Knitting and Flying

Today I started my February travels yes I know its not February yet but its close enough. First stop on the itinerary Skokie, Illinois for a visit with my Aunt & Uncle and cousins for the weekend. Not sure what I was thinking coming to the mid-west this time of year it freezing (12 degrees out) oh why oh why did I leave the warm LA weather.

I made sure before leaving Wildfiber last night to stock up on some knitting projects for the travels. Of course I was too excited about them to wait until I actually left town to start them so I casted on the Cabled Beanie (pattern by Grace Akhrem) using Queensland Collection Rustic Tweed while I was pulling an all nighter packing up for the subletor and being nervous that my sister would over sleep and I would miss my flight. But alas the sis was on time and I got my knitting needles through the nightmare security lines and made my flight. Phew.

While on board I made great progress on the project before completely passing out. When we landed I was about 1/3 of the way through the pattern. The pattern works up so fast, looks amazing and is completely addicting I didn't want to put it down.As soon as the pilot announced the temperature (in case you missed it earlier i will say it again 12 degrees) I was so tempted to stay on the plane and finish knitting the rest of the hat before braving the cold. And in case you didn't know this flight attendants really don't like when you linger.

After a quick stop at Dunkin' Donuts for some delicious coffee I was in the warmth of my uncle's home working on the hat before the kiddies came home from school. I'm sure if it weren't for some Rock Band action and my cousins rendition of pants on the ground the hat would be done already. Now I'm debating between sleep or a finished hat :)

2010 Goals

One of my favorite things to do is make lists, that is the one and only thing I like about the concept of New Years as a holiday. Making lists are acceptable practice around this time of year and I am darn good at. Last year my list consisted of losing weight, cleaning my apartment, exercising more, spending less and a whole other bunch of unexciting goals. I am happy to report that some of those goals were achieved unfortunately some were achieved because of crappy circumstances in my life.

I'm looking to the future to my new goals and this year they are all about crafting and culture. I'm learning to let go and going with the concept things happen for a reason.

First up on my goal list is starting a year long Granny Square project. It's simple I will follow the ravelry group 2010 block a month crochet along making 16, 6 inch squares every month for the next year. At the end of the year I hope to have a beautiful blanket for my bed.

I picked out my yarn yesterday at my favorite knitting store in Los Angeles (well technically it's Santa Monica) Wildfiber. This month the pattern is called Little Dahlia. I chose 6 colors for this month, I will be using both greens in all 16 squares and I will pair up the other 4 colors to make different color combinations for the "Dahlia" in the square. Last night I got right to work on my first square. One down 15 more to go.

I'm really looking forward to this project/challenge and being able to have a place to share my progress.