Over It

Hello all,

Today starts what I am going to call finals frenzy. A crazy thing that consists of stress, coffee, acne, yoga pants and a large amount of sleepless nights and nervous breakdowns. More on finals later, but first let me update you on some happy things, Stagecoach and my cardigan!

Stagecoach 2014
Stagecoach was an epic adventure of happiness and fun. It was so great to relax in the sun. The days were warm and the nights were cold. It was great desert weather. Everyone who preformed was amazing! We saw Eric Church from the standing area, with about 100 people squishing us to death, then the next night we saw Jason Aldean from one of the grassy areas where we laid down a blanket and was able to just relax and listen to him and so many others. My favorite day was the last day, Sunday where Luke Bryan gave a fantastic performance that blew us all away. We danced and had a fantastic time listening to our favorite artists. After a fun but exhausting weekend. We were able to have both of our families meet up at Mikes house for a day of hanging out before we had to go back to Flagstaff on the train. We had yummy burgers and it was a great day of family and fun. We then boarded a train to Flagstaff. 10 hours, 1 full book and no sleep later we arrived at 4:30 in the morning to 30 degree and windy weather. Boy did I miss California right then. It was a quick taxi ride and short walk (a very cod walk with a lot of cussing about the hating of the present weather) later that we were back in the dorms, like we had never been gone. Now we are back for a week and 2 days and then we are moving out! Back to California and done with our first year of college.

I cannot believe my first year of college is almost done. It seemed like we were just moving in. But I am almost a sophomore and that is just crazy to me.

Here are a collection of pictures from our Stagecoach trip.

My sweet In-N-Out and I reunited at last

The awesome Thomas Rhett

So Stagecoach was awesome and we had a really great time. Well worth the wait!

Now an update on my cardigan. The yarn came in the mail while I was gone so on Tuesday when we came back I picked it up from the campus post office and rushed to my room to open it. 

Beautiful! The color way was more of a cream color than a white color than I expected, but it is still a great color. The yarn is so soft! I have made my boyfriend, my roommate, my roommates friend, my TA and pretty much anyone I encounter with it in my possession feel its amazing softness. During my Tuesday night Intro to Education class I decided to cast on for my gauge swatch. 

Side note: Yes I do knit in class. I have a very distracted mind, and I have found over the years that if I knit in class, my hands are busy so it is easier to listen to the lecture being given without having my mind stray to more interesting topics. I have to choose which classes more carefully since it works great in some classes, but not so great in others. In high school my teachers either hated it or thought it was great, either way, they all said that as long as it doesn't affect my work, they did not have issue with it. In college, I tried it one day and my professor just wondered what I was doing, but didn't really have an issue with it. This year my philosophy class is the best one to knit in. I sit in the back with my boyfriend and our friends and just knit while he lectures. It is my most productive time. So if you love to knit and have a multitasking brain, then don't be afraid to whip out your knitting in class! I get some weird looks, but some people find it really cool and interesting. Knitters, be brave and do what you love, who cares about everyone else. 

Back to my gauge swatch. I started knitting it on my Addi Turbo Click interchangeable circular needles. That was a Christmas present from my mom this past year. I cast on and started knitting in a size 10. The pattern calls for a 10.5, but I only had a 10. After about 10 rows out of the 20 I realized that the swatch was going to be too small. So I went on Amazon, and ordered size 10.5 tips, and frogged my gauge swatch and put my yarn aside. So I am waiting for my needles to come so that I can start again and get this project going!

So finals are coming up, and it is crunch time. I am ready to go and I don't think my grades are going to change drastically. It is the worst feeling to be so close to the next grade up and have it be just out of reach. I only have a little bit of time left, but it still feels so long because of all I have to do. 3 final exams and a 15ish page paper and then I will be a sophomore. It still feels unreal to me. 

Mike and I went to see a movie today to say goodbye to fun for the next week or so. We saw The Other Woman with Cameron Diaz, Kate Upton and Leslie Mann. It was a complete crack up and I enjoyed it a lot. If you are considering seeing it, I highly recommend it! 

Well, no more fun for me. I have to say goodbye to Netflix, movies, and so much more. Only for a week I know, but just the idea of replacing fun with constant studying and paper writing is depressing. I have loved this year and all the things I have done and experienced, but as of right now, I am over it. Over college, over these classes and just over being here right now. I know after a summer I will be ready and happy again, but currently I am over it. 

See you all on the other side. I will leave you with my favorite quote by J.K Rowling.

"It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously  that you might as well not have lived at all- in which case, you fail by default."

Caliente, Country and Cardigans

Well, Flagstaff is being its usual self, and well... 5 minutes ago it was dark and pouring rain. Now it is sunny with blue skies. What? Yeah well, thats Flagstaff! Here is the view from my dorm room where I have been cooped up all day doing homework. Ah the glorified life of a college student. Nobody really tells you that your life is going to be comprised of a lot of homework, a lot of Netflix and very little sleep. All for the low payment of 30 thousand dollars a year for four years!

Exciting news! In 5 days Mike and I are going to a 3 day country music festival in Indio, California called Stagecoach! We are very excited considering we bought our tickets in October and have been waiting for this ever since! We are excited to be getting out of Flag for a weekend and into some nice Southern California weather! It is going to be in the 90's and 100's so most likely I am going to fry to death, but we are going to see Jason Aldean, Eric Church, Luke Bryan and so many more. Isn't that awesome! I am most excited for Luke Bryan. He is a great singer and performer. It doesn't hurt that he is incredibly sexy! Mike laughs at me because I have a fan girl crush on Luke Bryan, but it's okay, he isn't threatened by my love for Luke. We are very excited. We get to go from crazy weather (see pictures above) to warm sun. It is going to be a weekend of hot weather, country music, bikinis and boots! What's better than that? I am very excited, and as usual, pictures to come after.

Update on my quilting project: At my house back home (500 miles away) I have a bag with my charm packs, thread, in between fabric and everything just sitting in my closet. Waiting for me to get home from college and spend my summer being an old lady and quilting. I feel like most people my age are out doing things and causing trouble during the summer. All I want to do is work, then come home and quilt. Guys, I knit, I sew, and I am learning how to quilt. At age 18 I have become an old lady, but you know what? Thats awesome. Why? Because a lot of people my age are dumb and I would rather be my old lady self than be them, going out and being dumb just so they can say YOLO. (Or is that really un-cool to say now...). But yes, back to quilting, I cannot wait for that project, and in the meantime, I have my knitting.

I have been getting what I call an "itchy project finger". It is like what people who like guns call an "itchy trigger finger" but for knitting! As I near the end of my first sock, and begin to mentally prepare for the next sock, I have also decided to start a new project because I want to have 2 projects going at once so I can switch back and forth when I get tired of one or the other. Also, I am going on a family vacation right after school gets out (beginning of May) to New York! I am very excited, but that also means that I will have 2 long plane flights as well as car drives once we are there. So, having 2 projects will be awesome.

I went to go troll ravelry patterns to figure out what I wanted to make, and I decided I wanted a little bit bigger of a project. So I originally wanted a pullover sweater to knit, but after browsing my closet and realizing I already have a bunch of pullovers, I decided a cozy cardigan was exactly what I need. After searching for awhile, I found the perfect pattern. I saw it and I was sold.

Rocky Coast Cardigan by Hannah Fettig is a beautiful cardigan made up of intricate cables and soft plushy yarn that combines to make an elegant and chic cardigan. Once I saw the pattern, I was hooked.

Pictures courtesy of Coastal Knits.

Isn't it gorgeous? After searching online yarn shops and realizing that sadly nobody carries The Fibre Company's Organik in the color way Arctic Tundra which the pattern recommends, and then realizing it would be about 120 dollars just for yarn costs (ouch!) I started looking into the yarn that they suggest as an alternative. Malabgrigo Worsted. After seeing many projects made with it, as well as talking to knitters and reading their comments, I was sold on the Malabrigo yarn. Even better, it is 50 dollars cheaper than the Organik would have been! The best comment (and the one that sold me) was one person that said, "This is my first 'luxury' yarn, I just want to roll around naked in it" I plan on making it in the color way Natural. (It is a white color similar to the one in the pictures), that way you can see the beautiful cable work as well as it being a neutral color. My only fear is that people say that this particular yarn pills after being made, hope it all works out okay. 

I took the plunge and made my purchase. 5 skeins of the Malabrigo Worsted in the color way Natural from the Websters in Ashland, Oregon. I used their online store because I found that was the best price and shipping! Now I have to wait for my beautiful yarn. Then it is cast on time! I already have needles thanks to my amazing mother's Christmas gift from this past year. The Addi-Click interchangeable circular set. She said she heard it was the "Caddilac of knitting needles" and I could not be more thrilled to get to use them on this project! 

Before casting on I will have to learn how to cable without a cable needle... a foreign concept to me. But it should be fun to learn new things and be able to advance my knitting with each new project. Now, someone I know needs to get pregnant, because baby things are so fun to knit, and I just want to shower a little baby with love and presents. So my dear family, take note. Have babies, because my selfish knitter side wants to shower you with handmade adorable gifts. 

I hope you enjoyed listening to my ramblings. Maybe my life is pretty boring, but I hope my (semi) clever titles keep you entertained. 

I have a toe of a sock to knit and the last 5 episodes of Friday Night Lights to watch on Netflix so until next time, happy blog reading.

Chemotherapy Hat Pattern

My mother has many friends who have been battling cancer. So many people I know have bravely been fighting this difficult battle. One of the hardest parts about the cancer fight is going through chemotherapy. The process is difficult and a lot of times results in hair loss. In talking to people who have undergone this, they have said that it is hard to find hats that are not itchy, but at the same time are warm.

While exploring this adorable little yarn shop in Jacksonville, Oregon called Llamas and Llambs Boutique, (What a cute name right?!) I found the perfect yarn for a hat to keep a family friend warm through chemotherapy.

The yarn is perfect. Just perfect. Crystal Palace Yarns Poof is a soft yarn that is squishy and warm while having a softness that can be up against the softest and most sensitive skin.

Here is my pattern for a simple ribbed edge hat. Can be used with any yarn, but if using for someone going through chemo, I highly recommend the Crystal Palace Poof yarn.

Chemotherapy Hat Pattern

Cast on 40 stitches

*K1, P1 repeat from * around 4 rows.
Optional * P1, K1 Seed stitch repeat from * around 2 rows
Knit until length fits head, about 8 1/2 inches.

Start decreases for the crown:

*K2, K2tog, repeat from * around (30 sts)

Knit around

*K2tog, repeat from * around (10 sts)

Break yarn leaving an 8 inch tail. With a tapestry needle thread the tail through the remaining stitches pull tight and secure. Weave in ends.

Basket Weave Coaster

Hey everyone!

As a knitter, there are so many great things you can do with yarn, and sometimes that means designing something yourself. Here is one of my original designs.

One day I was sitting watching TV drinking an iced tea when I looked at my side table and saw a little water ring there. I didn't think much of it until the next day the same thing was happening. Then I decided, you know what... I need a coaster. I grabbed some needles and stash yarn, and the Basket Weave Coaster was born.

Basket Weave Coaster Pattern

The yarn I have used for the coasters is a cheap but awesome yarn you can generally find at Michaels or Joannes! It soaks up condensation really well and works great with this pattern. The yarn is Lily Sugar'n Cream.

Cast on 20 stitches

Work 6 Rows of - K5, P5, K5, P5
Work 6 Rows of - P5, K5, P5, K5
Work 6 Rows of - K5, P5, K5, P5
Work 6 Rows of - P5, K5, P5, K5


Bind off all stitches and weave in ends!
Hope you enjoy!

My Irrational Fear of Socks

Hey y'all. Despite the title, I do not have an irrational fear of socks, but for the longest time I had an irrational fear of knitting them!

I bought this absolutely beautiful yarn (Classic Elite Yarns Alpaca Sox) in a very pretty blue-green color with the intention of making socks.

Now imagine the yarn and needles sitting in a project bag in the bottom of my work in progress basket for 2 years...

Then, November 5th, 2012 I was brave and I casted on. Here we are April 18th, 2014 (another 2ish years later) and I have almost finished said sock (only the first one) and I realized that my fears were unwarranted! Socks are not actually that scary.

I am making the Hourglass Rib Socks by Chrissy Gardiner, from the wonderful book Knitted Gifts by Interweave and Ann Budd. If you are looking for a fun books of projects to make for family and friends, I recommend this one!

So, I am almost finished with the first sock. And I am having a lot of fun realizing that socks are not that scary after all. I am a little ashamed of the fact that I waited so long to make these. My only excuse is that I am busy with college, and well 4 years ago, high school, and well... the reality is that I was scared of making socks. Not to worry, I have conquered my irrational fear, and when I finish these babies, I am sure I will be happy with the result!

I apologize for the awful work in project picture, more pictures to come and more progress to be made. As usual, I will keep you updated!

For any of you Ravelers (those who use Ravely) my account is knitfierce (http://www.ravelry.com/people/knitfierce) feel free to friend me and check out my projects!

The project page to this particular project is here (http://ravel.me/knitfierce/hrs).

A Break from Spring

Spring, a time where flowers begin to bloom and there are a few pretty light rain showers and the sun is shining and beautiful.

At least thats what I always thought spring was supposed to be like. Here in Flagstaff, Spring is 40 mile an hour wind gusts with intermittent rain/sleet/snow/hail/sleet/back to rain. The sun will be shining and flowers are blooming around me, but when I stand to appreciate this beauty I am being swayed by the insane winds and the chill that cuts through your clothes and soaks into your bones. But, when the wind stops (which is almost never) Flagstaff in spring is beautiful. 

A few weeks ago, I went home to relax and take a break from school and from Flagstaff's windy spring. I spent the week watching movies with my mom, going shopping, and taking a mini vacation with my boyfriend. 

Mike and I went to San Marcos for 3 days and had a wonderful time reading by the pool, having great BBQ, and spending a day at the San Diego Zoo. 

It was great to be able to just relax at home and in the beautiful California sun. I loved spending some time away from school to just de-stress. 

As for my quilt project, I got my beautiful charm squares in the mail from Missouri Quilt Co! If you are looking for beautiful precuts, great prices and great service, check them out on their website here: https://www.missouriquiltco.com. The precuts were exactly what I wanted!

I laid out my squares in the way I want my quilt to look, then I looked at it, and looked at it, and looked at it, and then I realized, it was not gonna be big enough for what I wanted! So it is going from a full size quilt to a roomy queen size! I ordered more charm packs, did the math and modified the pattern. By the way, if anyone wants to know what I did to modify the pattern, let me know and I will tell you! 

Here is the mock up of my arranged squares! Pretty pretty right?? Now imagine one more column of a block of four squares and another row of a block of four squares. 

I bought my white fabric for the next step of my project. After that I had to cut the white fabric into 1 1/2 inch strips, all of them being different lengths. As a new quilter I do not own a rotary cutter so I borrowed one from a friend and got to work! Many chick flicks, a borrowed rotary cutter and potential carpal tunnel later, I finally had a million little strips in different sizes. 

Success!!!

So now I have all the pieces, so the sewing begins. This summer I am going to be working during the day, sewing at night, and just trying to get through the fact that I will be away from the love of my life except for once a week. Breaks are always hard for us because it means we go from seeing each other every day for hours and hours at a time, to being 40 miles apart. And for a week at a time, those 40 miles could be an ocean for all that my heart hurts. So in order to cope, I have to keep busy. So, work and quilting! And at the end I will have a beautiful quilt to put on my bed for the next 3 years of college. My quilt will be my inspiration for my bedroom in my apartment.

It was a wonderful break, and now I am back in the beautiful Flagstaff, even with its temperamental weather. 

Looking forward to a new adventure, STAGECOACH 2014!! A 3 day country music concert in Indio, California. My favorite names in country will be playing, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Eric Church and so so many more. 21 days and counting!! 

Well, I have more to come in my next post, but for now I will say see ya later, because I am a college student and I have a spanish test to go take right now. 

So much to do, so little time. Isn't that always the issue?