a blossom knits

John and I went to see 3:10 to Yuma last night and were blown away. Amazing movie -- I highly recommend it!

It's done! I just finished the bathmat minutes ago and took the pictures you see here:

I am SO glad to be finished with this project, you have no idea. Using three strands of double worsted cotton yarn and wooden needles is one of the hardest things you can imagine. My hands and shoulders and wrists hurt so much every time I knitted this darned thing. Was it worth it? Yes and no. Yes because I love the finished bathmat and I think it's wonderful. No because of the pain this caused me and how I couldn't really enjoy doing it . . . I just had to focus on the finished product and find enjoyment in that. Would I do this again? Sure, but I would NOT use three strands of double worsted cotton. I would do either two strands of double worsted, or just go down to the regular worsted weight -- with needle size adjusting if I felt it needed it. This bathmat is super, super thick and actually thicker than you really need. I would think that adjusting would be perfectly fine.

I received my hairpin lace loom from Jenkins Woodworking Products just the other day. I picked the cherry wood and took the advice and ordered an extra set of pins. If you're in the market to add tools to your knitting and would love the best . . I suggest ordering their loom. It's the nicest I've ever seen and handmade -- which you know I like. ;) Just knowing that it was made this way and that I'm supporting a family business makes the purchase special.

What's my next thing? Well, I'm off to cast on for a bottle bag. A bottle bag???? Yep! It's a water bottle tote thingy so I can have my water with me when I go for my walks. Unfortunately, I don't think it will work too good when I run . . but that's fine. I'd only prefer to have the water with me when I'm walking. The pattern is from Vogue Knitting Bags Two - On the Go!. I'll be using Berocco Cotton Twist in 8460, which is a blue/green variegated. I'll post some pics within the next few days.

I'm also going to be starting John's socks too. I just have some calculations to do before I get started. I hope that he will like them!

Oh, and speaking of running . . . I've started the C25K podcast you can find HERE. I'm done with Week 1 as of today . . . but I think I may stay on the Week 1 schedule for an additional week. After that then it's off to Week 2!!! I'm already feeling like I'm making a huge difference in my body and my leg and calf muscles are definitely changing. I only hope it starts showing on the outside soon. :D