Pattern:  Squirrel & Oak Mittens, Hello Yarn
Yarn:  Nature Spun Worsted, garland  and  roasted coffee; 1/2 sk ea
Needles:  3.5 mm bryspun double points
Start/Finish:  21 August/ 25 August 2006
Notes:  the pattern as written calls for a simple thumb that has no gore.  i didn't like the fit of it at all, so i added a gored thumb to mine.  other than that, i loved the pattern.

everyone had such nice things to say about Eris and the squirrel mitten!  thank you thank you thank you.  i made the executive decision to not put a zipper into Eris.  i decided to go with toggle buttons for two reasons--1) i was less than thrilled with the color selection on the zippers at all the stores i checked this weekend, and 2) i didn't like how the front of my Rouge cardi hung after i put the zipper in.  it got all wavy and wierd.  anywho, here's what Eris looks like with toggle buttons.  G picked out the buttons, and i think he did a great job!  i think that i like the toggle closures, but i don't have a full length mirror in my apartment, so any feed back would be greatly appreciated.

i got the toggles at Hancock Fabrics, and i also scored 3 balls of the Lion Brand Magic Stripes sock yarn for $1.70 a piece.  i generally like many of the Lion Brand yarns, but the Magic Stripes has the same fiber content as some of the more expensive self-stripping yarns (75% superwash wool, 25% nylon), and it's realatively cheap. 

i've ordered yarn from Knitpicks for a super secret project that i'll let you all in on as it developes--it a present (either birthday or christmas, depending on how long it takes to finish) for a friend of mine.  i've also started an alpaca hat for another friend's birthday (their birthdays are actually on the same day) and i must say, i forgot how sheddy the Alpaca from Elann is.  anywho, boring hat pics later!

she is DONE (well, 99.95% done--still needs a zipper or some type o' closure)
Pattern:  girl from auntie Eris, 40" size (for reference on fit, i've a 39" bust)
Yarn:  Knit Picks Main Line, Red Velvet Cake colorway; approx. 1394 yds. (acutally a bit less than this)
Needles: Addis; 4 mm for body, 3.25 mm for collar
Start/Finish:  1 August / 23 August 2006
Notes:  this pattern, like any other pattern of Jenna's i've knit, is beautifully written, and well worth the money.  i absolutly adore the front edges--it is the most beautiful and easy edge treatment i've used yet.  i am still curious as to why it calls for a worsted weight yarn when a DK would work just swell (imho).  if i knit this again, i'll use a DK weight wool, as the Main Line 1) killed my hands and 2) looks like it'll wear just about as well as tissue paper--the sweater already has that tired, fuzzed out look that cottons sometimes get, and that's just from carrying it about.  this baby needs some serious blocking, but i was too excited to wait!

i think i'll be starting the Chicknit's Cece next, although i do have a couple of friends with birthdays coming up.  if i were good i'd start their presants (i would have to place another Knitpicks order). 

i went ahead and tried a Squirrel mitten 2.0 with the worsted weight and 3.5mm needles--lookie lookie!  (my hand is actually in the mitten in this picture) it fits lovely, and i did a happy dance.  i added a gore to the thumb, and i'm thrilled with how it turned out.  the pattern match could be better, but i'm rather please for having just winged it. 

i'm getting dangerously close to finishing up Eris.  i've gotten the front bottom cable details completed.  the picture is a bit dark, but you get the idea, i hope.  i like the edging on the bottom of this: Rogue called for a hem, which can be a really nice touch, but in worsted weight yarn, the double thickness was just too much.  the bottom of my sweater always flairs out a bit, no matter how crazily i block the damn thing.  the edge treatment for Eris is a knit-on border that takes advantage of slipped stitch to cause the very edge of St st to curl under, making a nice clean line.  it's very neat and clean looking, but i've not got it finished and it would be a damned boring picture!

i'm a crazy lover of the old time radio programs, and i used to be able to catch them on the NPR station that was out of Xavier university.  i think that they must have not been a big draw at pledge time 'cause they stopped.  and i was very dissapointed.  but today, the clouds parted and the sun streamed down onto me!!!  the fella sent me the link for OTR.Network Library, and i have a steady stream of radio programs available at a mouse click--for free.  i am beside myself with glee.  Inner Sactum, Suspense, and X minus 1  have been speeding me through work on Eris.

i've learned of a new knitting group that's just a block from my apartment.  i think that i'm going to check it out on wednesday--i'll let ya know how it goes if i do.

and now, cause i know you've all been anxiously waiting for it, the cooked purple and green cauliflower.  see???  it stayed pretty colored!!!  whoot.  i roasted it, and it was deeeelish.  if you'd like to try it, toss cauliflower florets with enough olive oil to lightly coat, some crushed garlic, a bit o' lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste.  bake on a cookie sheet in a 400 degree oven for 15-25 minutes or desired level of doneness.  my favorite type of recipe--simple, tasty, and beautiful!

alright, let me first explain something about me--i'm a little crazy when it comes to how food appeals to the eyes not just the tastebuds.  if something doesn't look good to me, it just doesn't taste as good.  so, you have to imagine the sqeals of joy i let out at the market when i stumbled upon these: 
oh...my....sweet....lord.  yes.  that is purple cauliflower.  the brociflower isn't new, but it is a lovely shade of green.  i cannot wait to have these on a plate together. 

Eris is coming along slow but steady.  instead of twisted increases like these, i chose to use plain old increases.  i like the look better, and they are much easier on my poor little hands.  if i had made this in a more elastic fiber, i think that i'd probably have it all done by now.  if i make another one of these, i'll use a DK weight wool.  cause, seriously, i'm not sure why this pattern specifies Worsted Weight when it calls for a gauge of 5.5/8rows and 5/7rows.  i didn't really think it out before starting, and i can't figure it out now.  oh well, here's where she's at so far:

don't mind my wandering eyes....i thought i saw a bug on the wall, and i liked how the sweater looked in this pic, so i used it even though i look sorta vapid.

 PS.  if anyone can give me any pointers for changing my banner, drop me an email, and i'll be eternally grateful.