A New Bag!

I know, I know... I haven't been the best blogger. I just can't seem to find the time to take pictures of my WIPs or FOs, let alone log in and post! Looking for a job, knitting, and Ravelry have taken up all of my free time. I really would like to make blogging a habit, though. Mostly so I can look back years from now when I'm not so much of a "beginner" anymore. I'm hoping to find 15 minutes a day to set aside for all things blogging related. Whether it's taking pictures, organizing info, or actually posting, those 15 minutes will add up!

Just a quick update on what I've been knitting:

I've sent 4 swap packages off since May! I'll be sure to post pictures of what I sent, and received, as soon as I can! I'm also still knitting for my boyfriend's soon to be nephew or niece. The blanket is coming along fine, but I started later than I wanted to. The baby is due around August 10th, so I hope to have quite a few cute things to bring when we visit WI!

The real reason for this post is to share that I bought a new knitting bag! I bought a Jordana Paige Bella bag for Christmas, but sadly, it's not usable. I took it out of the bag and the inside lining reeked like skunk! I tried to let it air out, and even put dryer sheets in it for a few days but nothing helped. Anything that sits in the bag comes out reeking, too. The smell was so bad I contacted their customer service to ask for an exchange. I got a pretty pert response to my email. You can only exchange things up to 10 days after, and since I had decided to wait until the holidays to open the package I was way beyond that. There was nothing they could do for me. I understand that they have guidelines about returns/exchanges, but it left a bad taste in my mouth. I think their bags look great, but I will never buy anything from them again.

So I've been searching for that perfect knitting bag ever since! I finally found it in the Namaste Newport bag. It has a lot of room but doesn't look huge. The inside is divided in half with a privacy zipper pocket in the middle. One side can be all knitting, and the other side I can use as my purse. I'm so glad I won't have to carry two bags around! That will be especially great when fall quarter starts up!

They were just released this summer and I placed my order in time to still get my hands on the limited edition Peacock color.



I ordered it on Monday and got an email saying that it was shipped today. I can't wait till it gets here!

First Swap Finished Successfully!

Like I mentioned before, a few weeks ago I mailed out a package to Cheryl, my Ravelry College Knitters Swap pal. She got it in the mail a few days ago and she liked everything!! I'm so relieved and so glad. She posted about it here.




The scarf turned out great. The pattern is called "Little Chevron Ribs" and is from the Harmony Guide: Knit and Purl. The Harmony Guides have so many great stitch patterns and are put together so beautifully. The other two are on my to-buy list!

My ISE 6 scarf will be sent out soon, and then it's on to the 2nd Ravelry Scarf Exchange. Swaps are just so fun for me! I always love getting to know new people, and getting the change to knit them something special is awesome. I just can't get enough! I'm sure this is the start of many many swaps to come.

ISE 6 Scarf

As I mentioned earlier, I'm taking part in the 6th International Scarf Exchange. I've had my pal's info for a month now and have been trying out different things. I've tried three different patterns in two different yarns and wasn't happy with any of them. Nothing seemed to be clicking and I was getting worried! But I've finally found a pattern and yarn combo I'm happy with!



It has been hard for me to find the right balance between wanting to knit a really pretty scarf, and finding one that's not above and beyond my skill level. I'll be looking at patterns on Ravelry and think, "That would be perfect for my pal!" However, I don't stop to think, "Hey Amy... That's probably way above what you can do right now." I have to keep reminding myself that new skills and techinques will come with every new project, and that someday I'll be able to knit any pattern my heart desires! But until then I need to take it slow and steady and build up my knitting repertoire.

I cast on last week and I'm really happy with how it's looking, I hope my pal will like it, too! I've had a lot of t.v./knitting time lately, so it's almost halfway done. Jarrod and I are visiting some friends in Cincinnati tonight so the car trip will give me more time. Not to mention my down time tomorrow! I've been known to waste Sunday afternoons watching The Hallmark Channel (I love me some Crime Drama movies) and knitting away. I have no doubt I'll have it finished and blocked within the next week or two!

Textured Scarf

I finished the textured scarf I was working on for Jarrod's mom 2 months ago, and when we visited last month I was able to give it to her. Jarrod and I drove to WI to spend time with his family. I've asked her to email me a picture taken when she is wearing it, so hopefully I'll update this with another picture soon! We played lots of Euchre, drank lots of beer, and ate lots of cheese!

Jarrod's brother and SIL are expecting a baby in August. I'm so happy for them, and for the chance to knit baby stuff! My list of handmade gifts includes a baby blanket (and a little bunny blanket buddy!), a baby hat, some baby booties and/or socks, and a little cardigan. If I have more time I'd love to try my hand at knitting (maybe even crocheting!) a few more adorable patterns I've found.

But the baby projects will have to wait for a little bit, while I get my scarf swaps in order. The Ravelry College Knitters Swap deadline was the end of April. I was really happy with the scarf and goodies I sent. I hope Cheryl likes them, too! I'll be sure to update when I receive her package! And now I'm knitting for my International Scarf Exchange 6 pal. That one needs to be shipped out the end of this month.

Hello!

So! I've come to realize that every good knitter needs a blog. At least it seems every knitter has one...

I am still quite a beginner, but making this blog will hopefully set into motion some very serious knitting. After all, if I do have my own knitting space out there on the internet, I'll want to post in it! And I need to knit stuff to be able to post in it. And I wouldn't want to post anything that isn't any good. Or, you know, this could be the worst knitting blog ever. But at least it's mine!

So here's to getting my feet wet. Cheers!