...after quite a speed bump, she returns to knit again...

Thank God!  I honestly felt that my recovery would never come.  Though I haven't completely recovered, I feel so much relief already.  My pain is minimal (especially with the help of the pain pills they prescribed), and I am sleeeping well, and often.  I've been staying with my parents, and they've been so good to me.  I've lost 10 pounds from simply not having an appetite for over a week, but this could be worse.  I don't recomend the appendectomy diet by any means, folks.

Anyhow, I'm back on the knitting "wagon".  I've started working on a thick black alpaca slouchy beanie for my brother-as per his request.  I am also crunching to finish a few gifts for my future sister in law's bridal shower.  Would've been on schedule, but...you know.   I will post pictures soon, when there isn't much risk of Jess or Ty seeing their gifts early.  In addition to this, my mom and I are also diving head first into wedding planning.  We found the most beautiful knit flowers for the wedding favors.  Take a look:

Simple and elegant.  Another option we've found is this "tearose" shown on the edge of the bag:

Both are found in Nicky Epstein's Knitted Flowers

There comes a time when even knitting is a chore...

On Thursay, Feb. 17 I was noticing some very bad abdominal pains.  I tried pepto and ginger ale, but nothing seemed to work.  Finally, on Friday, I had my mom take me to the ER.  After bloodwork, CT scans, etc. it was determined that I had a ruptured appendix (I'm guessing that's how you spell it).  This makes sense because the pain was terrible.  After the CT scan and results, I waited for about 3 hours to have the opperation.  Afterwards, I was settled into a room and given a diet of ice chips and sips of water.  Big time!  Anyhow, I have this computer/TV and wireless keyboard in my room.  I can surf the web and watch movies!  My nurse actually recommended that I look up a periscopic appendectomy on youtube...not so sure about that.  Well, hope you are all having a great weekend ( do some carefree knitting for me).  Should be back at the needles in about a week. 

Hmmmm...Ralph Lauren has a realllly cute "team USA" beanie...

I wonder what it would take to create a "look-alike" of this hat.  I wouldn't want to buy it, but would love to knit it!  Any suggestions???  BTW-Go Lindsey Vonn for taking the downhill to school!

Ahhh...the aftermath of a truly relaxing weekend of friends, fun, and knitting!

This weekend was fantastic!  Branden and I kicked off the Olympics with my mom and dad.  Mom and I went shopping on Saturday, followed by a delicious dinner and evening visiting the Billagio and Caesar's palace Seahorse Lounge.  Valentines was very nice with a simple evening of Blue's BBQ (delicious!) and the beginning of the pairs figure skating and men's moguls. On Monday, we wound down with a late morning breakfast, r&r, and then dinner and games at our dearest friends Paul and Alyssa's house!  What an eventful weekend!  And to top it all off, I finished my mittens and a new hat for Branden!  Take a look!

a 'fetching' new project...

I've decided to put off the Swan Lake whimple until track break...it will take some seriouse focus on my part and I frankly don't have enough of that with testing at school and preparation for the break.  However, I did begin a new project. 

I foound these fingerless mittens on Ravelry during one of my late night stints of pattern browsing.  (again my eyes are bigger than my knitting needles right now...).  I love the tightly cabled cuff and ribbed texture.  I'm making mine with a bamboo/wool blend.  As a matter of fact, I was cruising Joanns a while back and happened on this yarn on an end cap.  Typically, when shopping big craft stores, I avoid the end cap yarn, but this time I lucked out! The yarn is called "Bamboo Ewe" and its by Debbie Stoller, the author of Stitch 'N Bitch.  She also has an alpaca, and peruvian wool.  No acrylic here.  Next time you stop by a Joanns, check it out.  I reckon you'll like what you find.  Anywho...here is the pattern for the Fatching fingerless mitts.

Keeping his ears warm....

I really enjoyed this knit, but wish the pattern ended each stripe on an even row so I could simply carry the yarn up the side with me after each color change.  However, weaving in all the ends was pretty painless and quick.  Plus, I love the way it turned out.  For some reason the varigated stripes give the illusion of a zebra-ish pattern.   New word-"zebra-ish"...count it!  ;) 

Handsome, no?

It's time everyone take the pledge...

Turn things around and abandon the phone while you are driving.  Many lives can be spared...including your own.  Take the pledge here.

It's almost time...

...for a much deserved break.  In about two weeks I will be going out for my second track break this year!  My break will be three weeks long followed by only two weeks of school and then Spring Break!  How sweet is that?  Sooo...I must keep myself busy.  This break will be devoted to wedding planning, whimple and flower knitting (flowers for the wedding favors), as well as some sweet R&R.  Can't wait to get started!  I will definitely be posting some great wedding ideas throughout my break (a bit off the topic of knitting, but relevant in my life right now), but never-you-fear.  I will certainly pepper in plenty of knitting content! Let the countdown begin...

Daily Greenhorn Tip #8

As a teacher, and because of the endless paper handling, it is so hard for me to maintain a decent manicure .  Beause of this, and the dry weather her in Las Vegas, I tend to have rough fingernails that could potentially snag my yarn (and have on several occasions).  SOO...I carry a nail file in my tool kit to use when I notice that my nails are attracting a lot of unwanted yarn fiber attention.  Also a great way to keep those bamboo needle points sharp and ready!  Happy knitting!!

Song to Knit to # 9

After my last finished project, and the post, I've had Prince stuck in my head.  Sooo...the only way to release the geanie from the bottle is to listen to it!  And knit to it!!
Raspberry Beret by Prince  Enjoy!

A new project...with a deadline!

In April, my brother and his amazing fiance will be tying the knot and I am in charge of knitting the gorgeous (in pictures--hopefully I can make it that beautiful) Swan Lake whimple my mom will be wearing by Tahki Stacy Charles inc..  I can't wait to get started, but am a bit nervous to work with fine mohair for the first time.  I am pretty comfortable with lace knittng, but this will be new territory for me.  Let's hope it goes well.  OOOO I just love weddings! 

my new "blueberry" beret...the kind you find in a second hand store... ;)

It's hard not to quote Prince here.  Anywho, here it is!  The mystery beret from Ravelry.  I am so pleased with the way  it turned out.  The pattern gives repeats for slouchy and extra slouchy, but I chose to go about making it without any extra repeats.  I'm really glad that I did, because it is certainly slouchy enough.  Especially now that I have so little hair!

Doesn't the "starish" design give just the right amount of whimsy?? I just love it! >>>proud sigh<<< Here is the pattern! Give it a shot--perhaps with a nice bamboo blend for spring! Happy February!

By the way...here I am with my new chop!  I went a little shorter than I originally planned, to give it some grow out time.  Thanks Neil at Ulta Salon in Costa Mesa, CA! 

Think Natalie Portman in Darjeeling Limited.  Yay!

I just have a much bigger forehead..hehe!