Flying....to Germany

I am planning to write a skirt pattern. I’ve only just begun to make some plans in my head and I’m still very much debating on whether or not to make it aline, or more form fitting. A line I think will be difficult with increases. I think there will be a lot of frogging and redoing. I have ideas for a waistband that you can use a drawstring, but will hopefully not look like a casual skirt. It’s going to be in a fingering weight to add some swing to the fabric (again, hopefully). That’s all the details on that for now.

Onto Germany and flying business class. So, there are two kinds of business class. There is the kind that is like coach, but with slightly more room, and there is the kind that is basically first class and I’m not sure what the differences would be.
On my flight across the Atlantic I had the flight attendant take my coat and put it into the closet (?!). Everything that was served was served on some type of glass with metal utensils and with fancy glasses for beverages. Alcohol was free. A full dinner meal was served, including appetizer, entrée and dessert. After sleeping (your chair reclines fully) they served breakfast about 1.5 hours before landing. My only complaint…..heheheh….is that it was godawful hot on that plane. I was sweating for the entire flight and did not get any sleep. The problem with not getting sleep is that your jet lag is almost unbearable. After my second flight (story about that to follow), I kept dozing in the taxi on my way to the hotel. I had to fight to stay awake until it was actually bed time. Then I slept like a baby.
No internet at the hotel, so I will not be able to post, unless I’m at work. I will try to do so, except, as of now, the first day, they cannot got get the internet working on my computer. Wish me luck!
You may wind up reading a few days of my experience all crammed into one.
One more thing that I would like to mention about my time so far is…breakfast! The table settings at the hotel are so fancy. I think it’s wonderful. Formal, but not all at once.

FO type stuff....kinda

Well, I'll be leaving for Germany soon (er....tomorrow evening) and so I'm not sure if I will be blogging while there.
I will be on a business trip, not so much of the fun for me....(insert pouty face)

I will post a few photos and maybe include some knit/crochet glamor shots; I am super excited to be traveling to Europe though.
I have to remember to dress appropriately so that I am not immediately identifiable as "American".
I have actually googled this and found more than a few websites with lots and lots of advice; snippet to follow:

1.  Do not wear running/tennis shoes unless they are of the "grown-up" variety - brown, tan, black type sneaks
2.  Do not wear khakis or cargo pants (nothing baggy for those Deustchlanders)
3.  No white socks (ahem....unless you are wearing them with sandals = hotness)
4.  No jeans unless they are super tight (applies to both genders)

So, the list goes on, but I think that gives a pretty clear idea.  I think I will sneak photos of "these" people....I also hear that they cannot match all that well.
I hope there is some truth to do that...make me feel better about my color combo choices.

Okay, an FO (do not have completed photo yet)

A few things about this giant underwear looking object.  Er, firstly, it's not undies....although that would be awesome.
This is a shirt and has little lace straps connecting the top (the bottom in the photo) to the back (wear the "wings" start).
I have complete finished the button sewing and the strap sewing (if you can call that sewing, really).  I need to sew the lining in.
I sort of, fear and hate to do it, so this almost FO has been waiting patiently for me to sew in the lining and wash it.  As the shape is completely off from my trying it on so many times.

Pattern : Bamboo Deep V Top (by Bernat free pattern)
Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
Hook Size: I and J (different than in pattern)
Made for:  my sister....woot!

In this photo, I'm wearing the top, but I'm much taller than my sis, so it definitely fits her.
I wish that it had been just a tad longer though, it would give a little more drape, but I like this pattern and it was fairly simple to make.
If I make it again I will use a larger hook (when I checked my gauge it was way larger than the pattern called for, so I dropped a hook size and I think that then it was too small).

That's everything for now, folks!

Untitled

Nothing too much to update here.  I added a few rows to my garter/st st
blanket.  I do want to correct the typo in regards to the colorway.
It's discontinued and it's red/gray.  It's a red, purple, gray, black
combo.  It pools slightly as it's quite stripey and I think it looks
really cool...but that might be the beginner knitter in me (also it
just makes me feel better).

Now, onto other things.  This post will be quite picture laden.  I
finally made myself take the pictures off of my camera and my fiance's
camera, edited them, and uploaded them to flikr.

Let's start with my kitties, as they are cuter even than my yarny products.


This is Ms. Mieze....she's sporting a lovely dinosaur costume...unhappily as you can see.



Next we have little Tovie, she's sleeping....ahem.

Now I will add some crochet elements; to keep in line with my goals for this blog (snoozes...)
That is my body pillow (window seat pillow) FO.  Finally, pictures of it.....

Here are some more:

Front (colors are a little off)

Back

Next up, some of the stuff that I made for family members for Christmas this year.
The sweater on the top right is a plum color, but my camera sucks.....so, just wait for the next pic and you'll be ok.

Project:  Lush Lace Pullover by Lion Brand Yarns (free)
Yarn: Mill Ends worsted acyrlic in a deep, rich plum

Okay, last but not least, here's an image for you......

Hotness right there...me crocheting my sister's vest/top for Xmas.
I will have more pictures of my projects soon, along with the details of the vest that I made for my sis.

Obsessions....

Sorry, no pics again......
Let's start with my stash and I mean, my stash of yarn...it has grown to rather ridiculous proportions.
I think that the worst part of it is, that I want to continue to make it grow. It's almost as though I'm afraid that I will...uhm....run out of yarn?!? I'm just crazy...the worst part is that I've trolling on eBay looking for stash enhancement. I think that Mr. Davananerd is going to kill me; he doesn't really understand my stash/crochet/knit obssesion.
I have good news. Since I've last spoken with you, I've gotten engaged, so Mr. Davananerd will soon officially, have earned that title. I'm happy....
Onto more yarnified subjects. I'm also in love with Herrschner's. They always have really great deals on a lot of yarn. It’s even good for yarn snobs, as they have natural fibers as well. Currently, they their mystery 32 oz. bag of yarn sale. It’s really great for stash building and just seeing what you get and having a nice surprise waiting for you at the end of the day.
I have many UFOs, but the active ones are a stockinette stitch blanket with a garter stitch border. I’m really working hard on practicing the basic stitches so that when I do a really project with nice yarn, nothing will be twisted, no stitches will be dropped, and it will just look generally good. The yarn is Joann’s Sensations Rainbow Classics in red/turq; it’s soft and fuzzy and works up quick.
My other UFO is the Layering Cardi from the current issue of Crochet Today! (jan/feb ’09). I’m using Red Heart Soft Yarn in Pool. I like the design, but I’m going to leave off the top above the yoke and the directions aren’t as clear as I’d like.
I am, of course, lusting after starting another project because, obviously the ones I’ve already started aren’t enough…..(insert ironic eyebrow raise here). I recently got the Crochet Pattern-a-Day Calendar. I want to whip up one of those projects so bad….ugh.
One more quick thing before I sign out of here. I’m anxiously awaiting a little spindle that I ordered from eBay; it comes with directions and some fiber to spin. I’m very excited…

It's been awhile....

Okay folks, I know that it's been some time since I've written.
I have a lot going on and not much that would interest anyone but me really.
So, I promise that I will add photos tomorrow when I post again.

I've been just been knitting and crocheting like crazy for Christmas and I still have a few things left to be completed.
So tomorrow, hopefully there will be some sun and I can take some photos.
The freezing rain we've had here all day makes it tough to take photos.

Take care!

MSW08 - Experience 1

So, I'm already behind. I dragged my feet ordering yarn because the yarn that was recommended and offered at discount, although beautiful and I'm sure very high quality was way out of budget for me. So, my naivete in buying lace weight yarn was following me around as I searched through chain stores for it. Finally, I was on yarndex...uhm...tonight and I decided to check out KnitPicks. I was pleasantly surprised at the selection and I decided to purchase the recommended hank size for the project and some extra, just in case. I'm really excited.
So, hopefully, by next week I will start my swatching expedition and then get ready to knit up the first clue.
Wish me luck.
Also, a quick note, an update on all things knit and crochet is coming soon...I promise.

Christmas Crochet

Well, it's been a little while since I last wrote, but I've been good, and I've finished a bunch of stuff on my list.
I've finally finished my Body Pillow Cover, now it sits in my window for the kitties and me to sit on.
I finished a sweater for my mom and sis for christmas. I plan to make one more for each of them.
I finished a X-mas stocking for my hunny....I plan to make one for me and one for each of my kitties. I have a little pile of snowflakes and other such trinkets to starch and give out for X-mas as well.
I also started a new sweater, but this one is for me. I couldn't resist it any longer. Although I have made some heavy modifications to it. It's from Crochet Today! Sept/Oct 2008 issue. The Star-Studded Sweater. Only I removed the color changes in the yoke and started it at the fifth row. You can check it out on my ravelry page (Davana is my user name). I have many other things going on as well and I plan to update again soon.