Snags!

Tonight I tried again to work a multi-strip blanket on my USM. This time I decided to go with some acrylic ribbon yarn I got from Smiley's a while back for $1/ball. The first ball went great. The 2nd ball I decided to try using from the outside to see if that would lessen the twisting issue. BIG MISTAKE! Now it's getting all hung up trying to unwind as I use it and I think that's what is causing a problem with the latches of the needles getting caught in the weave of the ribbon. I give up for tonight. Now I know it takes a little less than 1 ball per square, and this blanket is 3 strips x 5 blocks, so I have enough yarn to make this project. It would be a nice clingy spring/summer blanket.

I'm still working on my Knitster illusion scarf and dug out my Ravenswood Lorna's Laces Heaven shawl and started working like mad on that yesterday so that I can get it done and justify the Icehouse skein I saw at the yarn shop Tuesday night. My LYS is growing my leaps & bounds - it's so exciting! Now if I could just knit faster to keep up with all the cool stuff I like! I got out The Knit Stitch by Sally Melville from the library so I could take another look thru that. I'm still contemplating the Einstein coat, although I'm afraid that I'll look & feel like the Abominable Snowman in it. I've lost about 7.5 pounds in 5 days - I'm not exactly planning ahead for a smaller size at this point. I really need to get back to the CYO sweater, as well. I think I have knitters block on that because I know I'm getting close to the sleeve steeks. I finally got my 200 Knitted Blocks book and haven't really had a chance to look at it yet. This winter I want to start a sqares afghan. It will be cold & crappy, I won't want to go out during lunch or breaks, so I might as well have a little project to work on. I'd really like to get a set of Lantern Moon needles, a small Lantern Moon rice basket, and some really classic wool yarn and keep it at my desk so I have a little something earthy in sight.

I have also had the urge to start a pair of afterthought heel socks - something really mindless that I can just knit & knit forever. I have the yarn I got from Smiley's to make dh a pair of socks a few months back that I could get started on. I'm into the instep of the Tahoe socks for my mom. I need to have those done by christmas at the latest. I know I said I wasn't doing handmade gifts this year, but our family seems like it's shrinking faster than it's growing. We lost my aunt but will be gaining my nephew within a few weeks. I feel like I should be making my aunts and mom something special this year.