Well, That's a First!

I like puns :)

In case you are wondering, this post is all about the "firsts" I am acheiving this month in the world of knitting and spinning.

First on the list is a project I am making with some wool I got at K1 knitting boutique in Edinburgh, Scotland. It's going to be a set of fingerless gloves. Why a first? Well 1, I've never made fingerless gloves, and 2, I am improvising the pattern. I am taking the construction from a basic gloves pattern, using the math of another fingerless pattern to know when to cut off the fingers, and creating my own cable design to go on the outside of the hand. The cable shown in that pattern is not the design I am creating, but it is the chart I am basically working from. When they're done they should have an X across the front of them.

Second on the list is my first handspun with my new spindle. I am not sure of the weight (The owner of Wicked Stitch didn't tell me...) but it's heavier, which means thicker plys. It's also being spun with my FIRST (Sensing a pattern here?) Wilton Food Dye dyed roving, and I really love how it turned out! It's various shades of blues, greens and yellow and it looks so pretty! And the thicker plys make it softer too.

And that leads us to the next first, my FIRST sweater! Ok, it's actually a cardigan, but what's the difference? I am using this very pretty shade of Berocco Vintage (My old standby for worsted socks) and so far it really is effortless, hense the name "Effortless Cardigan". I am only 6 rows in, and it seems like it may take awhile, but I am up for the challenge.

No I did not take this picture, it's a very nice picture taken by one of my test knitters for my first published (and for sale) pattern! I'm so excited about these because they are super basic and cheap and all proceeds go to Relay For Life. Here we go again with that, but I am really passionate about that cause.

The next 5-6 weeks are going to be torture. My teachers are pushing me so hard, and I'm grateful for it, but also burned out. I don't really feel like doing anything, but I have no choice. School should come first, but I'm having a hard time lately remembering that. Wish me luck as the next weeks speed by.

~Lisa

Almost the new year, time for reflections

It's been over 2 months since I updated this blog....and I've knitted ALOT since then. Before we get to that though, I figured I would update the world on my life (Like you all care...).
I survived my 1st semester of sophomore year, and I even managed to get a couple A's. I wish they had been in the classes that matter AKA my art classes, but I guess the professors just don't know how to grade...hahaha. Actually, I understand why I got B's in those so it's not a big deal. It's just a B, not a problem.

I've also been super busy with my life. This year has been such an adventure! I started the year as an immature freshman, still unsure on the rest of the world, very sure I'd be with my boyfriend forever. My the end of May I had decided to take responsibility and live in a house the coming school year AND me and my Bf were no longer an 'item' (his idea...). Looking back, I am very glad it happened. I have since become alot more mature, taking on the issues involved in living off campus. That's been a challenge, but I wouldn't move back to the dorms EVER. Learning to live off my pay checks, cook my own meals, and do my own chores has been a learning experience that's for sure, but I don't regret my decisions at all.

I also met the best friends I could ever meet this year, and I honestly beleive if I was still with the boy, I wouldn't be as close to my friends and I'd be a 'social hermit', if you know what I mean. All of us have done so much in the short time we've known each other (literally only about 5 months!). The memories we've made have been priceless, from Dance Party and Sonic adventure at the beginning of the year to Konza and girls day in October, out skating kids on my birthday, and who can forget the late night Walmart scavenger hunt in Halloween costumes, to the random bowling and dinner nights, to simply watching movies, we've had the best year and I can't wait to spend 2011 with Lynnsey, Kaela, Rachel, David, Alley, Kenni and well EVERYONE!

Which brings me to my next adventure, Relay for Life. Relay for life is such a big event, and I can't beleive I get to be a part of it! This is my first year on commitee and being a team captain, and I'm completely engrossed in it all. I absolutely cannot wait to celebrate, remember, and fight back with all my friends in April!

So now on to why you're probably here, my art :) I've done so much knitting and art since October when I last posted that I need to catch up and reflect.

I guess I'll start with my paintings, which is what I found myself doing alot when I wasn't in class or at work. Afterall, it was 'homework' and I had to get them done sometime! I'm only posting the decent ones.Abstract from a still life, zoomed in on a plastic toy bread, pickles, and animal cracker with a plastic chicken leg in the top left and a skull and blanket in the top right.

Interior set up. I am very proud of this painting, I feel like it's my first 'finished' painting and actually shows depth pretty well.

Final project, self portrait. I took a chance and decided to do myself in my messy room looking into a mirror on the floor. I like how it turned out, but my teacher thinks I need to make my feet more natural colored and show my face more.

And now onto my knitting. When I wasn't painting, in class, or working, I was probably knitting!

I learned how to make mittens after realizing they were pretty much socks with thumbs. This is my first attempt, I love how they turned out but I don't wear them very often :( I guess I need to more, but I'm worried they'll get messed up.

And then I made a matching stocking cap, which I actually used, and loved, until I lost it :( But it still taught me alot about circular knitting and how to do things besides scarves and socks.

I made a scarf with really pretty cascading blue yarn and I absolutely love it :) It's a little short, but I can't afford more yarn!

I made my sister a scarf with yarn I hate (but she liked) and it's a simple knitted scarf. I honestly did not enjoy making this, but she loves it!

To conclue the year I learned 2 new things at the same time. I got knitpicks interchangeable circular needles for Christmas, and with that I learned how to magic loop! From there I then knitting my brother a pair of gloves, my first ever. They turned out amazing and he loves them! What a great way to end the year!

So it's been one hellofa year, and I owe it all to everyone and everything that's happened! I hope you all have a great 2011, and I hope to keep you posted on my life and how much I am enjoying it!