Random facts

Random facts
Originally uploaded by elletrain

This is apparently the new thing to do right now on Facebook. It was actually fun to create a list of random facts. Here are mine:

1. I despise slow driving in the left-hand lane...I wish I were German b/c I learned they ticket people for this on the Autobahn! Sweet!

2. If I ever collected something, besides yarn, it would be Japanese tea sets.

3. I wish people would realize there are others in the world besides them.

4. I sing to my dog Mattie...usually pop songs where her name is in each line at least once. She loves it.

5. I used to pretend to put makeup on my dog Mattie while I was getting ready in the morning and tell her how beautiful she looked. She loved it.

6. My favorite kind of beer is a porter, like London Porter at Bosco's. Yum.

7. I really want to learn Italian, Portuguese, and more French. So many languages and so little time. Does Rosetta Stone really work??

8. I prefer aisle seats in a plane, unless I know the person I'm traveling with. It's for easy bathroom access, though I hate going to the bathroom on a plane.

9. I have one, only one, double-jointed finger.

10. My favorite TV show is CBS Sunday Morning.

11. At one point my exercise routine was dancing around my apartment each morning. I lived in a second floor apartment.

12. I am addicted to watching my boyfriend play Tetris, more so than playing it myself. I LOVE how all the shapes fit into one another. It's so rewarding. You'd think I'd be more organized than I am.

13. I've been accused many times of running jokes into the ground. Your face runs jokes into the ground.

14. I can't stand Chuck Norris' political/social views but I LOVE Chuck Norris jokes. Chuck Norris CAN believe it's not butter.

15. I was an honorary East Nashvillian before I actually lived over here, thanks to my friend Jane. I love the East-side and was SO proud of that title.

16. I really wanted to be a ballerina but I have bad feet and was too short.

17. I am a bargain shopper, thanks to my mom. It's kinda like the watching Tetris addiction. I LOVE paying a sale price for something. It's so rewarding.

18. I never read the newspaper because I can't stand the feel of newsprint. It makes my teeth hurt. My hands are sweating right now just thinking about newsprint. Ugh.

19. I've seen the movie Rushmore at least 25 times.

20. I'm fascinated with visiting aquariums but terrified of being in the ocean. Have you seen my picture of the giant spider crab??

21. I love quoting funny movies but wish I could remember more lines. I tend to quote the same ones over and over. 'If we'd have wanted em to be wimps, we'd have named em Dr. Quinn & Medicine Woman!'

22. I am obsessed with maps and knowing where I am at all times. Only 2 years ago I bought a set of States & their Capitols flashcards and had people in my office test me on them.

23. I won a contest in elementary school for knowing all the US Presidents in order. I got to ride in a sleigh in the Christmas parade with my friend Tim who also knew the presidents. He lives in DC now. I bet he impresses his friends all the time.

24. I want another tattoo, either of a cardinal or hummingbird. Cardinals are said to be your ancestors watching over you and hummingbirds are my dad's favorite.

25. I love all my friends and keeping in touch with them on Facebook, but I hate when they send me snowballs, yarn, candy, hi-fives, beers, etc. through Facebook apps. Those things are fake. Give me a REAL beer or a REAL ball of yarn. Then I'll like you even more. :)

New sweater design - "Fern"

New sweater design
Originally uploaded by elletrain

So I've had this lovely baby alpaca yarn sitting in my stash for a year now. I bought it when I was home in Arkansas last Christmas. I've got around 1000 yds of it, so enough to do a short-sleeved sweater.

I know alpaca is super warm, so I thought short-sleeves were in order. I'm making a fitted pullover with a boat neck and some ribbing for good measure. Not sure if I'll do ribbing around the neck or just leave it as a rolled edge or crochet something...i'll see when I get there.

I'm doing this sweater from the bottom up. I don't think I've done a sweater this way yet, but I've heard good things about this type of construction so I'm jumping in head first. I took my measurements and started the ribbing yesterday. Now I'm working out the best way to decrease 5 inches (from hips to waist) over 5 inches. I want the sweater to be pretty fitted since alpaca stretches.

So, I'll keep ya updated on how it's going. Someday I'll get to writing the pattern for the Everything Gold Cardi too...someday :)

Entrelac scarf complete!

Entrelac scarf complete!
Originally uploaded by elletrain

So, it's finished! It feels great to complete something that's been sitting on needles for almost a year. I LOVE this scarf. I wound up not having to make it as long as I thought because it's so wide. It's so colorful and great and warm and sparks up this chilly, bleak weather we're having.

Off to fix myself some dinner and pick out a new project. Hmm...

Entrelac scarf in progress

Entrelac scarf in progress
Originally uploaded by elletrain

Almost done! I've been working on this entrelac scarf for what seems like an eternity. Though that's mostly due to my knitting project ADD and not anything to do with the pattern.

This pattern is from Scarf Style and is the Lady Eleanor stole. I don't have much use for "stoles" so I'm making it a giant scarf. I cast on fewer stitches (40 I think) so it is narrower than the pattern, but it will still be quite a scarf. I'm using Noro Silk Garden. I think I'll make it around 60" instead of the 70" the pattern calls for. We'll see. I'm at about 50" right now. SO close! I'd like to wear it this winter. I think I'll make it...

Knit Fast, Die Warm

knitfast
Originally uploaded by elletrain

I saw this cute quote online the other day. So, being the products junkie I am I checked out CafePress. There was nothing with this quote on it, so I made a design and created some cool stuff for all the knitters out there in the crowd. Check them out here:

http://www.cafepress.com/elletrainknits

Happy Knitting!

Finished hat & new knitting classes on the eastside!

Simple Pleasures hat finished
Originally uploaded by elletrain

So, January's here and apparently there's no time to sit around and reminisce about last year. Things are going strong already! I've had some time to finish a few projects I started last year. This is the first one, a lovely hat from Purl Bee. I used Koigu and Rowan Kidsilk Haze for mine. It fits great and looks fun, on that is. Looks funny just sitting there, huh?

Also, exciting news! I'm going to be teaching knitting classes at Pied Piper in East Nashville!! Jenny at Pied Piper replied on the listserve and is graciously letting us use the shop for classes. There's a ton of interest on this side of town, so I'm super excited about it! Hope it goes well. Here are the dates so far for the classes:

Basic Knitting Class - January 15 & 22, 6-8pm
Basic Crochet Class - February 5 & 12, 6-8pm
Basic Hat Class - February 11 & 18, 6-8pm

Not only do we get to expand the knitting community in the East, but we get to eat ice cream the whole time! Sweet! So much for any early year weight loss in '09...oh well! Happy Knitting :)