New Geeky Idea

Sometimes, I dream of actually finishing a project before starting on another one.  It's a small dream.  Someday, it may actually happen.

But, today is not that day.

With the first of the pet sweaters nearly complete, I have started onto a set of The Secret World related fingerless gloves.  Making Templar (the best!), Illuminati (they're okay), and Dragon (...).  My husband renders my designs for me in excel (because I'm not that good) and the Dragon logo came out amazingly well.  So, he wanted me to start with that one.

You have to know when to hold 'em...know when to fold 'em....know when to walk away....and know when a cabling project is going to drive you insane.  Holy crap.  I think I've broken my thumb trying to do this one row and knowing I have to do it at least 8 more times does not overjoy my heart.

I really think the Dragon rendering will work nicely as a sweater or hoodie.  We'll see how they go.

In other news, since our office door is currently not doing its job, Rocky (aka The Flash) has commandeered my lap and right arm/hand.  I probably should stop typing and knitting for a few minutes.

He's so getting a teddy bear....

Pet Sweaters - Round 1

So... this is so flipping cute!  The Flash on a sweater for a cat!  Rocky will love it.  He may look grumpy and mean and say he hates it, but deep down, I know he'll love it.

The claws are claws of love.

Speaking of Rocky, he loves my yarn.  He will grab a ball and drag it onto the bed and cuddle with  it.  This makes me think of knitting him a teddy bear or something.  I just think it would be adorable!  Maybe I'll knit him a tribble.....

I made a small mistake on the back in cutting the threads so it would stretch, so there may be some holes, but this is the first time I've attempted a design in a knitting pattern, so cut me some slack!  If I do it right, these only take about 8 hours to make, start to finish.  There's not much left to go on it, but I wanted to show you progress! 

I'm thinking of making a few to auction off at an upcoming Charity event.  What others would you suggest?

Update - Velma's Sweater

Well.  Sadly, I did not finish the sweater by the deadine I set for myself.  <sadface>

The costume was still groovy and people absolutely loved it.  I just felt kinda silly not having the orange turtle neck.  Still, Velma was my favorite cosplay of the weekend.

I know this is a *VERY* short blog, but I'm tired and I have a lot to unwind from....

Update - February Cosplays

Holy crap.  Never in my imagination did I think I was going to get hit with everyone wanting my time a week and a half before the con!  I haven't had as much time to knit as I'd like and am, therefore, behind where I'd like to be.

That is to say, I'm right on time as per my usual costuming for conventions.

The gorgeous Daphne Blake dress my mom made for me was the way wrong color.  As in not even in the same zip code.  Daphne's dress is purple; mom made a gorgeous replica...in "Cornflower Blue."  Fortunately, we are masters of dying things the correct colors....if only the dye will hold this time and not splotch...  Nail biting commences with one day to fix anything (Thursday is load-in).

The sweater...that's really why you're reading this, I know.  With about 7 minutes to spare, I finished the "front" (which may end up as the "back") before 1am.  So, I have two and a half days to finish two sleeves, then block the sweater...and pray it fits.  Fortunately, if you follow my other blog, you know I've lost weight (yay!) since I started making this project.

I can't remember if I said before or not, but there are several things "wrong" with this project.  First, one of the pieces is larger (as in wider) than the other because, apparently, I can't count.  I think my simple solution is just to knit the neck to match before starting into the turtle and increases and such.  Second, I also did not read the pattern correctly and used the wrong gauge needle for the whole thing.  Blocking may or may not fix this, but, whatever.  I'm fairly confident this thing will fit.  This coupled with the knee high socks and the wig is sure to make me pass out from heat stroke, but it's okay.  I'll have fun and probably quip off something geeky...like normal.

I'm going to be knitting at the con, as well.  Likely my kitty sweaters....maybe some mits.  We'll see. I haven't fully decided...I could start my summer sweater and/or work on my halter.  Either are good options, I think.  Probably should wait on the summer sweater til I have my final measurements in two weeks.  So!  Halter and kitty sweaters it shall be!

Knit All the Things!

I *really* need to stop coming up with brilliant ideas for projects.  I need to finish this Velma sweater.  I must be wearing it next weekend (HOLY COW!).  But, am I working on it?  Noooooo

I have a halter I'm working on...a pair of socks....a pair of fingerless mits...another pair of socks... plots for some totally epic sweaters/hoodies....ideas for some pet sweaters...

Really?  Can't I just focus for one more week on the color orange?  I'm so close to finished....at least I tell myself that.  Half way to decreases on the front piece and then two sleeves... SO CLOSE!

...and naturally, I'll take knitting to the convention with me.  I want to start on some pieces for in my etsy store so it's not all bare and lonely.

Here's a list of projects for this year:

Sweaters
Velma Cosplay sweater (almost done!)
Minion sweater (me...due by June 2)
Backless Halter (me...due by July 13)
Over-sweater for mom (Christmas present)
Super secret Sweater Project x2 [for now] (Epicness)
Super secret hoodie project x2 [for now] (Total win)
Pet sweaters (I have some ideas based on my cats...who will never wear these, I'm sure)

Gloves
Fingerless mits for Ken (already started)
Convertible mits x3 (Ken, Dave, and myself...just in case I land in Edmonton)
TSW-esque fingerless gloves (Templar, Illuminati, and Dragons)
Hand warmers x2 (one pair for Christine J and one for me)

Socks
House socks for someone secret (Not the Potter ones, though I do wanna do those, too)
Yoga socks (it's an experiment)
Work socks (Dave)
Doggie booties (Snoopy...he may get a sweater, too; as well as Lambeau & Lombardi)

Scarves
Yoda-ish scarf (for Kara)
Packer-colored striped scarf (for Kara)

Super Secret Gifty Things
House Scarf (likely Gryffandor...maybe Huffelpuff)
Stripy Socks (I have particular colors, but the person for whom they are may read this blog)
Toque

Miscellaneous Projects
...like the cell phone cases
iPad/Tablet cozies
Tea cup cozies
Cabled Jumper (this is for me.  I fell in love with the look and pattern when I saw it and really want to do it...I may make a few...first one straight from the pattern and the subsequent ones super geeky).

Think this will keep me busy this year?

Progress Update - Velma

Alrighty then!

I ordered my other accessories for Velma--the wig, the glasses, the socks, and the shoes; Mom's working on the skirt and I'm working on the sweater.

In fact, I'm about 5.5" into the front, above the ribbing (that leaves 8.5" left til the decrease).  I'm fairly confident I can finish this thing in the next two weeks and yes, pictures will be posted.

I also purchased a lovely purple dress as the base of Daphne's costume.  It needs...work.  A lot of work.  In fact, it's a W22.  I wear a regular 12...or 10...depends on the style and brand.

UPDATE
Naturally, as I make my blog post, my Mum called me.  She wanted to let me know that she finished the costumes and would be shipping them out tomorrow.  I paused and said, "Costumes?  You mean the Velma skirt?"

"...and the Daphne dress..."

<silence> "You mean the one you told me you didn't have time to make??"

"Yeah... I found the material and a pattern and decided to just do it.  I was pretty simple."

<SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!>

So!!  I just need to finish my sweater and make sure the long-distance tailoring fits and I'm golden!!  This gives me hope and great incentive to finish this darn sweater.  And, as mom said, the components of the Velma costume will be worn by me again and again.  I like orange...just not at the moment....