I took an online "what yarn are you" quiz and here were the results.

You are Mohair.
You are a warm and fuzzy type who works well with others, doing your share without being too weighty. You can be stubborn and absolutely refuse to change your position once it is set, but that's okay since you are good at covering up your mistakes.

Pretty fun. You can take the quiz here

fitted cardi finally finished!

fitted cardi finally finished!
Originally uploaded by elletrain

Yay! Finished my first shop model for the store. I really like how the cardigan turned out. Only thing I'd have done differently is to go down a needle size for the body. I usually do that after I get my gauge out of yarn, but I forgot this time. It still fits pretty well though and I can wear a button down underneath or something. I'm into the tailored preppy thing right now for some reason :)

jo sharp cardi and ravelry!

jo sharp cardi
Originally uploaded by elletrain

So, finally got my invitation to ravelry.com. Very exciting. It's taking a while to get things entered, but I can see that it will be a GREAT community for knitters. I love looking through other people's projects, especially ones that I'd like to add to my to do list.

This is a WIP pic of my cardi from Jo Sharp Knit Issue 3. I'm on the second sleeve right now. Then, sewing in the sleeves and picking up the button band and the neck and I'm done! I think it's something I'll get a lot of wear out of. It's my first shop model for Angel Hair.

Steph and Laura

Steph and Laura
Originally uploaded by Shosha

My knitting friend and guru...she lives in London now, but was my knitting inspiration...and now, I'm going to work at my LYS!!! I'm so very excited. But, please, send money.

Love you Steffers...

a knitter's list

This is apparently THE knitting list of accomplishments: (items in blue I've already done)

• Afghan/Blanket (baby)
• I-cord
• Garter stitch
• Knitting with metal wire
• Shawl
• Stockinette stitch
• Socks: top-down
• Socks: toe-up
• Knitting with camel yarn
• Mittens: Cuff-up
• Mittens: Tip-down
• Hat
• Knitting with silk
• Moebius band knitting
• Participating in a KAL (knit a long, this where a group of people knit the smae thing and talk about it)
• Sweater
• Drop stitch patterns
• Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn
• Slip stitch patterns
• Knitting with banana fiber yarn
• Domino knitting (modular knitting)
• Twisted stitch patterns
• Knitting with bamboo yarn
• Two end knitting
• Charity knitting
• Knitting with soy yarn
• Cardigan
• Toy/doll clothing
• Knitting with circular needles
• Knitting with your own handspun yarn
  
• Slippers
• Graffiti knitting (knitting items on, or to be left on the street)
• Continental Knitting
• Designing knitted garments
• Cable stitch patterns (incl. Aran)
• Lace patterns
• Publishing a knitting book (I WANT to do this!)
  
• Scarf
• American/English knitting (as opposed to continental)
• Knitting to make money
• Button holes
• Knitting with alpaca
• Fair Isle knitting
• Norwegian knitting (?)
• Dying with plant colors
• Knitting items for a wedding
• Household items (dishcloths, washcloths, tea cozies…)
• Knitting socks (or other small tubular items) on two circulars
• Olympic knitting (?)
• Knitting with someone else’s handspun yarn
• Knitting with DPNs
• Holiday related knitting
• Teaching a male how to knit
• Bobbles
• Knitting for a living
• Knitting with cotton
• Knitting smocking
• Dying yarn
• Steeks
  
• Knitting art
• Fulling/felting
• Knitting with wool
• Textured knitting
• Kitchener BO
• Purses/bags
• Knitting with beads
• Swatching
• Long Tail CO
• Entrelac
  
• Knitting and purling backwards (is this thru the back loop?)
  
• Machine knitting
• Knitting with self-patterning/self-striping/variegating yarn
• Stuffed toys
• Baby items
• Knitting with cashmere (blend)
  
• Darning
• Jewelry
• Knitting with synthetic yarn (but now I'm a yarn snob!)
  
• Writing a pattern (sort-of)
  
• Gloves
• Intarsia
• Knitting with linen
• Knitting for preemies
• Tubular CO
• Freeform knitting
• Short rows Cuffs/fingerless mitts/arm warmers
• Pillows
• Knitting a pattern from an online knitting magazine
• Rug Knitting on a loom
• Thrummed knitting (?)
• Knitting a gift
• Knitting for pets
• Shrug/bolero/poncho
• Knitting with dog/cat hair (bleck! ew!)
• Hair accessories (ear warmer/headband)
  
• Knitting in public

simple knitted bodice w/changes

simple knitted bodice w/changes
Originally uploaded by elletrain

This is a Stefanie Japel pattern from Stitch Diva. I used only one type of yarn and made it just capped sleeves instead of 3/4 or long-sleeved like the pattern called for. I used GGH Safari yarn, which knits more like a cord than most yarns I've used before. I added slits at each side on the bottom and made it a bit longer than the pattern suggested.

knitted top

knitted top
Originally uploaded by elletrain

mine fit better with the long ribbing at the top. i still may add some straps, but i wear it over another tank anyways. I used the Pima Cotton/Tencel yarn the pattern called for. It's from Stefanie Japel's "Fitted Knits"...one of the best knitting books ever! (i think it's a little crooked in the pic...oops!)

yourface_birdie

yourface_birdie
Originally uploaded by elletrain.

another drawing for your enjoyment.

new shrug

shrug_back.JPG
Originally uploaded by elletrain.

a short sleeved shrug from the new book "Lace Style"...I used Oasis bamboo yarn, 2 skeins. I always go down a needle size for all my projects. It always fits better! this one was nice b/c to decrease you just change needle sizes. Here's another pic of the shrug. Photos courtesy of Alex McCollough.

pandas make everything better

pandas make everything better
Originally uploaded by elletrain.

pandas help with stress. I truly believe it. I have the Panda Cam widget on my dashboard. They weren't around today though so I had to draw my own.

collar

collar
Originally uploaded by elletrain.

Here's the collar to the bolero. I'm ALMOST done. I'm hoping to finish in the next couple of days and then do the long-awaited search for the NEXT PATTERN!

I am teaching my second knitting class this weekend. The first one went really well...5 ladies who were awesomely nice and caught on really quickly. I think at least a couple of them are in the purl class this Saturday. One just emailed and said she's already addicted! That's what I love...created more knitting addicts :)

Happy Knitting!

bolero progress

bolero progress
Originally uploaded by elletrain.

This was at the end of the vacation. I finished 5 of the 11 pentagons that make up the bolero. This is actually turning out to be a pretty quick project.

the cardigan loves the beach

the cardigan loves the beach
Originally uploaded by elletrain.

Finished the cardigan while on vacation. Wish I could finish every project while enjoying the Caribbean ocean. I love the beach!

next project

I am about to finish a cardigan this week from Jo Sharp. I'll upload pics soon. But, here's a pic of what I'm making next...this is the vacation project. Headed to Mexico on Wednesday. I plan to do three things 1. sit on the beach, 2. knit, 3. drink margaritas. I can't wait. I need recharging.

Anyhoo, so this is the project I plan on working on. First time to do modular knitting and I'm very excited to see how it turns out. I got a nice mustard yellow/gold yarn to knit it out of, from http://www.knitpicks.com because it saved me $40 :) I'll post pics soon!

warm hat

warm hat
Originally uploaded by elletrain.

this has become my favorite hat ever. I knitted it on a snowy Saturday last winter. it's nice and warm! Rowan Big wool was the yarn and the patter is from, you guessed it, Vogue Knitting.

knitted shrug

knitted shrug
Originally uploaded by elletrain.

this was one of my favorites to knit. It's also from Vogue Knitting. one of my friends calls it my "knitted muscles" :)

4 way sweater: cowl shrug open front

4 way sweater: cowl shrug open front
Originally uploaded by elletrain.

From Vogue Knitting. You can wear it upside down and backwards...the options are endless.

clapotis

clapotis
Originally uploaded by elletrain.

Yay! The clapotis. Everyone's favorite. The pattern can be found at http://www.knitty.com/

more hugs in '07

That's my motto for the year and David so graciously sent me this amazing "Free Hugs Campaign" video. Check it out. It's really great.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4

more hugs,
elletrain

Hey Mattie...it's your birthday!

Mattie's favorite new spot
Originally uploaded by elletrain.

Happy Birthday to Mattie...she is 5 years old today. We celebrated this morning with peanut butter toast and Petsmart sent us a coupon for a free birthday toy! Pretty nifty. She's pretty much the coolest dog EVER...so here's to you Mattie-girl! Party like it's your birthday :)

espresso art

SO amazing. Watch the video that's about half way down the page.

http://www.pantherhouse.com/newshelton/espresso-art/

a happy new year

pretty pretties
Originally uploaded by priszilla.

Steph came to town and surprised us for New Year's Eve. It was great!!! We all wore fake eyelashes that night too. Definitely a good call on our part. LOVE those things now.

I want to tell you 2 more things:
1. check out elletrain.com. It's newly updated.

2. My motto for this year: "More hugs in '07." You can't go wrong with that.

Happy New Year!