New yarn and a sweet surprise

I wanted to share something with you that made me feel all warm a fuzzy.  I purchased some yarn online with a birthday coupon from Knit Purl, a LYS in Portland, Oregon and this is what I received: 

Yep beautiful Shibui sock yarn in graphite.  You know how much I now love this yarn.  But in addition to the yarn I also received a personalized card:

Isn't that so sweet?!  I patron the shop every time I visit Portland and now they have an online customer for life.  :)   So if you visit Portland, or you are lucky enough to live near there, go shop at Knit Purl!  

Still knitting!

I think I'm finally over my fear of knitting in public.  I think....  Maybe it depends on where I am and if I feel comfortable enough to take out my knitting.  

One place I feel comfy knitting is on public transportation - and that's a good thing as I take the Metro or bus to work every day.  The Metro is much quicker (~15 minutes) which saves on my sanity, but I'm starting to feel that the quicker commute cuts into my knitting time because when I take the bus it's a much longer commute (~45min to 1 hr, depending on traffic).  This morning I took the bus and as you might imagine, I was able to get a lot of knitting done!  

Getting closer to completing the project.  More updates soon!

It's Spring!

A couple weeks back the cherry blossoms were in full bloom and I was reminded of why I would love to stay in this area.  Of course we took full advantage and walked and hiked at local parks each weekend (that we could) in March and April.  

One place that we love to visit is the National Arboretum.  It's a little ways away from downtown so it's not as crowded - especially during cherry blossom season when everyone is at the Tidal Basin.  Plus, the hubs volunteers as a research assistant at the arboretum so we can typically time out when full bloom will likely happen.  Here are some of my favorite shots from that day in the park: 

In addition to blossom peeping at the NA we also have another (not so) secret spot to enjoy spring.  Last year a dear co-worker introduced me to a neighborhood in Bethesda called Kenwood.  This neighborhood has multi-million dollar homes and streets lined with cherry blossoms!  I read somewhere online that there are over 1,200 trees in this little neighborhood.

I had the hubs pick me up during my lunch break and we drove over for a lunch-time walk through the neighborhood.  Oh my it was BEAUTIFUL!  The trees canopy over the street and you feel like you are walking through a movie set.  We went one day too early so not quiet at full bloom, but that was the only day I could run off-campus during lunch so it had to be.  But it was still gorgeous!

Happy DNA Day!

Today is a very special day... it's my birthday AND National DNA Day! http://www.genome.gov/10506367

Today is a day to learn more about all things genomics - the history, current research and trends for the future.  Mostly I like today (well it IS my birthday, but I mean the "holiday") because it's a fun day for kids to learn and become excited about the sciences.  

Besides, you know what a geek I am - and my love for the double helix is massive.  

Case in point: My DNA earrings and necklace: 

My dog named after Rosalind Franklin: 

I'm living a dream working at the National Library of Medicine at The National Institutes of Health: 

And now I have DNA Socks!  

Pattern: Denature by Margaret Mills

Yarn: Shibui Knits Socks in Canary Yellow

Needles: 2.0mm

Started: March 26, 2013

Completed: (almost!) April 25, 2013

I was desperately trying to finish these socks for DNA Day to wear to work.  But then I realized I would be traveling in a car all day so it didn't really matter.  And I'm so close to finishing... I'm thinking I can finish up the toe while riding in the car.  Nonetheless, they are near complete and I really like them!  The sock pattern was initially a little tricky.  I've never continued a pattern down the ankles and around the heel but once I got the hang of it the sock moved along quickly.  This was my first time cableing without a cable needle - which was kind of fun (again I re-emphasize the dork aspect of myself).  The original pattern called for a CO of 70 something stitches - and that was for the small!  I ended up doing 60sts and I still found it too large.  You can tell from the photos that they are a little on the bulky side.  But they will make nice house socks, or to wear over another sock when I need extra warmth.  The pattern comes with an additional arm warmers pattern called Anneal (cute, huh?!).  I might make these at a latter date - I figure arm warmers are always a necessity at work while typing away on the computer - why not a pair with a DNA helix annealing? :) 

I do have to mention the yarn.  It was my first time using Shibui yarn and oh my do I love it!  I bought it a couple years ago at Knit Purl during one of my trips to Portland, Oregon.  I really liked the little shop and too bad I'm so far away.  But the yarn is really nice to work with, we'll see how it wears over time.  And this yarn and colorway were perfect for this project, I just love how colorway makes the DNA double-helix pattern pop! 

And yes I actually wrote this post in advance because the hubs, pup, bun and I are all packed in a car making our way to Indiana.  See... I have 9 hrs of car time so plenty of time to finish these and CO my next project!  But yes, we are headed on a quick little trip to see friends and family for the weekend.  And what a great way to start the long weekend... with a celebration of DNA!  I hope you all have a great DNA Day! 

Tiny Tardis

Image from: http://cdn-media.hollywood.com/images/l/doctor_who_tennant_tardis.jpg 

A number of years ago the hubs and I became Whovians and haven't looked back.  In fact since then our geekiness has grown to include other cult-classics but Dr. Who is still one of our favs.  

And now, I've introduced our dog to our obsession: 

Tardis Sweater for Rosie

Pattern: Modified from the Tardis Socks from Keladry B.

Started: February 23, 2013 and Finished: March 10, 2013

Yarns: Cascade Sierra (Blue), Knit Picks Stroll (Black), Knit Picks Palette (Mist)
Needles: US 8, 5.0mm

I know what you are thinking... ANOTHER dog sweater?!?!  I had to though.  I have wanted to knit something in the likeness of the Tardis for a while and actually cast on for a pair of socks but realized I had a blue that was too dark.  Then I figured I have been on a dog sweater kick so why not make one for Rosie?   

 

I used the Tardis sock pattern from Keladry (link above) and modified the door panels.  I sort of knit the dog sweater free-form so it would fit Rosie.  When I'm not so lazy I'll pdf the notes I took while knitting and post them on here... again... when I'm not too lazy.  :)

I ended up holding the black yarn double and the white yarn triple.  Mostly because I was knitting from my stash and didn't want to purchase yarn for such a small amount.  I'm still debating if I want to add sleeves to the arm holes.

If I were to knit this pattern again I think I might make some slight mods (to my own pattern) to make the door panels stand out more and to the collar/top of the Tardis area.

I do apologize for the slightly blurry pictures but it's so difficult to take a good picture of Rosie because she's always moving!  Overall a cute and very fun project.  I think I might order the correct blue to make a pair of Tardis socks for myself!  

Another Sneak peak

Here's a sneak peak at another project that as been sitting on my needles since December 2012.  Recently (well, mid-late March) I picked it up again.  Hopefully soon I'll have this FO post! 

A WIP

I have another work in progress (WIP) that I'm trying to finish before April 25th... wish me luck!