Craptina: Tuxedo Shirt

Boo-ya! An FO!
Pattern: Tuxedo Tank, from Summer 2007 Ik
Designer: Theresa Schabes
Yarn: Random cotton from the stash, given to me years ago as a gift: "You're a knitter, here- take this."
Needles: No.4 circs
Time: about 6 weeks.
Notes/Mods: None, this pattern was really simple and easy to do. One could add shaping easily to the body, but I have enough shaping as it is ;) I've worn it a couple times since finishing, and it is the one handknit that people don't ask me if I made. It makes me feel sneaky......

I love this shirt so much here's another picture.

Big A is heading out to India this weekend on business for a week, so I'll be a free woman- wait that sounds weird. I am a free woman, but I guess my schedule will be more free, since my lover will be out of town. So please send your well wishes. He's traveling 30 hours each way and he'll only be there for 5 days total. yikes. My body would be hurting. Luckily, he's preparing by drinking lots of alcohol (that must help, right?) In the meantime, the kitties will keep me lots of company. Here are some shots from the past week that are not to be missed!!
Lucy, who loves to clean Big A's armpits and lick his feet, found some sweaty sneakers to love. It's gross, yes, but it also very loving in a kitty-cat kind of way.

While comparing mortgage rates on lendingtree.com, Darla informed me she didn't appreciate being photographed while working.

Congrats to Steph for guessing right on the first comment! She'll get some use out of this handy item (pun intended). Pete and Joey here had a great time trying the duster out, which was a big help around the house.....

Before I get into all the knitting that's been going on, I want to apologize to all my fellow bloggers out there; I haven't been able to keep up with commenting at all lately. Several weeks ago our paper buyer gave notice and yours truly has been helping to cover ever since. It's a lot more responsibility and therefore more time and focus. I have no time to read blogs on my lunch break and often when I come home I can't even think about looking at the computer. So if anyone knows someone who buys paper for publishing houses, please drop me a line, I'm drowning over here! Send good-for-hire vibes to my bosses, plesase! So know that I do read through your blogs and am doing my best to keep up. I may not be commenting but I'm listening :)

What's the best cure for stress? A little yarn therapy! There's been a LOT of knitting going on, so lets start with an FO...

My First pair of tow up socks!
Yarn:Brooklyn Handspun, in Jungle Canopy
Needles: No.2 DPNs
Pattern: On Your Toes Socks, from the Summer 07 IK
Designer: Ann Bud
Mods: Aside from the short row heel (which I am finally beginning to memorize) I felt this pattern was a breeze. So much so, that I quickly cast on for the second sock and didn't bother to look and the first one OR the pattern and see that it was supossed to be a double rib instead of a single......doh! Oh well, I guess these will be around-the-house socks, at least they are the same colorway.

Also from the Summer 07 IK is the Sleeveless Tuxedo Shirt from Theresa Schabes. I've been rocking out on this baby for about three weeks, I just finished the last sleeve strap this evening, and am ready to block and start finishing!

I promise there are armholes on it, they are just curling up the sides:) The yarn I'm using is kind of a mystery . Someone gave me a bag of yarn a few years ago and this cotton was in it. I'm not exactly sure how much there is, but it looked like it was probably enough for a tank top, so I cast on for this the minute I got the magazine in the mail.

Lest anyone forget Glee is still alive and I have a progress shot!

I'm still working on those sleeves, and the finish line is in sight.This is very good because I only have one ball of Rowan Calmer left. Ann let me use her kitchen scale to weigh out the last ball, so I'll have enough to make those sleeves. I figure, once I get to the end of the yarn that's it! I hope I can at least get a few rows of ribbing in to keep it from rolling. Maybe this time I'll remember to check if it's single or double rib.