Why so quiet?

I have been putting off posting because I wanted to put up some photos, but I can't seem to get a good day of sunshine to take the darn things, so weeks go by with no posts.

Last week's excuse was legit: I was sick. What started out as the flu turned into the most awful sinus and ear infection I've ever had. For 7 straight days I had a 99-100 degree temperature, cough, stuffy nose, and complete exhaustion. For 3 of those days, I had a severe headache that nothing would ease. If you've never had a sinus headache before, it's like a fierce migraine combined with filling your sinus cavities with ever-expanding cement, which in turn makes you so nauseous that you actually want to throw up, and in my case, I did. On top of that, the nausea removed my appetite, so I didn't eat anything for about 4 days. It was a truly award-winning week.

This week, the cough is all that remains. I haven't felt well enough to go to the gym, but I was feeling good enough to attend my first tap dance class yesterday, which was awesome. I've been wanting to take tap lessons again since I first took them at the age of 5 or 6. I haven't done any choreographed dancing since my last musical at age 18, and I was afraid it would be hard for me to get back on the horse, but I think I'm going to be OK. It's an 8 week class, and there's no recital, so it's just for fun anyway.

While I was sick, I had tons of time to knit, but I didn't feel much like doing it. I started a scarf, which I'm still working on, using some bamboo yarn from my stash. I also finished a bunny, whose head has been staring at me for about a year now. Her name is Cadbury, dubbed by the boyfriend because she is a chocolate bunny. I'm attempting to knit a sweater for her without a pattern. I tried to work on a particular sweater, which is now the Hell Sweater because it keeps going wrong. I will have to submit an entire post on it this weekend, if I get enough light to photograph it. It's truly stomach-churning for me.

The weather here in Iowa has been pretty typical, and by that I mean insane. Yesterday, after several days of weather in the 40's and 50's, it rained, hailed, and snowed. Today, the sun is out and the thermometer is back up. It's almost as if yesterday never happened. I just don't get this place.

Well, that's all for me today. I really really really need to take some photos this weekend, so I'll hopefully have some new stuff posted over the weekend.

Knitting Patterns I'm Loving Right Now

For those of you who don't knit, you might as well go back to checking your email, playing online sudoku, or whatever else you were doing, because this post is only about getting your knit on.

For those who are still with me, today is one of the four (OK, EIGHT counting the surprises) times of the year that I get a bit giddy: the new Knitty is up. Hooray!

I have to say, even tho' I have no kiddies of my own, I still love knitting baby things: they are small, usually quick, and very adorable. Spring '08 Knitty is abundant with baby and kiddie stuff, and they have not disappointed me!

My favorites from this issue:

Knob Hill


Talia
This surprises me, because I'm not generally a vest person. (My sophomore high school photo notwithstanding, as it was the 90's, and that's what you did.)


Lace Ribbon Scarf
When the designer mentioned The Sartorialist in her description, I yelled "YES!" in my head. I was thinking the same thing!


Mosey
Legwarmers with pom poms! Why didn't I think of this?

...and, finally, OMG:

Spirogyra
This is the perfect thing to make with the fabulous alpaca yarn from theHollywood Hills Boutique! (We got this in our gift bags at the last knitting retreat. It came undyed with an invite to hand-dye it at a workshop in August.)

I was watching the rather frightening Lion Brand fashion show online yesterday (see the video below, if you want a laugh). Most of the stuff was not my style, but I did find a sweater that I must make:
Extra Easy, Extra Fabulous Sweater
(You'll probably need to register for free to see this pattern.) This one had me at the buttons, but seeing how easy the pattern is and that it's made of bulky yarn sold it. I just need to get my hands on enough Thick & Quick to make it.

Lastly, this Etsy shop was listed in the "Cool Stuff" section of the new Knitty, and I wish I'd thought of creating these stitch markers first. Genius! God, I hate kitchener stitch, that necessary evil.

Here's that fashion show I mentioned. Enjoy!