FO: Helena

After much toiling over finishing FO's, I finally have one both finished and documented! Here is Helena that I made for my neighbour's daughter. She's so terribly cute, I couldn't resist making her something this year for what was supposed to be her first birthday/Christmas. It's only a little over a month late, but I'm trying not to feel too bad about it. At least she got it before she grew too much!


Yarn: Sirdar Baby Bamboo
Pattern: Helena by Alison Green Will

Though I didn't weigh the FO, I think I used just over 4 balls. I only had 4 of the green, and had some teal in my stash, hems on the sleeves and bottom are in the contrast.

I think that's one of the loveliest details of this pattern. I was going to skip it and do a garter stitch hem, but I'm so glad with this finish. It looks so beautiful and it adds a little heft and strength where it needs it. This is a beautiful pattern, and thanks to the ties will grow well with a growing kid!

In other news, I have been really good about going to the gym. I've started a weightlifting routine with a friend, so I'm super sore right now. Hopefully it will be worth it when I'm a bit stronger. For now, however, a hot bath is required. Once that's out of the way, tonight will be full of watching the Tudors drinking tea and eating a cupcake by the fireplace. Oh, and knitting a bit too.



Happy Saturday!

Hello, 2011

The fall term came and went, though it really felt like it went fastest of all. I hate how all the papers and exams creep up, and combined with my chronic case of procrastination I had a really busy December. I felt good about the end of the term, and all of my exams. I’m working on getting into the honors program in Anthropology, so I’m feeling the GPA pinch which makes waiting for grades that much more difficult. While I understand that university employees deserve a Christmas holiday too, I want my grades back, dammit! In the meantime, I celebrated Christmas with my Dad and our Charlie Brown tree.

I also enjoyed, and continue to enjoy my new Kindle! Once I figured out how to email PDFs to it, I was off and knitting in no time!

I’m slowly getting used to it, and loving it more and more. While there’s something to be said for the tactile experience of reading a book, I have a hard time reading in bed since I sleep all curled up and scrunched in the covers, it’s nice to put myself to sleep by reading. Plus, the case that I got has a little light so I can make blanket forts and still read! Not to mention that I have almost 150 books on the thing already. I could go on vacation for a year and not run out. Brilliant!

I made Marian, which has turned into my favourite outdoor accessory. Doubled up, this thing is so cozy. It’s made out of Cascade Magnum, which I bought on a slightly drunken whim after my last exam, and it’s delicious! It’s big enough to cover my ears which is a huge plus when it’s -20C plus windchill while dog walking.

So, for the sake of putting things in writing and confronting public accountability, here are the first new years resolutions I have ever written down which can be summed up in a few words. Be reasonable. Absolute goals are kind of ridiculous and are generally bound for failure, so I’m going to think of these as guidelines more than anything.

1. I will be more stringent with my yarn buying. Only purposeful shopping if absolutely necessary.

2. Since I’ve just put all the WIPs I can think of into Ravelry, finish at least ¾ of these before casting on something new.

3. Once 2 is completed, keep the WIPs to a minimum, and resist the new and shiny

4. At least for the winter school term, go to the gym at least 2 times a week. I have a huge break twice a week, 4.5 hours huge, and I want to use it wisely.

5. Make more food at home. Cookies count.

And finally,

6. To ease my meat-eating crisis, limit myself to 4 meals with meat per week. Sandwich meat counts, so I’ll have to be thoughtful. Bonus points for getting my meat at the farmer’s market.

Happy 2011 everyone!