Gearing up for Ravelympic Training!!!

The Summer Olympics begin in 11 days, and my Ravelympic training started tonight when I went to the Flatbush SNB meeting. I like this group because it is in Brooklyn, there is ample parking near the location (Connecticut Muffin), the people are friendly, it's 20 minutes away from my house, there is a bus that takes me straight there if I don't feel like driving, and a very good friend of mine lives around the corner. Lately, my weekends have gotten very busy, so it has been difficult to squeeze in knitting time. Then, you have to drag yourself to work on Monday morning. This monday evening knitting meeting is a great way to have something to look forward to as I am dragging myself to work.

For Ravelympics I have decided to knit the Gathered Pullover as my Sweater Sprint project. Originally, the pattern uses Brown Sheep Top of The Lamb Sport, but I decided to use Berroco Ultra Alpaca. The original gauge is 19sts/24 rnds on size 7 needles. My yarn's gauge is 20sts/26rows. We will see what circular knitting does to that number. I will begin my magic loop swatch tonight. I have both size 7 and 6 needles, just in case.Aside from that, I have to finished my Nutkins. Finally, a Finished Object that belongs to me me me !!!! This is entry #1 for Summer of Socks 08

This is my Camera Sock. All that is left to be done is the kitchener stitch, but I keep messing it up. AARRRRRGGH!!!!

Happy Knitting everyone!!!

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

Today is my birthday, and I am so excited!!!

Last year, at this time I was recovering from a visit to the Emergency Room, and on pain medicine. I was on bedrest for 1 week, and I managed to make some really good progress on my Central Park Hoodie.

This year, I am still working on the second Central Park Hoodie that was supposed to be finished by Thanksgiving, but you know how life gets in the way. LOL!!!

I have much to celebrate, and have accomplished many of my goals during the past year. Some of them being - establishing myself as a businesswoman, creating my own logo/banner, becoming the female lead singer in a band, creating my own knitting pattern, and spending more quality time with family and friends.

I have managed to go over 100 days without buying yarn. Gasp!! I didn't think it was possible. Although my FO count is still low, but hey that is a work in progress. However, I am still stashbusting.

I have given myself some new goals. I am going to finish my Nutkins this week. There I have said it!! I also joined Ravelympics as part of the Sit N Knit NYC team. I will be doing the "Sweater Sprint" and the"Sock Put". Hey, if I can get at least one "medal" for the competition I will be happy. My socks will also simultaneously count for Summer of Socks 08. I will be working on the Gathered Pullover from Interweave. So, opening ceremonies takes place in 17 days, and then I have 17 days to make a sweater and a sock. Whoo!!! Pressure!!! LOL!! So, I will try my best to knock out some UFO's in the next 17 days.

Speaking of UFO's..... here is my pair of Nutkins-in-progress.

Just a few more inches on the foot to go, before I get to the toe shaping.

As far as more birthday celebration plans go, I will be going to a Thai restaurant for dinner with some friends. The food at this place is awesome, so I will definately be providing pictures later on.

Also, I want to send some love out to my twin Jeanine whose birthday is also today. Happy Birthday!!! I haven't seen her since our Christmas gift exchange. Shame on me!! We need to link up girl!!

Summer of Socks 2008 - My Thoughts

Today is the end of the first 2-week installment of Summer of Socks. I am making my Nutkins and here is my progress.

I have a few words to say about this knitalong.

Initially, it was meant to be a slight "push" to get the socks going in preparation for the cold winter day in the not-so-distant future when we will really need it. I have decided to use my stash yarn as a way to save money, as well as make room in my closet. This has encouraged me and given me some realistic goals. I decided to try to make 1 sock every 2 weeks. I have found new interesting patterns, and am making use of the 2 at a time magic loop technique that I love so much.

However, I am a little hurt by some of the things that I see other people in the blogosphere are doing when there is something called a PRIZE at stake. I have seen people finish socks on the first day, and hooray for the speedy knitters. but on the flip side, I have seen people make 2 inch cuff socks because that is the minimum suggested for contest entry. I feel sorry for their poor ankles when the temperature drops. My beautiful knitters, please remember that even though it is a contest, it is still your socks. Or will be the socks of the loved one that you give it to. Don't do the injustice of making something that is not totally fulfilling just for the sake of a contest. You are making people lose their mojo here.

Well, even though I am not complete with my first pair in 2 weeks, I am super excited that I found a pattern I love, and even more excited that I managed to make the short-row heel look much better on my second try. Good thing I only had to frog that portion once. My socks will be ready whenever they are ready, no pressure. And if I feel so inclined, I will add them to the PRIZE entry for next 2-week interval. But I will tell you one thing, my socks will rock. They will be super gorgeous things that I have put love and time into, and they will be absolutely beautiful. I also want to give praise to a dear friend of mine, Deb, who is a serious knitting motivator, for finishing within 8 days. Way to go!!!

Where has Shameka been???

It has been 3 weeks since I last blogged. What took me so long? Well, it really has been an eventful 3 weeks. Where do I start??

First of all, I modeled in a photoshoot for my hair salon House of Hair. They needed someone really daring to do a drastic change, so here are some of the "candid" shots on the day of the shoot.

I also went on a frenzy making a bunch of stitch markers. I have already updated my ETSY site with blog-button stitch markers for customization, so if you would like something made please don't hesitate to send me a message. I will make more updates soon, I promise.

These are for Carrie. They will be in the mail shortly. She was the only one to respond to THE CHALLENGE. She didn't have a blog button, so I created an image for her to use on her stitch markers. I also made them in her favorite color of blue. They can be used on worsted weight and chunky needles.

These are for Tawana. She was kind enough to gift me some Lorna's Laces sock yarn in Bittersweet. So, this is my way of saying "Thanks". These are for my Sit N' Knit Group. They were raffle prizes for our Worldwide Knit in Public Day event. It was so much fun. Congratulations to the five lucky people who won stitch marker prizes!!! These stitch markers are Limited Edition.

These were made especially for Me!!!

I also had a performance at a fairly new club in Brooklyn called LIME. The vibe was really nice, and we had a lot of fun. I am singing alongside the one and only Dane Gulston. I admire him as a musician so much. This man can play ANYTHING on that Steelpan!!! He had the crowd jammin' all night. And guess what?? He saw me knitting, and admires all of my various talents, including my knitting skills. He has already requested a hat from me. Not sure if I can make anything to surpass that Kangol hat that he is wearing, but I can surely try.

I went to see Sex And The City with my girls Tawana, Chante, and Saunielle. Afterwards we had sushi, and I thought this cup was so cute. We had a lot of fun, and I even got some knitting done.

Here is the knitting update!!!

While I was at the hair salon (all day), I started this Top-Down Raglan Cardigan . I am almost complete with the yoke. I am using Manos del Uruguay in color #118, Mulled Wine on size 9 needles. I love this color. The yarn smells a little like vinegar, but I can deal with it. I will use some Citrus flavored SOAK to make the foul smell go away when I am blocking.

I also made some progress on my Jaywalkers.

I started a new pair of socks for my Summer of Socks Knitalong. These are my Nutkins that I started this past Sunday. I am using Socks that Rock Mediumweight in "Mustang Sally" from my stash, and size 2.5mm Knitpicks 40 inch needles. I acquired it at Rhinebeck. I first fell in love with this color when I saw it on Deb's blog. I don't know what took me so long to make something with it. I LOVE THIS YARN!!! It feels so nice. I feel so happy that I matched the perfect pattern with the perfect yarn. The pattern is very easy to follow and remember, which makes it even nicer. I am currently on the third repeat of the pattern. I have to complete 8 repeats before I turn the heel. Once again, magic loop is my friend. I am afraid that I will never go back to double points. This 2-at-a-time technique is a winner!!! Now I just hope I can finish in 2 weeks to be eligible for that raffle prize. I already started a day late... Darn!! Wish me luck!!!

Also, in response to the comments in my last blog post, I will be making earrings to match the stitch markers for all of the Mekamika admirers out there. Thank you for all of the feedback, input and well wishes. Having good people like you to help guide my creativity is priceless.