Super Secret Group Project #2

Here is Super Secret Group Project #2:



and the other side



It's a baby blanket for Deborah, a member of our group. A bunch of people from our group did individual squares of all different stitch patterns and colors. Most of the squares were knitted, and there was one crocheted square.


We planned on putting together the blanket at one of our meetings, because we didn't think she'd be there. We thought she wouldn't be able to make it, but she showed up!

It was good and bad. Good because we had a chance to get the blanket to her that night, bad because instead of a seaming party, we had a seaming work camp.

So we laid out all of our squares on the table at Panera.



And started seaming. We got most of it done, but at the end of the night, it was still incomplete, and we hadn't even started the border. So I took it home and finished seaming it up.



Then gave it a bath (you can see the vinegar and dish soap).



And wet blocked it.



After it was dry, I crocheted on a border and lightly steam ironed it.

It turned out as a beautiful, cuddly blanket for the new arrival!

Super Secret Gruop Project #1

So, I'm really far behind in my blogging, because this Super Secret Group Project #1 listed here was made and gifted in February, and I've really wanted to share it since. This is just one more reason why our knitting circle is teh roxor.



All this icord was made by the group (hand knit, a little machine knit, and crochet). What could it be for?





Indy wonders why I've once again knit something taller than I am.

Well, it's to make these:



Wait, that doesn't make much sense. Donna, Brenda and Susan, let's try it again!



There we go.

These signs are for Jodi (shown seated)



She ran her first marathon. And to show our support we marathon knitted icord to make some signs which Brenda put them together for us. Jodi thought we were joking when we said we'd be there cheering her on with big signs, and she certainly didn't know we would knit them!

They got a few comments at the race, and they made Jodi do a double take. She saw us, high-fived Donna, who was taking pictures, and kept running. Then, when she was about fifty feet past us she turned around and starting pointing wildly at the signs. We all laughed and told her to keep going, she was doing great, we'd talk about it later.

At our next meeting, we all signed the signs and gave them to Jodi. And she's been displaying them in her house ever since!

And yes, since this is Super Secret Group Project #1, there is a #2. It's in the works right now, and will hopefully be complete and gifted soon. But probably blogged about much later...

Following Trends: Jaywalkers

I had this really original idea of making Jaywalkers in a self striping yarn.



So this is about the billionth pair of Jaywalkers, so I don't feel bad that there aren't many pictures.

This is a Christmas present for my mother-in-law, who received them last weekend. Not that they weren't done by January 1st, but because I wanted to deliver them in person, because I was afraid they wouldn't fit. These socks had very little stretch, so I wouldn't make them as a gift unless I had a model handy. As it was, I had a stand-in at knitting group with the same size shoe who was gracious enough to try them on multiple times (thanks Jen!).

Unfortunately I don't have a stand-in for the gloves I'm making my Dad for last Christmas. They're still in progress because I can only work on them when he's around to try them on to make sure the finger tips are all the right size. Well, he'll probably have a nice pair of think wool gloves for June in Florida.

Nike + iPod = Crochet

Here is the Nike + iPod hack version 2.0



Much more inconspicuous than v 1.0. It's sturdier too.



Here it is while it's open.



It's attached to the shoe by running the flap through the slit, under the shoe laces then buttoning it. It is more secure than the previous version, and has the added benefit that the sensor can be removed.

I think I'll write a tutorial or patter, but it's simple. The bottom is a tube and the top is just worked back in forth to make a flap. The slit is worked as a horizontal button hole.

Nike + iPod = Knit?

My latest project took me about 15 minutes to make, and is about the size of my thumb, but it's one of the things that gets the most use of everything I've made, and it can't really be store bought.

Well, not cheap at least. My husband runs, and he uses the iPod pedometer (http://www.apple.com/ipod/nike/). There is an attachment to the iPod and a sensor that is supposed to go inside of these specially designed Nike running shoes that have a slot for it.



However, Nerdy Husband doesn't like the Nike shoes in that line, so our DIY spirit kicked in and we figured that we'd find some other way of attaching the sensor to the shoe. NH found an article with a hack for it.

So the version 1.0 was born. It's essentially a tube knit around the sensor. In my infinite wisdom I decided to make in in 2x2 ribbing, out of Lion Brand Microspun. It was ugly, as this was B.S. (Before Socks) and I was unfamiliar with the figure eight cast on, and the yarn and ribbing were bad choices. It was sewn onto the shoe, so in order to take it off, he had to unlace his shoes.



It's pretty wonky, but it's functional. Unfortunately, the sensor is knit into the tube, so when the battery of the sensor died last week, NH asked me to make him another cozy. This led to Version 2.0, which is infinitely better.

MMMmmmm Alpaca

Last weekend I went to the Alpaca Fest with some people from the knitting circle.

We came for the



and stayed for the





I thought that fiber would be the highlight of the show, but those animals are so darn cute, they totally won us over. My main goal was to pet an alpaca. And I did. Here's proof:



There were so many alpaca there. There were chocolate alpaca




and dirty alpaca...




and surfer alpaca...




and emo alpaca...




Some were shy




and others have so much hair they can't see




and many were gorgeous.



This one looks like living, breathing Lorna's Laces or Socks that Rock. This picture doesn't do it justice.


We felt up some fiber




and got tattoos (thanks to Jen, you rock)




and I may or may not have bought some yarn



This is undyed alpaca light weight, from Long Skinny Ranch. It came off the alpaca like that. Amazing.

As amazing as the animals were, we were equally amazed at how nice alpaca people are. The folks at Breath of Heaven Alpaca Ranch were there spreading the good word of alpaca, and our knitting circle will probably be taking a trip out there soon. I got some interviews and clips of alpacas humming for the podcast, and everyone I asked was more than willing to answer questions.

Can it be....

So, if you're bored, let's try a little experiment:

1. Go to the iTunes store.

2. Search for Orange Blossom Knits.

3. Hit subscribe.

4. Listen and tell me what you think.

Because yeah, Jodi and I are now officially podcasters. Alright, all that's there right now is some test stuff. Our Promo and Episode 1 should be out soon.

Sorry I haven't posted in forever. I've been busy with the podcast, rescheduling the knitting group, getting into exam season and just taking care of the million little things we do every day called life.

Coming soon: posts about the Amazing Shrinking Jaywalkers, the 3 am Cable hat, and more.