A fine weekend!

Some people like to head out of town when there's a long weekend. I do too, but sometimes you just want to stay at home and veg. That's what we did this weekend, sorta. We're not fuddy-duddies, you know.

On Friday night we celebrated our friend Em's birthday. She wanted to go to Min Sok Chon, site of my husband's birthday bash last September. Because of the rain, everyone was running late, so hubby and I killed time at O'Brien's, which was nice because it was Alesmith night. I finally got a chance to sample My Bloody Valentine (perfect for the holiday), plus they also had Speedway Stout on tap. As an added bonus, they also had Alaskan Smoked Porter on tap, which I'd been hearing great things about. Definitely smoky, and the owner's wife has made some cheese with it. Too bad we weren't heading home any time soon, or I would have definitely bought some.
Dinner was fun, I've become a fan of yogurt soju. Sounds gross, but tastes good. I had almost a whole carafe to myself.
Wouldn't you know, after dinner we ended up back at O'Brien's! Unfortunately they had sold out of the beer cheese. I had another pint of My Bloody Valentine and tried a mead called Viking Blod. Not my thing.

Saturday we slept in, then I went out to get some stuff for the special Valentine's Day dinner we planned. We don't go out for Valentine's Day, as far as I'm concerned it's one of the worst times to go out to dinner. So, we do it ourselves. We decided on surf and turf, shrimp scampi and ribeye steak, plus Chocolate Stout Cake for dessert.

We made a yummy Bordelaise sauce with mushrooms for the steak. The cake looks awful, but it tasted amazing.

I spent most of Sunday doing homework. I'm actually ahead of schedule in one of my classes!

Today was a nice day, just cleaning out my shows on the DVR and knitting while it stormed outside. I'm ready to take on the week!

2 FOs!

I can say with absolute certainty that I have never had two FOs this close to each other...


FO #1 - The Amanda Hat
Pattern: Amanda Hat from Sleepy Eyes Knitting
Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted in Indigo

I absolutely love this hat. Not only is it the first hat I have made for myself, it's also the first item I've knitted with Malabrigo, and yes, I now get the love. Isn't the lace pattern so pretty?
I've worn this hat every day since Thursday on account of a weather forecast consisting of 3 major storms. Here in San Diego that means rain, nothing more unless you live above 3500 feet or so. My hat replaced the need to carry an umbrella.
Did I mention that I love this hat?


FO #2 - Gossamer Stars Scarf
Pattern: Gossamer Stars Scarf by Kat Coyle, published in Interweave Knits, Summer 2008
Yarn: Elann Soie Bambou in Arles Teal

I began this scarf last May but set it aside after a couple of months to work on other things. I learned about provisional cast-ons with this pattern, although I can't seem to find the original tutorial I used, which I think involved a crochet hook but doesn't have you knit into the bumps on the back of a chain of stitches. Anyway, I was sorely tempted to gift the scarf without blocking, but in retrospect I'm glad I blocked. Boy does silk stretch!

Please excuse my poor blocking technique. The top picture shows the scarf on my ironing board, which is what, about 10 inches wide?
I folded the scarf in half to block it (read somewhere that that was acceptable). Then I began pinning, using the striped towel I'd bought especially to try and keep a straight line, after blocking the scarf measured a whopping 15" wide!

I gifted it earlier today, it was a complete surprise for my friend, who kept using the word "gorgeous". She's a very particular woman, that compliment really means a lot!

WIP Wednesday - 2 out, 1 in!

I'm happy to report that the Gossamer Stars Scarf is finally off the needles; it just needs weaving in of the ends and blocking, which hopefully I'll get to this weekend.

The Amanda Hat is also finished; for a pattern that looks complex it's a very quick knit. I don't have a good picture of it yet though. We're supposed to be getting some rain in the next day or two so maybe I'll get some use out of it.

My new WIP is the February Sock for the Thrifty Knitters Sock Club on Ravelry. I think this is the perfect group for a wannabe sock knitter like myself; I figure in a few months either I'll have several pairs of handknit socks, or my sock yarn will be traded for something else. I'm knitting (Black)hearted, which is a top-down sock with several options for each part of the sock. So far, I've chosen to do a picot edge and some ribbing. I'm working my way through the heart chart right now, and I'm planning to do an Eye of Partridge heel.