Thank you all for the comments on the Legos – I showed them to Marc, and he was so flattered that he’s going to build me another winder that will be hand operated (to fix the tension problem – thanks for the suggestions!)  The swift is his own design (if anyone is interested he would be happy write a tutorial), and the winder was based off a pic/tutorial I saw on Craftster maybe a year ago.  Legos are his primary hobby, which is great because he can never, ever get upset about however much yarn I have… it cannot begin to take up as much room as the legos.  It’s funny because I never thought about it being odd that my winder was made of Legos, as most everything in the house has some sort of hidden lego touch.  In fact, the handle once broke off the toilet in the middle of the night and he replaced it with a lego handle (not there anymore, but still genius!)

I actually had a pretty lousy day.  We had to meet with a caterer for the wedding, and all the wedding details just make me stressed out.  Saturday I’m going dress shopping with one of my Bridesmaids, and my Mom is freaking out already about her dress, so… more stress.  And Marc’s traveling to a Scrabble tournament this weekend, so it will just be me and the cats!

So ok, stressful day, but then you know what made me feel better?  Knitting Patterns!  Specifically, the new Interweave preview is up here.  Here’s a quick look at what I like.  You will note that I have added a “patterns” category to the sidebar, since I seem to spend so much time looking at patterns.  I’m trying to put all my commentary in there.

 

From top left: 1. Wheat Ear Cable yoke 2. Pomegranate blouse 3. Oragami Cardi 4. Ogee Lace skirt 5. Little Smocked Cardigan 6. Josephine top 7. 1824 Blouson

I have to tell you that I think “wheat ear cable yoke” is the worst pattern name ever, but it is super cute.  The 2nd and 3rd patterns are both by Norah Gaughan, who I am really starting to love.  And yes, I know.  I shouldn’t like that blouson top, but for some reason I do.  I mean, I don’t think I’ll make it (the 80s trend will be relegated to Target purchases for me!) but for some reason I really love the shape, so you never know.  At first glance my favorite is the Pomegranate blouse, which has a very soft old fashioned look… at least from this angle.  I reserve the right to change my mind when we see the closeups!  I made a sweater out of the recommended Berroco cotton twist yarn once, and it was not exactly the most durable yarn ever, but it was pretty.

I didn’t like a single pattern out of last summers’ Interweave, so as far as I’m concerned they are continuing to improve.

I also have two crochet patterns I found while searching tonight.  The first is from the new “Crochetme” online magazine.

I don’t think I would look good in this, but I do think that it’s supercute for someone who can pull it off (I cannot pull off any clothing that is even faintly “artsy” and the tunic is not my friend.)

The second pattern is from (gasp!) Lion Brand.

I think the styling in this photo is terrible (something is weird with those pants, and I hate the color) but the pattern is nice.  Imagine it with a funkier button and maybe a different collar.  I love swing jackets.  I talked myself out of clicking buy on a Kim Hargreaves kit today, telling myself I didn’t need yet another jacket to not make (it’s the one here – note that two colors are on sale.)  This is kinda similar, but then so is Flair and so is the Phildar jacket I have a pattern for.

Sometime I’ll get around to making one of these… I think it’s just that I realize how completely impractical a 3/4 sleeve jacket is (although I swear to you… if that Kim Hargreaves kit weren’t knit in Summer Tweed it would be mine!)