the planks - knit blanket

Current Project: Knitted "Plank" Blanket via Martha Stewart

the directions/pattern for this blanket can be found here

A wonderful lady that I work with showed me this blanket, which she made a smaller version for her new grandson. I dove right in, but have since slowed down because while it is a very simple blanket, it is very time-consuming. I have been working on it in pieces, which is easy because that is exactly how you make it - crochet knitted pieces together. I have been calling it the "Plank" blanket because the pieces remind me of floor planks the way they are put together.

this and following two images via

After much consideration (and many store return lines), I chose these colors.

Red Heart - Buff Fleck is the main color because it is neutral, has beautiful blue flecks throughout and is cheap. When you have to buy about 15-17 skeins, price is important. For the accent color I chose Waverly for Bernat - Blue Gown (after changing my mind half a dozen times). I chose this country blue because it picked up the blue tones in the main color, it is incredibly soft, and I was able to get 3 skeins of it on clearance at Michaels'.

I printed out the PDF instructions, adapted the number of cast-on stitches for the gauge I had (using size 10 bamboo needles), and then numbered the planks to keep track of which ones I had finished. This will also make it much easier to stitch together the planks when they are done. I started with the largest pieces first, I am currently about done with the 60x20 inch piece. This blanket will fit a full/queen bed, I think. If anything it may be a little larger than necessary.

I bought these tags at Walmart (great for homemade gifts) to label the pieces and included the dimensions just in case.

I think I have used about 5 skeins so far, maybe six. No worries though, here is the stash (including the original blue I planned on using and have yet to return).

One day I will post with the finished product...Happy knitting!

Holiday rush

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind.

It all started when I got a call from the OTC Humane Society about a woman wanting to meet Tasha. The lady lives in Chico and was researching possible dogs for her father, who had recently put down his 19-year-old rat terrier. So on a Tuesday evening we took Tasha to meet the whole fam. On that Friday afternoon, we drove Tasha out to her possible new home in Ord Bend, which is a very small town between Chico and I-5. We spent an hour or so with the woman's father and his girlfriend as Tasha ran around the house like crazy. It seemed like a great place for a little doggy, but she still wouldn't let the couple even hold her. We left thinking that she had a 50-50 shot of being adopted by them. Welp, the very next day we got a call that they were already at the shelter in Orland filling out the paper work.

So after almost three months, Tasha was adopted. It would be a lie to say that we weren't very sad, but we kept telling ourselves that this was the best option for her. So, we had a few more hours with her before we drove her out to her new country home.

It all happened very quickly, but we were very thankful to have her be adopted before finals week and not during. So we put on some smiles and thought positive thoughts as Kevin hammered through his finals and I finshed up my papers and tests. It seemed like the longest week, but then it was over. I thought we would have time to relax, but we had to get busy knitting and crocheting.

I had planned to make something for (almost) everyone in my family instead of buying gifts to save money. Kevin decided to do the same. So we set out to finish up the 20 something gifts we had listed in about a week and a half. Kevin knitted so many scarves, and I took to knitting or crocheting one beanie after another. The result...

I don't even think that was all of it, since we were knitting right up until the Christmas Eve. We were so happy that everyone really liked their gifts and all the hard work - and sore fingers- paid off. Since Christmas I knitted a beanie for myself and one for Kev, a surprise (sort of).

We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with our families in the Bay Area. Then on Christmas day we went to Kev's Grandma and Grandpa's house in Modesto for a wonderful dinner and family time. Then Kevin braved one of the worst driving experiences of our lives, driving in the pouring rain from Modesto to Angels Camp in the dark, definitely not doing that again!

We got to spend some time with my niece and nephew, and spent the night in Angles Camp. Daddy made us an awesome breakfast in the morning and we were on our way.

Thankyou to everyone in our families for the great gifts, your support, and love. It's great to be home :)

Now we are getting ready for my step-brothers wedding on New Year's Day. Grandpa bought me two nights at the Rose Hotel downtown, so Becca and I will stay there Thursday and Friday night, thanks Grandpa! Can't wait to ring in the new year with a big celebration, a great new dress, and some of my favorite people.

Also, Kevin an I will be celebrating 4 years together on the 1st. Can't wait for many, many more!

mid-November?!

It's a tough Monday, after such a long, beautiful, and relaxing weekend.

We actually did a little bit of everything this weekend--played video games, went out for a few drinks and a beer, worked on some knitting projects, took Tasha for a few walks and rides, barbecued, cooked, homework, watched football, etc.

On Thursday, Tasha helped me with a tie-blanket I was making for a "calm space" at work. She has taken to laying out in the rock area in the backyard, basking in the November sun.

She sits on one of my Dad's old chairs like this, straddling the back. She stares out the window while we are gone and growls at passerby/intruders.

And  she watches Kev play PS3.

On Saturday night we went out with some friends for a few drinks. These are the only pictures I got, lol. We went to Panama's for a tea and then to the Bear for some cold Sierra Nevada crystal wheat and some cheap but oh-so-yummy cheese fries.

Here's Kev taking Tasha for a walk around the neighborhood, lookin' handsome :)

We were lucky enough to snag these pics on Sunday. Tasha always falls asleep on her back, especially if were rubbin' her belly. Seriously, isn't she just so adorable?!?

HA.