The Mitts Are Done - yay!

Hooray, I've finished the cabled mitts! I am very happy with how they came out. I did make a few modifications to the pattern - I made the mitts longer, since I have long fingers. I made them taper a bit at the finger-tips so they don't get baggy. I also didn't do the picot bind-off, as Larissa said that type of ending rolls back easily. This was my first experience knitting cables, and I think it went well!

As to the functionality of these mitts - I was explaining that these mitts could be used when it's cold out but you want to get your metrocard out, or find change for the meter, or use your camera to take a picture for your scrap-book outside in the cold! They'd be good for any time you need to maintain dexterity while keeping warm! Loyal reader Tom said "so... you could use these to smoke a cigarette while standing outside a bar in the cold then?". True, one could. Although the thought of one of my knitted projects getting all smokey does make me sad, he points out an additional valid application of these mitts. I just thought they were a good project to start cables on. And I like the autumn colors of the yarn.

I joined the SOAB (Swap on A Budget) group on Ravelry. I am so excited! I've never done a swap! It's a $20 one, where you get assigned a "spoilee" and send them a little knitting gift package based one a brief questionnaire everyone participating completes. Each "spoiler" puts together a kit of 1 knitted item by you, at least one skein of new yarn, a pattern for the new yarn, plus some treats (such as coffee, teas, chocolates, stationary, etc.). Each spoiler mails their spoilee their package and then it's like Christmas in September! I am so excited to get assigned my spoilee! I think it's just nice that someone puts something special together for you! I'll have that project coming up, I need to get back to DH's other sock, and also work on Central Park Hoodie in time for cooler weather. I like having logs of projects going. If I get tired of one (or have to put one in "time out"), there are other things to keep me busy. And TRUST ME, a busy couch-knitter is better than an idle couch-knitter....

Yarn Sale and 5K Follow-Up

So my LYS had a pretty big sale this past month - everything was on sale for at least 30% off. Now would have been the time to purchase material for a big project coming up, or splurge on that luxury yarn I've been eye-ing... But, we've been so busy this past month with house stuff (attorney review and inspections are finally complete - yay! Now we're considering paint colors carpet colors), I hadn't spent any time thinking about new projects until *of course* the last 2 days of the month-long sale. So, last week I visited the sale with Larissa and tried to find projects that could be worked up on the fly. I just wandered around the store, picking up skeins of yarn, saying "this is 50% off - what could I make with this?", which really isn't a good way to shop. Never-the-less, I purchased two skeins of sock yarn for 50% off, 1 more skein of Manos (I need more Manos like I need a hole in the head - I feel like I keep throwing more chips into the pot by buying more Manos, thinking that I'm going to make all these great ear-flap hats this winter) for 50% off, and a skein of "Sheep Three Yarn Company" material is a gold-brown hue for 40% off. I think I'm going to try knitting fetching gloves with the Sheep Three stuff. Had I put in some time to actually strategizing what's coming up next (I must have 50 projects faved on Ravelry), I probably could have taken more advantage of the sale. But I am happy with what I got!

I am currently working on the second sock for Jason, and will probably fire up the fetching gloves after that. I do have CPH (Central Park Hoodie) on the needles at the moment too, but after the clapotis took so long to finish, I feel like doing some quick projects. So the fetching gloves will work out nicely. Here is a picture (and pattern) for what they'll hopefully look like. I'll likely adjust the pattern to make them cover more of my fingers. I think they'll be a good project to learn cables on.

Oh, I never followed up with how our 5K run went last month - it was a lot of fun! I completed the race in a decent time (32 min or so). I think there were 2 components that made this race fun: 1) running with good companions - I ran with Julie and her friend Rob, who are both "real runners". They kept a steady pace and were fun to run with, which was so helpful because it kept my mind off the actual run, and 2) reflecting with friends on how the run went after the finish line. DH, Julie, Rob, and I met up with my colleague/friend Jen and her boyfriend (who happens to be my trainer too!) afterwards - it was fun to say "jeez, weren't those hills long?!?" and "did you see that guy wearing the spandex fly by everyone??" and "what was up with that lady pushing her litter of kids in the stroller while talking on the cell phone?!?!?". Jen and Bill were super sweet because after they finished, they jogged back to cheer the rest of us on. It was really motivating! I think Jason and I would like to run another one, maybe in Sept some time, when it's cool again. This was my first 5K and I'm happy to have completed it!