Cola and Chrome Pattern

I'm putting this pattern here, because as of right now it lives on an increasingly crumpled little piece of notebook paper, and I don't want to lose it forever. I mean, it's really simple and I'm sure I could figure it out again, but I like having the numbers around so I can be lazy and not think about them :-P They were created for and named after the friend (a burlesque dancer) who commissioned them, and originally knitted in black Vanna's Glamour on size 1 needles. They fit the average woman's hand very nicely. The second pair was knitted in Loops & Threads Payette on the same needles. Third pair was done in Loops & Threads Elegance on same needles. (I'm so glad commercial yarn companies have stepped up their game, woot!) I am now working on a fourth pair in Payette on... you guessed it... same needles! (I am obsessed with Payette, it's the best sequin yarn ever!) The simplicity of the pattern means that embellishment options are pretty limitless too... buttons, beads, etc. So without further ado... le pattern :-)

Materials:
-A fingering weight yarn such as Vanna's Glamour, Loops & Threads Elegance, or Loops & Threads Payette. (Yes, I know these are listed differently on Ravelry, but they all work.)
-Five size 1 double pointed needles.
-Two stitch markers
-Embellishments of your choice
-Crochet hook or tapestry needle to weave in ends.

CO 48 sts, distribute them evenly across 4 needles (12 sts each) and join, being careful not to twist. (I like to leave a bit of a long tail that I can knit into the first few stitches and leave hanging out- makes it easy to keep track of rounds.)

Rows 1-12: K1, P1 around.

Rows 13-20: Knit plain.

Thumb gusset:

Row 21: Knit first needles. Knit 5 stitches on the second needle, place stitch marker. K1fb, k1fb, place second stitch marker. Knit remaining five stitches and rest of round plain. (50 sts)

Row 22: Knit plain.

Row 23: Knit to first marker, slip marker, k1fb, knit to last stitch before second marker, k1fb, slip marker, knit rest of round. (52 sts)

Alternate rows 22 and 23 until you have 30 sts on second needle, 66 sts altogether.
Knit plain for 10 rows.

On next row, knit to marker, remove marker, k1, put next 18 sts on scrap yarn, k1, remove marker, knit to end of round.
Knit plain for 9 rows.
K1, P1 for 7 rows, then bind off in pattern.

Thumb: Pick up 24 stitches, including 6 between 3rd and first needle, so that you have 6 sts on 4 needles. Knit 4 rounds. Finish off with 3 rounds of K1, P1, bind off in pattern. Weave in ends, embellish as desired, and you're done :-)

Any questions, don't hesitate to ask. What is obvious to me, might not be so clear to you. Enjoy the pattern!

Dye dye, dye my darling

Here she is, in all her over dyed & blocking glory :-) She went from this:

to this, after I soaked her in a sky blue dye bath:

I love her! 

Summer Flies, done! ...in wool :-\

She's GORGEOUS. Recycled wool from an ugly mint green GAP sweater. I just can't wear her until... well, at the rate we're going, never. I certainly plan on a cotton version, no worries... but for now, am making another one (also in wool... gahhh) that I also dyed. Although it's not really a Summer Flies... it's the same shape and beginning, but I decided to leave out the butterflies section and improvise with the star stitch and ridged eyelets instead. I'm going to put in a few strips of stockinette too, to show off the unusual color combo. I can follow a pattern to the letter exactly once... and then inevitably, I have to color outside the lines. I'm such a shawl junkie at the moment... ironic, considering it's gonna be SO FUCKING HOT ALLLLL WEEEEEK BAHHHHHHHH.  Anyhow, without further ado, pics:

The top picture is more accurate, as far as color goes. But oh boy... I love her <3

Look what I can do! :-D

I'm gonna spit splice all 5 balls together into one, then hank it and shock it as per the directions I found online. I'M SO PROUD OF MYSELF! I can't wait to knit with it!

Dog days are over...

...oh man, I miss the little bastard already. He looked so sad when he saw me packing, and when I told him I was leaving. Argh!

But... I bought myself a consolation prize this morning and it's called FUCKING ROVING. I'm spinning the shit out of it... My first "serious" spinning attempt with "serious" fiber, and it's not looking too bad. The colors look much better spun up too... but I still think I'm going to over dye it with yellow and red, using tips from a tutorial I saw yesterday. It's a weird purple, teal and brown now, with white spots... I've only got maybe a quarter of it spun up so far, not even... and WHEW I'm tuckered out... Totally gonna take a sandwich break... but then I'm going at it again. I want it done NOW NOW NOW :-D

Help! I've been taken hostage! By a ham dog!

He may look innocent enough, but don't let him fool you... he's tried to kill me with kisses, and will not let me leave the bed! As it is now, he's curled up next to me, ever watchful of every movement I make... Bahahahaha!

Veni vidi vici!

My Annis is almost finished! I conquered nupps, I conquered chart reading, and I conquered short rows, and this pattern is so damn addictive I'm planning on making at LEAST two more. I love love loveeee this pattern! I've got such a boost of confidence about plunging into other patterns now, it's nearly intoxicating. YESSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'll be off to my boss's place in a bit for dog sitting duties until Friday. It's always a nice semi vacation, looking after the little ham dog. Pictures of the sweet little beast to come for sure ;-) Better finish getting packed and such... I see a LONG nap in my future, as I didn't sleep much at all last night. Oy...