Flabbergasted

First, I want to say a big THANK YOU to all of you who commented on yesterday's giveaway post. You still have time to participate, go go go, until Friday January 14th. I'll post the winners on Saturday evening, after work!

Second, I asked you to write your email in a special format (forexample[at]mymail[dot]com) to prevent any untrustworthy people and spammers to access your email.

Third, did you know that my little Google follower widget on the right side of this blog is only for the blogger followers??? Some commentators gave me a head up: in Google reader, I am apparently at 500 followers... and some people told me that they follow me on Delicious and other bookmark websites. ... I, well I... I am flabbergasted! I fell off my chair! So, let's just call this giveaway the I love you dear readers giveaway!

Finally, I wanted to share with you the progress I've made on my lacy legwarmers from CEY. I'm thrilled with how the first one is turning out, and I feel like I will never have enough time to knit them and wear them before the end of this winter!

Sorry for the crappy background, you know, school stuff... Speaking of school, it's time to get ready!

100 followers give-away!

I've been looking at my blog really often this past week. I was always aware of how many Google followers I had. And yes, the moment is here, there it is: I have 100 followers! When I started this blog in April 2010, I never thought that I could reach 100 followers. And yet, if you look at the Google follower widget on your right, it's over 100!

My follower widget has always been my popularity gauge, despite all the statistics gadget blogger provides. I mean, if you deliberately subscribe to a blog, it means that you read every post, and you are looking forward for the next post, right? I noticed that I have some devoted readers who are always there!

So, like I said in the beginning of this post, I have been stalking my own blog this week, and I have been preparing myself for this moment. This is my way of saying thank you, dear followers:

100 followers give-away!

The prices

One handmade dnps knitting needles case, featuring 16 pockets, a flap and tie ribbon (outer fabric is from the Amy Butler fabric line);

3 sets of 6 handmade stitchmarkers, featuring one stitchmarker with an extra bead;

5 of my best selling patterns, Émilien, Cybelle, Claire Bennet, Béthanie and Phébée, that you will receive in your email reception box in lovely .pdf format.

All this items have been all handmade by me, with love!

How to win

1. Post a comment on this post, telling why you read my blog. The give-away starts now as of Monday, January 10th and will end on Friday, January 14th, 00h00 eastern america time,which gives you a week to participate.
2. Only the comments with email addresses will be counted. (Write you email address in this format in the comment: your.address[at]yourmail[dot]com. Blogger doesn't always provide the email address of the commentator!)
3. One comment by person please!
4. I will draw one comment, using a random number generator.
5. This give-away is for everyone, all around the world!

So, you have one week to participate! What are you waiting for!!! Good luck!

Continue to follow my blog! subscribe! At 200th followers, we might have another give-away...

Quick update

I just want to say thank you for your support comments for my boyfriend. We followed your advice, we went to see a doctor. He now has pain pills and has a appointment with the surgeon on February 1st. And I have to say that his mood got really really better. I guess his optimistic side took the wheel back! I'm so happy that he has the ability to get over it a bit and trust the doctors. I'm sure everything will go well. Let's not jinx it ;-)

Knitting wise, I made some progress on my Kerrera, but I decided to treat me a bit, so I casted on for another project that has been longing in my Wips for a while now, some Lace Legwarmers from CEY. I haven't made some progress really, but I least I casted on. And they will make a great on-the-go project.

I also have swatch for a new design, and it'll be called Iberville. Just a hint: it's Berroco Peruvia Quick, it's Norwegian style fair isle, it's vintage-ish and oh so cozy... pics to come soon?

Worried

First, thank you all for your kind comments regarding my boyfriend. Unfortunately, we are a bit worried. You see, 4 years ago, Bertrand (said boyfriend) twisted his knee while biking (he does dirt ride biking and stuff) and ripped his anterior crossed ligament on his left knee. Ouch, I know. It's a bad injury and he had to go into surgery. Everything returned to normal after some rehabilitation and workout, but one year after the surgery, he slipped on a wet floor and twisted his knee AGAIN. What happened? Yes, you know, his fixed ACL ripped again. At that time, he didn't wanted to go into surgery again, so he just got extra careful with his knee.

What happened on Saturday is not cool. He was in pain, and if it wasn't getting better on Wednesday, we wanted to got to the ER.

Luckily, yesterday his knee was better, but he's still wondering what to do. Should he get a surgery to prevent any further injuries? The thing is, after the surgery, he can't work for at least 2 months. And in May we are going to Europe to see his family and to attend his friend's wedding. Vacations in crutches... not the best! Money is not a worry here. We sorted things out, and we can make it.

Anyway, I feel a little overwhelmed by all this, because I have never seen my boyfriend in such a state of mind. He is scared (even though he doesn't want to say it), and it pisses him off. I don't know what to do, except comfort him, I guess.

But let's end this post on a good note. Kerrera is knitting up quickly! I'm almost halfway done with the 2nd sleeve. And it looks gorgeous! I can't wait to finish it. And I hope, really really hope to get it done soon: school is starting Wednesday. Hopefully I'll have some spare time to knit!

And it begins...

... with a not so cool note! Yep, 2010 ended with celebrations and happiness, but 2011 began with a injured knee and rain. We were suppose to go snowboarding over the week-end but my boyfriend fell in the stairs and hurt his left knee badly. And, it's raining! Not even snowing! So instead of moping, we are inviting some friends over to eat and to play board games. Finally, 2011 starts in a good way!

Berroco Ultra Alpaca in Lichen Mix

Knitwise, I'm knitting Kerrera, by Gudrun Johnston. The project has been in my queue for a long time now, and I've had the yarn in my stash for a while.

And you, how did 2011 start?

Why the cupcakes?

It's the last day of the year 2010. Unconsciously, I did a summary of this past year. I say unconsciously, but hearing everybody around me doing the same helps! I heard that 2010 was a disastrous year. Well, I had a wonderful year! I opened my Etsy boutique (which needs a good lifting...), I published new designs, I got awesome readers and my knitting and my blog is doing great. I started studying german, which was a dream, I'm in love, I have marvelous friends, I like my job and the people I'm working with. Everything is working so great! And I can't thank you enough for reading my blog, making nice comments on my work and loving my designs. I love you too.

And so, my boyfriend is working today, he's coming back from work at 5h p.m., then we have guests for dinner and then it's off to the party! This is why I made yummy pear-cinnamon cupcakes.

Happy new year 2011 everyone! See you next year!

Émilien

6.00$ US

(with Paypal via Ravelry)

Sizes available 32” (36”, 40”, 44”, 48”), S (M, L, XL, XXL)

Yardage required 7 (7, 8, 9, 10) skeins of Cascade 220 yarn or any worsted weight yarn. To replicate the cardigan on the picture, you will need 3 (3, 4, 4, 5) skeins of Cascade 220 Heathers colorway Westpoint Blue and 4 (4, 4, 5, 5) skeins of Cascade 220 colorway Silver Gray.

Needles 40” circular needles, US 7 (4.5 mm) needles. 40” circular needles, US 6 (4 mm) needles 1 set of 5 dpns, US 7 (4.5 mm) 1 set of 5 dpns, US 6 (4 mm)

Notions Provisional Cast-On

There is no better way to end 2010 than with a new release. I am really, really happy to present to you all, my newest design, Émilien. I received a surprisingly big amount of positive comments in the previous post where I talk about Émilien, so I am very excited about this release!

Émilien is, in my opinion, the perfect boyfriend cardigan. The lines are slim and clean, the zip closure and the hood are practical, and all that stockinette keeps it simple.

The top-down construction and the stockinette stitch require not much attention. Perfect for an evening in front of the television. Since the cardigan is knitted with a worsted weight yarn, it goes quickly! Ideal for January and post holidays knitting!

Dear readers, this is my Christmas gift to you! I know I haven't been around much lately. I was planning on spending more time on my knitting and on my blog after my finals, but it seems that I keep myself busy even without school! So, I know I'm late, but Happy Holidays! Stay tuned, I will have a What's Hot on Ravelry post soon, and some new year's knitting resolutions....