One project done, another started...

So I blocked the Ice Chocolate Baby Blanket finally, that I've been working on since right after Christmas. With the edge done, the only thing that remains is to sew on the flower, take a few pictures, and wrap it up nicely to be given as a (belated) present. Some thoughts have to be added though:
* Next time I really need to use one size larger needles when knitting with Zara.
* Should try to refrain from plain Garder Stitch in the future.
* And finally, will not knit another baby blanket until it will be for my own baby. #_#
I promise to put up pictures of the final product as soon as the Mumus [moo-moosh] decides to give back the camera's battery charger that he stole and hid along with my yarn cutter medallion and some other smaller stuff. -_-# - Pictures are up from my camera phone, and yes, they are not the best, but good enough to show how it looked like.


On a more cheerful note, I also finished my boyfriend's neck warmer, for which I used the cashmere my friend gave me. The pattern I used was the Short Row Neck Warmer. While overall I'm more or less satisfied with the result, I do have to mention that I had a hard time picking up the wraps for the short rows on circulars, since when I looked up how to do short rows, they showed it on straights. So basically, when I got almost around in the pattern, I realized the upcoming wraps to be picked up were on the wrong side of the stitch. Go figure, the first time I do short rows, I end up with a dilemma like this. Oh well, I figured something out, so it's no biggie, though the side where I was able to pick up the wraps right, look much better than the other side. (Again pictures will come as soon as I can take some.)

My next project I'd like to mention is my mystery project. It was finally blocked, and looks better than ever!!! ^o^ No more on that, until I'm done with it.

Finally, the last project to be mentioned tonight is the Skull Beanie Hat I started for my good friend, Lithium. I'm using GGH Bel Air to make it in black. The only change I shall make in the pattern is to add a skull onto it in purple. Right now, I'm up to the point where I should be adding the skull onto it, however, I cannot decide how to accomplish such a task. I either have to come up with a way to combine Intarsia and Fair isle, or maybe just embroider it onto the finished hat. One would ask, why not just do it in Fair Isle or just in Intarsia? The answer is simple, I think... the skull has some thin pieces that fit well with Fair Isle, but have some pretty thick parts too (i.e. actual skull) where Intarsia would fit better I think. I shall ponder upon my choices (and the meaning of life) tonight, so I can continue tomorrow.

That's all for patterns and projects for now.
Onto even more fun stuff!
* I got the original Stitch 'n Bitch book! I just felt it was something I should read... (Real reason: I needed some guidance with my potential Fair Isle skull hat.)
* Also, I met up with a friend through Ravelry today at my LYS. She was visiting from Hungary, and was kind and awesome enough to bring me some back issues of the Hungarian knitting/craft magazine called Furge Ujjak (Fast Fingers). I bought one when I was home, and it was pretty amazing stuff. I really like the styles in there, cause they represent more of a Hungarian/European look, rather than an American look, which (no offense) I generally don't find too appealing. She was really cool to talk to, and it was just very nice to converse in my native language, especially since I use it so little unfortunately. Hopefully we can set up a little magazine exchange program, where she could send me Hungarian knitting/crocheting magazines, and I'll send her American ones. We'll see how things go. ^o^
The magazines themselves are absolutely amazing! There are a few things I wouldn't mind making, and the rest is good for inspiration of some sort.

A side note here:
I feel like I stepped into such a section of knitting, where the patterns I'd love to make seem too many for the time I actually can spend on knitting. Must try to be more selective from now on!

And with that note, I will go to bed. It has been a long day, and will be a longer weekend still, so I need as much energy as I can get through sleeping.