Long Live October

In a slight departure from the norm, I've decided to take time to discuss my non-crafting life.
I need to say thank you to all those who've responded so kindly to my Alatus pattern. It feels good to have my 15 minutes of knitting superstar fame.

In another announcement, I'm currently gathering, furiously researching, industriously copying, recipes and ideas for a smashing-good Thanksgiving dinner. I'll all grown up now, with my apartment digs and all. It's time to step into the wide-world of meat preparation.
(and yes, fair readers: I do realize that it is in fact not yet October. I just lurves that month the most. Even better than September. Which really kicks ass).


a bit of pride and joy: my Morning Glories, they don't be dead!

In yet another announcement, I'll be off in a week to see our country's fair capital. I hope to return refreshed and ready to brine that damn turkey and cook that pumpkinny pie.
(a slightly unrelated tid-bit: did you know that us "ethnic" people don't like pumpkin pie? So I was told, by some woman who I used to work with. When offering desserts at a Christmas staff luncheon, she informed me of this afore-unknown gem. Well, I'm so glad racism is alive and thriving under the guise of multiculturalism here today.)

Alatus

Alatus: Winged

I must admit that Latin is not a strong point, but when I was thinking of what creative name I could come up with for this knit, I took the easy way out and simply described the item in another language. (sneaky creativity)


From the front, and unassuming (if extremely low-cut) sweater.


And from the back, my experiment with cable-mapping.


And un-modeled.


And, depicting the truer-to-life chocolate brown loveliness that is Louisa Harding's yarn.

Specs:

Pattern: Alatus (self designed exploration of cable mapping)
Yarn: Grace by Louisa Harding (6 skeins)
Things I'd change: As usual, there are several. First, I'd add some more space to the front-sides around the neckline. I'd also curve the neckline a bit more too. It came out more square than I had envisioned. I'd be more careful about shaping the sleeve cap (since I had to pull them both out several times to achieve a normal-appearing shape). The sleeve-holes would be about an inch longer too. It's not tight there, but there certainly could be more room. I'd also be more meticulous in my counting for the pattern. Unfortunately, up near the arm shaping, I ran out of room and had to sacrifice a feather or two.

What I love about it: mostly the yarn. It's like butter. Oh so wonderful, and the most perfect shade of chocolate brown I've ever seen in a yarn. Highly recommended.
Three-quarter sleeve rock the boat. You save yarn, it still keeps you warm, and yet you don't have to worry about the cuffs getting worn or crappy. It also saves time on the much-dreaded sleeve knitting.

This knit depends on another (as yet unfinished) knit for a large part of it's prettiness. I'll photo them together when/if I can get it completed before October 1. (mais oui, self-imposed deadlines once again).

I've been playing with the idea of posting the cable chart, but I think it's only discernible by me.

Come on cold weather! I can't wait to wear this puppy!

Edited to Add:
***Link to Pattern on Craftster***



Alatus

CHARTS

My Favourite Things for my 25th

Indeed, I'm aging. In honour of this, I've baked cinnamon buns for myself (and my co-workers, and possibly family). If you were previously unenlightened, I'll let you know: I am the world's best cinnamon bun maker. I can say few things with such assurance. This, and I kick ass at parallel parking.

Here, you see the dough pre-baking.


And, in it's yummy post-oven state.


I've also completed a knit. I'll post about that quite soon.

In progress are several new additions:

Eunny's Tangled Yoke Cardi, in Jamieson's DK, colour Port Wine.

Not the very best of photos. The colour is much nicer than this picture.

Vogue's Fair Isle U-Neck, the deuce (in Knitpicks Merino Style, this go-around).


Lace Style's Wimple, in Artyarns Regal Silk (the leftovers from the Modesitt Silk Corset).


Knitting and sugar. That's the pinnacle.

Wings

Another canary owner's manual illustration: the broken wing.



My boys are still moulting, and I'm still knitting. After a short yarn-obsession lapse, I'm back baby. Oh yeah.



It's almost done. Still a secret. Love the yarn, my new favourite. (at least, my favourite non Handmaiden yarn).

I've been on a quilting kick as well. Harvest time, harvest quilt(s).
Warm colours

Cool colours


As well as my pretty wall hanging:


Just being a quick update - I must be off to craft!

What's on Your Fridge?

I do promise I'm crafting, though some of it is un-postable (swap items, must remain secret).
Instead I bring you my fridge.

And, a rather humourous picture from a canary-pet-owner guide.
This is a familiar scene at the sanctuary. Butters and Ives are lovers/friends. They have a very complicated relationship.

My Apartment...

Is full of yarn to be given away
(Manos, fun fur, mohair, silk noil, red wool)

and quite a pretty one too

single skeins to become as-yet-unknown projects
(any good ideas for single-skeins of Noro/Patons SWS projects? Let me know!)


Spices for food
(I tried growing my own Oregano, I really did. But I found, quite to my vexation, that some nasty wee bugs were making the underside of the leaves their home. I don't want to get my protein that way.)

Tea for water
(my favourite tea!)

Books for reading

DVDs for watching

And library items for returning


Other than going rather camera happy, I've been expanding my crafting knowledge and begun playing with Fimo. Not that I've never done so before, but the re-discovery is quite pleasing.

I made the owl, of course. Not la Tour.

I've added flower-drying and arranging to the mix as well. Below is the once quite luscious bridesmaids' bouquet I held on August 8:


Another for the re-discovery department, embroidery floss bracelets.

I had forgotten how fun they are to make. Quite mindless, easy work. Too bad I'd never wear them anymore! But the colours are beautiful. If you can think of another use for said crafting skill, other than bracelets, by all means let me know.

And, I leave you with this lovely little glass bee, who has changed job descriptions from martini-olive sticker to plant-pot decorator.