2 Steps Up and 1 Step Back

Thanks everyone for your nice comments on Latifa. It's funny - I've almost completely forgotten all her ends! It's super-foggy here in Washington today -- I can hardly see the building down the street, and my normally gorgeous view of the river and monuments is completely fogged over. But I'm staying warm with Latifa wrapped 'round my neck! It's like a big ruffly hug.

So on the knitting front. First, the bad news: I totally f-ed up the thrummed mitten. I flubbed the directions and put the thumb in the wrong place -- right where the cuff ribbing ended. Hi, read much? I kept thinking "something doesn't look right here" but it wasn't until I got to that part of the directions that said "cast off for thumb" that it really clicked. Rrrrrrip.

I've restarted though, and am even attempting to knit them right-side out! (I hope someone at late night tonight can tell me whether I'm doing it correctly.)

But the good news: I'm almost to the point of making the sleeve cap on sleeve #1 of the phildar sweater:

Can I just say I love this color? It's the Frimas as called for, and it's kind of a muted tweedy thing. I think it's going to look fantastic. I'm a bit concerned about the sizing, though. I'm making the 42" size because I want to be able to wear a button-down under it. I think the next size down (36") wouldn't have enough ease to layer. Let's cross our fingers that I don't look like I'm swimming in Frimas when it's all said and done.

And even more good news: A Phildary parcel arrived from Lyn (who, thankfully, made it through the tsunami in Malaysia):

(and, not pictured: The 10 balls of Cotton Tape I ordered from the Colourway sale. They arrived within 2 weeks! Wow!)

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As seen at Nake-Id Knits:

Grooming Products
Shampoo: Kiehl's
Moisturizer: Eve Lom (but may have to switch, it's not doing the trick on my uberdry, ubersensitive skin. suggestions welcome)

Cologne: Opone by Diptyque
Razor: I dunno. It's orange.
Toothpaste: Sensodyne

Electronics
Cell phone: A Samsung so old the guy at Best Buy said, "Dude, I had that phone, like, FOUR phones ago." Sigh. New one to be acquired sometime this month.
Computer: Compaq laptop
Television: 32" Sony (given from an upgrading friend. I don't know how I ever lived without it.)
Stereo: Some sort of Sony component system... it's the boyfriend's.

Home
Sheets: 650-thread count (and worth every last cent)
Coffee-maker: Gevalia
Car: Jetta
Stationery: Crane's

Beverages
Bottled water: no preference
Coffee: Peaberry or Caribou
Vodka: Grey Goose
Beer: Amstel or Yingling light

Clothes
Jeans: Banana Republic
T-shirt: Club Monaco
Briefcase or tote: North Face backpack
Sneakers: Adidas
Watch: Gift from my best friend

Favorite Places: By the ocean or in the woods. With sun. Or stars.
Necessary Extravagance: Cashmere. Fancy cheeses. Wine. Girls' night out.