Holy pic-intensive post, Batman!

Oy, it's been a while again! You'd think I'd get better about posting more regularly...yeah, you'd think that, wouldn't you? Heh. Things have been busy at Chez Spaz. This...

Has finally become this...

Yep, it's the exact same sweater. Don't ask me why the colors are so off--it was even the same camera that took the pictures. Sheesh. Anyway, the bottom pic is WAY more accurate for the color, and yes, I'm standing on my bed. Don't tell my mom. Or my kids, for that matter. It's not *entirely* finished, though...I still need to weave in the ends, but I'm not quite ready to commit to that. Isn't that pathetic? See, I'm kind of thinking that the neck needs to be taken back a couple rows, but that would be SUCH a pain in the arse, because it's a top down. Basically, I'm procrastinating like crazy, largely because it's too damn warm out to wear this thing now anyways. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure not complaining about the warm. I LOVE the warm, it's just that the warm isn't exactly compatible with the BigAss Giant Chunky Sweater, y'know? It really was fun to make, though, and it was a dandy first sweater. My gauge was, I swear, TWO stitches to the inch. Yowza.

Currently on the needles are... A fluffy green scarf for my dear friend Brandie, which also counts as G is for Green...

It's made out of JoAnne's brand Angel Hair, with a strand of fun fur held together to give it that sort of kablooie look. It's simple garter stitch, which makes it really nice to work on while watching particularly interesting or detail oriented television.

Also on the needles is this sock for Eldest Boy...

This is a very plain, simple stockinette kid sock with 1x1 ribbing at the cuff, in Patons Kroy sock (I think the color is called Krazy Stripes, or some dopey thing like that). Eldest Boy is very pleased about this, which is really nice to hear, though he does pester me to work on his sock an awful lot. I'd really like to cast on the second sock soon, too, as I really feel that it's just smarter to work two at once for me, otherwise, sock #2 may never see the light of day.

And finally, the last item currently on the needles...

Ze Picovoli ist finally in production! Yay! The reasons for this are twofold--first, I really did want to make this soon, as the irritation produced by finishing the BigAss Giant Chunky Sweater just in time to *not* wear it is pretty severe. The second reason is that I'd really really like to wear it on June 10th--my high school reunion. (Eek!) I was soooooo NOT the crafty creative type in high school, and I'm betting nobody will believe that I actually knit now. Knitting is such a big part of my life, which is kind of dorky, but there ya go. I'd really like to be able to say yeah, I made *this*. It's a rather big accomplishment, to me, to be able to take sticks & string & create actual clothing that not only fits, but actually even looks kinda cute. It's kind of a lot to be riding on a little pile of blue cotton (KnitPicks Shine, in River, btw), but there it is. Is that lame? Well, regardless, it's a fun knit anyway, and oh my, Shine is sooo soft! I've really only worked with ubercheap cottons before, so this is a really pleasant surprise. I loves me some KnitPicks!!

And now, for you yarn p0rn addicts, my latest acquisitions...

From left to right, Mountain Colors Bearfoot (no idea what the color is called, but it's GORGEOUS. Sadly, it shows up really dark in this pic, but it's got lots of reds with bits of autumnal shades, like olive & rust & browns--just beautiful!), Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Black Watch, and Regia Patch Antik in Kuba. The Regia link takes you to Little Knits, which has excellent customer service, and TONS of sales. The Regia in question is still on sale, in fact. Also, speaking of excellent customer service & kickass prices, I highly recommend Chez Casuelle. This shop has my much-lusted-after Malabrigo, in shitloads of colors, for only $10.95!! AND, she does free shipping for orders over $25. This is the shop where I got my Lorna's, and I've also got some burgundy Malabrigo on order from them as well (though it's backordered right now). It's a newer shop, I believe, but I'm loving them thus far.

Also, I had the good cheapass fortune to come across enough coupons to get these two...

If I've not mentioned yet how much I love the Yarn Harlot, well, I've been seriously remiss. I've read both of her previous books, and this book does not disappoint. There's more technical instruction in this one than the other two, but it's still just as entertaining as ever. The other book is one that I've been eyeballing at the library for ages, and is widely known as a good basic pattern book, so when I had a 50% off coupon at JoAnns, well, how could I not? Yeah, I'm weak.

In other exciting geeknews, I've signed up for Secret Pal 8 (blogosphere version)! I'm really excited about it, and to my upstream SP, I promise I'll get my questionnaire up soon!