Best Cheesecake Ever

I seriously wish the Internet would catch up and get taste-o-vision so you could partake in the awesome goody-ness that is Blueberry Cheesecake. I know several of you are going to be mad at me for not posting a photo, but seriously... it's that good and nobody is happy with a photo of an empty pie plate.

My dear friend Knitterary knows how to throw a party and when it was deemed Winter Blues Bash... Well hell! Blueberry cheesecake is a must. I did a little research and then saw this recipe that had 74 reviews and 96 percent of the reviews would make it again, Perfect!

I would like to mention when you make the topping, go for the full 10 oz jar of fruit spread, as you can never have enough;)

In knitting news, the Pea Coat is all seemed up and will be lined soon. I don't want to post any more photos until it's complete and I have my photo shoot. I do have to say that I'm really falling in love with it again. (you were right TT;) The issue was lining up the belts properly so that one side isn't lopsided and the collar isn't distorted with my right side on my chest and the left up by my ear.

Postwar Mittens are almost complete with only thumbs and binding off for the tips:



I know I'm going to try and block these, but is there any suggestion on how to do that? should I do it on a tall glass?

The Cable Lagoon Socks are coming right along. I've modified my own pattern and done the heel flap gusset instead of the short-row heel as it's my preferred method. I've got plenty of yarn, so no need in worrying about running out.

Busy Days

I sometimes wish that I could win the lotto. sigh, it would be nice to have all that free time to do What. Ever. You. Wanted... instead of working EVERY day until you shrivel up and croak. Not like I'm bitter:P

So, while I'm stealing a quick moment from my ever lovin paid job, I wanted to post about my current projects.

Pea Coat from Hell! is in the middle of being seemed.



As of this very moment. I don't like it. Perhaps I'll feel different once I get the collar on and finish the lining.

Lets move on... Cable Lagoon socks are to the point of creating the heel. I love this part as it means it half way done.



Postwar Mittens are to the thumbs and I'm super excited to get these going. We have one more class to finish the thumbs and then I'll have my first FO of the New Year.



In other news, my dear friend and shop owner Trish cast-on my St. Brigid for me, so now I'm all ready to jump start that project come February.



Tata for now... I hope my work schedule will lighten up soon, but just know I'm still Knitting!

A Good Student

Thursday is my next class on the Postwar Mittens and my homework was to be to the thumb. Once I reached that section of the pattern, the fit seemed a bit short so I then added an additional repeat.

Then of course when I saw my SnB buddy start her second mitten... I new I had to keep up just a little to make sure I would have these mittens done before spring.

Guess What Stinks In The House?

Wool Blocking, of course!



I can't tell you how happy I am right now. Just Elated. I even went to Joann Fabrics for some felted-back satin. This was highly recommended by Georgian during my Saturday outing at Nana's Knitting Shop.



I was looking for more of a POP for the inside... you know a little something funky but I think this will really set it up for a comfortable fit and give it an elegant look too.

There is only one remaining piece that is still on the needles, the collar. Once the main parts are dry I'll be well on my to having the collar done too.

Now for any sewers out there... Do I need to pre-wash the felted-back satin? I'm thinking not, but hoping for a little guidance;)

Hey! You've Got a Spot On Your Sleeve!

The one interesting thing about this tweedy yarn is the slubs of color that pop around the fabric. Mostly it's been teal and yellow lime bits, then out of no where came along this red. I love how this little spot just jumps out at you... it will be interesting to see if there are anymore surprises.



This post was really just going to focus how interesting the sleeves have been to knit because of the lovely color pops that come along. Yet when I walked into the Panera for SnB last night, I was a little concerned about the length.

I had over met my length by 3.5 inches. Oh Boy...talk about not paying attention. So not only did I have to rip back the over knit amount I had to go back further to allow for my increases to happen before I made the notches on the armholes. sigh. At least I discovered the mistake now instead of after finishing the sleeves.

My hands are really starting to strain under the pressure of getting this done. Normally I would have another project to work on in between to break up these moments of stress, but I haven't touched any other project. I have plan looming in February that entail concentration, ie: St. Brigid.

Snow, Snow and More Snow

Every time I sit down to write a post about what's going on, I'm left with this overwhelming feeling like what's the point? Who wants to hear another entry on bad weather? Who wants to see another picture of the same project just a few inches longer? Eh, I think it's that time of year again. The winter blahs.

So.. here is the snow picture...



On the way to the bus I curse the neighbors who don't shovel the sidewalks. Yet, not only don't they do the sidewalks, but they don't do their driveways either. Just weird.

Something else that has been keeping me busy now days is this:



My new computer at the office. It's freakin' huge! Still working out the bugs, but it's getting there.

The other bit of news is my discovery of the Starbucks Sweater Mug. I stumbled on to someones blog who had received one and knew I just had to have it. I really lucked out at the store near my office.



I've searched online for a link for others to purchase them, but I think there just a fad for the season. If you want one I suggest heading out to your local Starbucks in search.

A Little Obsessed

Do you see?
How lovely can it be?
A warm mitten for me?

The other night I was reading Thomas The Train Rhyme stories to Miss Mac and now sometimes I get stuck in rhyming things. Does this happen to anyone else?

Anywho... I started the Postwar Mittens Class at Nana's Knitting Shop and became so deeply in love that I could not put it down.

I also have to show off Little Hunter who is quickly turning 3 months old. He reminds me of when Eric was little and how the facial expressions could just about make you tinkle in your panties.

Graffiti at the Jamba Juice

You're probably thinking to yourself... Graffiti in Chicago, so what. But hold on, this is no ordinary graffiti, were talking knitfiti.

Just take a closer look at this:



How cool is that? Knitting and crocheting just dripping from every handle, frame and chair in the store.



Not a bad idea for a promotional teaser on Jamba's new oatmeal product. I am curious to see how the general public takes this wacky concept.

It's Not Easy Being Green

Just look. Take a long gander my knitting peeps for what you see in front of you is a very good portion of the Pea Coat on it's way off the needles. Right Front might look a bit narrow in comparison to the Left (which is now on it's way to being started) but that will change as the main panel is added.

The only thing I'm dreading is running out of yarn. I did my calculations and I should have plenty, but that still does not help with this overwhelming fear that is creeping in the back of my mind.

I'll just keep knitting and if it gets to that point, perhaps a short sleeve version might be in my future. Oh Gawd How Pathetic! Seriously? Not going to happen. I Do Have Enough Yarn!

Second Verse, Same as the First

On New Years Eve I cast-on for a new pair of socks and I can't get enough of the green. I seriously want to eat these socks. The yarn is the Malabrigo sock yarn in Lettuce colorway. Go figure, right?

I've been having a very difficult time not starting the St. Brigid as I'm not suppose to start until February along with everyone else in the Knit-A-Long. sigh. So in light of the fabulous cables to come I've done this pair of socks up in my own pattern, Cable Lagoon.

As of today the pattern has been downloaded 536 times, HOOT! If you'd like to download your own copy, you'll find the link on my sidebar.

Look at My Funky Monkey

Most people on New Years Day are sleeping away the bubbles from the night before, where as my-eye-crusted-self meet up with my gang of gals for a day of fiber.

What is so special to wake up at 6 a.m. and head out for a 90 minute ride on a day that should be spent in your PJ's? The Fold of course. The Fold has their annual New Years Day Sale with outstanding discounts and it's more then just that. This place has magical qualities. It could be the fiber fumes, the isles and cubbies stuffed with yarn, or the smiling faces of other fiber lovers.

I don't need yarn. I've got project galore. I went to spend time with my fiber knitting crazed ladies. It's more about the journey then the destination.

So even thought I didn't need anything, I did fall head over heals for this Funky Monkey.



The shop had a model all cute and begging for a twin. I wasn't the only one who happened to snag a kit, huh ladies?

On the knitting front I managed to get to 14 inches and separated for the fronts and back. Here is a snap shot from the other day... I can see the light at the end of the tunnel for this project. A sigh of relief to be honest as I don't what this bad boy in the way when St. Brigid comes around.

Exploring Color Options

If you haven't see the Twist Collective online magazine...go take a look. When I saw the winter series, what popped out most for me was the Postwar Mittens.

So I was completely thrilled to see that Nana’s Knitting Shop was scheduling a class for this pattern. After begging to be allowed into an already filled class I went off to pick out my colors. It was a bit hard, but this is what I came up with:



After getting several "Great Pick" comments I took it home and then started to ponder if I had chosen the right set. My geeky-ness will now seep in and show you how concerned I am about these color choices.

I drew up a quick sample of the chart needed to plug in my colors and this is the result of the main color selection with dominate green:



Not bad, but what if we flip colors for a dominate brown:



Then I was thinking the yellow was not being used enough, so how about this:



Yuck! Definitely not that one. Now my concern at first are for the powerful contrast of the brown against the green. What if I went with a darker green instead:



Then of course I had to flip that and see:



Then I realized that the picking of the darker green was actually more like the original colors in the pattern. That isn't really what I wanted to do, not that I don't like it, it's just that I want my own version, see?

What do you think? Should I have the green or brown be the dominate color?