Stash: More sock yarn

So, in doing a favor for a friend yesterday, I was tempted by the gooey sock goodness at the merc and bought another skein of Tuscan Grove yarn! :) I heart it, so many pretty colors.

And when I got back to my car, I realized I had a couple more skeins I bought recently and hadn't posted about.... So I brought them all back in to work with me and photo'd them. Please see below.

Beautiful purple Wildfoote


Pretty purplish Tuscan Grover


And lastly the newest Tuscan Grove...


Interestingly enough, the two purples look very close to true color on screen, but that last one is much brighter in person. Anyway... I keep buying all this darn sock yarn and I'm working on sweaters... what the heck!

Maybe I should add to my 2009 resolutions to make and FINISH more socks, too!

Bringing up the resolutions... good pal Lindsey pointed out the other day that since I was resolving to finish things in 2009, that maybe have a resolution to learn cast on's might be counter productive cause then I might be tempted to start MORE stuff. And I whole-heartedly concur with that statement, however I had decided with learning new cast-ons, I was just going to make swatches of them. Probably in a cheap ol' acrylic or some "waste" yarn. I just really want to do them, so I can understand the method as well as the different feels of the cast ons and why they might be useful for different projects.

And just so you know... I'm a big fan of doing my crochet cast on lately. This is where you make a crochet chain over the knitting needle to cast on. It goes so quickly and when you are casting on for like 200+ stitches... makes things go much faster and you don't have to worry about not having a long enough or too long tail. The downside of this cast on is it leaves kind of a chunky edge. I'll pic-post that later as I don't have it with me right now. But for ease and speed, I'll take it.

In real knitting news... I cast on the sleeves for the Green Verena Cable sweater the other day. I decided to do them at the same time on one cable needle. They are back and forth and it's pretty easy. Plus, now I don't have to worry about them being sized differently and I don't have to be as concerned that my row count is off and I'm cabling in the wrong place. So bonuses all around. Of course with the good, now the bad... it's taking for effing ever! Seriously! Each sleeve is a 54 stitch cast on and so in theory it's 108 back and forth and it seems forever to get through a row. But.... I have a long weekend and hopefully I can get some good knitting done, dependent on the eyes and how they are feeling after surgery.

I might start a mindless sock that I don't need to "see" this weekend. that I could probably do by feel. LOL!

Happy New Year all! Brian and I will be out tonight and I'll update for project 365 tomorrow! Be safe!

Knitting: The new year with EZ?

So I've been meaning to post this for a few days, but let's face it, I've been lazy. Well not so much lazy and just not feeling like being online. I spent the last few of my days off knitting away. Well except Sunday. Was feeling allergies quite a bit, so I medicated and dozed on the couch most of the day. Am better now, thank grace. After the month long 2008 Yuck (nov-dec), I was REALLY done with being sick.

Moving on... I've made mention of knitting along with Elizabeth Zimmerman in 2009. I've toyed with starting the Almanac. I'd really love a big crazy Aran sweater which is the January project. I have 2 summer babies coming along one in June and one in July(they're still baking in their respective ovens right now), so I'd love to do the February baby stuff as well... after that it was like a "we'll see" sort of thing. Over this past weekend, I did a lot of reading, Knitting w/out Tears, Knitter's Workshop, Knitting Around and the Almanac... and what I realized is this... I don't really want to MAKE these patterns. I mean reading about her techniquie and why she did things the way she did was really great. I've picked up many useful tips and things to try... but as for the patterns, I'm not SUPER crazy about any of them. I mean they are all "okay" but I feel like I'm at a point that I can pretty much create what I want in the sizing I want.

Now let me step back for a second. I feel like I can do this for my size specifically. And I'm thinking of making baby stuff... well here is where I might be a little stuck, ya see, cause I don't have a baby of my own and I don't have baby measurements, so creating baby garments might not be quite my forte just yet.... but that's ok. Good pal Julane is walking through 2009 with Barbara Walker and all her genius. And she'll be trying to take what she can through BW's top down techniques, etc.

I think what I really want to learn in 2009 is some of the different cast on methods, Tubular, etc. I'm also interested in the Portuguese style of knitting, not that I'd like it, but I am curious. As I said previous, I want 2009 to be one of my FINISHING years. We all know I have a lot to finish! I still need to make up my schedule. I think if I get my projects and their respective yarns together and get them in a calendar book, that MAYBE I can get it done.

I also need to make a list of WANTS. What I WANT to make, for myself and for others. Then I can schedule those as appropriate as well. Here is where my major project detours come in... new issues of magazines or knitty come out and I see all sorts of new stuff! And then I have a whole new list of wants to make.

And for is phenomenal as ravelry is... sometimes an old fashion notebook or journal is better. it's tangible and real and if I physically write it out, I feel a better "stick-to-it-iveness."

I have another long weekend coming up... so that will be my plan. Also look forward to my 365-Photo-A-Day. Hopefully Lindsey and I can keep each other on pace to get the whole year done up right!

I'm excited for 2009. 2008 was a pretty darn good year, it had it's frustrations but overall it turned out ok. I look forward to 2009 being good, too. At least I hope for that. I'll take the downs as part of life as long as there is always and upside... and let's face... we'll always have knitting!

Knitting: Photo friendly

Another great thing about knitting is I can align it with my other love, photography. Now back in the day, I could take really great photos... but these days they are just kind of meh. I do photo my knitwares often. I like to see the progression and share with my flickr friends and ravfriends and anyone that wants to look.

The thing about photography and capturing the moment, it is something you do have to practice, like knitting. Of course, some people have that EYE for it and I feel like I used to, but I lost it. Anyway, I think the more pictures you take, the better you get. And that was a really long side bar to get to my main point.

I bought a new camera the other day. Found a good deal at Target on a digital camera; brand, Polaroid (I may have mentioned this already). So due to the busy week, I really hadn't had much time to play with it and learn about the camera.

Yesterday, I did read the booklet. There are 31 different scene choices... hello options!!! So that would be the good on the camera, now the bad. I've noticed it SUCKS serious battery. It came with batteries and after taking very few pictures and viewing a bit, the battery indicator had dropped. Now who's to say the batteries were any good, who knows how long they've been boxed. So, hopefully if I buy new batteries, maybe I'll get more life. However, I did notice after the camera was off for a bit, like a day, the battery indicator went back to full. So maybe it drains on continuous usage. The other bad that I've noticed so far is that upon turning it on, it takes a good 30 seconds or so to be ready to shoot. So if you need a quick action camera to be ready, this probably isn't it. I'll keep playing with it though.

The BESTEST thing about this camera... is the USB cable. So a couple of months ago, my little jerk dog, at my USB cable. Yes, she did, bit the end RIGHT off. And there was no way this could be fixed. So I had to buy a new cable, only I've been unsuccessful. And then I just let time slip by. Well today, I finally got the Polaroids cable out and it looked just like the cable to my Sony, so I got the Sony out and VOILA! It fits!!! SO very exciting. And funnier still, Brian griped at me for buying another small (POS) camera that I end up wasting money on, etc.... He said, I should have purchased a cable for the other camera instead of buying a new one. So of course when the cable worked I had to throw it in his face. TWO FOR ONE!
Wahhhoooo!!!

This also means, I can finally download pictures from our vacation (thanksgiving) and whatever else is on the Sony. YAY!

Back to knitting, I've taken a few updates of the progress on my sweater. Here they are. Took one with the mag and one with my row counter.

Knitting: The Holidays

First, I'd like to say Merry Christmas Friends! I hope everyone is doing well and having a nice holiday season. For me it's been a little up and downish. And I say that because I mostly mean frustrating. But you know, life is like that most of the time.

this is probably going to sound like I'm whining... and that's not my intent... but it is how I feel, so here goes.

My largest disappointment of the Christmas season is A. not having my gram around and B. that my family celebrates together very early. I miss the days of celebrating christmas ON christmas. That was when Gram was alive and oddly enough she passed the same year Joy and John got married and I think that next year or around then was when they started heading to California for the holidays because his parents moved then too. So ever since, for like 10 years now, they've enjoyed the holidays in the warmish sun of Central California. Now of course I don't begrudge them this family time. I think it's wonderful that John's family can all get together and be together. Especially since his dad's birthday was the day after Christmas. So they got to celebrate doubly. It's nice. But it is disappointing that we usually get together about 2 ish weeks before christmas... except this year, our christmas was on the first weekend of December, the week after thanksgiving! That was just weird. I wasn't even in the Christmas mood yet. And since John lost his mother last year and his dad this past February, they've moved their family celebration to NYC/New Jersey area.

So, ever since December 3rd (?), I've felt like Christmas was over. I hadn't finished a bunch of stuff I had wanted to knit for folks (that's ok, I set unreasonable deadlines and start too many things... this we know). I didn't stress about it. They are all projects that will be finished sometime, some day. Anyway, Christmas with the in-laws was last night. And while I was dreading it, a little bit (ok a lot), it really wasn't too bad. I took my knitting. We watched Kung Fu Panda, we ate (sort of) and then exchanged gifts.

I'm definitely glad I had the knitting! I would have been so bored without it. Plus it helped keep me calm and relaxed and probably less annoyed over all. Knitting is GOOD! When we came home Brian gave me a gift, he'd been dying for me to open, it was the WII Fit, so we played with that a bit. It's fun. I like the skiing game, but I don't like the ski jump! I sucked big time at that. I also tried the yoga and it said I had an excellent center of balance! I got 3 out of 4 stars. So there are only like 4 or 5 yoga poses that are unlocked, but after you build up points, I guess you unlock more stuff. So I guess I'll have to do more exercise and open more games. Plus hopefully this will get me back into yoga! I love it and I love how I feel when I finish it, but darnit am I the laziest person ever!?!

I worked on my Cable sweater from the Winter 2008 issue of Verena. I love it so far. I think I've done about 5-6 inches. I should be further along, however, I tinked back about 10 or 15 rows yesterday. I realized I did line 17 (cable row) too early, like on line 13 or 14... and when I realized it I was on row 26, maybe. So yeah, tink, tink, tink. But it's ok. I wasn't sad or angry, I just ripped away. I considered leaving it and just correcting the rest of the way, but I thought later on the spacing would be too noticeable. So I made up those rows and then some. I plan to do more today. My goal is to finish the back by tomorrow. What an accomplishment that would be!

This all depends on our agenda today. We talked about going to a movie, The Spirit. It opens today. And while I really want to go... at the same time, I'm thinking wouldn't it be nice to stay in all day and do nothing but knit?! Yes, yes it would!

I also made breakfast. I planned on doing it at a more brunchy time, but I was STARVED! See for dinner last night, we had spaghetti. Only my father in law thought it would be brilliant to use HOT SPICY ITALIAN sausage in the sauce. Holy crap... was it ever HOT! I seriously took like 5 bites and didn't eat anymore. I felt bad and I thanked him for making dinner, but I just couldn't eat it. He offered to make something else, but I told him to sit and relax and enjoy his meal, I would eat more bread. So I got another piece and while that was sufficient for then, I was STARVING by the time we got home. And with little motivation, I didn't want to cook food. So I drank a yogurt smoothie which was good, but like I said, this morning... STARVING! So I made sausage gravy and biscuits. It was quite yummy and filling and now I am content. Well if I'm going to get that remaining 20 odd inches done, I better get to it.

Peace, Love and Happiness to everyone and your families!

Knitting: similar to baking

Baking, what you say?!

So today instead of knitting, I thought I would be crafty and bake some cookies. We are going to the in-laws for supper so I would make a variety and take some there. Great idea, right? Well, no wrong!

I found this tastey sounding recipe for chocolate cookies. Now for my whole life I've been looking for a good chocolate cookie recipe. If you've ever had the Archway chocolate cookies, this is what I'm talking about, similar to a sugar cookie, but chocolate instead. Anyway... I found this recipe to try. And the cookie taste is not quite what I wanted, but it's not bad. Here's the problem. My cookies alllllll oozed together. So basically I ended up with one big pan cookie, but you could see the round/square lines where the should have been separated. No biggie I tell myself, I'll just keep these and not give them away. Oh and PS, I put LESS on the next cookie sheet, some of them still managed to meet up and meld together.

Moving on, snickerdoodles, these will be fine, I make them all the time. Guess what... the all mushed together too!! SEriously.

Again, I put less on the next sheet, some were ok, others, not. WEIRD. So in my quest to make like 3 more cookie types, I decided to take a break. I have lots of knitting to keep me occupied!

So how is baking like knitting... well as I learned today, sometimes, things don't turn out how you would like them too. You could be knitting perfect little stitches or rolling beautiful little cookie balls in sugar, but when you get to the end something might go awry. It happens, it's life. No use crying about it, except we'll be eating more cookies here and giving less away, I suppose. :)

PS, sophie taste tested and she approves!

Knitting: the learning curve

So, last night a few from the Thursday clan met up because this Thursday we'll miss our night together due to the holiday. We had a new person/guest. A brand new knitter, like she knit her first stitch last night--brand new! I find it amusing and awesome the reaction from people as they first learn and I remember back to those days of being a new knitter myself. And what is kind of funny is most people have the same reaction. Either uber excitement or horror. Our gal was of the excited variety.

Starting a new adventure can be fun and exciting and maybe scary. And with knitting, I learned something I thought would be very difficult (it wasn't, I tricked myself for years). So when I completed my first finished object, a HAT. I couldn't believe it. I was elated! I made a piece of CLOTHING! And though I made outfits before for myself, via regular material and sewing, it wasn't the same excitement. I couldn't believe how easy it really was and how for so long I tricked myself out of knitting. From that first hat I made another and another and another. With each one, I slightly modified the design. From there I moved on to some fluffy scarfs (maybe). I don't even remember and back then, Ravelry wasn't born yet.

I am still a learning knitter. I think we all are. We tackle new projects and techniques as we go along. My latest feat has been fair isle. It scares some people, different yarns and starnds everywhere... and long ago, I think it probably scared me a little too, but I must say, having done it, I fell in love. It took me years to feel comfortable with my knitting (from where I started) and being confident to deal with stranded knitting. But now I feel accomplished and I love color and the relationship and the patterns and variance keep me "entertained" while I knit. So, stranded colorwork is good for me. And small segway into growing as a knitter, in my opinion, this is the great thing about knitting groups, we all get to see and feel each other's projects and I think those relationships feed our confidence in ourselves and allow us to step outside the boundaries of where our knitting feels safe. These relationships challenge us to take our knitting to another level. Now in some cases, we may say... WOW that is good for you... but I'm not there yet, or good grief, I don't think I'll ever do that!


Which leads me to my next topic.... the dreaded lace! I have some friends that have made beautiful amazing pieces. See here and here and here. But I have attempted to make some lacey type things with little success. It is definitely something that takes more patience than I am willing to give it. Don't get me wrong, I can MAKE lace, but it wears on me and it becomes unfun and I get frustrated, so for now, lace is on my backburner. I would rather keep the fun in knitting and knit what makes me happy... so fair isle it is! HA!

But back to the learning curve... as I was saying, I still learn almost daily something about knitting. Take for instance reading about cast on's a few weeks ago, I had this epiphany that I had been doing the knitted cast on WRONG for umm... yeah, years. When I brought this up last night, Julane did mention something about, yeah that sounds ok and then she said she thought one was the cable cast on and one was knitted, etc....

So of course I looked it up and low and behold, I was in fact doing the KNITTED cast on, correctly and what I recently read the author confused it with the CABLE cast on, which in turn made me feel like I had been doing it WRONG for years, when in fact, I had not. But again, it taught me a new technique. Cable cast on! And to take things a step further, this is where I get a little annoyed with pattern writers or magazines and other sources. I wish they would tell you the cast on of choice for the pattern and WHY you should use this cast on.

Now... some projects, the cast on is irrelevant... but others it is very relevant, say for instance if you want to pick up stitches later... then you need the provisonal cast on, sometimes called a crochet cast on. And here is another non-standarized thing, I consider the crochet cast on, where you actually use a crochet needle to cast RIGHT onto the knitting needle. I'll have to make a video to show the technique, but to me that is a crochet cast on. Others say crochet is what I consider provisional, which is where you make a crochet chain and pickup the back loop stitches of the chain on your knitting needle and knit away. Later, you pull the crocheted chain out and pick up the live stitches and knit on from there.

The point is this, knitting is old, old, old... and people the world over have been knitting for centuries and with all this handed down knowledge, terms and changes are bound to occur. Couple that with the fact that we all hold yarn a different way, some of us knit continental, others knit english and as long as the end result is what we want, we are successful, and that is just the way it should be.

Of course if it isn't, we tink it, rip it, frog it... see, different words mean the same.

But ahhh... the newness of knitting. It's fun all over again.

Knitting: All about the bags!

Well, most who know me, know I love bags and purses. I wonder if that is why I like knitting so much... it has it's own line of accessories and BAGS, BAGS, BAGS! Why do I like bags... who knows?! But I do. I have a massive collection of purses that I cycle through often. Although this past year, not so much. I've stayed with just a couple and not switched out as often. I also haven't purchased as many purses. I guess I've used my money on yarn instead... and that's ok, too.

For Christmas this year (which was had by my family a few weeks ago), my little sister Sarah got me a couple new bags! I kind of new I was getting them, but I wasn't sure of the color, so it was a great surprise to see the lime green theme! And funny thing I've gotten a lot of compliments on both of them... and not just by knitters.

Last week in the cafeteria at work, I had the clear bag with my Clapotis in it and some lady walks by and says, "cute purse!"

I was like, "Uh, thanks?" And I hesitated because I wasn't sure if I should tell her it wasn't a purse... it was KNITTING. Anyway, I refrained and went on with life.

So back to the bags, they are a line called Knitpickers. Michaels carries them. Sarah works at Michaels and gets a discount, even on clearanced stuff, which these were because they were bringing in the new colors. Very cool.

What I really like about the bigger bag is the handles. They are long enough to wear on the shoulder and they don't slip off, but they aren't so long that they are a bother-perfect! The smaller clear bag is good however it just has a small handle and I wish that was a bit bigger or had a strap so it wouldn't tie up your hand.

But they are both great and I recommend!

Knitting: it's what I should be doing

But instead I give you YP (yarn porn).

And, I guess I'm of the procrastinating sort. I have all these projects tugging me in different directions. And I have all these ideas spinning 'round my head. I'm at one of those points where there are so many things calling out to me and the spinning, spinning thoughts, that I end up doing none of it and just sit quietly and contemplate... and procrastinate. It makes me feel like a terrible person.

But, then I get over it! :)

In SHOPPING news... it's been a good holiday season for myself... I've treated myself well. Due in large part to a wonderful bonus from work. However, I haven't been totally selfish... I did give to the kids as well. Although I do want to buy a few more presents for toys for tots or something. I was thinking about that yesterday.

Anyway, stash enhancements.

I finally got a ball winder and it works great! I've had a swift for some time, purchased awhile back on Ebay. Another great knitter I know, Cath has one just like it. So I copied off her. I've been just hand balling (so to speak), but oh the winder, what fun. Although arm crampiness ensues. But, I was able to wind a few skeins for the sweater I cast on. (dies of shame-but whatever I have a sickness!)

I also rolled the gorgeous yarn Brian picked out earlier this year for his SOCKS he's been whining at me every month about. It's a Judy Ditmore Interlacements yarn. (can't find photo) Yummy indeed. I can't believe I'm going to knit beautiful socks for him to wear in his nasty workboots. But the man needs warm feet and well, I'm just nice like that I guess.

Speaking of socks, my last knit picks order, I finally got the MORE SENSATIONAL SOCKS book. High recommendation from Julane and I've looked at it a dozen or so times, so finally, it's in my collection. I was trying to pick a pattern to knit last night... so hard, so many options! geez! I think I finally settled on the decorative ribbing, which is kind of funny because I'm really not a fan of Ktbl these days. It's a huge part of the Clapotis and quite frankly is getting on my nerves... so what do I do, pick a SOCK pattern that has Ktbl. When will I learn, really?! But here's the thing. I don't want to do a whole sock of K2P2 Rib or some variation. I want a little design element to it, but I can't do anything TOO fancy because the yarn is so beautiful and I don't want to muddy it up with a weird pattern. Plus I think it might be hard to see due to all the colors. So, that's that.

And continuing in the vein of socks and shopping. I bought more sock yarn, yesterday. Like I really needed that! oi! Again with the sickness. I finally decided to try some Lornas Laces. It's beeeyyoootteeefull!


I also bought Wildfoote from Brown Sheep Co.


I did this all at my last stop of the day (or so I thought), Temptations, which let me tell you has a new frequent buyer program---YAY! Where has that been all my life! :) They also have this ridiculously gorgeous new stash of sock yarn. Prism was the name out of St. Pete FL (funny cause we vacay there and I'll have to check it out next time we go!) They really had some amazing colors and the yarn, aahh... beautiful and squishy...much love. But with that love, comes a bit of a high price tag. So I resisted and didn't buy, see I was a little GOOD! Definitely click that link, you'll see all the colorey goodness there and trust me, get somewhere that you can feel it up!

I did also add some Trekking to the stash though. Man, I LOVE their yarn and hadn't purchased a Hand Art one yet. SO I got a lot of good stuff yesterday.


And because I had the Iphone camera out and was taking pictures of yarn here are a few more for you. First is a lovely Nore Kureyon Sock yarn I got for a steal on Ebay. The color is S180. I don't yet know what I'm going to do with it, socks, scarf, hat??? Whatever, but it sure is pretty! I love the colors!


And lastly, awhile back in one of my rav groups, I received this GIGANTIC skein of Fiddlesticks Country Silk. And by gigantic, I mean 800 Meters!!! It's a 50/30/20 blend of Wool/Silk/Nylon. It's really nice and I like the ply. The color way is "wine" and it's a hand dye from Canada, but sent to me from France because that's where Rebecca lives. Anyway, it's very pretty and I'm not sure what special project to make with it yet, but I decided to ROLL it up. Then I'll be ready when the perfect project comes to me. Anyway the rolling... yes, THREE balls! That's how big it was.... CRAZY!


Oh and one more... I found the cutest little fair isle sweater pattern I thought I would make for Addie. I decided on Berrocco Comfort, 50/50 Nylon/Acrylic. Very soft and I think will knit up quite nicely. She has a Feb Birthday, so I should be able to finish Sheldon and Sweater by then. Plus each skein is HUGE so I should get a hat out of it too!


I really feel like doing more picture posts, but I really must get knitting.

Knitting amongst friends

So, I am often amazed at the people I know. Take the folks I knit with usually on a weekly basis. They are just all so unique and intersting and funny and I have some of the best times with them. We knitters are good people.

I guess when I first started going to different knitting groups or even just OUT KNITTING IN PUBLIC, I was hesitant that I would "fit-in." I think some of my childhood shyness creeps in every once in awhile. But I went out into the knitting world and now there are people that I really enjoy being around and have a great time with. And yes we KNIT when together, but these are people I could see just hanging out with or catching a movie with or whatever. Anyway, I'm thankful for these friends, these knitters.

And often times, after we depart or later after the group disbands for the evening, I still laugh at what happened while there. I think of all those funny things so and so said, or that story about, whatever and I find myself laughing. We don't need alcohol to laugh and act silly... just some yarn and sticks and we are happy chicks. :)

Laughing and knitting, it's what makes my world go 'round.

I find myself less stressed, I'm in a good mood and overall I feel really content with life right now. Many times in the last however many years, life was a roller coaster. If work was great, then home wasn't, or if home was good, work wasn't. But now... things are mostly even most of the time. I kind of like it.

So, work is good
Home is good
Knitting is good

I'm looking forward to a couple of knitting weekends coming along in the new year. I have one scheduled in January with some pals. Then in February, Audra and I meet up in Pittsburgh with my sister and we go to Camp Kwonokee (???) for a retreat. I will hopefully get a LOT of knitting done. If I can keep my mouth shut. I find if I start talking... I don't get much knitting done. I don't know why I can't do both at the same time, but let's just say I'm challenged.

So knitting and knitting with friends and in groups, it's good stuff.

And I'm already thinking ahead to the new year and resolutions. I've made mention of this to a couple of people, so please hold me accountable.

For 2009, I resolve to FINISH MORE PROJECTS and start less stuff until I do finish! Now this means I will still START new things in 2009, but I do plan to finish everything I started in 2008 also. It's 30-ish projects (I think). Hopefully, by the end of 2009, my Ravelry projects will have more completed projects instead of all WIPS. We can hope, right?

I also plan to get started on gift knitting WAY before it's due.

Knitting, it's what's up!

So, I am still amused how the knitting either awes or shocks people. I've been known to frequent our small cafeteria at work with my knitting and lunch FOR lunch. I get a lot of stares. And on occasion people comment because they are interested or are like WTF?! What's with all this knitting and like why in the hale would you want to do that. Anyway, it strikes me as odd.

I mean I wouldn't walk up to another hobbyist and get in their face and mock them, now would I? No, I think not.

So, I decided I needed to drop more stitches and started Kate Gilbert's Clapotis. I got a taste of dropped stitches with the November Mystery Sock, "Butterfingers." While I didn't finish my butterfingers sock yet because I didn't like the yarn I was using on it, I still have the desire to knit that pattern with a different yarn. I'm hoping to have those socks done by end of January, that is IF I can find the darn pattern, because between here and there... I have lost it!

Speaking of lost items. My knitting supplies and stash is in desperate need of a makeover and organization! I have needles, here there and everywhere. I have yarn stashed in many places. I have all my WIPS (which keep growing) in various locations and bags ad nauseum. So yes, organization is on the frontier. I'm seriously considering this upcoming holiday to do just that. Get the house in effing order! I have 5 days off in a row and while we talked about embarking on another trip, me thinks we should just stay home and clean and game. Or maybe B will go ski and get out of the house and I can whip it in to shape. We'll see.

But, back to the Clapotis, so yes, I cast on today. Have no pics yet, just have the tiny corner done, 15 or so rows. I should be working on it now but instead and wasting time online-eek! I was going to order from knit picks and go with their silk blend (name escapes me now), but have since decided to destash and use some of the 10 skeins of Noro Kureyon that I have.

In other knitting news... I'm slllloowly working on the Aguona Laptop bag. It is coming along and I'm still loving knitting it. I've just been fairly distracted and keep getting interrupted as of late. Because the rounds are so long, it's best to have TIME available to ensure accuracy.

Ok, that all being said, I'm off to work the clap and pics to come!

ETA: promised a pic and here it is!

I'm really not dead...

I've just been sick for near a month now. It sucks. It's the cold that never ends, with the massive ton of goo and snot that is produced en masse from where, I don't really know... but I blow and blow and blow my nose and it just keeps coming. And I won't go into the coughing fits. It's just not cute.

I am back to work (real work) though and feeling much better in the not achey sense. Still have random cough/choke sessions and still have a head full of snot, but no feverish sweats, so I think it may FINALLY be clearing up. Little by little day, by day.

We went on vacation (yes while sick). Had to the room was already paid for. I had wanted to visit some knit shops in NC and the only one I found in the town we were staying was closed over the WHOLE thanksgiving holiday weekend. :( It looked like a really cool store. But oh well. I had looked up a few others several weeks before we left, but I forgot all that info and didn't plan well at the last minute, so I didn't make it to any other LYSs. I bought no yarn on vacation, which is good cause really do I need any? Um, no... I have yarn for daaayyyyysssssss and projects to boot, so it was ok. I did shop a lot though, I bought many christmas gifts and for myself several pairs of shoes, well ok, ONE pair of shoes and 2 pair of crocs for beach/pool where. They were on clearance! And the shoes were on sale. So bonuses galore. Oh and I bought a pair of UGG clogs that were also on clearance. They are very cozy and comfy.

I have finished several things lately, not any of my WIPS, really, but new stuff started and finished though.

I made a hat for B.
A hat for me.
Slippers for me.

I feel like there's another thing or two also, but can't remember.

Current WIP is the laptop bag. I was going full steam on that for a few days, but have stalled out on knitting (altogether). I didn't do much knitting on vacation, or while I was home sick (did a little). I mostly slept while home. So hopefully I'll get my butt in gear to get those sticks a moving!

Work has been going extrememly well except for being insanely busy. I guess that is all for now. I will have to try and update more often.

Lazy Sunday it's a good day for knitting

Well isn't any day a good day for knitting? Yes I think it is.

I've made significant progress on the CPH. I am happy with it. Although I measured it last night and it seems it's much LONGER than it should be an not as wide as it needs to be... so we'll see how it blocks out. I'm not going too stress about it right now. I fear if i do, I may stop working on it and that would be bad. SO... I'll just keep going and see what happens. This is the first 'pieced' thing I've knitted. Everything else I've ever done has all been connected. Odd.

Other things I have going on... well, not much, I'm trying NOT to do too much, but I did cast on for the Mystery Stole #4 although I haven't been working it as the clues come out. I'm back on row 4 and well, there are 3 clues done already. It'll get someday, along with everything else. :)

I also went to the Mystery Sock thingy last week at Temptations and plan to go to the next in October. I have so much to do. I want to get "Samus" from knitty, Alvin from Ella Rae (men's collection), and the Flower Basket Stole all done by Christmas.

Shew I don't know what I was thinking.

I also want to make the Checks and Charms hat/mitten set from Knit Picks for myself. Oh yeah and finish the market squares bag AND the diamond check bag from Ella Rae.

Good grief... I guess I better get off the internet and start some knitting today!

Knitting by candlelight

I feel so old fashioned. I wonder if this is how the Amish do it. So we've lost power due to high winds. They were between 65-80 mph I think. As I drove home from Cath's house, there were trees and branches and leaves everywhere.

I was surprised at how many smallish trees were snapped. They were broken about 10 inches from the ground. It was weird all these trees in diff areas were broken in the same spot. Anyway I arrived home, it was still light out but I had to put stuff away and take care of the hyper dogs. I went in search of candles and got them all lit up.

I decided it was enough light to knit though. So I've done a few rows on the CPH. It's almost 9 pm so I may head to bed soon. Sure hope I wake up in the morning with no alarm.

Oh and while at Caths we cast on for the mystery stole 4. I got through about 5 rows. The beading is quite a pain. But I'll keep working. Although I don't want to take too much time away from the cph. It'll all get done eventually.

Well a few more rows then bedtime.


Sent from my iPhone

The Central Park Hoodie

The CPH is a pretty popular sweater. I know many have made it and many want to. Knitscene magazine calls it the pattern that made them "famous." Not sure if I've posted about it much or not, but a little over a week ago, I finally c/o the CPH I'm making pretty good progress on it and would probably be close to finished with the back had I actually DONE some knitting this week. As it was I only got 2 rows done at lunch one day, then a couple of inches done on Thursday evening.

I had more time planned, but this was definitely a weird week. Anyway, I'm happy with the progress and OMG... the yarn is YUM squared! It is so super soft while knitting, it's hard not to stop and pet it along the way! :) I think it is the major force behind getting it done... I really want to wear it! Plus, so far, the pattern is super easy to do. I've been to that point where it's become fairly mindless, I don't have to look at every stitch. That is probably why over 1600 people on Ravelry have made it. Besides the fact, it's totally cute.

I am using the Queensland Collection Rustic Tweed. It is a blend of Wool and Alpaca and looks like THIS:


It's not the cheapest yarn in the bin, but I fell in love when I saw it. And funny thing, the Merc had literally JUST put it on the shelf that day. Two days prior (maybe 3), I had stopped in there and chatted with Meagan. I picked up the Universal Tweed (I think) it was in a purple color and was really nice. I had her hold it for me because I wasn't sure on yardage. So that day I went in because I wondered if universal had anything in GREEN (my fave color) and they didn't. So I was going to stick with the purple, it was nice enough. But then... MAGIC... I went down like 2 more bins and there it was. It was fate, I reached out and grabbed it... and like I said, it was a bit of a higher price point, but there is also a more yardage PER skein than the universal. So I grabbed every skein on that shelf (8) and it was mine! I had some wound and off I went.

When I think about this sweater, I am reminded of something. There is more to this sweater than the price of yarn, the time and joy of making it... this yarn is a representation. I am reminded of a friend going through a tough time, she's making a comfort sweater and at first she worried it would remind her of some of the "bad" stuff, but she likened the sweater to a hug... and I get that, makes total sense. The CPH for me though is a different comfort. It will be a success story. My success story.

I have been working hard (on most days) to get fit and healthy. I've been working out and trying to make better food choices. I've established some goals and I've told my friends about these goals... so NOW, I really have to make these goals a reality. I am a little behind on the weight number goal for pounds lost so far, but I have also had some "lazy" days in the past 2 weeks. I'm not going to beat myself up about it, but I AM going to try harder this week!

That being said, let's get back to the sweater. I am making it 2 sizes too small, well smaller than I currently am. By the time it is finished, I hope to be two sizes smaller. I've already lost some inches because of my workouts. My arms are getting more toned. I can see and feel it. It's an exciting time and this sweater will REPRESENT! I hope to be done by Thanksgiving. I would love to take it on vacation with me. I think it will be the perfect, walk on the beach at night sweater! It also dawned on me, when I get to my goal size of being smaller than I am right now... I won't need as much yarn to make stuff for myself... so I can buy MORE yarn of differing varieties and sweaters won't cost nearly as much to make for myself. Now if that isn't another reason to lose weight and be fit... well, I don't know what is!

Shopping spree

Good lord, what is wrong with me. Didn't I say something about NOT buying any more yarn?

Yeah, well in theory, I have no willpower. I am SO good if I just DON'T go to the stores... but if I go...sunk! That being said, I am making amends that after my knitpicks order this week (9/5), I REALLY am not going to the LYS's or doing any shopping. I have far too many projects and a ridiculous stash to knit from. SO, yes, that is the PLAN!

The Imagination sock yarn that I want is back in stock on 9/5 which is the reason for the order. Oh and speaking of socks, I signed up for the Mystery Sock night at Temptations in Dublin. It's a free get-together and obviously the sock is a MYSTERY, more to come on that as it happens. While at Temptations and the reason for going is because they finally got in my Malabrigo that I had ordered forever ago. Took several months, 6 maybe to come in. So while there I picked up 2 more skeins of trekking bare sock yarn for dying. LOVE that stuff. I also picked up the fall issue of Knitscene. AND a fabulous book on Bags (can't recall the title at the moment).

Next I headed over to the Merc. I wanted to check and see if they had a Green color I'd like in the Rustic Tweed. I bought Blue the other day, but decided I might like green better. AND, the did have 2 greens, but I wasn't ga-ga for either, so I'll stick with the blue. While there I lucked out and Barb was in, so we chatted for a few. She told me about a new book out by Jane Ellison for the Queensland Collection. It's all Men's sweaters and accessories and is FABULOUS! I love almost all the patterns in it. SO I grabbed that. Will be knitting a sweater for dad (hopefully for christmas) as well as one for Brian and maybe John. Of course John's might wait until a b-day present which gives me until April.

So then I came home and just finished watching the bucks WIN a shutout 43-0!

NO MORE SHOPPING! I'm done! Seriously, I swear!

Knit nights and STUFF

So last night the GANG got together again. I was fortunate enough to meet a member that hadn't been able to come for some time and let me tell you, she was a CHARACTER. She had everyone cracking up to no end. Audra brought her mom, Sandy as well. And our new friend Jackie came back, but her friend Staci couldn't make it. And Brandy was able to come again too! So it was a great group, though I did have to duck a few minutes early. Was trying to make it home before Brian went to bed, but by the time I got there, he was already long gone passed out. I even brought him ice cream, but he was dead to the world!

As for knitting progress... I actually went BACKWARDS! I was really not liking the work I put in on the sleeve, so I pulled it back out... alllllll the way back out. Recast on the extra stitches and got about an inch done. Was very frustrating, but I know it will look better. Of course, now that is just THAT much more time it will be taking me. Argh! I only have a couple more weeks until the birthday. BUT... I do have a 3 day weekend, so I'll be knitting up a frenzy-hopefully!

I resumed working out today. I signed back up at Curves on Tuesday, but couldn't go Wed. and Thurs. because of the knitting groups, so today was the day. It felt good. My muscles are still warm from the workout. I felt some in places that haven't had that type of movement in some time, so it REALLY felt good. I can't wait to start going on a regular basis as they are closed for the weekend due to the holiday. They are also getting a new stretching machine in, so I'm interested to see how that will work. Michelle told me today it doesn't require you to lay on the floor, which I felt was great because it's the last stretch and the one I hate the most. It hurts my back being all laid out like that, nevermind the fact that I feel like a big blob lying there.

In FIBER news... I purchased a GORGEOUS feeling tweedy wool, alpaca, donegal blend at the Merc the other day. It's a blueish color that I'm ok with. WIsh it was the same shade, but in green, I'd REALLY love it then, but no worries. It will go great with Jeans and Khakis. My main concern now is whether or not I can get the correct gauge. It SAYS its the right gauge on the tag, but... I'm not totally sure. I will definitely be doing a swatch this time.

Well it's getting later and I'm hungry and the husband is taking me to dinner. YAY!

Accomplishments of the NON knitting variety.

So I've accomplished a couple of things the last 2 days.

1. I signed back up at the Gym. It's been way to long and I REALLY hate paying for the gym when I have access to one at work. The problem with going to the one at work is there is little motivation since I no longer work in the building it is housed in, so I have to DRIVE out of my way to go. I have noticed though that by going to a place a like, while I have to pay for it, I am more motivated to go and because I used to go, I know the circuit training WORKS. I saw and felt the results before and in a short amount of time, the point is I KNOW I will go and I better cause I'm paying for it in cash and in fat (so to speak). :)

2. I booked our reservations at the beach in NC over Thanksgiving. So very excited for that. And even better, I might be able to lose a bit of weight before we go, so I'll be even more fit for the beach, albeit most likely too cold for swimming outdoors, but they have an indoor pool and several jaccuzzis. I love the hotel and am so glad we are going back. It's the place we took our late honeymoon, same time of year too. :)

As for other accomplishments, just minor work stuff, nothing exciting there, I haven't finished the sleeve to the Greenjeans for Joy cardigan yet. I know it will be done soon, I guess at this point I'm just getting a little impatient with it. Of course it's my own fault, I don't totally dedicate enough time to it. I will definitely be glad when it is over. The next sweater I do, I hope to NOT drag out this long... and considering I have 2 more to do for Christmas gifts. And a scarf or 2 for the special olympics... I'll be plenty busy!

Oh and since we are going to NC, I'll have to check out Fiber in the area and see if there are any meetups going on and go meet some other ravellers. I need to put that on the TO DO list. :)

Bloggity-blog-blog...

So it's been awhile. I have no excuse other than the LAZY factor!

Not totally lazy, but I suppose uncreative with words mostly. I have in fact been doing a bit of knitting. Usually daily. Making small steps on several things.

Of first note, the MARKET BAG. This little treasure had a small error somewhere on the first round I noticed it part way through the 2nd round and put the project away for a LONG time. In July, I 'found' it and ripped it all the way out. I started over and lo and behold somewhere in the 2nd round I noticed another TWIST! I thought maybe if I kept going, somewhere in the 3rd round it might flip back? Nope twas not to be. SO... I ripped back again, only this time more slowly. PS, I did this one Saturday at the Irish Fest. I was sitting listening to some music and thought, why not, it's fairly mindless and needs to be done.

Back to the first row, where I found the twist, it was the 2nd to last triangle of the 1st row. I slipped the stitches off, twisted back and put the stitches back on the needle. I finished row 2 and 3 and started tier 4, but have now put the project aside for the Ravelympics. I did not make this a project for the Ravelympics and in hindsight maybe I should have, but oh well.

Now let's discuss the 2nd project which IS for Ravelympics. My 'Greenjeans for Joy' sweater. Which I think I am going to name REDJEANS for Joy because it's RED. Of course the original sweater was named Greenjeans because that was the name of the yarn. Anyway, my progress report is that this sweater is finally coming along. In all honesty, it is a QUICK knit. I just set it aside for months and months and months, like 5 to be exact! Anyway, I have about 3 inches left of the body, then I can bind off and start the sleeves. I am quite excited as it is looking more like SOMETHING every day. I've also gotten a fair amount of nice compliments as well... makes me feel so proud. I'm hoping to be on the sleeves by knit night this Thursday. Since it is MONDAY, that should be do-able. I also need to get the rav pics updated.

For the 3rd and 4th projects, also part of Ravelympics, one is done, Peekaboo mittens for the Mitten Medley where I medaled! And the other is the Ocean Currents scarf for the Scarf Stroke event. I started the scarf on Saturday at Rory's BBQ, on the side of a mountain (literally). I ran into a little snag which was HOW to do an p2tog tbl. I could not remember to save my life. Back when I did the swatch I actually looked it up... but being on the side of the mountain with no internet available... what's a gal to do???

Send a text to another gal that is addicted to Ravelry and the internet, too! And she has the oh so cool Iphone and she was MOST wonderful enough to help me out! She sent back the message of slipping the 2 stitches knit wise, throwing them back to the left and then purling them. So with that info I was able to move on with the scarf and finished about 3 inches. Again, I need to get some pics updated and such, but after downloading 700 pictures from the Irish Fest and this past weekend... I'm kind of tired of Iphoto.

And in INEWS... hopefully will be getting IPHONES for Bri and me this week! Am very excited. Heading over to the apple store after work to get some info. If I can't get there, I'll go to the At&t folks near the house that Brian chatted up yesterday.

Ok, off to work I suppose.

On blogging hiatus

So lazily enough, I've been on a blogging hiatus. Not TOTALLY on purpose, but kind of. There are always lots of things I want to write about, but haven't taken the time to do so. I have been keeping paper journals however, so not all thoughts are lost to the abysssssss.....

I still need to finish the p-burgh series (it's on paper). And write about lots o'projects i've got going on now.

A couple of years ago, my BIL Patrick gave me a couple of knitting books for Christmas. One I already had, so returned and got something else, but the other was a REALLY gorgeous book, called Knitting Nature. I remember looking through it thinking everything was so unique and interesting. At the time the book seemed out of my league. A lot of pattern type stuff and what I would called intricate knitting. So years ago (in my knitting infancy), I thought the book seemed difficult, or wasn't sure I would make anything from it. Then I "lost" it. Actually it was stuck in a box in the trunk of my car for um.... years! :(

Then when it was moved out of trunk, it ended up in a diff box in the garage and I found it 2 days ago. Looking back through the book again, years later, I realize, these patterns aren't difficult at all. It's just a different perspective, I think. Also, maybe the fact that I've KNIT a lot more since that time and have gained a lot of knitting confidence. I am determined to say that I can knit anything I have directions to. I can knit anything that I have the PATIENCE to is the main part of this verse. Anyway, I started on the Shell Tank from the book. It's moving right along. I got a bit bored with the back, so I started on the right front Pattern panel. And depending on what I'm watching on TV, have been switching back and forth between the back and the panel piece.

Here are the first pics of said sweater.

In search of the perfect Fiber-Pittsburgh, day 1

So I've been meaning to post about our trip 2 weeks ago, but hadn't taken the time to do so. I have a minute now, so here goes.

First off, the drive... ugh.. sometimes I hate driving... I really wish we could portal to places. Anyway, normally it's not a bad drive, but it rained like the entire trip which kind of made for a downer. Plus I was super tired. Anyway, we made it there safely, and did ok on time.

We decided to drive into downtown to look for a shop, "Ewe Can Knit" which was harder than heck to find! We drove around and around. The directions from the internet were A. apparently wrong B. written down wrong by me or C. I just can't read signs properly. Who knows?!

We are finally on the right street and we see addresses near the one we need, but don't see the store... anywhere. So we decided to do another drive by. While we are circling, I call my sister, to look the place up and get their phone number. I get that, make the call, find a meter as the lady answers the phone, "Welden's can I help you?" I pull into the space and say, "what was the name?"

She replies, "Weldon's"

Me: "Sorry, I have the wrong number."

Only to look up and realize we were in FRONT of a giant awning that said, WELDON'S and on the window, painted letters, Ewe Can Knit. Seriously people... WTF?! Well, we're here! I look at the sign above the meter and there is no parking from 4-6 on this street and guess what time it is, 3:48. I look at Audra and tell her we have 10 minutes! It better be a quickie!!!

So we run in, quickly peruse the yarn and I find the magazine section. And lo and behold, they have a massive TON of OLD mags. Like 2005, 2006 and 2007.... i'm zipping through them and what do I find, but KNITSCENE-FALL 2006, the issue I've been DYING to find! And of course it's marked down because it's old... BONUS! I am seriously so elated I can't speak.

I look to Audra and say, this was seriously worth this trip. This find made the weekend for me. And it was our FIRST stop! I could have turned around and gone home, that is how excited I was. And for those of you who don't know, this particular issue has a pattern I've been longing for called, Molly Ringwald by Michelle Rose Orne. It's the cutest little sweater and I've really been wanting to make it. And now I can!

After my purchase I ran back to the car, Audra finished up her shopping and we got the heck out of downtown!

The WRONG way of course! And by that I mean, I went down a ONE way street... the WRONG WAY... it wasn't marked where I turned onto it... I have a witness, ask Audra! And then true to pittsburgh hwy form, the road/bridge/whatever split somewhere and I ended up on the wrong hwy. So we went up a bit, turned around back towards downtown, then onto the RIGHT hwy and called Sarah, met her at Ikea (that is like a homing beacon for me). I know everything in relation to Ikea. :)

We waited in the parking lot for a bit, went to dinner and margs at Don Pablos, the marg def better than the dinner... although I still ate too much and was uber full when we left. Damn chips. We walked it off at ikea. I picked up some kitchen stuff and a cute little backpack. And a lazy susan for my mom.

Then to Sarah's for the night.

And to add, one final note about the fabulous magazine... Knitscene, fall 2006. I was perusing it after we were at Sarah's and you will never believe what else is in there.... THE CENTRAL PARK HOODIE!!! SCORE! Another pattern I've been wanting forever... and I know you can purchase it online for only $5 but I just haven't done that yet and now I don't have to! So I got all excited about my little magazine all over again. What a bonus. TOTALLY worth the trip. :)

---pictures to come.

Mitten a month group

So I decided to sign up for a group via Ravelry. Actually I signed up on 2, one is a pair of socks a month and the other is a pair of mittens a month. I decided to go with the pattern Fetching from Knitty.com and it is quite an easy, enjoyable pattern. I had a few gaffs because I wasn't paying attention. My first go round with the thumb gusset was a bit of a disaster, but I eventually figured it out and fixed it. So I finished the Left one in about 4-ish hours maybe. Now I have the right one to do. I could easily finish it today, but I think I keep putting off working on the greenjeans for Joy, which I think I may rename to the REDJEANS for Joy because I'm using a beautiful red yarn. I've gotten quite a few compliments on it.

I really want to get some other things done though. I'm itching to do a hat/beret type of thing and I found some great patterns for sweaters I'd like to get working on. There are these fabulous spring/summer yarns out and I'd love to PLAY! But alas, I MUST finish this sweater. Don't get me wrong I enjoy it, it's just sooooo time consuming, row after row after row. Of course I'm at the cabling point and not boring old St.st. anymore. :)

Well, I supposed I should stop playing on ravelry and swap-bot and get to work!

Happy Sunday!

No time for knittin' Dr. Jones!

The line is truly "No time for LOVVVVE Dr. Jones." It's from a movie.

This has been a busy week. Early on I had hopes of knitting a lot...but that dwindled as the week wore on. I did some knitting on Monday, or was it Tuesday??? That's it, my week has been a blur. Anyway, stopped by the Yarn Shop on one of those nights, met up with Audra. I wanted to pick up the BUCKEYE colors to knit another felted bag. We mused around a bit, then finally home, where I did start said bag. PS... am not liking the way I created the base, so I may rip and start again. I'm kind of making my own pattern up as I go. Anyway, I think I need to start over!

Then I had to cancel plans to attend the Wednesday night get together with the "west" side knitting group, which is really a grandview knitting group, but whatever. And I'm on the east side so.... does it matter really? I got tickets to a fabulous show, Angels and Airwaves. It was amazing, blew me away and my eardrums, too.

Then plans to knit on Thursday never happened because I was trying to help Aud download her pics from her camera so she can do her inventory and upload pics and such... only we had a few probs... but we had pizza and chatted and that was all good too!

And now it's FRIDAY?! I can't believe it, I am thankful that it is here because I am ever so tired, this has been a long exhausting week!

Today is the final day of my Ravelry swap and I need to get my partners stuff in the mail TODAY! I have everything put together, I just haven't been to the post office yet. Oh gee. So much to do!

Instant Gratification!

So I guess for me, this weekend was all about the instant gratification. I put the sweater project down after working into the wee hours fri night/sat. morning. I was DETERMINED to get to the cable row before the wednesday night meetup!

So I did it and then didn't touch the sweater the rest of the weekend.

Instead, I knitted a bag on Saturday afternoon. I LOVE the colors, but don't like how it felted out. I plan to do another round with the washing machine. Heavy agitation and hotter water this time.

On Sunday I decided to work up a pair of slippers/clogs. They take 2 strands. I'm using a multi color from Paton's merino and a fuzzy mohair. I have plenty of the patons, but the slipper/clog used all the mohair. So I have to get another skein of that. ONLY, I'm on a no shopping until Pittsburgh rule right now, so what to do?!

But I was pleased to have almost finished the slipper yesterday. I just have to bind the cuff and knit the outer sole. Shouldn't take long and I had plenty of time to do it yesterday evening except I was being lazy and didn't feel like going to find another circ for the join. Perhaps tonight.

In other news, Brian helped me pick up the living room yesterday and we did a VERY thorough job of sweeping the floor. It looks very nice now. It's like a whole different house when you don't have bits of chewed up whatever from the dogs!

Pictures to come later!

Bag that!

Saturday I was in the mood to work on something new. I put the sweater down and started the Buttonhole bag from Mason-Dixon knitting. It was quite an easy project that worked up really quickly. After tossing in the washer to felt, I was a little sad that it didn't felt quite the way I wanted. Of course, maybe if I leave it for longer it will? I don't have much experience with Lamb's pride bulky, but I would have thought it would felt really quickly... but no. I even did a pre-soak in warmish water. I thought it would help break down the fiber a bit before the agitation stage.

I may go back and try another go 'round with the washer.

I was also thinking of doing another of these bags. I can definitely see it in Scarlet and Grey (GO BUCKS!). I can definitely see making some modifications, as well. Maybe do a round base instead of the oblong one. Or make it even more oblong and it would be a perfect needle carrying case. :)

Pictures to be posted-later!

Yarns and swaps

So... I've been interested in swapping. I've joined a couple of swaps on Ravelry. 2 of them were already in progress so I have to wait until March. However one is current, and I'm still really looking for stuff for my swap partner. I was really excited about some ideas, but am having troubles finding the right pattern for the yarn, or the right yarn for the pattern. It'll work out, but I went from super excited to bummed because what I want to be RIGHT isn't. So I'm rethinking the plan.

In other swap news, I signed up on Swap-bot. It sounds like a fun place to hang out and there are alll kinds of swaps going on all the time. I signed up for a couple easy ones, one is for pens, and the other is for postcards. Those should be fairly inexpensive and lastly, I signed up for a yarn swap. It's a color of the month and the 1st swap is red. There is a $20 limit. So I'll have to keep my eyes open on this one for something unique and interesting. I'm thinking I might be able to get something when we go to p-burgh. Of course we don't have partners assigned yet, so am not sure if I'll know what I need to buy by the time we go.

I hit up both the Yarn Shop and Knitter's Merc today looking for particular items, of which neither of them carry. :( I've done some hunting online and I can buy direct from the mfr, but I'd rather just get here, so I can get one skein to try and do a swap rather than spending $100 on several skeins and not liking it.

I guess if I'm patient, I will find the yarn I want eventually. Lord knows I don't NEED anymore right now. It's just stuff I have in mind for future projects.

On shops and things

It's been a bit since I've posted. I feel like I have much to do and when I think of all the things I want to do, it seems overwhelming and that I don't have enough time or I should be doing other things (like cleaning) and then I end up getting nothing done. It's a crazy cycle.

In news of what I want to get done.
Add pictures/backgrounds and such to Blog.
Add more links of things I've found
Figure out a way to make it a "prettier" blog, etc.

In the real world, I need to work on my kitchen. It needs a good scrub down.
I have MULTIPLE projects I want to finish. I'm doing pretty well on them and I just need to keep plugging away.

I'm super excited about the trip to p-burgh in a few weeks. Can't wait to visit the LYS's and see what they have to offer. I'm also trying to save and think of what I might find and think ahead for projects it might work for and make sure I buy enough while there. So much to think about!

Speaking of shops and stores... I drove past a couple of spots in the Short North last week and I am thinking what PRIME retail space for a fiber shop. It's a pretty trendy area and would probably be on the expensive side to lease, but what a great area. A lot of foot traffic. One drawback being convenient parking. But... parking meters and a small walk aside... what a great area. It's one of my favorites actually and I just think it would make such a nice addition down there. That's just my opionion. It also made me a little sad because I wish I had the capital to get it started and go for it. Audra and I could finally have our place we've been wanting and hopefully it would be successful. Well I guess we better get our STUFF together and make it happen. First we need a plan.

Well better get some work done for now. More updates to come!

Mr. Greenjeans for Joy

So I decided to start this sweater.  I was going to wait until I finished at least ONE of my other projects.  But I needed something new to provide visual stimulus.  And so far, I have just worked on it for this weekend.  I started it on Friday and it is coming along well.

I am starting to have some concerns though.  I was reading in the KAL group from Ravelry this morning and many people were having various sizing issues and such.  So, since I'm knitting this for Joy and she's a few hours away, how am I to be sure the sizing will be right?!  I figure I might be able to use Ashley for a rough sizing.  She's thin, but taller than Joy, but hopefully probably about the same size.  I'm knitting this in the medium size.

The pattern so far has been really easy to read.  Initially before I started, I did a simple swatch in Stock. stitch.  And since I'm nearing the end of that section, I decided to do the other swatch, which is the cable swatch.  Turned out well.  

At this point, I have 12 more rows to go before I pop off the sleeves.  And continue with the body, if I was sure on the size I would probably get to the point of the cabling start, but I'm worried, so I may hold off.  More to come on the progress of this. 

Organizing the fiber

For whatever reason, lately I've been in a cleaning and organizing mode.  I'm curious as to how others organize.  For me, it's been yarn in a plastic bag, stashed in the closet unless it's in use in a project.  Now, what this leads me to is that not all yarn makes it into said closet.  Sometimes it's in my room, sometimes in the area where I'm working on stuff... sometimes... it's just everywhere.

So with this lack of organization, I frequently don't know where things are or what I have.  So, I decided to get on track.  I went through all rooms in my house and collected all the yarn I could find... and let me tell you it was a lot!  I bought some totes from Kmart and I separated the yarn by type.  Example I have a tote of just sock yarn, or yarn I bought to MAKE socks.  I have a tote of stuff I plan on using for sweaters.  I have a tote of "fluffy" yarn, like boa type stuff.  What I realized is that I didn't buy enough totes!  I still have 2 large bags of yarn to pack up.  I have quite a bit of different wools for some sweaters, so I need a bigger tote, or just more totes.  

I feel pretty accomplished though.  Now I just have to work on my WIP's and get some of that stuff finished.  I'm really craving starting something new but I know I shouldn't.  I know I will feel so much better when just ONE of these things is done.  I need to get on it!  I guess that means I should get off the internet and start working!

For the Love of Funk

Hi! I thought I would jump in here and introduce myself! I'm the infamous Audra, Kristie's friend and partner in Yarn and Fabric crime! We also get into trouble with scrapbook and rubberstamp stuff, but we won't go into that now! I love the name of our blog, Fiber Funktastic! I'm one of those people that like to make up words but also love to use the words that other people make up. I think I'm a pretty normal person and most people, when they meet me, think I'm pretty normal, so I have to show my personality in my words and colors and crafts!

As Kristie mentioned we've been talking about starting a business for years. I am also hoping that it goes into fruition sooner than later. I have many, many ideas and have been researching a business for years but I think my problem is getting the guts to just go ahead and do it.

One of these days, I'll have to take a picture of my stash. You would think that I had my own craft store in my home. I too buy more stuff than I can use at any one given time. I would love to be able to knit, crochet, quilt, etc....all day, any day, any time that I wanted. Wouldn't the world be a much calmer, sweeter place if everyone knit!

I say "Craft On!"

What's in the bag??

So instead of staying home like I should have, I did go out and do a bit of shopping. I headed up to Knitter's Merc around noon. I hung out for awhile, chatted up a few people and looked at yarn of course.

I walked away with 2 fun yarns. Plymouth's Fantasy Naturale cotton for a Market Bag I started and then Trendsetters Pepita yarn, which is a ribbon type yarn, it's a multi with GREAT colors. I can't wait to try it out. I'm thinking of using for another market bag also to see how it works. If it goes well, I'll have to go back and get more. They had more colors and they were on clearance... extra bonus!

What's in a name anyway?

So when trying to devise a name for something, I often run up short. I try to think of clever things or something that will add interest. Something that makes people want to check it out. As I was sitting here, pondering the name of this blog, Fiber Funktastic... I was wondering if that is the right name. It's as good a name as any. I kept coming back to SOUL names, like Fiber is good for the soul type. And then I think SOUL isn't the right message, well it is because I think knitting is spiritual and soulful, but what I mean is that SOUL is misleading. It's commonly used in conjunction with music. And I'm not into SOUL music. But thinking along the musical lines I took soul into FUNK which is what inspired Funktastic.

Prince titled one of his albums, "Rave un2 the Joy Fantistic" and one of my earlier thoughts was Rave Unto the Fiber Fantastic. Cause that is how I feel.

But, back to Fiber Funk... I do like it and Audra does too, so we have group buy in. But I kind of laughed to myself because I feel like we should be called Fiber Junkies! I'm sure that is a name used elsewhere in the world, probably multiple times.

But here is where the junkie part comes in. I love yarn and fibers and material. I love textures and different feelings of different things. I love soft things (don't we all). I dislike scratchy things. Years ago I purchased this oh so soft soy yarn. I wanted to experiement. Well... half a sock later, I realized the softness was just in the skein, but not in the finished piece. I've since read, people with similar experiences, so I know it isn't just me.

Onward with the junkie vibe... I love to shop. I, like many yarn afficionados, love to buy it. I find stuff all the time! Every LYS I go to. I find a million things I like and it perpetuates a million new projects... and I want to start them ALL right now! I'm extremely impatient, too. So I get tired or frustrated easily.

Project time for me is mostly on the weekends when I sit around doing nothing but knitting. Audra on the other hand will pick up her projects basically anytime she is home during the week/weekend. My problem is when I go back to the "real" world and the work place on Monday morning... the only thing I can think about is knitting and my projects and how I just wish I was at home. We continually talk about different businesses we'd like to do. Book stores, yarn stores, craft stores, etc. And while I lay in bed at a ridiculously early hour this morning, I thought, "Why NOT?!" We could SO do this. I mean, we just need capital and to get capital you have to have a business plan. We are women and we are both of a "minority" race which could lead to our advantage to find funding. What's to stop up, but our own lack of committment?

I'm an idea person. I come up with great ideas all the time. My brain constantly runs, chugging along spilling stuff all over the place. What I do fail at though is OVER committing. I think I can do all these things and then I end up overwhelmed. I'm also forgetful and things get backburnered all the time. Hopefully, maybe we can commit to a business in the near future and make it work for us. And maybe it won't happen until we are well into our 40's. But I guess it is something we can work toward together.

So it's a perfect Sunday morning at home and what am I doing? Blogging, surfing yarn sites and project sites and pattern sites and revelry discussion boards. Good grief, I certainly know how to dig a hole.

I am putting off the inevitable and I KNOW I shouldn't go, buy I am REALLY craving a trip to Knitter's Mercantile today. I love that they are open on Sunday, most places aren't. And what will I do there? Probably buy MORE yarn that I don't need right now, or get more ideas of stuff I don't possibly have the time to work on right now.

I'm so bad!

Places to check out in PA

My sister Sarah, BFF Audra and I are going to see Bon Jovi, March 15th in Pittsburgh. Since Audra and I will be road-tripping to get there and staying with Sarah, we've decided to make a weekend of it! Of course I NEED to go to Ikea (yeah, like I need a hole in the head, but whatev), but I've done MUCH Ravelry searching and have found some shops to check out.

For anyone else interested in the PA area, I found a site for Pittsburgh Knitting that lists local events and shops and such. I'll have to see if there is such a site for Columbus... if not, note to self, get that in the works.

Anyway from reviews and other comments, I'm thinking these are the places I'd like to check out. OF course this is all time and MONEY permitting, how much we get to. But it will be fun anyway.

Sarah is slightly SW of PIttsb in McDonald. So one place is Bloomin' Yarns which looks to be about 12 mi SE of her. They don't have a website, but from everything I've read, seems like a nice place to stop and it's close, bonus points for that.

Then, Yarns Unlimited looks to be about 17 mi North. From the reviews the store sounds interesting, but I can't say that I like their website.. at ALL!

Knit one, which has great photos online and makes me really want to check it out is 22 mi E and has Sunday hours so that is good. Gives us more time if we can't make it on Sat.

Natural Stitches is E about 25 miles, but I think they have Sunday hours which will make it do-able as well and we might be able to hit both stores.

All these places sound fantastic, I hope we can do it all! And there are a few others as well, so maybe we'll hit more than these?!

Introduction

Hello, I'm Kristie, myfriend Audra and I wanted a place to blog together about our projects and events that we plan on going to or that we hear about. Our attempt is that this will become a resource for others as well. Well probably be revamping the layout, adding pics and more stuff soon.