A year in Review (kinda)

So, I haven't blogged in about 5 months. I got lazy.

Anyway, here's a view of some projects I've done this year:

January:
Ice Cream Arms












February:
Greebo & You





















March:
I got nothin...

April:
Again, nothin. What was I doing those two months?

May:
OMG IT'S PINK!!




















June:
Got lazy again.

July:
Hid from the heat, I guess.

August:
Nessie 1















September:
A Rug (crocheted!)















October:
Mermaid















November:
Andrew's Epic Whip















December:
TV Scarf









Now, I have a PLN for 2011. I have eleven projects (1 per month, with 1 month for rest). I have it pretty organized too. Want proof? Okay:

WWKCIP Weekend

Hey, did you know this weekend is World Wide Knit/Crochet In Public weekend?

Well it is!

Here's proof that I did it, too:

Where'd the Aspirin Go?

The planning. It has officially begun.

We looked at a few places for the whole shebang, got some ideas. Rejected some others. Looked for a rainbow and that elusive pot o gold to supplement the fund. Tried some really nasty fizzy wine.

I've decided not to wear a veil. Instead, I'm going to wear the stole that I'm knitting. I might just get it done by the date too. It's ... um ... 652? rows long. Given, every other row is a 'rest' row of mostly purls, so that helps a bit. But the actual pattern rows are lace and beads. Now that I have the hang of stringing a bead onto a stitch, it's going much more smoothly. I've made it to row 89....

The fish are still going as well. I think I have something like 23 fish made and about 11 or 12 of them sewn together.

That thing in the bag

So, are you still curious about what Ames had a grip on?

It was this:

Bet that wasn't what you thought it was, huh.

In other news, I'm making fish. Yes, you read that right. Fish.

A lot of fish. How many? About eleventy-five. I figured it up (because I'm insane like that), and I think I have about 98 more hours of fish to make. And then another 5,468 hours of sewing them together. (okay, I may have exaggerated that number.)

And by the end of this madness, I'm supposedly going to have a throw-sized blanket. For me. Because at least that way, I know it'll go to someone who appreciates all the hours of work (both physical and mental) that went into it.

I told someone I work with about it, and she offered to buy it from me when it's done. I kinda laughed and shrugged it off, because I know for a fact that she would state a ridiculously low amount for it. Probably something in the range of one-tenth of what the materials cost. Bah, I say! No freaking way!

And that's about it.

Where did April go?

No, seriously, where did it go? I'll probably be saying that a lot for the next year, I imagine. (helpful hint: if I'm looking harried and walking about a thousand miles an hour, it's NOT a good time to stop me to chat, not even to offer help.)

Anyway, I did get a project done. I made this nifty lace up cardigan thingy that Ames desperately hoped wouldn't meet my expectations (sorry Ames):

Now I'm kind of in knitting limbo. I want to make something quick, easy, and requires little to no thought processing. Of course I can't find anything that suits my standards right now.

Now here's a real good photo question for you...

What the hell is she holding on to here??

I'll give you a hint: It's probably NOT what you're thinking, you pervs!

(Answer with photo in next post, which will be a lot sooner than a month from now, I swear!)

Got My Malabrigo

So a few weeks ago, Ames and I did our yearly trip to Mass Ave. We got our yarns, had a great meal, got semi-lost, found the trail again, and then went home to be slightly miserable from eating too much. It was great.

I have almost one sleeve of my hoodie done. Man, but it is slow going - unless I have a movie playing...

The cat is driving me to drink, I swear. She keeps yelling at me to get up! Earlier and earlier each day. I've taken to throwing things like the pillow at her, but it doesn't help. Much. There's an 89% chance that she's plotting to kill me in my sleep. I think there's a 105% chance she's just wanting to make us crazier. Good thing she's cute.

Swap Stuff Received

Recently I was in two swaps. Both had deadlines of Halloween.

The first (Love Bites II):



and a close up:



The second (Detritus swap):



and a close up of the yarn:



I loved everything in both boxes! I'm just not witty enough to gush properly at the moment.

A Knitting Checklist

Borrowed this from SleepingSi.

Bold for stuff you’ve done, italics for stuff you plan to do one day, and normal for stuff you’re not planning on doing.

1. Afghan
2. I-cord
3. Garter stitch
4. Knitting with metal wire
5. Shawl
6. Stockinette stitch
7. Socks: top-down
8. Socks: toe-up
9. Knitting with camel yarn
10. Mittens: Cuff-up
11. Mittens: Tip-down
12. Hat
13. Knitting with silk
14. Moebius band knitting
15. Participating in a KAL
16. Sweater
17. Drop stitch patterns
18. Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn
19. Slip stitch patterns
20. Knitting with bananafiber yarn
21. Domino knitting (=modular knitting)
22. Twisted stitch patterns
23. Knitting with bamboo yarn
24. Two end knitting
25. Charity knitting
26. Knitting with soy yarn
27. Cardigan
28. Toy/doll clothing
29. Knitting with circular needles
30. Baby items
31. Knitting with your own handspun yarn
32. Slippers
33. Graffitti knitting: knitting items on, or to be left on the street
34. Continental knitting
35. Designing knitted garments
36. Cable stitch patterns
37. Lace patterns
38. Publishing a knitting book
39. Scarf
40. Teaching a child to knit
41. Knitting to make money
42. Button holes
43. Knitting with alpaca
44. Fair Isle knitting
45. Norwegian knitting
46. Household items: dishcloths, washcloths, tea cosies…
47. knitting socks- or other small tubular items- on two circulars
48. Dying with plant colours
49. Knitting items for a wedding
50. Olympic knitting
51. Knitting with someone else’s handspun yarn
52. Knitting with dpns
53. Holiday related knitting
54. Teaching a male how to knit
55. Bobbles
56. Knitting for a living
57. Knitting with cotton
58. Knitting smocking
59. Dying yarn
60. Steeks
61. Knitting art
62. Fulling/felting
63. Knitting with wool
64. Textured knitting
65. Kitchener BO
66. Purses/bags
67. Knitting with beads
68. Swatching
69. Long Tail CO
70. Entrelac
71. Knitting and purling backwards (I'm counting this as I do it lefty anyway. I can knit right handed, and
72. purl right handed enough to teach.)
73. Machine knitting
74. Knitting with selfpatterning/selfstriping/variegating yarn
75. Stuffed toys
76. Knitting with cashmere
77. Darning
78. Jewelry
79. Knitting with synthetic yarn
80. Writing a pattern
81. Gloves
82. Intarsia
83. Knitting with linen
84. Knitting for preemies
85. Tubular CO
86. Freeform knitting
87. Short rows
88. Cuffs/fingerless mitts/armwarmers
89. Pillows
90. Knitting a pattern from an online knitting magazine
91. Rug Knitting on a loom
92. Thrummed knitting
93. Knitting a gift
94. Knitting for pets
95. Shrug/bolero/poncho
96. Knitting with dog/cat hair (kitty sheds into whatever I'm working on anyway.)
97. Hair accessories
98. Knitting in public

Back to it

I was on vacation last week. Or, rather, staycation. It was nice to not have to go to work. I was able to do some things around the house that I usually don't have the time or inclination to do. Like rearrange the living room. It kind of scared OH when I messaged him with what I was doing, due to my ... grace.

And, I'm writing this post on my nifty new LAPTOP! Woo hoo! Which means that I'm not chained to the desk upstairs.

On the knitting front, I've made quite a dent in my Stormqueen shawl/thingy. I only have about 40 rounds left to do, plus the edging. But I had to put it down for a little while now that one round is 500+ stitches (and still growing). But it's real pretty :)

I'm now on R123. Or maybe 125. Right in there somewhere. Here's a photo of it at R90:

Life, the Universe (of Yarn) and Everything

Yes, I've been gone a while. No, I don't want to rehash it. Suffice it to say that it involved my Mom, the Hospital, Scalpels, Staples, and a lot of knuckle-gnawing. Things are better now and I want to share some of the nicer things that have happened in my absence from blogging. The first photo is a progress shot, badly taken, of my Coachella tank top. I'm loving the way the yarn is feeling. 65% silk, 35% bamboo. Yum! Oh! And it's on a cone, so very few tails to weave in due to not having to join a new ball of yarn! Win!

There's two stories to this picture...

I'm telling the funnier one here. That swirly knitting thing there is a hat, knitted in the round. But wait! you say. Doesn't knitting in the round use more than 3 needles or a circular needle or something?? Well...yes. Yes, it does. Usually. Unfortunately, the 4th needle for this hat kind of ... died.




Yes. Died. See this bent and twisty sad looking piece of metal? Yeah, that was my 4th needle. It got used for some ... repair work ... and didn't quite make it through alive. No, it can't be bent back into its original straight and pointy-ness. Trust me. I tried.


Oh, but the next picture cheered me up to no end! I kind of needed some S.E.X.
No, not that kind of sex. Stash Enhancing eXperience(s). So, I went online and got lured in to some sample packs of summer yarns. And then, Ames and I went on a Yarn Spree! This photo is a melding of the two experiences. No, I'm not telling how much I spent. But I did stay within the budget I set myself (somehow). Oh and some of the yarns aren't shown, but that's because they are duplicate cakes and one is being used for a "secret project."

The last photo is, I guess, my birthday gift to myself. A drafting table (that tilts!), a stool to sit on. 3 different types of drawing tablets (only one shown, but if you look in the bottom left corner you can see just a little bit of another one), and a whole lotta pencils! Colored pencils, drawing pencils, some charcoal sticks...

And, of course, I haven't had a chance to sit down and actually use any of it yet...

So, see. I haven't fallen completely off the face of the planet! I'm still around. Just doing a little more lurking that chatting.
:D

Love Bites Swap sent!

So, I sent out my Love Bites (aka Vampire Valentine 2009) swap package on Thursday to Knitbrit. It arrived at her home yesterday and this is what she posted (before even opening it):

Did you hear it?
Did you hear the almighty squee that emanated from my little corner of Ohio? I got my package today - just what I needed to brighten up a spectacularly dismal 24 hours. ...Thank you so much to whomever it is from - even without opening it, it’s the best thing that has happened today :)

Which made me really happy! I was glad to be able to brighten up someone's day. A few of the things I sent her included:

This tile coaster (because who wouldn't want to visit this place at least once?)
This sticker (as Drusilla was listed as one of her fave vamps)
These mitts (because it's just as cold in Ohio as it is here, at least):
There was a lot of other things in the package, but I don't want to ruin all her fun in chatting about it. I had so much fun putting all these things together! I hope that she's had a chance to open the box and find all her goodies :)

Shop, Swap, and Knit

No photos today. And some of the commentary might be vague and/or cryptic.

Koolhaas Update:

That demonic really cool hat that I talked about in the last post. Yeah, you know the one I'm talking about. Yeah, well, it's in the corner because after 2 more attempts, the yarn is screaming in pain, my finger refuses to cooperate with me, the cat is slightly more psychotic, and OH thinks I've been sampling too many yarn fumes. So it's going into the naughty pattern corner for now. I'll get back to it at some future date (preferably armed with um...something scary).

Back to our not-so-regularly scheduled post.

I finished the shawl I'd been working on (Foulard, pattern here) and am happy to report that the recipient absolutely loved it! Even her husband gave it good reviews, so 'scuse me while I do my little victory dance.

I also started on a Clapotis (affectionately renamed 'the clap'). So far, so good. I went downstairs a bit ago to give OH an update. Here's how the conversation went:

me: I'm almost ready to start on section 3 of the clap.
OH (absently): Yeah? I didn't know they had a program for that...

Beware trying to update anyone not familiar with your world, especially if you're not sure you have their complete attention or the WIP at hand. That was my funny for the day.

If you don't already know, I've signed up for two swaps! One is the Igor Thwap, which hath been very fun tho far, and I have to thtop getting thingth to put into it! My thpoilee ith ath exthited ath I am, I think. And yeth, we talk in Igor-thpeak. But we're Igorinath, so we don't always lithp.

The other is the Love Bites Swap, which is-in case you can't tell-vampire related goodies! It's also a secret swap. So, even though I've got lots of goodies ready, in progress, or on order, I can't share them just yet. But there's been some really cool ideas brought to my attention. I had to make myself stop buying and start assembling or else I wouldn't get it done and I would probably have to ship it in either a very large box or several smaller boxes.

I went shopping today to get some things for the swaps. I was trying to concentrate more on one than the other right now so that I can keep things straight. I'll get the other one bought next weekend. Ames, I really am sorry I wasn't much fun this trip. I could give you several excuses as to why, but neither of us really needs that, now, do we? Suffice it to say that I'm more or less better now.

I also have to put together the A/V portion of my group's presentation this weekend. I want to have it all done before Monday so I don't have to worry about it anymore.

Cookies and happies and warm toasties to you, my readers!

Adventures of a Koolhaas

I'm attempting to make this hat (pattern available here). The keyword being attempt. This pattern is starting to just piss me right off.

Don't get me wrong, I adore the hat. I want one! I want to make the damned thing. And I want mine to look like this picture! But in a different color.

Unfortunately, this is the first pattern that has boggled my modifications. Usually, I can just work a chart from left to right with no problems. This one has been ... well ... frustrating.

Attempt #1:

Cast on. Work the requisite 10 rounds of 2x2 ribbing, no problem. Change needle size (as per pattern) and begin working lattice pattern. Learn how to cable without a needle (+1 exp.) and get to row 6. Pause to rest fingers, notice blisters forming on index finger (definitely have a good and pointy needle, at least) and look at hat. Pattern is not emerging. Throw project down, eat chocolate to calm down. Frog and restart.

Attempt #2:

Cast on. Work the ribbing. Change needle size (still with the pattern so far), and begin lattice pattern again, being careful to use a consistent technique on the cables. Work to row 7. Pause to apply ointment to blistered index finger and look at hat. Pattern still isn't emerging. Throw project down in disgust, wander off in search of chocolate, muttering about patterns that aren't cooperating. Frog and restart....

Attempt #3:

Cast on. By some miracle, the yarn is not looking any worse for wear. Work the ribbing. Have a stroke of genius before starting the lattice and insert lifeline. Change needle size, start lattice pattern. Get to row 6. Stop to check progress of both pattern and healing finger. Finger is doing well, and pattern is almost emerging, but still doesn't look quite right. Deep breath. Inhale chocolate. Choke on chocolate pieces going into lungs. Stumble out of room in search of liquid, tangle yarn around legs, trip over cat, bang head on wall. So now we can add mild concussion and a lovely blue-tinted face (hey, at least it matches the yarn) to the poor battered, blistered index finger. Once streaming eyes clear up, look at hat again in the hopes of it magically looking correct. Nope, still not quite right. Sigh, because it's late at night and the neighbors might complain if I start screaming, frog, storm away to play video games and plan on restarting tomorrow.

To be continued....

First FO of the year!

This is my first completed project of the year! No matter that I started it last month. I finished it today!

The pattern is Clamber and can be found here.

OH even commented on it. In a positive way :P

GIFTS!

Ames and I exchanged gifts today! See, we did but we didn't know what we were getting each other. Waaaaay back in August or something, she had the awesome idea that we could make each other "knitter's survival kits" for Christmas. So we did. And that was really all that was said about it at the time. We didn't set any limits (as far as I know anyway) and we really had to work on keeping our ideas and things secret. Which is kind of hard when you're buying stuff together. See that little purple bag under the L? We both bought that bag for each other. We actually agreed to get one for each other and change the inner contents. It was great fun to do. I think we're going to keep doing this for the holidays for each other. Does that mean we just started a tradition? Hmm.

So, to list all the spiffy notions and everything:
Photo 1:
The bag everything was in (Stoplight red with orange interior and scads of little pockets inside! The perfect sizes to hold needles and notions and even the keys on an attached lanyard.)

Photo 2:
(Clockwise from top)

A handmade yarn cake holder in green (sitting atop my niftiful card)
Size US 6 dpns
My awesome crocheted "LISHY"
A toolbox filled with more notions (listed below)
Size US 2 14" Straight needles
The purple bag filled with Hersheys Bliss (w/ almonds)
A ball of Patons' Classic Merino in colorway Palais

Photo 3:
(On the lid)

Straight Magnets
Stitch holder
Cable Needle

(In the compartments, Top Row and Large Compartments)

Measuring Tape and Thimble
Scissors, Row Counter, and Stitch Markers
Hand Lotion
Assorted Sewing Needles

(Bottom Row)

Needle Coils
Sweater Needle Holders
Assorted straight pins, safety pins, and buttons


Is this not the coolest gift or what???

If you want to see Ames' goodies (as in her gift, get yer head outta the gutter, you!), check out her blog. I'm sure she'll post it soon ::grins::

50 Odd Things

Learn 50 things about your friends, and let them learn 50 things about you! I thieved this from Si, and added at the end to tally up to 50. :P

1. Do you like blue cheese? Nope. And I usually like cheese.
2. Do you own a gun? Yep. And I know how to use it and clean it.
3. Wax or Shave your body parts? Waxing HURTS!
4. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Not really.
5. Real or fake nails? Real
6. Favorite Christmas song? Holly Jolly Christmas. Don't know why, but it is.
7. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? soda
8. Can you do push ups? probably
9. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? the only jewelry I wear consistently is my amethyst ring and my 'spensive watch
10. Favorite hobby? knitting and reading are tied
11. Do you have A.D.D.? I don-CAT!
12. What's one trait that you hate about yourself? that i'm lazy (I'm thieving Si's answer here)
13. Middle Name? I'm not telling!
14. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? Ouch! What? Hmm...
15. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Big Red, Diet Pepsi, Water?
16. Current worry right now? That my head won't stop hurting
17. Current hate right now? Hate takes a lot of energy I don't feel like wasting.
18. Favorite place to be? Wherever I'm comfortable
20. Like to go Shopping? Depends on what I'm shopping for
22. Do you own slippers? Yep
23. What color shirt are you wearing ? Bleached-out grey.
24. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? um?
26. Favorite color? Jewel tones
27. Would you be a pirate? Can I have Johnny Depp if I say yes?
28. What songs do you sing in the shower? I don't sing, in or out of the shower, unless alcohol is involved.
29. Favorite girl's name? Well, duh, mine lol
30. Favorite boy's name? Seth is good
31. What's in your pocket right now? nothing. I don't have any pockets!
32. Last thing that made you laugh? Probably something OH said to me today.
33. Best bed sheets as a kid? Uh...You expect me to remember something like that?
34. Worst injury you've ever had? I haven't had anything seriously bad...yet. (Knock on wood)
35. Do you love where you live? I like where I live. Is that good enough?
36. How many TV's do you have in your house? 2
37. Who is your loudest friend? They probably consider me the loudest, honestly.
38. How many pets do you have? Mo!
39. Does someone have a crush on you? I'm supposed to be psychic now, too?
40 What is your favorite book? I think favorite books are like potato chips - you can't have just one!
41. What is your favorite candy? CHOCOLATE!
42. Favorite Sports Team? UK Wildcats, I guess.
43. What were you doing 12 AM last night? Knitting, I think.
44. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? What time is it? followed closely by What day is it?
45. Worst habit? Most would say smoking.
46. Do you play an instrument? Does the radio count?
47. How long does it take you to get to work? 10-15 mins
48. Plans for the weekend? Sleeping, and (hopefully) giving Ames her gift!
49. If you could eat anything right this second what would it be? Can never go wrong with steak lol.
50. What's your favorite (still running) TV show? It's a toss-up between House and Grey's.


(And so Ames doesn't shoot me, here's a photo of the scarf I made for my SIL):

Stole Update

The stole is progressing. Slowly, but surely. Above is a photo of the edge. Now, I'm in the transition chart, then on to the repeats. A dry-block measures 9" long and 17" wide. I'm hoping that the next sections go a bit faster. It would be cool to finish it by Christmas, but I'm not going to push it too much because that tends to attract a rain of frogs.

So, I had class Tuesday. Did I mention that I am taking a class (to get a raise)? It's basically a class on how to talk to people. Anyway, for some reason, I forgot my cigarettes and lighter at the house. So I stopped along the way to buy some. Picked up a red disposable lighter. The cashier was nice and tested it to make sure it worked. It didn't. The casing around the wick kept popping off. So I reach over and pick up another red one. This one would not stop burning after being lit. Thank goodness I thought to check that one. By this time, the cashier and I are both chuckling at my luck. Third try, I pick up a clear one. It works fine. Whew. Guess I wasn't meant to have a red lighter right now. Did you know that some people think that red is a color of bad luck? I'm not one of those people. Red actually happens to be one of my favorite colors.

Yesterday, I met up with Ames and Spud at Starbucks to have coffee and yarn and conversation. It was fun. The weather was crappy, but we were inside so it didn't matter quite as much. Ames talks about it more over at her blog.

That's about it for now.

KNITTING!

Thanks, Cheeky!

What is your all time favorite yarn to knit with?

My first yarn crack was Caron Simply Soft. Now... KnitPicks lace weights.

Your favorite needles?

At the moment? My US 2 Addi Turbo Lace circs.

The worst thing you've ever knit?

The first pair of socks I made (with acrylic yarn...boy, were they stinky!)

Your most favorite knit pattern? (maybe you don't like wearing it...but it was the most fun to knit)

Whatever lace I'm working at the moment!

Most valuable knitting technique?

Well Duh! Knit and purl stitch.

Best knit book or magazine?

I don't know about best, but I still use my copy of Easy Knitting since it has a tiny stitchionary and instructions on designing your own sweater.

Your favorite knit-a-long?

Does the Pratchgan count as a KAL?

Your favorite knitblogs?

Look at my links.

Your favorite knitwear designer?

Maybe Shui Kuen Kozinski. Lots of pretty shawls!

The knit item you wear the most? (how about a picture of it!)

Honestly? Probably my cuffs. Photo? Ok here:

Proto-Swarf and Punctures

So, I'm working on a pattern for a shawl. Have been for a couple of months now. Anyway, I've managed to get my butt in gear a little bit and actually knit up the charts that I made forever ago. A couple of you know what this thing could look like when I can make what's in my hands resemble something like what's in my head. At the right (no, your other right) is a photo of not-quite-half of the proto-swarf. How the heck did it get that name? you ask. Well, I'm glad you asked. It started out as a swatch. Then it became the tapestry swatch. (Which got frogged due to multiple circumstances that I won't go into here.) Then I made a Luna Moth Shawl that turns out to be for a Christmas gift. And, after that, I thought I'd make another LMS for myself, only in this pretty, rusty color. Well, the yarn didn't want to be a LMS. It didn't want to be a Forget-Me-Not Shawl, either. I know. I tried. Twice.

So, after some deliberation, pleading, and threats with a flamethrower, the pretty, rusty-colored yarn became The Swatch. Which, in one of our laundry-soap-induced fits, Ames and I re-christened it The Swatch Scarf. And, well, you know me. I like to shorten words. A lot. So it was re-re-christened The Swarf.

Earlier tonight, while I was working the kinks out of my hands (from the knitting, you gutter-minds. Yeah, you know who you are. Don't make me point you out to the rest of the class!), I showed it to OH, who asked me what the hell a swatch is. After I explained, he responded with 'Oh, a prototype. Why didn't you just say that instead?'

After bandaging my forehead and repairing the dents in the desktop, I have hopefully settled with calling it The Proto-Swarf.

And, yes, I intentionally left it rolled around and not showing really anything of the pattern. Hey, I'm hoping to make it into a Mystery KAL one day....

In other news, Lil Miss Mo has apparently decided that I'm one of her new scratching posts or something. I'm finding cat scratches (no fever) in some odd places. Like on my stomach. And shoulderblades. Just to name a few. Oh, and I'm the proud new owner of a puncture wound on one of my thighs. Good thing she's so darn cute!

The tank is done!

See, here's a headless me to prove it! Too bad the blasted thing decided to pooch out in a couple of awkward places. Now it can be thrown into the bottomless closet of doom!
















Went to the family reunion. Was told that my attendance was 'mandatory' since one of my grandmothers was supposed to be there. Key words = supposed to be. Guess where she was. Not at the reunion. She went to Tennessee. Argh! Still, I guess it was okay. I saw some other family members (also not at the reunion), spent some time outside of work with Mom and Pop.

This coming weekend, though, I am not making plans!!!!! Hey, Ames. Our weekly ritual does not count as plans unless it can get us out of some other obligation lol.


Here's a photo of my current project. It (hopefully) will be a shawl. Yes, this is what most of my projects look like in the beginning. Only not quite as neat. Yes, there are two balls of yarn in a 'yarn bra'. (I did not name the thing, I swear!)

This shawl is the Forget-Me-Not Shawl over on Elann's site in the free pattern section. I hope I'm up for the challenge. I'm currently on attempt #3.

Attempt #1 was frogged due to my inability to count.

Attempt #2 was going well until I got to the second pattern row (row 11 I think) when a simple yarn over made me have a headdesk moment. Did I mention that this was after I forgot how to do my decreases and had to look them up on KnittingHelp, then remember how to properly reverse them to suit my knitting style.

And, before I got to the pattern rows on attempt #3, I had the bright idea to look at the written pattern (since I learned to reverse decreases on the written patterns) and compare it to the chart to see if I needed to change things up in the chart.

I think this is part of the reason I have trouble knitting something *exactly* to pattern. I always, always have to change something. Ask Ames. She's dealt with me and patterns before.

So, needless to say, I'm pretty sure that the tapestry that I'm doing has to be frogged and restarted as well because I did the decreases in the wrong flipping direction. Yes, it matters. Well, it does to me.

I'm going to go forage for chocolate now....