Wednesday, April 30, 2008

on the road again!

all i have to say is: thank god for ravelry! seriously. i'm pretty sure that after my week of writing, still nobody knows that this blog exists. therefore, i'd bet that that's why nobody responded to my cries for help on the lush and lacy cardigan that i've been desperately trying to figure out. well, after i got my long awaited for invite to the exclusive ravelry site, i immediately entered the forum and begged those more experienced than me for their help. graciously, several knitting peeps delt advice; but a particularly kind woman named erika really hit the problem on the head, and i'm so thankful for it. thank you erika!

anyway, i'm totally enjoying ravelry. but, more than that, i'm loving knitting my cardigan again! i'm really making progress, though i didn't get finished with the back panel yet. close though. here are some update pics:

here was the nightmare spot-which is now really fun for me!



Tuesday, April 29, 2008

naughty needles

this morning, before whisking off to work, i took the time to take additional (more satisfactory) pics of my "naughty needles". i just think they are so cute! i can't wait to make more; but one only has so much time. i hand create each needle. they are all 12" long and come in various u.s. sizes. i've got all of the ones below for sale on my etsy. what's really cool about them is that i can personalize them in any way you like, any color combo, any letter, number, design or phrase. they're the perfect gift for your favorite knitter; and we all need to treat ourselves every once in a while! plus, mother's day is just around the corner. i'll keep you posted as new designs emerge.



sassy right? givin' some love to those naughty knitters!


i can also do fruits, or pretty much anything else. i've got some sushi in the works!

Monday, April 28, 2008

accepted as one?

yes! my just received my ravelry invite! i am so excited! you can find me there as "uknitwit". i already browsed through the site just to get primed on the who's whens wheres and whys of everything. hopefully i can find someone on there to help me with my knitting dilemas-as i often have them. i can't wait to make my presence known. fantastic!

Sunday, April 27, 2008

naughty needles

i'm posting my hand made knitting needles tonight on my etsy: http://www.clairegirl.etsy.com/. i'm calling them "naughty needles". i hand make each one out of wooden dowels. i widdle the ends to a point, sand them each one by one with 4 different grades of sand paper so they are super smooth. then i give them each 2-3 coats of latex stain to give them a nice sheen. lastly, i mold each end by hand. i make a variety of ends which will fit into one of three categories: "simple", "expressions", and "desert". the "simple" needles have ends which are solid in color either with nothing on them or with a simple design such as polka dots, stripes, etc., on solid background. these are $15 a pair. the "expressions" have letters, numbers, or words on solid background and/or stripes, dots, etc. these are $18 a pair. lastly, the "desert" needles have ends that are far more intricate such as fruit, flowers, sushi, or any other design you can imagine. these are $20-$24 per pair. right now i have sizes us17, 15, 11, 10.5, 9, 8, and 5; but hope to carry all sizes soon. here are some pics of them. i will get some individuals up tomorrow. don't forget to have me make something custom for you. these are the perfect gift for that special knitter. am i hearing mother's day?



i think these would make great gifts!

popular girl

lots of people stop me when i'm walking with claire. it's kinda ridiculous actually. so many people are interested in her, that sometimes i just have to ignore them and pretend that i can't hear what they're saying. after all, if i stop for everyone, i'll never get anywhere! but today at the park there were these four cute little boys. i had to get pictures. it's funny when the little kids ask if she's mean. she's only 3.5lbs, and she's the sweetest love! she couldn't hurt 'em if she tried!







pancake sunday!

so, finally the day we've been waiting all week for finally arrived. pancake sunday! yea! when chad and i moved in together we accidentally started a, sunday: breakfast feast, tradition. we would have omelets, bacon/lil' smokies, and pancakes. well, recently it's become, sunday: pancake day. all week long through the dull-drum of our daily routines we've come to appreciate the ritual of pancake day. what a relaxing time of good food paired with great conversation across from a handsome man. m-mm, good!


me cooking
chad and claire with pile of cakes

don't forget me!

Saturday, April 26, 2008

shrugin' it

in between figuring out my lush and lacy cardigan dilemma and working on my market bag design, i've decided to post some pics of my recently finished chunky bell sleeve shrug. it's super cute and perfect for spring. i bought the pattern from ficklefiberdiva on etsy. it only took me one day to knit it and shizam, a perfect little piece to throw over anything. in fact, i wore it to sushi last night!





isn't it cute?!

of course claire had to be there. camera diva.

sushi!

so last night chad and i went to "wabi" for sushi. it was soooo delicious! apparently the place was rated the best sushi in chicago by "time out chicago"-a magazine i stole while i was waiting at the doc's office last week. and man, they weren't lyin'! it was a little pricey; but i've payed more. we ordered a few different small (cheaper) rolls i.e. the spicy tuna, california, and shitake. and then we had two expensive rolls. i'm talking like $18 each. but they were worth every penny. the "godzilla" which was massive was filled with all kinds of goodness like tempura shrimp, orange tobikko, avocado, cream cheese, green onion, chili sauce, spicy mayo, and sesame seeds. orgasm for the mouth. honestly. the other spendy roll was the "ecuador" which was more light and refreshing with ingredients like maguro, hamachi, cilantro, cuc, avocado, green onion, jalapeno, orange tobikko, tempura crumbs, chili sauce, wasabi mayo, and sesame seeds. i was a little iffy on this one 'cause of the cilantro (which used to make me gag; but i think i'm getting better with); but it was pretty good, and chad really enjoyed it. i really wanted to flash some pics; but you know these kinds of places. crowded, trendy, and kinda expensive. now the place to be snapping shots like a tourist. but, i do have pics of us after. see below....



theres never anyone to take our pic for us. we're getting really good at doing it ourselves!

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

chicago buds

today when i was nannying and walking the twins, i just had to take pictures of the beautiful buds that are bursting out announcing spring. the weather is just so pleasant right now and i know it won't be long until the sun comes out full force and melts us with it's heat and humidity. i'm enjoying every minute of this mild weather. i hope you can enjoy it through these pics!


cherry blossoms

beautiful tulips


i don't know what these are; but they're fabulous!







homework, done!







alrighty! i've done my homework as promised! i wanna update with pics of my project in progress. i'm right at the point where i have to start the lace portion on the back panel and for some reason am hitting a real road block. i've frogged the lace panel row like 50 million times today. i'm supposed to knit the lace pattern: k2, *k2tog [k1, yo]2times, k1, skp, k3 rep from * end with k2, and do it over 21 sts; but it just isn't working. i looked it up on sweaterbabe -where i bought the pattern- and there's a help page describing this very moment in the pattern. it says that i have to: k2, k2tog, [k1, yo] 2times, k1, skp, k3, k2tog, [k1, yo] 2times, k1, skp, k2. but, even after reviewing it and doing it i'm still going over 21 sts! i just can't figure it! if anyone out there has any ideas please send 'em my way. anyway, here's my pics so far...

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

no time!

ok, precisely my point! i just started my life as a blogger yesterday and i'm already letting it slip! maybe night time isn't such a swell idea. periodically throughout the day is seeming more reasonable. i really feel like i gotta get some pics up in here. i mean, who wants to read all this mumbo jumbo anyway? i'll admit it, when i blog surf, i usually just look at the pictures. then when i see one that interests me, sometimes i'll read what it's all about. so, i promise-i'm making this vow right now-i will take my camera with me tomorrow and i will take at least one picture to post. i'll also try to include some of my knitting needle making process.


lush and lacy cardigan to be!


on the knitting front, i've recently started my first cardigan! i got the pattern off of sweaterbabe.com, and it is so cute (as seen above). i know i'm a little late for sweater season, but being that i am a newer knitter, my abilities are just now at the point where i'm able to possibly accomplish such a feat. so now i will battle the ever escalating temps, needles in hand, cardigan in progress!

Monday, April 21, 2008

fresh out the womb

well, here i go with my first blog post, like an infant ready to grow! it's kinda scary knowing that i'm posting my rantings for all to read, judging at every angle. it took me a while to drudge up the courage to nook my own web cranny but i gotter done! my biggest dilemma was choosing a name. how is one supposed to choose a name for something like this anyway? there's too much freedom in it. it's like having to choose out of thin air what kind of personality you want to have. i mean, the name's important right? it's got to encompass the essence of ren! how am i supposed to do that in a word or two? i was going for something kinda clever: "knitwit". it's cute right?

so now that i'm webbing with the name and the whole bit, i think i should figure out a schedule. probably blogging at the end of the day is best that way you all can read about my life as a swim instructor slash lifeguard slash nanny slash caregiver. yeah, i know, busy busy busy. but, those things aside, what i really want to write about is what i do during my down time i.e. knit knit knit along with all things crafty. i've recently begun making my own knitting needles which are so darn cute! i'll take pictures today and post them tonight. you guys are going to love 'em! they look so young and fresh and your yarn slides like butter on and off the tips! i can't wait to get them on my etsy. i'll keep you posted.

alrighty, i think that's enough to get started. this entry was a good practice for me and i'm feeling reved up and ready to go! cheers to knitting, blogging, and blogging about knitting!