Botanical Knits...

My copy of Botanical Knits by Alana Dakos arrived this week and I have been flipping through the pages nonstop since the moment it arrived. I am in love with every single pattern in this book. When I pre-ordered it I also got the eBook, but let me tell you that the actual book is even better. This is a paperback with flaps on the cover, that can be used to mark the page of the pattern you're currently knitting. The photography is truly stunning and the design of the book makes pattern-reading easy to follow. I also love all of the botanical ornaments filling up the white spaces on the page. My edition also came with an extra pattern, printed on card stock for the Ivy Trellis Hat and an adorable sticker page filled with leaves that have little messages to stick on different patterns.

I can't wait to finish the projects I'm currently working on so that I can get started on one of these. :)

Winging it...

I decided to just wing it. That's right, I cast on the Repetitive Element cardigan. I took my time and stared at the charts until I understood them (sort of). I realized that there were multiple charts in one chart. That's what makes things so confusing, but once I started knitting, it started making sense. I did run into a few problems when I started working the short rows, but I realized early enough and didn't have to rip back too much. Hopefully I won't run into too many problems later on. For now, I'm loving working on the yoke. Here is my progress so far:

And just because I like to torture myself a little, I looked at other designs by this same designer, Veera Valimaki. Actually, it wasn't torture at all. Her designs are so beautiful... I decided that after I'm done with this cardigan I am going to knit the Happy Street Shawl. It's really gorgeous. I picked out the yarns today when I stopped by my LYS.  I think it's going to look beautiful. This one does make me a bit nervous because I'm not used to changing colors, but I will worry about that when I start knitting it.

Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend!

What to do?

I need your advice... Really. I do... I have run into a little problem...

Here's the deal... I am beyond excited because tonight I am going to finish my Flyaway Cardigan. That's right. It has only taken me 4 months and change to knit it. One of the valuable lessons I learned from knitting it is to read other knitter's notes on their project pages on Ravelry. It's good to know what issues come up, how people dealt with them, etc.

Anyway, there's this cardigan that I fell in love with, bought the pattern and yarn for... It's called Repetitive Element. I have been dreaming of it for months... I've pictured myself wearing it and imagined the compliments I would get... I was going to feel sexy, confident, and beautiful in it...

So today, in my excitement I decided to take a peek at what other knitters said about it. Some had no issues at all... A few frogged their projects and abandoned them completely... Others showed a lot of frustration.Uh-oh. Red flags! So I printed the pattern and started to read it...

Say What??????

I can't get past the setup row. Actually, I only really understand the first half of the setup row. There are charts to help but I don't understand them at all. This pattern is 6 pages long. I have never worked on anything like this before... I really hate to be a quitter but now I'm a little scared to knit this. But it's so incredibly beautiful.... And I want it so bad....

What should I do?

I could always knit this one instead: Harvest Moon...

Mother's Day...

There is nothing better than being showered with love and yarn on the day you're recognized for being the best mommy ever. And we all are, aren't we? Well, at least to our own kids. :)

My Mother's Day started on Saturday, with the arrival of this gorgeous yarn bouquet from Jimmy Beans Wool. The bouquet consisted of 3 skeins of Malabrigo Dos and a link to the Malabrigo Uno DOS Tres Cowl. I can't wait to knit up this super soft yarn...

On Sunday morning we went out for breakfast to one of our local diners and after that I was presented with a gift card for my favorite LYS KnitKnack. Now I just have to find the perfect pattern to shop for!

Most importantly, these cards from my soon to be 6 year old were just the things that make being a mommy the best job ever...

I hope that all you mommies had a fabulous day!

A little update...

The good news: I'm almost done with the 2nd sleeve for my Flyaway cardigan.

The bad news: The sleeves are really wide. Really. I'm hoping that after blocking they will hold a nice shape, but I'm not sure.  I decided to see what other people had written about it on Ravelry and saw that quite a few complained about the same thing.

Lesson learned. Must read other knitter's comments before casting on.

Either way, I love it. Even if I only wear it at home, cozy on the couch.

I have also made good progress with my Lacy Ribs Socks. I'm just about to turn the heel.

I'm already dreaming up what I'm going to knit next. I have so many things that I love from Ravelry... And the hubster just announced he wants a new hat for next winter. He even found the pattern himself. Picky? Maybe just a bit. LOL. He wants the New York Hat. And maybe if he's a good boy I'll even knit him that scarf...