Femme Fatale

I hear that the original use of the name Rowena was for a femme fatale character - so that's what I'll call myself while wearing my Rowena cardigan.


Seriously - even though this sweater is almost a year in the making, it was worth it. Look at it. Look at that edging. My goodness it's pretty.


I have left it loose and swingy as opposed to putting buttons on the front (this is primarily due to the fact that I ran out of yarn....not because of my exceptional style or anything).



I'm still struggling with ribbon options. Below is choice #2. I'm not completely happy with either and think that for now I may go ribbonless.


In the meantime I will bask in the joy of a finished object. A finished object for me. I will take it with me this weekend as I go to visit both of my grandmothers in Saskatchewan. I hope to get some knitting love from my Grandma that used to knit. It's only recently that I've realized that she was quite a knitter in the past - and I hope to hear more about it this weekend.

Announcements for 2008

Big changes over here at Baad Medicine, Big Changes.

First off, notice our cleaned up sidebar. Christmas sock tally down, and new sock tally up. Our goal is to knit 24 pairs in 2008. We're not that crazy as those 52 pair plunge people....we can't make that kind of commitment. We're only about half that crazy, hence the 24 pairs. Let us know if you're up for the challenge!!

Next up, our new KAL. We took all your responses to our poll into consideration and came to the conclusion of something completely different (if you know us, you really won't be surprised by this...). We'll be knitting the Cozy pattern from Knitty. We got yarn, we got pattern, we're ready to go. We'll set up a KAL in Ravelry this time as opposed to a separate blog. So if you're not in Ravelry yet, quick, get on the list so you can join us. We'll give you a few days to sign up before we start.

That's about all...our next big undertaking is to revamp our header. Our dear friend Andi has agreed to help but we need to do a photoshoot before then.

We're looking forward to good knitting in 2008....

The Path Less Taken

I've been knitting socks. I know. It's so unexpected.






The thing is that I usually have a larger project on the go, like a sweater or some lacy fluff, and a sock on the side. Socks are like my knitting affairs. I'm really a very monogomous person, but sometimes you need something you can work on in the car, at lunch with a friend, at Stitch and Bitch. Lately, though, I have only been knitting socks.





This departure may have stemmed from certain deadlines (like Christmas and birthdays. Happy Birthday, D.) and a lack of interest in other projects. There are many things I'd like to knit and my Ravelry queue is rather lengthy. I just can't really settle on anything else at the moment and I have a ton (and I mean a metric ton. They're bigger, you know.) of sock yarn in my stash. This combined with an infatuation and I seem to be knitting socks as primetime projects. And I think I like it.





I had a fleeting thought today that it might be fun to knit all eight of Cat's new pathways. There's nothing like trying something new to kick start your creativity. I've already finished some Jeweled Steps, which are Sidestream architecture...





and I'm working on sock #2 of the Tantalizing Socks in Sky architecture.









I'm enjoying the challenge of knitting socks, something I feel quite comfortable with, in a new way. The mental exercise is unfamiliar but welcome. And if I keep this up, my stash will shrink and I will be able to buy more yarn, guilt free.



Change is good.

T's Top 5 Favorite Knitting Books

A while back I received a notice from Knitpicks entitled "The Endless Inspiration of Knitting Books" and I thought that was rather timely. It's the New Year and it has endless possibilities. New books could inspire amazing knitterly things.

Now, I don't actually own all of these books, but I have put some on my Birthday list (32 days and counting....) and hope to add them to my library soon.

1. The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns by Ann Budd. This is a fabulous book with options for gloves, mitts, hats, socks, sweaters, vests etc, in a multitude of gauges and sizes. Excellent reference book when knitting any of those items. One of the best used books in my library.

2. Last Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson. To be honest, I've knit only a couple things from this book. What I really love about it is the layout, artistry and photography. It's a truly beautiful book just to look at. And some cute cute ideas. The must knit, much talked about Chevron Scarf is from here. And this adorable little sweater, suitable for boys and girls (and I'm always struggling to find good sweaters for little boys). The felted pot holders - a great stocking stuffer.

3, 4 and 5. The Harmony Guides by Erika Knight. Cables & Arans, Knit & Purl, Lace & Eyelets. Beautiful. I've been wanting to add some stitch dictionaries to by shelf for a while, and these are going to fit just perfectly. They are updated from the 30-year old originals with beautiful pictures to go along with each stitch. Lovely. Perfectly lovely.

If asked what books I would take to a deserted island, it would be these 5. They would give me endless possibilities.

What are your favorite books?

Potential Energy

I am alone in my house. This does not happen very often and I plan on taking advantage of it. My Dude and the Princess have left for the day, one for work and the other for her grandparent's house. My sister is off to school and I am alone. Ahhh.

I love my life. I really do have it pretty good but today is special. Today has so much potential. I could go back to bed. I can go for a run. I could shop and linger in a coffee shop with a latte and a good book. I could have a nap. I could cuddle up on my couch with a cup of cider, a blanket and some knitting.

Whatever I end up doing, the day will likely fly by and never reach the high hopes I have for it. That's the thing with potential. Few things can live up to it.

New years are like that, too. We have big plans, aspirations, and even though we may never reach them, isn't it something that we try? Good intentions are at the very least a start.

Here is some yarn with potential.

All good socks have to start somewhere. What pattern will I follow? Or will I? And who will wear these socks?

And now I'm off. Mommy's got the day off and who knows what could happen!