EZ's BSJ Stage 2

This is Elizabeth Zimmermann's Baby Surprise Jacket at the end of Stage 2. At this point you are still decreasing at two different points by sl 1, k2tog and psso.  The new skill I have learned during this stage is how to pick up a dropped stitch in garter stitch, which was a very frustrating thing to do.  After watching this video on YouTube several times, I managed to fix one of the dropped stitches. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fnaY63h1yM)
I had another jacked up stitch several rows down and after the problems I had with the dropped stitch, I went down to my LYS and Shelley helped me fix it. I am happy to say that I am back in knitting business and hoping to get this finished by Christmas!!!

Elizabeth Zimmermann's Baby Surprise Jacket Stage 1

This is Stage 1 of the Baby Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmermann (1968). This pattern is available from Schoolhouse Press (http://www.schoolhousepress.com/) and both Knitpicks and Ravelry have KAL's in progress for those of us interesting in knitting this piece. I am making this for my 10 mo. old nephew Joey for Christmas.

 It looks smaller than everyone else's in Knitpicks KAL at the end of stage 1 as far as the length of stitches worked but I'm assuming it because the yarn is DK weight. After frogging 3 times, and learning how to truly do "slip one, k2tog, psso" I had to do a little victory dance!! I can't decide which color to do next though. What do ya'll think?

BTW, sorry for the crappy picture, but my digital camera got dropped in a glass of coke a few weeks ago and finally kicked the bucket after I made this picture :(

5 days until Graduation and tons more time to knit!!

I can't believe I'm taking my last final exams on Monday!!!!! It's been a long 4 years to get a 2 year degree but looking back, I can't believe its over. I never dreamed in a million years that I would ever have the opportunity to get a college education, much less graduate at 32 years old. Besides the birth of my children and my wedding day, graduation day is going to be the happiest day of my life. I'm really looking forward to being gainfully employed again so I can support my knitting habit and being able to take lots of knitting classes at Loopville. Without Knitpicks and my buddies there helping me learn to knit, I know I wouldn't be graduating. Knitting definately soothes my stressed out nerves and kept me focused on school and look at me now!!! Thank you KP buddies!!!

Journey to the Center of A Sock "Houston we have a Problem!!"

This is sort of a double post as it could go in the Sock KAL and the Learn to knit KAL on KnitPicks, but since it's more a question on ML, decided to post it here for advice. This is my first official experience with both socks and ML. I keep adding stitches and somehow I've managed to mess up the 2 x 2 ribbing. Can anyone help me figure out what I am doing wrong? Thanks so much and Happy Thanksgiving!!

Journey to the Center of a Sock Pt. 5

Kelley gives a great explanation of a gusset. Until learning to knit socks, I'd never heard of a gusset...lol
I am really enjoying using the magic loop method and have decided that I love working with circulars and I don't know if I will ever use a SP needle again!

Which do you prefer SP's or DP's?

~~~~Knitpicks is having a sale on needles right now, with Harmony needles being 10% off! Check it out!~~~~

We Interrupt Our Regular Scheduled Blog Posting........

This past Tuesday, my father in law was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer w/ mets to his ribs, chest wall and lymph nodes. All of the sudden, socks have taken the backburner and I'm frantically searching the internet for a man's chemo cap. He starts chemo this Friday, Nov. 13th and radiation on Monday, Nov. 16th. I am open to any pattern suggestions you may have and appreciate any and all prayers!

These are the pictures of the knitting supplies I was recently blessed with! The circular needles appear to be antique. Check out the huge point protector!