Armchair Quarterback

The madness has officially begun in Pittsburgh.

IT'S FOOTBALL SEASON, BABY!

I was lucky enough to tailgate through a torrential downpour last night before attending the Steelers v. Dolphins exhibition game. Mr. Pass-the-Dutchie Ricky Williams was in the house, but all eyes were on Hines Ward who recently showed once again that he one of the classiest players in the game as well as one of the best. I'll save you any further comments, but as of September 11 (creepy), it's on like Donkey Kong.

Now, what has Tara been knitting???

Not much, my friends. I did manage to crank out a few cell phone holders for HA. They only take about an hour to make, and they're a great way to use up any small amount of novelty yarn you have hanging around.





I also finished the first sleeve of the vintage cardi, and I've started on the second. The only problem is that I hate the US1s with a fiery passion. They're only used for the ribbing, and then you go up to US4, but the ribbing is freaking 4" of torture! The gauge is so tight that I can only knit 2 rows and then have to take a break.

I won't post pics, but the last few days, the skin on my finger tips has started to peel off. I suspect this is caused by my hands being wet or in latex gloves for a considerable time at work. Whatever - it is NASTY! So maybe that complicates matters. Blech.

My classes start tomorrow. I'm nervous for the 22 credits I'll be carrying, the 32 hours I'll try to be working every week, the 43 blogs I've fallen behind reading, and this blog and my knitting that I've been much neglecting. Believe me when I say that I miss you guys. I feel so out of the loop! But please keep writing your funny stories and knitting up fab items, so that I can live vicariously through you all for the next couple months!  ¶ 18:27

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  where, o where, has Tara gone?

Damn, y'all, this is REALLY bad. And my fall classes haven't even started yet. (1.5 more weeks of freedom!) Turns out working at a "retail" job is alot more physically demanding than I thought. If you can believe it, I'm usually too pooped to knit when I get home!

Plus, I don't want my yarn smelling like fish.

Guess you could say I've been a Bad Penny (har har)

how classy that it matches my beer
PATTERN: Bad Penny by Miss Stefanie
YARN: Artful Yarns Candy (3 balls) for stockinette part, Tahki Cotton Classic (1 skein) for ribbing
NEEDLES: US7s for stockinette parts, US5s for ribbing, US8s to bind off bottom ribbing and US6s to bindoff sleeve and collar ribbing (thank you, Denise!)
MODS: oh lawd, where to begin? First of all, I only casted on 120 stitches for the neck, and it's still a little wide in my opinion. I didn't count the increases....just tried it on alot until it fit. Knitted the body straight until it was just under my boobies and then added some waist decreases and started the ribbing when it was the right length.
REVIEW: Just what I wanted! And I can't spout enough love about the Artful Yarns Candy. It is the perfect yarn to use for a t-shirt!

I actually finished Bad Penny over a week ago, and I've been in a bit of a knitting loll since then. I think I'm just sick of summer knits, but it's too flipping hot in my apt to bust out the wool. I started the VYC and am loving the yarn but worried about the fit. After Lucky and Bad Penny, I am in no mood to modify another pattern, so we'll just see what happens.

I also got notified that applications for the craft fair are available, so I foresee most of my crafting time being spent on making fantabulous purses. I know that bores you all the tears, but you'll have to deal. (By the way, if any of my Pittsburgh peeps are interested, we could split a table for $15 each! Email me!!!)  ¶ 16:06

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