Knitting : The sound and fury

So, not really sound... kind of silent really. And who likes William Faulkner (not I)! Anyway... this weekend I did several KNIT type of things.

Thursday was knit knite... where I had some issues with what I was working on, so I stalled out and didn't have another project handy so I just chatted, laughed, etc. Enjoyable time as always.

Next up... Friday, I spent the early hours fixing the Thursday mistake which was slipper #1 or was it 2? Anyway, I ended up making slipper #2, as well. Then I decided it would be a good time for felting, so Friday evening, I felted the slippers and Entrelac gift bag. The bag only took about 5 minutes or so and looks quite snazzy (see below).



The slippers however, took FOREVER! I'm not crazy about the shape of them either and they didn't felt down to the correct size. So i'm not sure about them.

After all this knitting and felting, I decided, darn it, I'm going to WARP that loom!!! It was kind of a killer process. My back was certainly sore after doing it. Here's why, it's a lot of reaching and bending and such for the small space I'm working in. I think the next warp will be done in the kitchen. Anyway, I decided to start simple and grabbed a skein of Kureyon Sock yarn. I think I did 30 or 40 (can't recall now). Then I rolled it up and used old christmas paper because it was sitting there on the table and was really convenient. Next I wrapped the shuttle and then I started the weaving.

Enter in a few problems. Not sure if I rolled the right way because I was having some tension difficulties. The reed kept popping off in the low spot and a few times in the HIGH spot. So all in all a little frustrating. At some point, I became unravelled a bit, well, not me, but the weave and SO, I had to cut it short. So my "Scarflette" is only about 2 feet long and has about 7 inches of fringe on each side. It looks really nice and the Noro colors are stunning of course. So for the first try, I'm pretty happy with what I have. I have some of the warp left, so I might try and do something with it, maybe make a table runner or something. I don't think I have enough for a full on scarf.

Here are a few pics of the process:


So that took me late into Friday evening/Saturday Morning.

Then ON Saturday, I did a bit more Shopping. Met up with Scot for 5 Guys burgers, then home. Back out to meet up with Scot & Joe at Mac's for apps and pints. Had a ton of fun.

Sunday, met up with Cath and Jimmy at Panera for breakfast and knitting. Then we headed to the Merc and I FINALLY got yarn for the White Witch Mitts (rav link) that I have been DYING to make ever since I saw the pattern... which was like 2-3 years ago! So I bought that yarn and am really excited to start those, but I am holding off until I finish ONE more hat!

So a whirlwind weekend it was. Didn't get as much knitting done as I wanted, but, I did get some stuff done, so that is what counts. I still need to wrap a lot of presents and get my car packed up, so I can get on the road hopefully Wednesday.

I'm heading north to see my family. Will stay at Dad's for the evenings, however Christmas dinner will be at Joy's this year. So excited to see everyone!

Knitting: It's in the back seat

That is kind of LITERALLY, too. I haven't knitted since Saturday. My new schedule started a couple months back (October maybe?) and so I'm working 4 10hr days now. In and of itself, not totally bad, but some days are REALLY long. The other downside is now getting home between 6-6:30 instead of 4:30 takes a HUGE 2 hour chunk out of my day. Before that 2 hours was spent, tending to home and dinner. Then I had a few hours left of my evening to relax with the knitting and the Tele.

Now, those 2 hours gone, I get home, work on fixing supper and then I'm caput/kaput?! What's that word again? Anyway, yeah, donezo. So I haven't knitted in a few days.

Today before coming into work, grabbed the laptop out of backseat and there it was, a bag full of yarn and recent wips and 2 fo's. So I grabbed that sucker, and brought it in with me. I decided if I don't go out to lunch today, I will definitely knit at lunch. I love knitting at lunch. I sit down in our cafeteria with whatever food I get on a nice comfy bench. I knit away and stare out the window and it seems like the day, no matter how trying she may be, just isn't that bad. That is really a bonus to knitting. I notice when I knit at lunch, I take my time and just watch the stitches go by. I'm not in a hurry and I just take those moments to relax. Alas, the hour always goes by quickly but at least I had those few precious moments and can then hopefully make it through the day.

So yes, I need to fit more knitting time into my daily life as I have all those presents to finish. Fingers crossed I stay motivated.

Knitting: It's a flurry or fury?!

So this weekend, I spent a large part knitting! YAY! I did get massive amounts done although don't have much to show. Here's the breakdown.

1. Friday, met up with Julie and some other ladies I didn't know for Friday knit club at Temptations. Had a nice time where I officially finished the last 5 decrease rounds of the pirate hat. Picture still to come.... I then started working on my 2nd pair of Ampersand socks, with the lovely ST-1 colorway. Only after several rounds I must have stopped paying attention because my count was off. I corrected and went back to it and a round or 2 later was off again. I decided the socks had had enough that day, so they went back to the bottom of the bag. I then pulled out one of the Noro Entrelac gift bags, I had started and did a tier of that. Then we ordered lunch, ate, packed up and left.

2. I went to winterfair with Scot. It was a total blast. Bought lots of goodies. Some Sangria mix, Margarita mix and all sorts of dips and hot sauces(for Brian) and a lovely piece of pottery. It's called a Brie Baking dish, but you can bake anything in it really. It's just specifically sized for Brie.

3. After winter fair I was a slight bit exhausted, but we went to the North Market anyway because they were having a craft extravaganza. Lots of handmade stuffs, but I didn't get anything cause frankly I was too shopped out by that point. But I did run into my friend Adrienne from Crafty Beavers, whom I hadn't seen in years. Then we got some Pho and went back to Scot's.

4. Then I headed out to Cath's house for the rest of the day and knitted my head off. I worked on Brian's hat. It's the Chullo from the Holiday Gifts issue from Interweave. Stranded colorwork, my fave! It's turning out well, but at some point I made a booboo and now I have to tink about 4 rows back. :( So, as it was later in the evening and I couldn't bear it, I put that project away. I pulled out the Noro Entrelac again and finshed the next tier, bottom triangles and the bottom. It finished up quite nicely and is ready to be felted. However, I want to make a few more and felt them all together. These are really easy bags, although after making 2 of them now, I'm really not crazy about the construction. They are top down and I really don't like how the bottom is made, it's kind of different/odd. But since I haven't seen the felted piece yet, I'm not sure if I'm counting chickens early. So then I think, maybe I should felt it first before I go changing the design? Anyway, that took me late into the evening and then I went home.

I unpacked my goodies from the day and went to bed.

Sunday there was NO knitting to be done. Instead I put up the christmas tree, went to buy stuff for christmas tree, then I decorated. And made supper. I barely watched any TV and was pooped and went to bed early. My fingers are ready for more knitting, so hopefully I can start incorporating it back into my evenings.

So again, I'm posting my list. Trying to stay on track.

1. Finish sweater vest for dad (back is done, just need a front)
2. Finish 1 slipper for Sarah (1 is done)
3. Finish 1 slipper for Mom (1 is done)
4. Mittens for the boys (this is a maybe)
5. Something for Addison, maybe a little hat/mitten set
*6. Hat for Brian (half done)
7. Hat for Scot
8. Hat for a friend
9. Hat for a friend
10. Slippers for a friend
11. Something for my boss (am thinking a felted bowl)
12. Aunt Lisa's purple Hedgie (needs stuffed, felted, sewed)
*13. Noro Entrelac Felted bags for friends need about 6-8 (2 done)

Knitting: to knit a gift or not

I've been thinking a lot about this lately... knitting gifts for those that knit.

There seems to be a larger percentage of knitters out there that don't knit gifts for other knitters. "They can just make it themselves" they say. And while this is a true statement, some of use don't really want to make certain things.

For instance I hate making scarves. REALLY hate them. I LOVE them, but don't want to make them. I get too bored. So a few years ago, I was in need of a scarf and my friend Audra was in need of a xmas gift for her mom. We swapped, she make me a lovely long WARM luscious scarf and I made a Pieced Pointsetta quilt type wall hanging. We each did something we were good at and exchanged.

So take this year for instance... there are things I've been toying with making for people because I think they might like them. They are from the heart and made by my own two hands. I think it would be great to get a knitted gift from someone because I DO knit and I would KNOW what went into that. The time and sincerity that goes with something hand made, to me, that's just nice.

Of course with all things, I always wait until the last minute and who knows what and when I'll get anything done. And if I start stuff now, it might be done by people's birthdays. LOL.

So here's the list of yet to be made for Christmas. I think in 2010, I will start the list in January. Maybe do a project a month and keep on target.

1. Finish sweater vest for dad (back is done, just need a front)
2. Finish 1 slipper for Sarah (1 is done)
3. Finish 1 slipper for Mom (1 is done)
4. Mittens for the boys (this is a maybe)
5. Something for Addison, maybe a little hat/mitten set
6. Hat for Brian
7. Hat for Scot
8. Hat for a friend
9. Hat for a friend
10. Slippers for a friend
11. Something for my boss (am thinking a felted bowl)
12. Aunt Lisa's purple Hedgie (needs stuffed, felted, sewed)

And I guess that is it. That is a lot to do in 23 days. Good thing most of those items will only take me 5-8 hours.

good grief, I am a little nuts!

Knitting: Oh YES I am!

So after a bit of a hiatus with the start of fall... I've jumped back into knitting full force. It's a good thing. I'm amped up, I'm ready to finish stuff. I've had thoughts of pulling WIPS out of hibernation and getting them done. That being said, I am still having a bit of castonitis, too.

I was fortunate to have a nice long 5 day holiday break. I started a hat Tuesday night at Panera with Brandy and Becky. I finished it on Wednesday. It's for my BIL, Patrick. I hope he likes it. It needs some serious blocking though because my stranding was a little tight and it's a bit puckery.

Then on Thursday, while Turkey was in the oven, I was trying my hand at designing another sock. I pulled out the Harmony Guides, Lace and Eyelets book. I have a lovely variagated yarn that I purchased in Portland at Sock Summit from Hazelknits. I decided on a cast on of 60 and started this pattern with a 12 stitch repeat. Well 2 repeats into it, I realized it wasn't going to work. The design was completely lost. :(

So I moved on to another pattern which was a 20 stitch repeat which fit perfectly with my 60 stitch c/o. :) So I've done a full repeat, but I'm not totally sold on this one either, yet. So I set it down. Then Turkey was done and there was the eating and the bloating (j/k). And I decided to go with something I knew. I'm jonesing to have another pair of socks, stat! So I pulled out more yarn from Sock Summit, Blue Moon Socks that Rock in the ST-1 colorway. It's lovely shades of gold, green, orange, red and brown. Very FALL! I could totally see this yarn in a nice leafy design, however, I decided to use this in a Cookie A pattern. I pulled out Baudelaire which was on Knitty sometime back, but it was a toe-up sock... and frankly I wasn't in the mood for toe up (I don't know why). So I said to myself, "Sock INNOVATION!" Pulled that out and found a pattern I thought would look nice with a variagated yarn, "Rick." Friend Lindsey made one of these and it looks pretty awesome, so I decided to give it a go. It's a 60 stitch cast on, so I started. I made it through the cast on and did like 1 or 2 rows of the pattern and it was time for bed.

On to Friday. Met up with Cath and Jimmy at Staufs in the afternoon and brought ST-1 Rick along with me. I did about 3 more rows and just was NOT happy with it. I was really not liking the SSK through a YO. It wasn't fun, I was tense, my knitting was tight. Rick and I weren't seeing eye to eye. I stopped.

I pulled him out, left the cast on and went with something I knew very well, the Ampersand (with mods). I wanted a tighter sock than the first pair. I used the 60 cast on I already had instead of a 54. I used US2 instead of US3 and it's coming along nicely. I made it through the heel flap and turn and picked up the gusset stitches, did a few rounds of decreases and then went to bed.

Here's where castonitis comes to play. While I was working that sock I watched a repeat of Bones in which she's wearing this lovely grey cabled hat and me things I NEED that! And I have this gorgeous skein of Purple Highlander I've been dying to use and it will match my new purple vest! Perfect! Anyway, I have been good and haven't casted on, but my fingers they are definitely twitchy!

And I've really been wanting to make Brian a new Chullo hat. His is a store bought one a few years old and it's seen a better day. I thought of surprising him with one, he rarely pays attention to what I'm doing anyway. So I could work on it and he wouldn't necessarily be the wiser. For a few weeks now, I've been surfing for "free" patterns and I've found a bunch of crochet versions, but little on knitted versions. Still searching.... So Sunday, I tossed him my Interweave Holiday Knits and told him to see if there was anything in there that looked cool. And don't you know the pattern he picked is a Chullo hat by Kenny Chua. I totally forgot that it was in there. I laughed and said I was planning on making you one of those already!

So, I went to the stash and pulled out a bunch of WOTA Kettle dyed colors I had purchased some time back and that project never came to life, so I asked him to pick colors. He didn't really give me any good suggestions, so I think I'm going to just make it up myself and he can live with it. One thing for sure, the boy likes colors, so I think it will be good. And I am twitchy to start this project, too!

But I'm going to finish that sock first. Then look out! Hats! Hats! Hats!

Knitting: Back in the saddle

Well, nothing like hanging out with Cookie A to inspire one to knit again. The class was a lot of fun and while much of the discussion went over items that were in Sock Innovation, hearing it and seeing her draw it up right in front of you, had a much bigger impact. I can extract a lot from reading, but seeing the visual come to life and the person behind it explaining lends quite a different perspective.

Let me start with the drive there. It was long! In part, probably because I had no clue where I was going and partly because I took a wrong turn a time or two. But with my keen sense of direction, I managed to make a few turns and came out on a "good" road that led me where I needed to go.

Anyway, once in town, I called Susan the owner of Ball and Skein and host of the class. She told me to head over to the municipal building area because class wasn't at the shop. I indeed went over and the class was in an old railroad depot building.



So with class underway, the students picked through patterns to find SOMETHING they wanted to make into a sock. I chose a heavily cabled pattern and Cookie helped me work out the sizing and math and placement of "things".



My start is here. I might have gotten further in the class but I opted to do an 80 stitch cast on and rib, so going around 80 stitches for nearly an inch of 1x1 ribbing does take some time. I don't have a name for it yet, but my example is below.



At one point we had lunch:


And of course as all great things do, the class came to an end. Here's a slightly blurry shot of Cookie and me.


And, if you want to see more about Cookie A's adventures here in Ohio, please see her blog (she also has the class photo up).

After class, a bunch of us headed over to the Ball and Skein, where I purchased some fantastic sock yarns! Susan had a great selection (and a coupon for class attendees). YAY! The lighting isn't he greatest so you can't really see the great colors, but here they are. I'll have to take better naturally lit photos later this week.



So after the shopping extravaganza, I headed home.

Last Thursday at Knit Knite, Brandy showed off her finished sock #1 from the Ampersand pattern. She used Jingle Bell Rocks from Socks that Rock. It was pretty awesome and I fell in love with that pattern.

Saturday morning, I wound up my Farmhouse (STR purchased at SS09) and cast on the Ampersand while at the OSU tailgate. Unfortunately, there was a piece of the pattern that wasn't quite clicking right for me. It was definitely a dummy moment, but after fooling around for over an hour or more... I put it away. After getting home, I brought it back out and figured out where my mistake was. Moved on and I finished the sock on SUNDAY!! The only sock I knit faster was my Starry Night sock from last year. Anyway, I still love the pattern and I definitely want to knit the SECOND sock! Like right now. I could have cast on yesterday, but I needed a small knitting break. Then I ended up going to bed early. So perhaps tonight, 2nd sock will be born.

However, before bed, I drew up 3 new sock patterns. With the help of some Barbara Walker stitch patterns. Now I just have to get swatching and see if they will work. But first... the 2nd ampersand sock! :)

Knitting: Taking a break

Because I can't attend my weekly knitting with friends right now... I have decided to try and keep the world updated via blog. I miss my knitting gals, but due to work schedule changes and husbands work schedules, knit night is not do-able for a bit.

Although in a way, this isn't a bad thing because I have seriously LOST my knitting mojo. Think about this for the last 2-3 years I have knit almost constantly, every single day. I mean now and again there were a few days I didn't, but mostly, I did try at least a few stitches, rows, or rounds every day. Be it at work during lunch hour or at home... or my weekly knitting with friends. Anyway, the last month has been a difficult one for me. Actually we'll call it 2 months.

I've been in that quandary with a lot of unfinished projects hanging around, it does bug me yes. And being tired of them and not wanting to work on them and not wanting to start yet another thing... I do the opposite and do nothing.

Add to this being pulled in other crafty directions. I really want to sew again. I really want to work on quilts and blankets and WARM things. I want to weave (I now have a loom), I want to get my scrapbooks put back together, I have pictures EVERYWHERE. I want to clean and get organized. I have actually been yearning to crochet... and for anyone that knows me, that should be a surprise. I hate crochet! Well, sort of. It has it's use, is applicable in certain things like edgings, etc. But for the most part crocheted fabric, is kind of gross (to me anyway). HOWEVER... that being said, I think in my head the term crochet often goes with crappy acrylic yarn. There is a reason for this. I learned to crochet when I was really young, say 6 or 7. What was I given, a bunch of hand me down magazines, some hooks and really cheap yarn. Fast forward a few years, my crochet was never great, my hands always hurt and well, it wasn't "cool".

So I quit crochet. Jump forward a billion years and I decided to learn to knit. But knitting to me is fabulous yarns and beautiful fabrics etc and so on.

Anyway, Cath got me started on this crochet bug because she posted about this cute crocheted gingerbread house. I promptly went and bought that magazine like 2 days later and have been looking for the right yarn ever since. I really want to make a blanket, so I figured crocheted squares is the way to go, they are mostly quick and I can trot them around with me. Easy-peasy. I buy a book of like 90 or 99 different squares... I work on a few, I'm bored. :)

Then... I'm browsing more magazines and buy another crochet one because there is this unbelievable blanket in it that I'm dying to make. So anyway, I'm pulled in different directions. I have a million things to finish and yet no desire to do so.

Argh!

However, this weekend, I may put a plan into place that will give me more crafting room/space. I have a spare bedroom, I've been wanting to convert for awhile now. There is a bed in it, that I will move out. There is much cleaning and organizing that needs to happen in there as well. But I think if I get my arse in gear, I could do it this weekend.

Of course I may be lazy, so no promises, but we'll see. My plan for the room, which already houses 2 book cases, will be to get a sofabed in there. Possibly a small TV (cable is already wired) and a large long table to set up sewing machine and cutting area. I will also need bins and such to put tools in and so forth. This could be a good plan and could come together nicely. Of course this entails shopping for furniture. I definitely see a trip to Ikea in the near future, won't Brian be so excited, um no, probably not. :)

So even though I'm not really knitting. I'm working a what I think is a really neat hat. I haven't even photo'd it yet, so I'll just have to tantalize you with details. It's a fair isle type hat, pattern is a little boring, next one I'll design myself. But I love the yarns I'm using, Mochi Plus and Berroco Lustre. I can't wait to finish it and show it off. Not sure if I'll keep or gift, but that's what I'm working on lately.

Knitting: The toilet

So, no I'm not knitting a toilet, or on the toilet, or even a cover for the toilet... but I feel like my knitting is in the proverbial toilet. I have become lackluster with projects and ideas and knitting in general.

Now don't get me wrong, I love to knit and talk about knitting and read about knitting and just be a geek about knitting... but lately... so unmotivated to do actual knitting.

I think it's partly the whether and that time of year. Days are shrinking, my house is a cluttered catastrophe. I've put off so many things for so long and they are really biting me in the butt. So as unmotivated as I am to knit, I'm even more so to clean and declutter. But it is something I have to do... and do it soon!

I need to reorganise my house, my life and my knitting. I start 3 day weekends very soon, I think some of this can be accomplished.

Onward!

Hat Wars : Game on!

Hat Wars started at midnight. Of course I was sleeping then, but since I woke up early this morning, I decided to pick a pattern and cast on before work. Normally I am not up early enough to do any knitting before work... today was different. I obviously have the stash of a small scale yarn store, and fortunately I had some good stuff to pick from.

I could have went with some knit picks. I also had cascade and highlander and all kinds of odds and in betweens. But, I thought making a nice wintry hat out of a superwash might be nice. So, I picked a skein of the Ella Rae Superwash that I picked up over the summer. I think this will be a very nice project for my VICTIM. I don't want to say too much here in the case that she is checking my blog. I want it to be a surprise.

But, I did cast on today and I did a bit of lunchtime knitting. But it's K1P1 ribbing and that always takes me forever. But so far so good!

YARN: Gotta love a sale

As we all good and well know, I do not NEED any more yarn. I'm struggling with the concept of actually knitting all the yarn I have now until I die (hopefully in a long long long time and not soon). But seriously, can I knit all the yarn I have before I get to the point that I can't knit anymore... I'm thinking it might actually NOT be possible.

Even sooooo... every once in awhile, yarn MUST be bought. Case in point. There's a cute little number that I've seen in a recent magazine. It's done in a lovely, albeit pricey yarn. Rowan Lenpur Linen. Anyway, for my size the project calls for 10 balls of yarn... which lets face it, is just a little over the top... even for me, should I really spend the money on that?! Um... well, if the yarn just happens to be 50% off at Knitters' Mercantile's bi-annual cleaning out the previous seasonal yarn! Holy cow! And the colors are just so beautiful! It was sooo hard to pick! But I went with a nice blue, it's classic, I can definitely see wearing this in the fall and winter months because though it's more of a short sleeve, sort of thing, we all know how WARM I always am, so I think this will be perfect.

Anyway, for those wondering what Lenpur is, apparently I can't find much on it, but it seems to be an eco-friendly product. Certain trees are cultivated for it and the cellulose used can be got from actual pruning not deforestation. So, it's tree/plant raw fiber that is then mfd into yarn/fabric. I don't know how eco friendlyl the whole process is but that's what I've found. Anyway, Rowan has coupled this viscose with linen and it feels wonderfully soft. I can't wait to use it and start this new project.

YES... castonitis!

Knitting: Overload and Angst

Hello again!

So I really should be working because lunch time nearly over however, I am not ready to get back into the grind of it, so to speak. I have been mostly NOT into knitting lately. I think I had my quarterly knitting meltdown recently and the aftershocks are still with me.

I've hit the proverbial wall, or in knitter's terms, I dropped a stitch and need to go back and find it and fix it and move on.

I think my recent problems stem from OVERLOAD. There are so many things I want to make, projects I want to cast on, items I NEED to finish and then there's the yarn... oh my heavens the yarn.

Ya see, I had started these socks... the gull wing ones with the sockgate colorway from Blue Moon. And I LOVE the pattern and I l LOVE the yarn... but I hit a point where I just want to be done with the sock already. I mean I cast on back at the end of Sock Summit... do you remember sock summit? It seems like just yesterday, but holy cow, it was like three dreadfully longs weeks ago and sometimes... it feels like it was sooooo long ago, that it didn't really happen.

But then I think of something funny that so and so said, or something that I saw and I'm back there at Sock Summit once again... the memories are still there. I don't know if I'll ever make it to another sock summit or be around that type of wonderness again, so for that simple reason... I will always be thinking about the first SOCK SUMMIT.

Anyway... back to the socks... so yeah, I should be done but as for knitting lately, me and knitting, we don't see eye to eye. So much so that when I'm sitting, watching TV, I don't even pick it up. This is not like me. Usually, anytime I am sitting (not while at work), I have something in my hands and it's usually yarns and needles. Everyone once in awhile, it's food. :)

So last weekend, to get some design stuff off the brain, I decided to swatch a few things. In doing so, I've come to the conclusion yet again, that Barbara Walker is the HOT MAMA MAD GENIUS of the world! I found a pattern in Dictionary #2 that I really liked. I thought it would work well for this yarn I've been dying to use. Since it's a textured/lace type of pattern, I thought I would do some type of textured cable on both sides of said scarf/wrap and I found the perfect one. The Rapunzel Braid. Oh how I love the Rapunzel Braid. So after looking at both patterns, which happen to be 8 row repeats, I noticed that ROW 1 of both patterns was written as the WS (wrong side). GENIUS! These patterns were MEANT to go together. Seriously, Barbara, we love you! Your genius took away a lot of the work for us and we are all so thankful.

Anyway... after starting this swatch (not a swatch) full on into the pattern I went... I realized, A, too many repeats of Cherry Pattern and the B. (much much later and in smaller swatch mode) these 2 texture patterns really DO NO WORK with my yarn! Color me sad! :(

I take it as a NOT-LOSS though. I learned a great deal from it. Certain variagated yarns do ok with textures, certain yarns don't. It really is a trial and error thing however, if you are familiar with the 'build' of the yarn and the twist, you can make a good guess at how it will act once knit. But the color adds a whole new diversion to the design of things.

Anyway, suffice it to say, I was in design fail.

Onto fail #2 or 5 or 10.... I started drawing up a pattern that's been in my head forever... and well, I saw something similar to it in a mag... now what's in my head is different ENOUGH, so I don't see it as entirely crossing, but still I was deflated that someone else made something similar already and how could I get my pattern to translate into something that people would want to make? Now take a step back here, if I make something just for me, that is all well and good, but what I'm hoping is that I'll have a design PEOPLE will want to knit. I don't know why, but that is a goal. It'll happen someday I suppose.

Oh and then Friday night another sorta fail, I decided to finally jump right into intarsia, I was feeling sassy and thought I'd love to have this beautiful shawl done by Christmas. It's the Nonna's Garden Shawl by Knit Picks done in the DK weight of City Tweed. For those not familiar with the pattern, it has 320 stitches and you work it across in 4 sections. So there's the cast on part, then you PURL a whole row of 320 stitches... and then start the pattern. So I did about 3 rows and hit a snag. My colors/count was off somewhere between 220 and 250. So I tinked... worked again... nope still off... tinked a WHOLE row and on the next go round decided to put markers at every quadrant break (80 stitches). That seemed to work better and I got through row 3 without fail. I rested for the night, it was late.

Gave more thought to the project and thought how after several rows and 320 stitches across I would be carrying around a fairly weighty project with LOTS o'strings dangling and tangling about. It made me a little twitchy. So last night after attempting row 4 only to get to the end with a mistake, I pulled it all out. I rolled up all my little strings into nice neat butterflies and decided I would work this project differently. I will do it in sections instead and seam it. I know it sounds risky and dangerous, but it's a risk I think I can live with. But to test the theory, I'm going to play with some yarn swatches and the mattress stitch and MAKE sure I can line my SHIT up and it will work. I really think this is the way to go and in the end you add a backing (for stability) and it will hide all the ends and such anyway. It will be good. So I have yet to cast on that project again.

But the desire to work a shawl/wrap is very heavy with me. I wish I had another vacation week from work so that I could sit, uninterrupted in a studio-like atmosphere and design and draw and contemplate and swatch and work out the details. If I had that kind of time, I could probably get something done.

In the meantime though, last night I cast on a shawl pattern (not my own), but it's easy enough and I love the yarn, so for now it's a small piece but will grow quickly. I just need a better marking system to show where I am as the rows get bigger. I tend to get lost often and wonder where the H I am!

SO I think that's a lengthy story.

Fail!
The End.

SS09 Update: Class and more shopping!

So I had my argyle class was today. I kind of took it because well I always wanted to make argyle socks. Never have. I didn't think it would be too hard, but I really had issues with "trying" an intarsia type of technique. For instance I'm not used to NOT stranding color work as I've done quite a bit of fair isle/stranded stuff. Anyway... Anne Berk was our instructor and she is ALL kinds of fabulous. She's super cute, has the best phrases, so funny and so knowledgeable about the Argyle. She's working on book she hopes to release in Januray. So, anyway it was a great class and while I took it as sort of a last resort... I must say, I'm SOOO glad I did! Anyway. I don't feel like pulling my proj photo in right now but it was a good project, but I'm going to frog back a bit because my neighbor, Jean and I got a little chatty and slap happy this afternoon and well, I made some booboos. SO I'll fix, so I'll have nice (perfect) class sample. Then I'll go on to make the real thing.

Well, another thing about Anne... she is a freaking enabler! Yes people...she brought all this fabulous yarn and was talking price points, etc... so guess what I did at lunch... went and bought a whole bunches more yarn!! I was REALLY done, like yesterday... but oh no. And I went over my budget, boo! But, its ok, just had to take a little out of the backup savings. :)

But here's the why. She was talking about a great yarn that WEBS sells and it was $4.29 a skein... comes in REALLY great perfect argyle colors... and people... $4.29! And guess what... NO SALES TAX here! So I bought a whole bunch of colors!! And at webs, I also bought a bag of plymouth happy feet natural, that I can hand dye myself. I really like happy feet, so this will be lots o'fun. I'm def thinking of trying a kettle process... but we'll see.

Next I went BACK to Hazel Knits. She's got an etsy shop and let me just tell you I love this girl. Her name is Wendy and she's just fabulous. She's super sweet and everyone should go buy yarn from her. It's gorgeous and I'm so serious! I will bring to knit knite and you will see... and I will give you her web address!

So anyway... it was a terrific day thus far (even though I shopped too much, lol).

Back at the hotel now, grabbed a pizza and just about to get ready for the Rav party tonight for which I'm quite excited about. Am heading there with an OHIO gal I met yesterday. Her name is Lauren and she works where... LIMITED BRANDS. haha.

I leave tomorrow morning... not looking forward to the long flight, but it will be good to get home. Hopefully I'll not be too overwound and I can get some good sleep. I SOOOOOO don't want to go back to work Monday morning. :( BOO!

SS09 Update: Class projects and YARN pRon

WOW! What a whirlwind it's been. From my long flight here, to all that has happened... this post could go on for days... but I'm kinda tired for a change and just feel like treating you to the good stuff. I will honestly try to blog ALL the details about the trip later. There has been so much and I keep going GUSH in my head. I need to write and get it out. Words CAN NOT do it justice though.

Ok, I'm going to stop or I'll get all gushy again. This has been one incredible experience! And to think, I ALMOST changed my mind about coming! Good grief, thank goodness I didn't let those voices get to me.

Ok, onwards.

Today was my Traditional Cast-On Class with Nancy Bush as the instructor. It was really wonderful. I learned 2 REALLY great cast ons and the 3rd, I actually already knew (thanks to Mystery Sock Queen Michelle from Temptations). Not only was Nancy the most fabulous, but I was fortunate enough to sit next to Mary-Heather and Jess of RAVELRY! And of course they are super nice and adorable--more so in person, seriously!

So, it was a fun class and here's what I made.



What you see above (top half/2-color) is the first cast on we did, and the name escapes me right now and am too lazy to get up and look (sorry). It was a bit tricky to get the hang of, but it's so freaking awesome and cute! It's also very durable and still has some stretch. The braid effect is just so cool.

Below that is what she called a "Double Cast On" (I think). And it basically uses continental long tail cast on. You basically set the yarn on your thumb differently for every other stitch. It gives a pretty edge. It almost has a picot look to it, but not exactly. And... Super easy and quick to do! There's also a variation that she showed us where you double the yarn and it really plumps the edging up. I don't have an example here, though. So that was my class today.

After class was over, Nancy very sweetly signed my book, Knitted Lace of Estonia. Then I booked off to the Ballroom for the Guiness World Record attempt. They were hoping to have around 1600 knitters present. I'm not sure if they were able to get that many, but there were alot, it had to be somewhat close because it looked as if most seats were filled. Anyway, we had to knit for 15 minutes. The last record set was around 250 people, so we definitely CRUSHED the australians that set it. Hopefully all the ppwk and "stuff" gets posted proper and we actually get the record. Not sure how long the whole process takes. Anyway it was cool to be part of it. That's my 15 minutes of fame! :)

So my friends you all know how much I love to buy yarn... and I would not disappoint you in the slightest... so



Enjoy!

Travel - Pre SS09 almost ready!

So I packed my clothes last night. Packing is always a dilemma for me. I always, always, always pack too much. I wish I could just say, on Thurs I will wear this and Friday, it will be this and just pack outfits. But alas... I just throw in some shorts, some capris, pair of jeans a dress and a multitude of shirts and short sleeve sweaters. All is pretty casual and it's all mix/match. So in theory that is good, but as I said... it slowly becomes too much.

I often pack a lot of underwear and socks as well. Not that you need to know, but if I'm doing a lot of walking and it's hot, well... ya get sweaty, a clean pair of underwear can really make a difference. I'm also one of those weirdos that once I remove my socks, I cannot put the same socks back on again. It's a little weird, but I have sensitive feet and it bothers my feet to put socks back on. So there.

Anyway... my other packing dilemma. I am travelling alone, so everything I take, I have to carry myself. I am allowed 2 carry-ons and 2 checked bags at no charge. So my plan was to pack a small suitcase, fit that in the larger one and then when I shop and go crazy at the marketplace or portland in general, I can get all my stuff back home without paying extra shipping. So... I could ALMOST get everything in the case this way... but there was a problem. No room for toiletries and other little odds and ends oh and books and shoes. So... it is looking more like I have the LARGE suitcase stuffed and will pack the 2nd bag with the extra stuff, shoes, etc. And whatever I buy will get stuffed in with all else, or I will indeed have to ship it back. All in all, not a big deal, but if I have to save money for shipping, then that is less shopping money, people.

And all this talk of shopping... well ya see a bit ago Raverly had the vote on all the dyed creations for SS09 and let's face it there was a lot of amazing stuff! So I know I will probably buy a bunch. Although one more thing to add, I have sock yarn coming out the wazoooooo, so I really need to find more ideas to use up this yarn. I'm thinking mittens, typically I've only done mitts with heavier weights... but I'm so awful about finishing socks, so I need to devise a new plan to use all the beautiful yarn I have and the yarn yet to come. Yes people, I have a problem and I'm aware of it.

Anyway... packing is mostly done, so it was a lot less difficult than I originally planned. Again and again I think about the next few days and I get excited and scared and nervous and overwhelmed and happy and sad all that the same time.

Sadness because I'll miss my terrific knit buds on Thursday and I'll miss my adorable pups and kits. But... I know I'll have so much fun and it will possibly be a once in a lifetime experience and I feel so fortunate and happy to be able to go!

So yes... good stuff. Not sure I'll be able to blog, but I'll definitely be a tweetin fool, so check out the tweets if you'd like. I'll try and get as many pics as I can. It's going to be awe-inspriing, I am almost breathless!

Travel - PRESS09

Only a week left until Sock Summit. It's weird to finally have it come to fruition. The dream of attending is such a long ago slightly forgotten memory. I can't even remember how long I've actually been waiting. It seems like forever... and now... it is just a week away. WOW!

As most know, I've had some ups and downs with SS09. I was flabergasted at the committment of the instructors/designers! I was reeling in the fact that I would be in the same place as Barbara Walker and that she was instructing "Creative Mosaic Knitting!" Everyone knows how much I love color work and this would literally be the event of a lifetime. Learning and perfecting techniques from a world class Master!

Of course much to the disappointment of many, registration didn't go so well. Fortunately I did get a few classes, but alas the elusive BW was out of reach, sort of. THERE is supposed to be an author signing on Friday afternoon. Fingers crossed I can get through that line and gush over her, just a bit. I also hope to meet a few other amazing designers as well. This will definitely be one unique and awe inspiring journey. I am so looking forward to this.

I feel like I have so much to do in the next week to be ready and prepared. I have to make some lists and just get my head straight. I have to make sure I have all the class confirmations, swag confirmations, etc. I need to remind myself 24 hours in advance to check in for my flight so I get a good spot in line and a good seat.

I just verified with the hotel they DO NOT have an airport shuttle service. However the nice receptionist told me to check the MAX Light Rail and there is an airport train that heads to the convention center and my hotel is a couple blocks down! Yay for public transport! I love these cities with trains... I wish Columbus would get on board (pun lightly intended). So that's one worry gone away.

For those that are curious... here is my "rough" itinerary
1. Flight leaving wed 8/5 5:15PM
2. Arrive PDX 9:40PM
3. Thurs AM class Socks Without Wool /Amy Singer 9-12
4. Thurs PM class Making the Next Monkey / Amy Singer 1:30-4ish?
5. Thurs Eve Opening Night Reception in the Ball Room 7PM
6. Fri. AM Class Three Traditional Beginnings / Nancy Bush 9-12
7. Fri. Afternoon, book signing and SHOPPING in the marketplace! WOOT!
8. Sat. All day class, Argyle Socks / Anne Berk
9. Sat. Eve, Rav meetup, still waiting on location for that.
10. Sun. 8/9 Leave the summit early... flight home leaves at 10:25am

So as you can see it is a very full schedule but I am sure it will be a ton of fun. I'm so excited and can't wait to see a little bit of Portland. It will be my first time that far west so it's definitely an adventure!

If anyone wants anything... let me know this week so I can add your wishlist to mine. I am taking an extra suitcase to ensure all the goodies have room to come home! And I know you are all laughing a little bit... but you know me and yarn... it's one temptation very hard to resist!

Travel - Day 2 Boston

So I'm writing from memory, hopefully will have most of the details. Good thing I photo'd with twitter to help me along the way. PS, this was going to be a GOOD photo post except left the camera USB at home, so cannot upload pics yet. Will use the ones from Iphone though.

First thing was a visit to the Aquarium.



This is a foggy view of the harbor I took while waiting in line.



It was really nice. They had a great variety of fish and I liked the layout. It basically all ramped and you can gradually walk up and view all the tanks. The center section looks like the Guggenheim. So you have the option of walking up the center in a spiral and down the outside walks which are angular or vice versal. Or just keep going up and down. This would make more sense in pics, so come back later for the visual. :)

So upon entering the building, you can go down some stairs and there is a jellyfish exhibit. After viewing, go back up and the first section you come to is the Penquins.



They had a nice big area and there were quite a bunch of them. A few were noisey, but mostly they just stood around, some swam. Then we walked around, took a bunch of pics and then out to the new exhibit that just opened. It's an open air place. They have 3 new seals there. It just opened the day we were visiting (good timing). It was very nicely done. The platform is really beautiful and the ceiling is neat as well.



After the aquarium, we crossed the street and headed to the Quincy Market/Faneuil Hall area. I really liked it! They had tons of vendors, restaurants, eateries, snacks, kiosks, etc. Lots of fun to look and browse. They had upscale places, too, like a Coach Store, Nine West, etc. We browsed there and I had some lunch.

Afterwards, we took a long hike to Windsor Button. It's a local craft store. Reminds me of a 5 & dime. Anyway... tons of buttons!!! It was pretty interesting and if Brian wasn't waiting outside for me, I would have def spent more time browsing. But they have all sort of odds and ends for all crafts. Even a pretty ok selection of yarn. I did buy one skein there because I really liked the colors. A lot of the yarn wasn't marked with a price, so that was a bit irritating. And none of the bins were marked, etc. But if you are in need of buttons, this is the place to go, for sure!



After that it was pouring down rain, so we opted to head back to the hotel. Worked out well as there was a T stop right near us. We came back, I had a nap and Brian swam. Rather than go back out, we decided on dinner at the hotel restaurant. It was TERRIBLE!! Anyway, then back to the room and watched SYTYCD!

Travel - Day 1 Boston

Woke up earlier than planned. Good thing because it took longer to get ready than I thought. And Scot arrived a little earlier. So we loaded up and headed towards the airport. We just rounded the curve to 270 and I realized I forgot our boarding passes. So we turned and went back. Got those and back to airport. We skycapped our luggage and went to find our gate.

The flight to Baltimore was a bit bumpy but uneventful. We grabbed a bite to eat and missed the boarding call for our plane. Whoops. Lucky for us they announced over the loudspeaker so we were the last ones on and got split up. It turned out great though because I got to sit beside a very nice businessman. He travels a lot and had extra drink coupons so he got me a free glass of red wine. We chatted the whole way. I told him about knitting and future plans for sock summit. He was fascinated and didn't look at me like a crazy person. He said if I got bored I could make him something. So he gave me his biz card and wrote his home address on it. I thought that was strange but whatever. So now I'll have to add him to the list of gift recipients. :)

And lest you think anything bad. He knew I wad married and he is as well. No flirting going on.

While at the airport and on plane I did do some knitting. I started a sock. But then I got a bit of motion sickness so I put it away. I have one cuff done so far. I could be knitting now while on the train but am writing instead.

After we arrived in prov. We caught a shuttle to the train station. Now we are headed to Boston. And we'll grab another train to get usto the Hotel. It's been a good day do far although Bri has been a cranky pants. Oh well.

ETA: Made it to the hotel, it was a bit hairy there for a moment. We walked several city blocks to a 'T' station, got on a train to an Aiport Shuttle stop, got on airport shuttle to Logan International... where we got the FREE shuttle to the Hotel. After a ridiculous traffic tie up, we made it to the hotel. Good grief, we were on all modes of transport today except horses and donkeys!

As we were quite pooped from the long travelling day, we called a pizza place and they delivered us a couple of really GREAT NY Style Pizzas. They were quite yummy. And then we went for a swim.

Not sure of the agenda for tomorrow... but I'll be updating the twitter feed all day if you are interested.

Follow me here.

Knitting: Weekend recap and MUSIC!

So after looking at my sister-in-law Kelly's registry and seeing how many blankets were on it... I decided maybe I should make her a baby blanket after all. As you may or may not recall, I started the pinwheel blanket. Had a few problems/setbacks and put it down, not to be finished in the NEAR future. And Baby will be here sometime in July. I had plans to do some baby shopping at Target on my way home Friday evening and having a 50% off coupon for Michaels, decided to stop there as well. I bought a pound of love in PINK by Red Heart. Not the softest yarn in the world and I totally wish I had Knit Picks comfort, but there's really not enough time to order, etc. Anyway, they had several cute free patterns, hanging on the little tear off strips and one was a blanket with a little hoodie on it. So I decided to make a blanket with a hood attachment.

After looking at the pattern and dissing it, I just decided to do a garter stitch on the diagonal increasing KFB on every other round (c/o w-3 sts). Once it measures the length I want, I'll start decreasing. And then I'll attach a hood piece to it, also. Not sure of the edging I want to do yet. But I've got a minute or 2 to think on it.

I'm thinking I'll have to make another blanket for this kid too. I definitely want her to have a SOFT blanket that is handmade.

Brian met me at Red Robin after dinner where I had a REALLY tasty salad. It was the Apple Harvest Chicken salad. It had grilled chicken, goat cheese, apple slices, walnuts on a bed of spring mix lettuces. Instead of the Honey Dijon dressing, I opted for the Asian Sesame dressing. It was AWESOME!



After dinner, went back home and started the blanket (mentioned above). Saturday was the baby shower, it was okay. Then I headed to Scot's and hung out with him and Joe, grabbed a burger from Wendy's and off to the HEART concert.

Holy crap... AMAZING! Seriously, one of the best concerts I've EVER seen. Ann Wilson is a freaking goddess or something. Her voice sounds as perfect as it did in the 70's. Crystal clear, not a hint of cracking or anything. I was awestruck that in 30 years her vocals have not changed a bit. Actually they might be even better than the 70's... but anyway. They ROCKED so hard!

They pumped the crowd up by playing some REALLY loud 70's rock songs (can't remember now). There were like 3 or 4, then all of a sudden... the guitars started for Barracuda and it was awesome! Loud, rocking, everyone was dancing. Awesome. They played hit after hit... somewhere along the middle, the pace slowed a bit and Ann did a nearly acoustic version of Alone. It was so beautiful it nearly broke my heart. I'm still getting chills just thinking about it. I can't recall exactly but I think their finale was Love Reign. Then they came back for the encore started with Led Zeppelin's, Going to California (my fave zep song).

The songs I remember them doing were Barracuda, Magic Man, Crazy on You, These Dreams (sung by Nancy Wilson), Alone, and there were others... but of course my memory fades too fast. But a great show, I encourage anyone to go if they come around again, they do NOT disappoint!

Sunday I spent finally getting some good knitting progress done. Made it through another tier on the Entrelac bag. It's definitely going faster since I'm decreasing by 1 stitch on the blocks now. It really is a fun knit. And in case you haven't seen it yet, here it is.



Had an impromptu cookout at the lovely Julane's house with Cath and Jimmy. Great conversations, food, knitting, awesome weather... and OHHHH... the cheesecake. YUM!

All in all, a very fab weekend... now on to work. :(

Knitting: Progress, always a bonus

So I am in serious need of blogging. I have so much to say about so many things that have gone on and I just haven't taken the time to do it. Bloggin first started going downhill mid-February due to a job change. Not my work so much as the team I was on, changed. Well with that my work load exponentially increased into ridiculousphere.

It's starting to better itself because I've worked my butt off, but it still isn't perfect. But now my system is locked up, so it seem an appropriate time to well, BLOG.

I've made significant progress on a few items.

1. Hemlock Blanket for Ashley - This is so close to finish I could cry, but I've had some pains with the edging. I even went and bought a book on edges and STILL having problems. Anyway, hope to get to this, this week as sweet little McKenna was born on 5/27 and I haven't seen her yet because I refuse to go until this is done and I can gift it to her. :)

2. The Pinwheel - Well after starting and doing well on it, I crashed.... Had several problems, ripped back many inches, knit more, ripped back, knit more, ripped back... and knit a little and stopped. I'm a little frustrated with this piece and it is now in time out. We'll see what is going to happen.

3. Pennant Anklets - These are half done. I really like them, they fit perfectly. I had the first one done and didn't like the heel/cuff action, so I decided to rip it back just a little. Ripped out the cuff, did a few more rows on the heel and am at the point of having to figure out the decreases like a gusset, but not really. Anyway, should be easy and then onto the ribbed cuff. This was worked from the toe up, so now I'll just have to figure out how many I actually cast on and increased, etc. Why I don't write this stuff down while I'm doing it, I'll never know. But eh, there ya go.

4. The Market Squares Tote - This has been in hibernation for EVER! If you don't know the story, I originally cast on a few years ago and then there was this awful twist after I was 3 or 4 tiers in, had to start over, had another twist, ripped back to almost beginning, found and untwist and moved on. So anyway, I finally picked up last weekend and worked a few blocks. Then on Sunday I finished the rest of the blocks for that tier (green) and then onto the blue tier. So I have 3 done on that one. I'd like to do at least 1-3 blocks a day, for the next few weeks. I want to have this done by SS09 and take to Portland with me for all that awesome shopping. :)

5. New socks as yet unnamed - I cast on for new socks Monday. Awhile back I had an issue with toe-up, mostly because of the cast on I was using. So I found this different one which I tried on the anklet (mentioned above) and I must have done it wrong because on that one there is a visible line (I don't care about it-can't feel it) but I did a REDO on these new socks and they are perfect. Anyway, it's just a closed toe cast on, but it looks nice and worked out well for me. I had this luscious merino super soft and fluffy sock yarn I've been dying to try. I've also been wanting to do a Cookie pattern from Sock Innovation, so I picked Sunshine. The repeats are fairly easy compared to some of the rest of the book. Anywya, I cast on for one did about 5 rows of the pattern, stopped, cast on #2 until 5 rows and threw both on a circ so I can do 2 at a time and hopefully finish a PAIR this century. YAY! So now I have about 2 1/2 inches on both completed. I think these will go along fairly well, at least until it's time for the heel cause then I'll have to figure out the construction and what I'm going to do to make it work, since I've slightly revised the pattern.

6. "Little" Red Sweater - This is from the fall Interweave. I decided to start now because knowing how I am and doing switcheroos all the time this will hopefully be done by FALL to wear IN the Fall! Anyway, it's a nice pattern, easy repeat and I love how it is coming out in the Knit Picks WOTA Bulky yarn. The red looks fab and I'm very pleased at the progress.

All in all, I've been working on a late and not taking any pictures, which I also need to better, but soon, I might be caught up on my life again.

Music: The killers, revisited

Not another lengthy word vomit, just a PSA.

The Killers will be performing on Late Night with Letterman, tune in!

I will be recording as that is way past my bed time!

Knitting: The freaking stash...

So... a few folks have recently posted of their stash and I did some cleaning and re'orging this weekend and can I just say HOLY crap! I knew I had a lot of yarn, but seriously when you see it in one spot (or almost one as project is not quite done yet)... it is really mind-blowing, even for me.

So now I really have to figure out a way to make more stuff or just make it faster! I made a resolution not to cast on NEW stuff this year, but to finish more stuff. Well... I have half/half stuck with this resolution. I have casted on many new things, however I am working at finishing them as well.

I am still losing the war with socks though... I just keep trying out new patterns and not finishing even ONE sock, let alone a pair... so I must make improvements on that area.

Anyway, back to the stash. I have enough yarn for SEVERAL sweater and by several I mean 13-15, really!

Sock yarn, I have enough sock yarn, RIGHT now to knit probably 50 pair of socks (I really wish I was exaggerating here, but I'm not).

And I recently aquired some roving to spin up, but that would just give me MORE yarn?! Good grief. I should have done this at the beginning of the year and maybe I wouldn't have been so tempted to buy more stuff. Oh well, it will all get used eventually, right?!

I know you might just be dying to see pics, but the project is not quite completed. My organizing system is in need of a few more pieces from Ikea to be complete. Sarah is bringing those with her on Wed. when she comes. Then I can finish putting things away and will photo and you can all see the madness.

I am going to the fiber fest in Wooster in a few weeks, I might buy a little, but it will seriously have to be something that you can't pass up cause I REALLY don't need anymore yarn... for a good long time. Shew!!! After that... nothing until Portland (if I can still get there). Oh but we are going to Boston, june/july, so I might have to buy some east coast yarn... but that's it! Really!!

I can quit anytime. LOL!

Music: A KILLER Concert....

SO this post has been in my head for a few days, but I've been too lazy or too busy to write it. So now at a time when I should be working, I've decided to purge the thoughts rolling around in my head.

Tuesday night I went to see the Killers. I bought tickets pre-sale back in February because I missed the show last year and have been irritated ever since. Anyway, they sent the tickets right away and I was UBER excited!!! So finally, May 5th arrived and I was without a date. My husband who was supposed to go ended up being out of town for work. I had a last minute dash to find a friend... and LO and BEHOLD... Lindsey (who has what I'm calling an awesome boss cause he let her leave early) was able to go.

We met up down at the LC and had some really bad pizza. I had a giant beer... and we people watched for quite awhile and man were there some characters and crazy fashion all over the place!!

The opening band was literally some of the worst noise I've ever heard. It was indescribably bad. And actually parts of the music (instrumentally speaking) weren't too terrible, however the gal howling was just plain awful. PAINFULLY awful!

Now let me divert your attention for a moment... I want to give you my musical history with the Killers. Way back when Hot Fuss came out... I fell in love! They were billed as alternative with a very POP like sound. Immediately my favorite song was "All these things that I've done." And it's funny cause a friend of mine, I'll call her Jillian (cause that is her name) liked them at first and then like after a minute was a hater, she decided they were too something, I don't remember, anyway, not that important... but I've been a fan ever since. I cannot even tell you how MANY times I've listened to that CD. It was on continuous play on my car cd player for MONTHS! But I literally LIKE every song on the CD. Now some I love more than others, but for the most part, they are all pretty catchy and you sing along before you even know it.

So then... a while passes and they end up releasing this atrocity called Sam's Town. I was never a fan of it and was quite let down by it. It's like they wanted to make a different type of music and push their limits or whatever... and let me tell you, it was definitely different. And I couldn't quite figure it out, until TUESDAY night, but more about that in a minute. But, they went back to what worked for Hot Fuss and they made Sawdust, which was ok, it definitely wasn't hot fuss, but it had a mix of good and bad for me and it was a far cry better than Sam's Town!!

So last fall Day & Age came out, so I bought it... without knowing much of what was on it. And it's a so-so for me. There are a couple of songs that I really like, but one thing I did notice is this is the cheesiest rhymiest pop music EVER! It's so bad it's good. Anyway, I don't care overall I still have a love relationship with the killers.

Now back to the show... It started just after 9 and I have no recollection of what they opened with, but I thought they did a great mix of tunes from all releases. However, they dipped into Sam's Town... and then it hit me, we were in the wayback machine to like the '70s! Sam's town was very disco like. Mostly the music, not so much the lyrics, but anyway, it was just an epiphany for me and having never really being a fan of disco, it made perfect sense why I hated Sam's town so much!

Anyway, they ended the show with my fave tune, All the Things I've Done! I was extrememly excited for that and yelled my head off. And at one point there was a giant POP and huge plumes of confetti sprouted up and flowed everywhere, it was cool! They came back for an encore and in a suprising twist did Jenny Was A Friend of Mine. Have always liked that song so that was a nice surprise. The encore was pretty tricked out with lots of fire and cascading curtain of sparkles... awesome!

For the most part, the show was completely energetic! There was a lull or 2, but for the most part it was pretty fast paced and fun. Unlike the first time I saw them, Brandon was definitely into the crowd. Back a few years when we went, he kept completely to himself, but this time, he talked to the crowd and seemed a bit more interactive. He jumped and ran about and he has the skinniest legs I've evern seen (besides my husbands).

Now there was one BAD point to the show (besides the sam's town garbage), I thought the sound was off. It's almost like they used bad equipment or just didn't set up everything quite right. It was LOUD for sure, but the problem, I just thought it sounded distorted or grainy. If it was a picture, it would have all those spots called NOISE. Anyway, I'm basing this purely on the fact that I did see them before at the SAME venue and the sound was crystal and amazing, so this time... not so much and a little of a disappointment.

But overall it's a 2 thumbs up because it was fun and loud and silly and they played all the songs I liked. It was definitely worth the 3 month wait!

Knitting: So yes, it's my first pair

Of finished socks.
Exhibit A:


Much to the shock of my kntting friends... apparently I must have seemed like I've done a billion pairs of socks... when in fact, no, I have not. :)

Most of this is due to the first MANY tries at socks were EPIC FAILURES. I took a break from them and got pretty serious about socks sometime late last year. I've been making progress and they are definitely at a point where they are wearable, so definitely a step in the right direction (no pun intended)

I have serious second sockitis. It's very bad. I have several single socks in disarray lying about yearning for their mates. Honestly I don't know what is wrong with me. I enjoy knitting the socks... but I guess after the newness wears off, it's like, meh... I don't like you anymore. Actually I've come to terms that. Me and socks, just need a break.

Here's a list... of the top of my head of my singlet friends (and I may be missing some).
1. Brian's sock the pretty blue/purple one I made from a More Sens Sock book
2. Friendship Sock (this was a temptation mystery sock, the color stranded one)
3. Starry Night (another mystery sock actually called Fade Away)
4. Yummy Twisted
5. Berrocco Twisted
6. My Hair Potter yarn sock

In various states of completion
1. Cookie A's Marlene
2. Butterfingers (Mystery sock)
3. SKA March Mystery Lace sock
4. Cablicious (mystery sock)

So I guess all in all it's not that bad... or maybe it is, but whatever.

Anyway, I'm working on another stripey sock with KP Felici yarn. It's coming along well. I really need to get back to the Baby Girasole... as baby will be here in July and I have no idea when the shower is supposed to be, so better to be done soon, than too late. Anyway, that's all. Back to your normally scheduled programming.

Knitting: The lost Schooner Sock....

Just kidding, it's not lost. Of course it was lost to me for awhile, while I was ignoring them darn socks. They are cute and pretty and I still love them, I just didn't feel like finishing them.

So with some nudging from a friend about getting something DONE, I picked 'em up this past weekend and did some work. I had stopped about 4 rounds before the heel. I picked up and knit on down through the short row heel, which suddenly made more sense than when I previously worked it. So this sock looks beautiful in comparison to the #1 sock. Who knows.... anyway, am on the foot and I have a few inches to go there. I'm trying to make myself do a few rounds each day. My guess is I will have these done by the weekend!



IOSN (in other sock news) I am a glutton for punishment. I stupidly cast on ANOTHER sock. What the heck was I thinking?! I don't know, I wasn't. But I was pulled in by the fabulous Cookie A and her designs and I stared and stared at the book and I had pretty yarn... and my resolve just caved.

However... the punishment DID set in and fairly quickly. The pattern I picked, which isn't HARD really, but it is tricksy that one. So I'm a little frustrated. It's definitely not a mindless knit sock. You def have to pay attention. I don't have a pic of that. I think it's good I did cast on for that though because through all my frustration toiling with that one, it's making me want to go back and work on the other sock projects I have hanging out there in limbo. :)

Anyway... that's all. Still feeling not so inspired, but I am trying to knit a little each day... my mojo will come back, I just have to work on it.

Knitting: How do you catch up...

So finding myself home alone on a Saturday morning is both refreshing and angsty. Refreshing because it's been a bit since I've had a peaceful, quiet Saturday morning. The angst is because I feel like I SHOULD be making use of this time. I did do a little WORK-WORK, but then I decided I was done with that. My kitchen is calling my name, actually SCREAMING at me to fix it up.

And then I stare at all my lovely yarn and projects... and while I DESIRE to be knitting... I'm still not feeling overly inspired by all the WIPS on the needles. And I SERIOUSLY REFUSE to cast on for another project. I've got 47 socks started and blankets and sweaters and bags and so on.... why is NOTHING tempting me?!

One thing I did do though was catch up on my reading list. I've missed several blogs for a good many weeks, so today, I read through all of them!! So again, I'm inspired to knit... but just not anything I'm working on. Maybe I should stick with cleaning and organizing, maybe that will provide a spark?!

Guess I better get to it!

Knitting: Sometimes you need a break

So I haven't been posting much lately, mostly because work has been getting me down for several weeks and I don't want this blog to be a whiny work rant. And while I've had a great deal to say knitting wise, I didn't FEEL good enough to write about it.

So me and knitting, we've been taking a break. My norm is to knit a little every day, usually at lunch and then usually again in the evenings... and I spend a good chunk of the weekends knitting. It's great and I find myself with a lot of projects but I make progress and all is well. However, lately... due to the nature of work, I've been keeping longer hours there, not taking a lunch most days, or grabbing a sandwich and eating at my desk WHILE I work. When I get home, I'm too exhausted to do anything but eat and go to bed, maybe watch a little TV and I KNOW my supporters out there are KNIT while watching TV... but I just couldn't. I would literally ZONE out while watching TV. I was a blobbity blob, sitting in a blob-like state in front of the blobbity TV. And my lovely friend knitting, has been sitting on the curb waiting for me to come by and pick it up.

So, thanks to Julane for a weekend rescue, I was able to hang, have good TEA and TV and KNIT. I made a little progress on my slinky ribs and Cath is WAY farther making great progress on hers. I still have about another 1/2 inch to finish on the back section before I do the NEXT part.

The Baby Girasole is also coming along nicely. It's getting bigger and bigger, still doesn't look HUGE but that's mostly because it's on a circ needle and you don't get the full effect when laying it out. But I LOVE the pattern. It's quite rare for me to make a pattern more than once because let's face it there's SO many great designs out there, but I could definitely see making this again. My first thought was to do just that. I'll do the baby one, then I'll knit it for myself and our living room. Anyone that knows me, KNOWS I keep my house very cool in the winter!

Anyway, I was hanging out on the RAV doing pattern searches and I really wanted to do another circular project. So there were quite few that I liked, but I did come across another BrooklynTweed, the Hemlock Ring. So I thought, why not. So I think after the baby blanket, maybe I'll try the Hemlock Ring as the first blanket for ME. And that will give me a break from the Girasole pattern.

In the meantime though, I currently have a lot of projects ON THE NEEDLES. So my knitting break is OVER!

OTN:
Baby Girasole-BrooklynTweed
Slinky Ribs-Wendy Bernard
Marlene (sock by Cookie A)
Cablicious (mystery sock from temptations)
SKA March Mystery sock (from SKA Rav Group)

Of course I have other WIPS, but these are the ones that are taking precedence over anything else. I DEF have to ket that SKA sock done, the pair needs to be finished by end of April if I want to be eligible for prizes. It's not hard, I just need to sit down and do it, perhaps that will be this weekend's work!

PS, work is finally calming down... still entirely too busy, but the days are getting better, the fog is clearing!

Knitting: It's a mystery!

So, I know I still owe pt 2 of knit camp weekend, but I don't have it in me to write about it right now. I'd rather talk about other things. I'm a member of Sock Knitters Anon (SKA) on ravelry. It's an interesting gang. These people live, eat, breathe and obviously knit socks. It's cool. I'm still horribly bad about actually finishing socks, but really that hasn't stopped me from casting on new ones.

I knew Cath was either finished or close to it with her Woodsmoke socks (lovely btw), so I asked if she wanted to KAL with me on these. She likes lacy style patterns and the March challenge was to knit a pair of lace socks, a cat bordhi pattern or the Mystery sock. Since I can tolerate a few surprises now and again, I decided to go with the mystery. It's pretty nice. I was trying NOT to see what it looked like before casting on myself, but that became harder because as soon as the first clue was posted, people were off and running. I started a few days later. Cath started this weekend as well. We didn't cast on quite together because of scheduling conflicts on my part, but we'll get together at some point.

I didn't have a lot of knitting time this weekend (i'll tell ya why in a sec), so I did get one repeat done. I'm thinking of doing another repeat and possibly a third. It's a 16 row repeat, so not too bad. And let me just talk about the yarn for a minute... holy wow am I ever glad I bought it. It's this gorgeous shade of green and it's all squooshy and sproingy. It's definitely the yum of yarns. I haven't knitted with the Malabrigo yet, but so far, I'm liking this better. Malabrigo will be put to the test next pair (probably).

So what took up my knitting time this weekend... well amidst all the other social engagements, etc, my spinning wheel arrived! It's beautiful and works very well. I did lots of practicing. So I can't wait to spin up a storm... but I'm missing knitting, so I'll be getting back to that for a bit.

I'm still dreaming about Sock Summit. I searched flights and hotels this weekend. It's definitely looking like a possibility. I really wish they would post the costs and classes soon. It's kind of a bit of hell waiting all this time, especially since I'm not sure if I should fly in on Wed or save the hotel stay and miss part of Thursday. Decisions, decisions. Anyway, Brian still hasn't raised a fuss about me going, so that's good. I DO have to be better about saving though. I've been bad.

I'll take some pics soon and get 'em up here.

Knitting: The quiet hours.

Hello friends, I realize I owe you anothe PART 2 of my knit camp weekend that already seems so long ago, weird how that is.

I haven't been too bloggy lately and it's not because I don't have anything to say, you all know me and my mind and mouth can run a mile a minute any day! But of late, I've been enjoying the silence and solitude.

Work has been hectic, it's good mostly but there is some stress to get everything done yesterday, now realize my bosses don't put this on me, it's all self-induced stress, so I can stop it and just "let things go" but it's not in me to do, I have to do the best job and be the best. So enter stress.

Anyway back to the silence... I am a music freak, I LOVE to listen to it very loudly in my car and I sing and yell along to it and lately, I haven't had it on at all. I just listen to the sound of the tires rolling along on the pavement, the wind smacking my windshield, the grunts and groans of the engine. My mind wanders away....

The past couple of evenings I have spent with my TV and my new cotton Henley. It's a basic top down pattern from Pure & Simple and it's pretty mindless. Once I hit the join it's round and round of stockinette. Sometimes stockinette is good, like when you don't want to pay attention and you just want to be lost somewhere. And as for the TV, it may as well be off, there hasn't been much on at all, well nothing of interest to me or it's been rerun central. This happens just when I decide to cancel my netflix membership--ha! Silly ol' me. Sunday was great though, Lord of the Rings was on all day long. I had watched Fellowship on Friday night and Two Towers on Sat (although I missed the last half-too tired), so on Sunday I was able to catch up on the Towers and finish with Return of the King. What is it about a scraggly bearded Viggo M on a horse that gets me going?! Shew! And in case you are wondering, yes I LOVE Hidalgo too. Although I cry everytime I watch it.

So just me and my knitting, sitting in silence... wandering thoughts.

The older I get the more I realize these patterns I have. A few times a year I get in these places where I just want to be alone... springtime is one of those times. It makes me happy and sad at the same time. It's kind of hard to explain, but I'll give it a go.

A. I love SPRING
B. If Spring lasted all year long, I'd be a happy girl

I love the sun and the rain and the new grass, trees, flowers. I love gray mornings that turn out super sunny. But, in those quiet mornings where everything is a just a little damp, the grass, the sidewalks, the sun is just peeping out, those are the special times. It's a lovely kind of quiet, a joyful kind of quiet and then I get lost in my thoughts and while I'm mostly happy I get sad. I think of sad things and people I miss and all the things I have yet to accomplish. These quiet times make me remember all the things not yet done.

And then in the fall... I go through this again. Fall makes me nostaligic for bonfires and friday night football games, those lost teenage years that are so far away now. Sometimes I love the fall and what it symbolizes, but I hate it at the same time because it means summer is over and winter is creeping in and I dislike winter a lot. I don't like those freezing cold days when you can barely breathe. I hate the mushy grey snow on the roads and the slick driving. And I think of the past, constantly and that can be happy/sad... happy memories and sad because they are gone, etc. So you see my patterns?!

Anyway... that's me, that is where my head is. I'm still furiously knitting, dreaming about Sock Summit in Portland, dreaming of summer vacation in Boston, dreaming of Colorado for thanksgiving. Yes folks lots of things to do this year. And lots of knitting to be done. It's already March and I've only officially finished one thing this year. I must get a move on!

Knitting: The great Knit Camp 2009 Adventure, part 1

Since I teased everyone on Sunday, I'll start with a pic:

From Knit Camp

And I actually started writing this Sunday... bullet points mostly. I wanted to jot down notes so as not to leave anything out. I mean everyone knows I talk a lot, how can writing be any different. Plus I want to be able to relive it all over again. So this will be a heavy picture post and probably quite wordy. You've been warned.

I picked up Audra Thursday afternoon and we jumped onto the Hwy and headed out of town. I expected to be stuck in traffic, but was pleasantly surprised. It was a pretty easy drive until we crossed over from Wheeling into PA. Around that change over it was A. Dark, B. Curvy and windey and windy and C. HILLS! Oh yeah and there was a bit of precipitation. Mostly light snow. It was all good, I maintained fairly well but then... we took the correct exit and all... but I was in unfamiliar territory. Anyone that knows me, knows that the Pittsburgh Ikea is like my homing beacon. My trips to PA typically always start there. I know HOW to get there. And I also know how to get around FROM there. Well, we weren't stopping at Ikea first, this time. So the directions had me going direct to Sarah's place in McDonald. Let me talk about that place for a second... it's mall, quaint and off the beaten track. Like most of the outer-lying burbs of Pittsburgh, its hilly and curvey and in the dark, this can be treacherous. So we drive along in the dark, hoping to come out somewhere. I did make one wrong turn but that was quickly corrected and eventually ended up in the right spot, well mostly right spot. All good.

We were quite pooped, but stayed up knitting and talking anyway. This is where my first knitting error of the weekend occurred. I was working on my lovely green shibuiknits sock yarn in the Cablicious pattern. I had already re-cast on for this project once, and messed up again, so I cast on a 2nd time. I don't recall exactly what happened but after the 2nd fail, I decided green shibui was not meant to be cablicious. I pulled out Lorna's Laces and c/o with that. So far, so GOOD. It's looking lovely although I haven't gotten too far, quite yet.

Friday morning, up fairly early. We went to breakfast at an Eat 'N Park (my new fave restaurant). Nothing special about it, it's just fun. We went to the one in Bridgeport because of course there was a yarn shop there.

Carol's Needleworks

From Knit Camp

While there, we chatted with Carol. She was quite nice and helpful and had lots to say! I bought 3 skeins of sock yarn and 1 sock blank.

From Yarn Stash

From Yarn Stash

From Yarn Stash

From Yarn Stash

Next we loaded up and headed out to Squirrel Hill to a fave place, Knit One. We were hoping the owner would be there, because she's a real fun sort, another chatty lady, but alas, one of her workers was there instead. They were having a sale on one of my FAVE yarns, Mirasol Hacho... and can you believe I didn't buy any?! Totally true. I was so overwhelmed while there, I get that way. They had several Namaste bags, needlecase and Jordana Paige, too! SO I bought a bag. (which for some reason I haven't photo'd). It cost way too much, but I don't care cause I love it. It's this gorgeous shade of purple and was REALLY hard to pick. They had the bag that both Molly's have, but it was in RED. I walked around the store for like 20 minutes with that one slung on my shoulder. But... the purple one kept calling out to me. I asked Sarah for help and she voted on the purple one, it has way more pockets and compartments, etc, so purple it is! I bought the bag and walked out... fast! With no yarn. :)

Then we made it over to Natural Stitches, which I was excited to get back to. Hadn't made it there on the last trip to town. They were having the biggest effing sale, it was RIDICULOUS! And can I mention, they have one of the BEST selection of yarns EVER! Anyway... heaven. I bought Cascade Sierra, blue and red it's a cotton blend and 2 skeins of malabrigo sock yarn. It was all so scrumptious!

From Yarn Stash

From Yarn Stash

Finally we were finished with yarn stores, then we headed over to Trader Joe's cause it's in the same plaza, got some goodies and off to camp we went. We arrived at the lodge, the whole area there is beautiful. I should have gotten better pictures, but the camera was packed away and inconvenient. Anyway, we unloaded, grabbed some yarn and stuff and headed up to the dining hall. We met new people, sat and knit, went to dinner and after dinner attended a class based on Norah Gaughan's knitting nature hexagon pattern. It was interesting. After that, we headed back to the lodge and hung out with more knitting, where I failed to pay attention and messed up my Opulent Raglan! :(

This is the dining hall

From Knit Camp

This was our dinner treat:

From Yarn Stash

Woke up entirely too early on Saturday, did some knitting and back to dining hall for breakfast. Where we were surprised with yet another treat:

From Yarn Stash

After breakfast, we headed back down to the basement at the dining hall. Hung out for a bit and then the folks from Raspberry Hill Farms brought out Pretty Boy Floyd the Alpaca. He was quite a sweetheart!! They also brought BUNCHES of yarn and roving, so of course I bought some of that. I bought the already spun yarn although I really wanted to buy some roving, but since I'm not a spinner yet, I figured I would wait. I also bought a skein for Sarah for her birthday, since I'm a nice sister.

Isn't he the cutest?!

From Knit Camp

Can't remember the name of this Alpaca

From Yarn Stash

This one is from Travista

From Yarn Stash

I had planned on buying Floyd's yarn, but it was a darker shade of brown and I really liked this lighter one.

After all that excitement we did some more knitting. There was a gal that was there to teach Crochet and show how to make a granny square, but she left at breakfast because she was sick. So I overheard someone talking about it and volunteered to help out... where I ended up being the instructor. It went ok... I lost a person by the way side. I offered to go back but she just sat and listened instead. Anyway, most everyone "got it" and it was good. Funny thing, I haven't made a granny square in YEARS... but once I started, it all came back to me! And then, by golly it was lunch already!

Of course we got another treat. The first photo has the TOTE bag we received. There was also a skein of yarn tucked inside. I'll probably use this yarn for baby booties or a hat or something. Only have 1 skein, heaven only knows where I'd find another.

From Yarn Stash

And with that, I'll end part 1. I was REALLY going to make ONE big post, but I've already been working on this forever and well, I want to get a LITTLE knitting done today and get to bed. There's always tomorrow, stay tuned!