Fiber Funktastic

Knitting: Goals for 2012?

2012-01-02T20:25:00.002-05:00

So I thought I had been posting a goal post these past few years and it was fairly loose. So this year, I guess I'll be more concrete.

1. Finish more things.
2. Year of the Blanket - I have 3 afghans in progress AIPS - Can I get one or all done in 2012
3. Make more socks
4. Make another Dipped Infinity Scarf, hopefully 2.
5. Also have a CPH, FLS and a tank I'd like to have finished some time.

My other non-knitting goals are to write more and to take more photos. And GO ON VACATION!

Knitting: Damn the bees!

2012-01-02T19:49:00.003-05:00

So in the effort to blog more, here we go... The new term for the House Cup started on the first. My first TURN IN project was a WIP for detention, for which I was awarded a nice badge.

SO with the detention taken care of, it was time to concentrated on classes. For Arithmancy, there were two great options, a tesselations pattern or something with bees. Since there is a BW pattern in the LTK afghan book called Bumblebee pattern, I thought this was a no brainer. However, as with some things, this has proven to be quite difficult. Now the pattern isn't hard really, however, in my 2nd repeat, something kept going awry, so I keep knitting and ripping the damn thing out. So the bees have proven to be a little frustrating and I should be finished with this square already, but alas, not really.

In other news, met up with a few of the GK2 gals today as we were all off for the New Year holiday. Because the bees were a problem, I worked on the blankie. I finished three more squares. It's looking pretty good so far. LOVE this project. I also decided if I could knit one square per day, that would be 352 squares finished in a year. However after doing the calculations, I need 600+ squares for the size I need. I have 106 completed, so I need roughly 542 more squares. If I did 2 per day, I could be done-ish in 9 months, not including doing the side edge triangles. So lots of work to go on the blankie. Definitely a WIP!

I think I might also try and break out the old BLOCK of the month afghan that I had been working on through temptations. I think I have 6 of those blocks done which would mean I need to complete 6 more to make the basic afghan, but my original plan was to make it larger, but I don't know if that will happen. We'll see. Right now, I'm trying to make as many of the BW afghan block as possible. So maybe this will be the year of the blanket.

I am sort of getting in the mood to make sock again, too. There is a new Cookie A pattern I want to make called Dragon Crystal. There is also a SKA mystery sock and an HK Sock Kal, too. SO much to do!

Knitting: nearly a year. Let's recap

2011-12-25T04:19:00.004-05:00

So the last time I blogged was January 23rd. Sheesh! I thought about it often, but never came out and did anything about that. Here's what I remember about the year. I joined the hpkchc and was placed in Slytherin. This choice allowed me to finish several knitted items. My fave probably being the absorba bath rug. Still love that thing and it gets used daily.

I made a bunch of hats this year, a few socks, baby hatsssss, baby sweaters. And I even did a weaving project and a tiny bit of spinning. I also worked on a couple of shawls that were gifted. All in all I think there were 26 projects actually completed! I think that's kind of amazing.

So the plan for 2012 will be to blog more. I'd like to have more to say for a year in review! Also take more pictures, of everything! And maybe start painting again.

For knitting te plan is the Barbara Walker Learn to Knit Afgan. Yes I know how to knit but have yet to complete a damn blanket, so here we go 63 squares means at the very minimum one per week. I have 2 1/2 done already so I'm off to a good start. I really need to finish my sweater sleeves and tank too so I'll add those to the list as well as another dipped infinity. I should do some socks too. And since I joined a shawl pattern club, 2, actually, probably some if those are in my future.

This year was full of ups and downs, but I made it through. Here's hoping 2012 is better for me. Holy crap I'll be turning 40 too. That's just weird.

Knitting: Catch up!

2011-01-23T08:43:00.002-05:00

So it's been awhile since I've blogged. As per usual, I've been either too busy or just unwilling to spend the time doing regular updates.

Anyway, I've started of 2011 on the right note. I finished a pair of socks in near record time. The pattern was Pointelle by Cookie A from Knit.Sock.Love.

Then I was in a quandary. I didn't know what to knit. Wasn't sure if I should start more socks, don't want to have sock burnout and at the same time... wasn't sure what I wanted to make. So I worked on the sock blanket a bit and some other afghan squares from the BOM (which I'm horribly behind on).

So, I don't know what I started when, but I finally went into another sock. I had some yarn already caked from the "Butterfingers" sock mystery long ago. Liked the pattern, just didn't want to finish it. Anyway, ended up using that yarn and cast on Marilinda by Cookie A. The first section of the sock through the heel went pretty quickly, but then I hit a stopping point when it came to doing the gusset and decreases.

At which point, I decided to jump in the Hazel Knits Mystery Sock this month. It's a heavily cabled/rib pattern. I wasn't sure what yarn to use, so I finally broke out Belle. A color I have been savoring since I received it. So I started the first few clues and it's gone along pretty well, but in doing so, I realized, I must not really like cabled socks that well. I swear these things feel like they are taking FOREVER! They sure are pretty but, time consuming.

Between the 2 socks, I've steadily been making little blankie squares. I'm enjoying that project, but had been craving some new minis and wishing some of my swaps would be coming. So this past Friday, 4 of them, finally came through. So now I have new inspiration for the blankie.

Also, I've had a serious case of castonitis. I really want to partake in the Sunshine Kal on Ravelry. It's a colorwork KAL, but I need another color or 2 for my project because I am new to Sunshine. So, I decided since I've been very good at saving, I would have a little bitty splurge and ordered some yarn. I also re-upped by Hazel Knits sock club, so I will be getting a little stash enhancement through out the year. But I've also been very good about using the stash up, so I'm near to the point of having more stash out than in, which is a very good thing and the first time this has happened.

I still need a more firm plan of projects for the year so that I'm not rushed at the holidays. I have some gifts I'd like to make all the while keeping up with the sock knitting.

So for this week, I've stashbusted 5 yarns, 2 on new projects and 3 for mini skein swaps.

Finished kniitting in 2010

2010-12-28T15:27:00.001-05:00

Finished kniitting in 2010
Originally uploaded by nextvangogh

I was fairly productive in 2010 with knitting. I started many projects and for a change, I actually finished some! A few of these are blocks which will be going into an afghan. I'm most proud of the socks though. I do love each pair and they have all worn really well. I have a few more items that need to be uploaded still, but for now, this is my year of productivity. Hopefully 2011 will bring more items to the table.

Knitting: Still at it after all these years

2010-10-22T08:21:00.002-04:00

I've been quiet on the blog lately. Don't mean to be, just that free time lately has been MOSTLY knitting or sleeping. Due to some family issues and work issues, stress has been a big part of my life the last few weeks.

What really keeps me mostly sane is the knitting and the sleeping. Some evenings, I was far to exhausted to even hold the needles, after dinner and a bit of TV, I would typically be on the phone or headed towards bed. Luckily, my Dad who has been quite ill is on the road to partial recovery. So that part of my stress has dwindled. Work stress on the other hand is still present, but is lessening. And it's mostly just stress while at work, I don't have to take it home with me, yay.

One thing that I do notice though, is that when I take these little breaks, a few days off knitting, it REALLY makes me appreciate it more and then I can't wait to pick up the needles and I go with gusto!

So noted in a recent project, which I'm nearing the end of and very happy about! It's the Haruni shawl which I actually started last May. It starts small and GROWS!!! So back in May, I did several inches in ONE night! I was so pleased with myself and thought I'd be done in no time. Then... Oh look, shiny.... I wandered off the path and this sat around, until about a 1 1/2 weeks ago and I picked it up and started working on it again. I made wonderful progress and am now nearly finished! I have 14 rows to finish, which is approximately 5.5 hours. And then the cast off, which will take some additional time, but I'm thinking, I can certainly get to this this weekend as long as I don't get distracted and cast on for that sweater I've been wanting to make with the new yarn I just got in the mail!

Whitknits.com was having a great malabrigo sale, Malabrigo Stockpile to be exact, so I ordered a bagful of the Chunky weight in PAGODA, it's reddish/burgundy color with a hint of orange tones. It's an interesting color for sure and I think it will work out swell. But I REALLY have to finish that shawl!

Here is a not so great photo of it.

the yarn is noro with lovely pink and purple stripes. I can't wait to finish and block!!!

Knitting: And the socks have it!

2010-10-04T07:51:00.002-04:00

I feel a little bad about not blogging lately. I do enjoy it, but often don't take the time for it. I do well for a short time and then fall back ino lazy habits. I've also been bad about reading the blogs of my friends. I'm several weeks behind, so for that I apologize and if you see random comments from me on a post that is weeks old, you know why. :)

Blogging helps keep me up to date. While most of the blogs I read are people I know IRL, it's always an added bonus (to me) to read all those thoughts about their lives or their knitting (they are ALL knitting people); what they thought while knitting, and their finished projects. I like it all! And most of them, I've seen in person, so seeing the object up close from start to finish is fun as well.

Blogging for me, helps me to remember. I know what I was doing when and how I felt about a particulr yarn or place or thing. If it's not kntting or yarn related, it's probably music, movies or travel. So always good to keep writing those memories. I hope to never succumb to those debilitating memory loss diseases, but you never know what age will bring.

Enough rambling. I've been casting on socks left and right these days, although not the lefts and rights that actually go together. Are you surprised, really?!

Here it is... I went to Mystery Sock last Monday 9/27. I purchased the reccommended yarn ahead of time, one I hadn't used before. It's dyed by the Neighborhood Fiber Co and I forget the name of the colorway, it starts with an "A". Anyway, it's green, another shock? Probably not. So the pattern, it has cables and sort of a lace/rib motif going on. Very easy repeat to remember and therefore get through fairly quickly. It was knit from the toe-up with a cuff down option if you please and a short row heel. I have yet to cast on for #2, but do plan on later this week, read on to see why. So the pair will be finished and not left in single sockdom (promise)!

I had a bit of free time a week or so ago, right before Mystery Sock and I didn't have but ONE sock OTN. Well it was a sock I don't like very much and I didn't want to knit it, so I cast on another sock. It's in this lovely blue/purple colorway called Purple Haze. I decided to make a pattern from Wendyknits fame from the book, Toe-Up Socks for Every Body. I can't recall the name at this second, but I did make it through the toe and through part of the first repeat. About this time, I was feeling angsty, not about the sock, but about intense knitting (this was a Saturday). So by Sunday, I decided to go easy and start a new toe up sock, plain, plain stockinette. However, the yarn is Regia Hand Dyed Effects, which does this really fantastic color gradient thing. I didn't want to muddy with a pattern and wanted something easy. This foots the bill (pun not totally intended).

I don't have photos of either of these yet, but in my in-betweens, I've been working on the Regia sock. I'm through the heel and working on the leg. It's coming along nicely. Bring in today, I have Block of the Month, and I am behind. I only have 3 completed blocks so far and 2 half blocks done. I should have a total of 8 (whoops!). And the 2 I have OTN, I cannot find the pattern for... doubble whoops!

I'm also missing a pattern because I missed the class in August and they were out of the pattern when I needed to buy it. I'll pick that up tonight. But I did cast on and do the edging for today's block, so I am ready to go.

Oh and then on 10/01 I decided to participate in the SKA challenge after taking a few months off. I decided on an underappreciated pattern and had to cast on right away to claim it. I'm knitting the Rose Cottage pattern on Rav in the Knit Picks Tonal color Spring Blooms (I think). It's pink. I like it so far, but have only done a partial of the first repeat. It's a charted pattern that isn't difficult, but does require attention.

Then on Saturday 10/2, I received my next to last shipment of the Socks that Rock club shipment. The yarn is a deep green that makes me think of Pine trees and funnily enough is called 'Pining 4 Ewe'. It definitely makes me think of winter and christmas. The 2 patterns for the month are a new twist of EZ's Moccasin sock by Meg Swansen and Buggin Out by Stephen H. (hizKnits). I met him for a brief moment at SS09 and he's a nice guy. While I like the Buggin Out pattern, I think will knit the Mocc Sock first. But not sure if I will use Pining for it or not. Anyway, it's something on the backburner because I have SEVERAL others in line.

Knitting: And the socks go on....

2010-09-07T15:01:00.002-04:00

I've been a wild sock knitter of late. I've been challenging myself and setting little personal goals. For instance, a few weeks ago, I was knitting a pattern called Vorticity. It was published in one of this summer's issues of the Knitter (UK Mag). It was written by Alice Yu (friend of Cookie A) and I liked the LOOK of it. I had a few issues knitting it, but overall, I like my slightly modified finished product.

(my apologies if you've seen this and are bored already)

When that finished, I had already picked out my next project. It was going to be the Charybdis pattern (it's free on Rav). This idea was spawned in one of the socks that rock groups. The challenge for the month was to knit one of 2 patterns, Charybdis and another one, in some STR. Well, somehow, only the pattern stuck in my head and not the STR tie in, so there I go off and running with this GORGEOUS skein of Bugga in Blue Dragon Emperor, only to realize that part way through, I should have used an STR yarn. Oh well, I LOVE LOVE LOVE these socks. They are super soft and I adore the color. I also made them the absolute perfect size for my feet and my preference which is a shorter leg, than most folks knit. Anyway, the pattern was super fun and fast and the personal challenge for me, was to make a pair of socks in a week. And I DID IT! Matter of fact, it was 6 days start to finish.

I set this challenge because Iron Knitter 2 was going to be starting on 9/1. I want to be ready to knit as quick as I could. I accomplished it and here's the proof.

With those socks finished, I had a WHOLE weekend to get going on a new project. I opted NOT to cast on new socks because I didn't want to burn out before IK2 and I didn't want to use up any needles that I might need. So I went with the next best thing, started a Baby Surprise Jacket for a friend who is due in December and I'm using some Socks that Rock! The colorway is Stormy Weather, which I loved in the skein, but not so much in the cake or the sweater. I mean, it's ok, but I don't Love it. True to socks that rock fashion, though, it is super squishy and fantastic to work with. I really love the twist in this yarn.

(no photo at this time)

Well, enter 9/1. The IK2 clue was released around 4PM and my team and I took our hands at solving it. I could only play for about an hour because I was meeting Brandy for a movie (Vampires Suck - in case you are curious). By the time I had returned that evening, my team did solve the clue and the pattern was released to us. Though it was late, I just couldn't go to bed without at least casting on the toe. So I did that and made it up to the required 64 stitches. The rest of the week and throughout the weekend, I knitted them up. Everyone has really liked the finished project and I must say, they are quite warm. It's really interesting that though I used the same yarn as Charbydis, these definitely seem more of a tight knit and a bit rougher (although still insanely soft). The charybdis seem so much more loose and soft and flowy. It's weird. But whatever, they are a nice grey sock and though I'm a bit bored by them, they are ok. Don't know that I would have ever chosen a pattern like this, but they are done now and I will wear them with pride and happy thoughts. Oh yeah, and it took me 4 days to finish this first round and I posted #15 of 54 people, so quite happy with me for that.

Now I have a break before the next round of IK2. I think it starts on/around 9/17. I'm looking forward to it. It includes an additional color, I'm thinking something stripey, but I have no proof. I'll need to stash dive and find some good stuff. In the mean time, I'm back on the BSJ project, it's coming along nicely and once I get back into the groove of it, I should have it completed in no time. All this quick knitting has really helped me increase my stitch time. I hope I can continue the pace as I have so much yarn to get used up! And gifts to make.

I'm also a bit behind on the 52 Pair Plunge, so I'm considering getting out all those single socks and making mates to make up for some "lost" pairs. So much knitting, so little time!

Knitting: Another finished pair

2010-08-23T12:56:00.002-04:00

I'm quite proud. I finished another pair of socks. The feeling of a finished project is always a great thing and feels pretty good (most of the time) however there is something about socks that is more unique to me. And makes me feel infinitely better. Not only did I make them... but I made TWO items. See I think that is where I get snagged a lot of times. I'm the type of person that doesn't like to repeat a pattern. Once I've made it, it's likely that I will not make it again. Enter the sock... you HAVE to make 2. Unless you are a person with one foot or leg and don't need another... that's acceptable as well. I however have 2 feet and wish them both to be dressed accordingly and matchedly (not a word?!?)

So when I actually finish 2 of the same sock and have a complete pair, I'm overjoyed and want to shout it from the rooftops. This pair I had mixed feelings on early on. I enjoyed knitting the pattern for awhile. But then I got irritated. I really hated the finished toe on the first sock, so before completing the kitchener, I let it marinate. Then I started the 2nd sock and after completing about 2 inches, I went back to the first sock and ripped out about 4 inches! Again... this is something very new to me. In my previous knitting life, I would typically fudge something and make it work. No way was I going to unravel all those lovely little stitches... I would do what I could to MAKE IT WORK.

So maybe call it improving or growing up or whatnot, but now, I actually pause and think about knitting consequences. For instance, if I just "deal" with this toe and leave it... will I like it? Will I wear these socks, or better yet, will I actually make a 2nd sock. With those thoughts in mind, I decided the best thing to do would be rip. If I ripped and remade it, I knew it would fit better and feel better and ulitimately I would have a nice pair of socks.

So I finished the NEW toe on Friday and immediately went back to Sock #2. I would have finished it Saturday night, too except I was too exhausted and for fear of making errors, I put it down and went to bed. But I picked it back up on Sunday and got that foot and toe done and kitchenered both toes by 11AM!

Then I had a photo shoot. Have some others on my camera that need downloaded as well.

I then wound up some yarn for the next project I had planned, Charybdis. The pattern is named after a greek sea monster. It's basically a simple pattern that starts from the Toe and spirals up the leg.

I decided something nice and soft was in order and that I REALLY should use some of my ridiculous stash and also use something I've not knit with before... so bugga it is! Something I've heard a lot about, but have never knit with. Although it's very similar to one of my fave yarns, Casbah by Handmaiden. The color is Blue Emperor Dragonfly and reminds me very much of water and whirlpools, like Charybdis.

Here's the toe.

The goal for this one is to be finished with the pair by 8/29. Better get knitting!

And 20 years later...

2010-08-15T21:27:00.007-04:00

I think last week was one of the longest of my life. I may be exaggerating a bit, but with all the anxiety and trepidation of the weekend to come, it seemed the days just drug on by.

Of course I jam packed each day with doing OTHER things... instead of doing what I should be doing, like washing and packing. But I didn't do any of it. I did get my hair cut and a pedicure, a must for sandals, ya know.... then I made plans with Brandy and had a fantastic night out, which led me to taking off Friday. I didn't get to sleep in like I wanted to because I forgot to disable the alarm. Then I packed, showered, ran errands. I bought 3 pair of sandals at Target and a cute stylish dress for $7!! I had planned to wear it on Saturday, but wore a different outfit instead.

If you've talked to me over the last couple of weeks or so, I may have mentioned some anxiety about this class reunion thing. Well... I guess I was being silly because I had such a fun time. It was so amazing to see so many people from the class. I didn't talk to everyone, but did get to chat with most for a bit. And it brought a little regret back, like why did we all lose touch? We could have easily talked over the last 20 years, but we didn't. Well, some people have remained to stay close and there are many that still live in our hometown.

Friday we hit Kelly's Island and I can't talk about all the hilarity that ensued. There were strawberry shots, Brandy Alex Milkshakes, dancing, singing... puking in the lake (not me), writing on those that passed out and just general hanging on the boats. As soon as we made it down to the boats (2 friends were docked), Scot and I were greeted by a bunch of our old friends. I swear, those 20 years, just dissipated and it felt like we were back there, back when, like no time happened between then and now. All lines were erased and we laughed and hugged and it was so much fun. I don't know why I was so worried. Heck in 10 minutes, I swear, my stomach was in pain from laughing so hard. I could barely stand up because I was just bent over with laughter. Awesome!

(the boaters that arrived early: Cory, Brent, Kristen, Tina, Tracy, Jodi, Erica, Lisa, Amy and Tonya

We made the 12:30 am (last ferry) back to Marblehead with a bunch of the gang. And then off to the hotel, where I was so tired and exhausted and still excited that I couldn't even sleep. We took Scot's mom to lunch and went to Big Lots. Then lounged around until the "official" reunion, which started at 6. That was a nice time also, we saw more people that didn't make the Friday outing and some that came Friday didn't come on Saturday.

We parted ways around 9:30 and headed back to Columbus. I sincerely hope that 20 years doesn't go by again before I see some of these people. It made me realize how much I missed those friendships. So glad we have the internet now though, it will make it so much easier.

Not the greatest photo of us, but one of the best ganked from Tracy's facebook page.
Here we are, the Clyde High School Class of 1990.

The names are a bit zig-zagged and for the ladies, maiden last names.
Tracy Archer, Lisa Lamb, Me, Lavonda Boyd, Roni Dorobek, Jenny Andrews, Tina Biller, Amy Zilch, Jason Whaley, Joe Kiser, Travis Stuart, Kristy Miller, Beth Kreh, Lisa Durdel, Donny White, Shelly Perkins, Amy Harmon, Dave Cook, Cory Distel, Toby Ball, Scot Holmes, Jay Eisenhower, Angie Summers, Chad Keegan, Eric Level, John Farster, Troy Keegan, Tracy Miller, Kendra Sherman, Heather Miller, Rusty Jesse, Michelle Gonzalez, Brett Wott, Kendra & Dee Burdett (hidden), Tonya Combs, and Angie Tusing

All there is to do in a weekend...

2010-08-09T12:27:00.002-04:00

Sometimes it seems like a whirl!

After work on Friday I headed over to Scot's to take a tasty dip in the pool! It was perfect weather, for lying in a chair in the sun and cooling off in the water. It was the perfect temp, cool, but not cold. No SHOCK at getting in the water, just refreshing. We also made plans for Saturday.

Up and at 'em early on Saturday, headed back to Scot's. We left there and stopped by Target to get more sunscreen and a hat for me and off to the fair we went. It was a lot of fun. We walked around and looked at the crafts building. I saw some hand knit stuff that I wasn't overly impressed with, thinking, I REALLY need to get my shit together and enter next year! I also saw some hand spun yarns. Some really impressive lace weights!

Then we checked out the quilts... oh my, all kinds of gorgeous. Most of them were VERY impressive. I would love to meet them women that made them. Awesome!

We looked around at other stands and such along the way. We went to see the Sheeps and Cows and Horses. Watched some of the judging, it was nice to rest the feet a bit. We ate fair food, I had ribs and cheese on a stick. We bought French Waffles and Kennel Corn on our way out. All in all a fun day.... how we spent 4 hours there, I'll never know, but it was good all the same.

And there were babies!!

There were also some goat babies that were super cute, but I couldn't get a good pic.

After the fair, I went home and showered the sweat and grime off, it was wonderful to do!

Then I knit, and knit and knit... So by Sunday, I was able to finish this sock.

I'm not crazy about how it looks when it's off my foot (very pointy) and it's a little snug on the toes, it should be about 4 rounds longer. I'm contemplating ripping back and re-doing, but still unsure.

We also headed back to Scot's on Sunday to swim again. What a great day for it again, it was such a beautiful weekend!

And in the meantime I still haven't knit anymore on my BSJ for the new niece that came as schedule last Friday 8/6. Her name is McKenzie (not sure on the spelling) and here she is with her big sister, Addison. Can't wait to see them!

Knitting: Baby style and sock fail...

2010-08-02T07:55:00.004-04:00

I'll start with the fail, best to get it over with. I was chugging away on Vortex... and it was looking really great. I did all those increases for the gusset and stuff (it's toe-up) and then I started the back and forth of the standard slip stitch heel and then... wait for it....

Tried it on... holy slipper sock batman. Seriously! It fit fine up until then. The regular part of the foot fit well, a tad on the loose side, but not too bad overall. The increases for the gusset area seemed on target.... and the little heel cup was exactly in the right spot, from toe to heel, this looked great!

Then I started on that flap and NOW it's this blob of a slipper sock, way too loose and crazy looking. Well not crazy looking, it looks like a sock, but just for someone with 15 inch wide feet. I'm in a quandary now, should I rip it back and try and SAVE the sock, do I forge on and just have really biggish socks that will slip and slide around. The lazy part of me wants the latter. I just want to keep going and finish and be done with it... but in my heart, I really know that isn't the right thing. Here is what I wonder... If maybe perhaps, I started the gusset increases too soon because I have a medium-ish arch, not super tall, that maybe there are just too many stitches there. I also wondered if I shouldn't just rip back and do a different heel... and even if I do that, I will be taking out a LOT of knitting. For instance, this particular heel started at about 3 inches from the toe. The pattern said start the decreaes 4 1/2 inches from the total length. And I was thinking... that is really far, but I decided to trust the pattern. I do still trust the pattern, I just can't figure out how it was a perfect fit, to NOT being perfect at all. It's very weird.

So... took a break from that catastrophe and started the Baby Surprise Jacket with the Picnic colorway of Felici from Knit Picks. I had originally wanted this yarn for myself for socks, but it's a little TOO pastel for me, so it's great for a baby sweater which will hopefully get done quickly and given to the new addition to our family. Step-Sister Erin is scheduled for a c-sect on Fri 8/6. She's having a girl but I don't know what name they've picked yet. Since I'll be up in the area the following weekend, I'm hoping to have this sweater done. Thing is, it's one of those projects that SEEMS easy and mindless and it is mostly... but the counting... oh the counting. It's garter stitch, hence the easy part. But you really have to keep track of things like counting and such because you almost always have to do double decreases and then you have to do multiple increases. Anyway... I started it on Saturday and did some yesterday, but lo and behold it doesn't look like I have that much done at all. I'm using a US5 and am now thinking I should have used a 6 or 7. Ah well, it's all good.

And after this one, I have to make 2 more for a friend's twins and if I'm really feeling the BSJ love maybe even a 3rd for someone else. We'll see.

Knitting: Forging ahead

2010-07-26T12:01:00.003-04:00

So, I've been plunging ahead on my knitting projects. Last week, I managed to FINISH a couple of things even!

First up the Travelling Woman shawlette. Had I known how much yarn this project actually took, I would have made it larger and with more repeats. I now have a decent sized ball left, still to be weighed, but I might eke out a pair of anklets, kid socks, or just save for future color work projects.

I don't have much notes on this project, except that it's quite a simple and easy lace piece. It was quick to knit and I didn't have too many problems, except a dropped stitch towards the end. All in all, not too bad.

Next I finished the first sock of the SKA Mystery Sock challenge for July. I was going to immediately cast on the 2nd sock, but I needed a little break.

So for the "break" I started another sock with some reclaimed yarn. The pattern is VORTEX by Chrissy Gardner. It's a heavily cabled pattern that I am really enjoying. The yarn was originally being used in the Dude Abides, however this colorway had a bit of green that matched too well with the MC green and the colorwork didn't POP as nicely as I wanted. I had a fair amount of that foot done, too, so it was hard to pull out, but.... I did it. I am happy with my choice and made a lot of progress on it this weekend (though the photo doesn't show how much more I really knit).

I'm considering casting on the 2nd sock as soon as I finish the gusset increases. I'm thinking, doing them side by side might help me to finish quicker? Or else REALLY tire of the cable pattern, we'll see.

And on Sunday while working on the Vortex, I had a couple of rough spots, so after like the 3rd one, I decided it was going in time out. I had my other yarn with me of course, so I cast on the 2nd sock for the Ska Mystery sock. I'm more than half way through the toe increases and hope to start the colorwork part of the pattern this evening.

Progress all around and... I've been really turned on by some Janel Laidman patterns. I bought her 2nd book a couple of months ago on a trip to Bargain Yarns. It's called the Enchanted Sole. The patterns are all pretty intricate... but wow oh wow are they cool. Also on the horizon is a pattern from the latest issue of Knitscene. It was some very pretty all over cable work that would be quite pretty on some of my solid yarns. BUT first... the projects at hand.

August is an "off" month for the Ska Challenges, so I'll have a bit of a break. I should be getting the Blue Moon Sock club installment within the next couple of weeks so that might be a new project for me AND I have some baby projects that need started as well as Christmas knitting. I'm starting early people, I need to space this stuff out, there never seems to be enough time!

Miranda Sue - July 1998/July 15th, 2010

2010-07-15T19:29:00.005-04:00

She was Miranda, Miranda Sue, Mir-mir, Mirmaid, princess, my sweet girl. I don't quite remember how we found each other. I mean I remember some of it. I was back home visiting my family and my room-mate Josh was just about to move out. He had a cat, which is why I didn't while we lived together. So since he was going, I decided to bring one home. I checked the local ads while there and found some kittens out in the country. I think these people had just found the mom and let her have the babies in their garage. By the time I had seen the ad, the kittens weren't quite babies anymore. They were bigger, say teens. She was about 4 months old, I think and just infested with fleas. Ugh! It was quite sad. And again, I don't know how we picked each other, but we did. We were a good match. I brought her home and cleaned her up.

After I returned to Columbus, I made her first vet appointments and got her checked out. That was 12 years ago. A few months ago I started to notice some lumps on her abdomen. My first thought was fatty tumors that pets can get. But they started to grow and she started to slow. I knew it was worse and I put off the doctor visit for too long probably. Just didn't want to face the inevitable I guess. But last weekend, she just didn't seem quite great. She was still very aware and would talk to you and listen, she didn't seem in pain, but I decided we needed to see the doctor. I took her on Tuesday and they did an aspiration. The tests results became available while I was there tonight. It was definitely carcinoma. The doctor told me on Tuesday it would probable affect her lungs and breathing. She was breathing heavy while there, but I thought it was just the stress. It wasn't.

So on Wednesday, we cuddled a lot. I cried a lot and she just looked at me like, "Mom, you're crazy!" We had an appointment today to get an x-ray of her lungs. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized, I just needed to let her go and not prolong her fight for breath and my emotions.

I came home, took the photo above. Made some ink paw prints and off to the doctor we went. I tried to hold it together and she just sat quiet and patient. The doctor came in and I was unhinged. Dr. Martin is very sweet and kind and totally understood. We talked about her condition. She said we could try steroids for the breathing, but they may not work. Again, I think it would just prolong the agony.

I was able to spend a few more minutes with her and hold her paw while she went to sleep. I feel so incredibly bad, and I know it will pass but my heart is broken for her. And I still can't believe she's gone. Kind of poetic that I found her in July and let her go in July.

These are old photos from her younger days and the last few are from tonight at the office.

Knitting: A new shawl in the works

2010-07-13T07:49:00.002-04:00

I'm amongst a myriad of projects right now. As per my usual, I have several things going on at once. Usually this is quite haphazard, I just cast on something new because to be working on one thing is mind-numbing and oh look shiny....

Not this time though. While I have this multiple thing going on, it's done in a very constructive way. It has an almost linear feel to it.

Tour De Fleece - on going spinning challenge. I've spun nearly every day except maybe 2. One for sure (yesterday) which was a rest day, but I think over the weekend, there may have been a day I didn't spin, can't recall now. Anyway, no matter, I'm still committed to it and shall spin some more this evening.

I bought 3 bags of this roving in May at the Wooster Fiber Fest. Each bag contains a pound. I think this will be enough for a sweater. My first thought is to dye it blue, I don't know why, but that is really calling out to me. In fact, Kristin from GK2 had to place an emergency yarn order from KP, so I tagged on and ordered some dye. They have an indigo kit which I almost got, but then opted to just get a few of the different blues.

The next 2 projects, sort of go together. They are both for the July SKA challenge of fair isle socks. One is the mystery sock by Chrissy Gardiner and the 2nd is also by Chrissy from her Toe-up Sock book. As only one clue is sent weekly, I can't continuously work on sock #1. And because it's color work and I opted to use a striping Noro, I can't do 2AAT socks. I could cast on the toe of the 2nd sock since that is in the MC, but that would just waste a needle until I'm ready for it. Although it would mean I was ahead when it came time to do the 2nd sock of the pair. So sock #2 is slow going. I think I'm stalling out because my 2 yarns are pretty close and I'm not getting the great contrast like I wanted. I've made it through the first repeat and am very close to the heel and am on the fence about continuing on, or ripping back to the beginning of the color chart and switching yarns. I will wear these socks regardless of how the pattern looks because I love the colors of both yarns and who cares if it looks like hodge podge, I know they will be soft and comfortable and that is really all the matters, so I will probably forge on. However, they are a slow knit for me for some reason.

And lastly... this past Sunday I decided to get involved in yet another challenge... a shawl one. It's for the Hazel Knuts group on Rav. Using a hazelknits yarn, make a triangular shaped shawl and you have the months of July/August to do so. I received my sock yarn for the club in June and one of the colors was really not jumping at me to be socks. In fact I wasn't in LOVE with the color as I normally would be with GREEN.

I was considering doing the Knitty Annis shawl, but after glancing over the pattern, it just didn't call to me. Yet something did... the Travelling Woman.. it kept calling and yelling at me to make it. I first saw this shawl a few weeks back while taking a class. A girl named Kate was making it for Karida from Neighborhood dyeworks (I think). She needed it for a display for Knitters Connection. The color she used was absolutly STUNNING... this rich electric, turquoisey, mystic blue type of color. It was pure magic. Then a couple of the gals from GK2 knit it as well. I looked at the pattern and it seemed very straightforward and almost easy. I needed that.

I picked up that LEAF colorway and cast on for the shawl. I worked on it all day Sunday and I can't believe how much I was able to accomplish. I made it through the whole main beginning part, I don't know how many rows of stockinette. Then I was in to chart A and finished I think about 5 or 6 rows. So in a nutshell... continuing on with this shawl, I could be finished in the next week or so. It sure is fun to knit, but I'm not going to kill myself to get it done. I do have that spinning to do, too.

And the next sock clue gets released on Thursday. So see, a linear type of flow, working here and there....

LEAF was meant to be a shawl because now... I LOVE this color green!

The beginning:

Slightly blurry halfway home:

Knitting: The Long Holiday Weekend

2010-07-06T12:35:00.002-04:00

Typically July 4th is celebrated with my family. I am 38 and for my life I just realized I really screwed up a big tradition. I've only missed like 2, maybe 3 Firework displays in my hometown.

One when I was 15, and my gram took Joy and I to DC, so we watched the wonderful display on the commons with the monuments all over. It was pituresque and amazing. Though I did miss the whole fam and the annual cookout.

Then last year, B and I headed to Boston over the week of the 4th. I thought it would be fantastic being in Boston for the celebration of our Independence. Since it was kinda born there and all. Anyway, it had it's ups and downs and again, I missed my small hometown and my family a bit.

Enter this year... I really didn't want to go. WILD horses could not have drug me there, seriously. I just wanted to stay home! And overall, I'm glad I did. I did miss some family visiting from Chicago. I did miss the small town fireworks (that are still awesome as hell!). But mostly, I'm not bothered by it. I needed the downtime and to rest and relax and to knit. And I DID!

I'm onto socks again after a break in June. I entered the Sock Knitters' Anon. mystery sock challenge. It's designed by Chrissy Gardiner (who I like a lot) and is stranded color work, which I LOVE! So clue one came out on the 1st, but I had so much going on I didn't cast on until the 2nd. Then I had a booboo and frogged and cast on again twice on the 3rd! Finally try #3 was a go. So clue #1 was finished easily enough. I'm using SOXX APPEAL for the tan color and Noro Kureyon for the "colored" bits. So far, am in love with this sock. The designer is using 4 contrast colors with the main color, but I opted to raid the stash (I'm very proud of that) and use a colorful striping yarn instead of multiple balls. So I DID NOT BUY NEW YARN!!!!

Then on the 2nd, Tour De Fleece - a spinning challenge - started and I forgot. But I remembered in time for day 2 and I started spinning up a storm. I purchased some fantastic Pencil Roving at Knitter's Connection a few weeks ago.

Here are the stages: Bag, to predrafted ball, to bobbin to skein

When I was done with that, I had some Lincoln in natural that I purchased in May at the Great Lakes Fiber Fest in Wooster and that was spun up on 2 bobbins, but not plied. So I plied it.

Then on Monday, I finished up spinning the Blue Fiber Optic onto 2 bobbins, it still needs to be plied. I broke into my Sock Summit stash and got out Wine and Roses by Miss Babs and made some predraft balls. I split the hank into 2 equal parts (2oz each) and set to work on the first 2 oz. I'm almost complete with that, didn't get the bobbin photo yet and then I finished up plying the lincoln into a smaller skein than the first (pic above).

I am really enjoying this spinning thing. It's quite a bit different and feels really "organic" for lack of a better word. I mean creating something from proverbially nothing is a great feeling. Kind of like taking wood or clay and making beautiful things. It's art. And I guess it's really cool to say, THIS thing, right here came from an animal somewhere in the world, it was cleaned and combed and possibly dyed and now it's this... yarn a functional item that will be made more functional once it is knit up into something.

It's all so astounding to me and makes me feel awesome. I MADE THIS. So in the end, I will have a project that I not only knit into "something" but actually MADE the yarn to do it. THAT makes me happy.

Oh and in the meantime, I cast on another sock project to tide me over between the weekly mystery clues. It is also Color stranded work and is also by Chrissy Gardiner. It's called The Dude Abides and I'm making it out of these yarns below. Didn't take a photo yet, but I currently have the toe and first repeat almost done. I'm using some Cherry Tree Hill Solid sock in Green and Prism Merino Mia in a variagated Blue/green colorway.

Fiber: Indlugence

2010-06-22T07:53:00.002-04:00

I keep imposing a yarn diet on myself, but like any other "diet" it just goes out the window when there's these great festivals or markets around.

Back in May I attended the Great Lakes Fiber Fest up in Wooster. It was a great time and not nearly as hot as it was last year. Don't get me wrong, it was quite warm, but last year, it was nearly unbearable. We had a nice time, I bought some great roving and... yarn. I hadn't planned to buy yarn, but the lady that I bought Handmaiden Casbah from last year was there again with the Casbah, so I indulged... times 3! I LOVE that yarn and this past winter made fantastic gloves with it.

So this year, armed with the new Casbah... I shall make another pair of gloves, maybe socks and maybe a shawl, or more gloves....

Somewhere in the May time frame I also decided to order some Bugga, too. I've been hearing about this yarn FOREVER but never tried. Way back in the Sock Summit days, you couldn't even get into the booth! And when you did, it was all gone! Seriously people grabbed armfuls of it, not even paying attention to color, I think, just taking whatever they could get their hands on. Anyway, I was like meh?! What did I know....

Well it's all over the ravelry sock boards all the time, so I'm like, ok.. what is the fuss. Turns out, it's quite similar to my Casbah love. It has some cashmere in it blended with Merino and nylon for a nice sock yarn. It comes in 2 sizes, Skinny Bugga and Bugga. I opted for bugga as I'm tending to the thicker sock yarns these days. I bought three colors, a silvery-grey (gorgeous), dark green and a blue-green (suprise?!).

Although I basically have taken the month of June off from knitting socks, I'm ready to jump back into socks. Still have to pick a pattern and yarn though. I did order the 2nd book from Wendy Johnson, Toe Up Socks for Every Body. That should be in this week, so I might wait. Also... I received sock club shipments this month from Blue Moon (May's came late) and then Hazelknits came. I can't even describe the delicious blue color of hazelknits. It's like a blue/purpley/periwinkle monochrome variagated color. It's so wow! I was in love... and funny thing, the other skein was green (my fave color) and I couldn't even be bothered with it, that's how gorgeous this blue is! Seriously!

And to cap off the last of they buying... knitter's connection was here in Columbus this weekend past. I hadn't planned to buy yarn, just more roving and a spindle. I was successfull, I bought a little simple Shacht spindle. I hit up the Fiber Optic booth before I even BOUGHT the spindle. I picked up all this great pencil roving! OH my!!! I picked up several colors, one for my sister for christmas (I don't think she reads this blog), got one for Liz for her birthday and then I saw her on Saturday, so I gave it to her then. I know she'll make something great with it as she does such an amazing job on everything she makes.

And I kept stopping by the Briar Rose booth. I wasn't going to buy anything... but they have this really cute vest/tank pattern that I've been wanting... and well, I found a really pretty color of yarn to make it with... so... I did it. Bought the pattern and the yarn and on Sunday I cast on! So far, I just love it. I finally remember the repeat and it's easy peasy. I plan to try it on in another few rounds, just to make sure it's going to work. I think it will. I "tried" it on after the first 2 rows and I think it'll be ok, but I just want to be sure. I made need to do some extra short rows in the boobage area, but we'll see when I get there. In the meantime, here it is.

Also, please note the yarn is actually prettier than it appears in this photo. It's hard to get the plum/purple color to show up right and then next to the Olive green. Very difficult.

Knitting: BOM #3/4/5

2010-06-14T08:00:00.002-04:00

So we all know, I can be a bit of a lazy daisy! I haven't blocked about my blocks of the months, nor have I been very good at finishing them! It's true.

So back here I posted about BOM #3 - Bobbles. I won't go into my intense dislike of bobbles again here, but suffice it to say, BOM #3 is yet unfinished. Part of the reason is I have misplaced the pattern, so it's just hanging out in a bag on a spare LONG needele.

Moving on... BOM #4 or the May block. I missed the class because of another something on the same day (not sure). And so I picked up the pattern a week or 2 later, or maybe that same week, who knows. And... I didn't start knitting it until 2 days before the next class (June 7th). Silly me, I know. I did get about halfway through it on that first day. It's a quick and easy knit. Easy pattern repeat, etc. I still have yet to photo it though.

So then BOM #5 - June rolls around. And while this one is a fairly easy 8 row repeat to remember. I swear it's taking me forever. I've been working it here and there for the last week, but I'm still not done! I think I have 1-2 repeats to go and then the border and then done! I do like the look of this one, it reminds me of a leaf or fern or wheat pattern sort of. It might end up being one of the blocks I do a duplicate of. So I better get my act together. I am almost to the half way point and when finished with #5, I will only have 3 completed blocks. Eek!

I'm not going to stress about it though... my mind has been in other areas as of late, aka SPINNING. I'm out of bobbins though and I def need a couple more, so I hope to purchase those on Friday. I could mail order them, but I found a place locally that carries them, so I'm opting to support my local area. Problem is they have sucky hours - only open until 4:30 M-F. Lucky for me I am off at 11 on Fridays.

And just yesterday I happened to look at some very pretty yarn I purchased from a wonderful lady at the Wool Gathering (yellow springs) last fall. This gorgeous yarn is intended for a weaving project that I've yet to begin and so... the weaving bug bit me and I'm really desiring to get another project going on the loom! I thought this would be a great time to do it, because I have more room on my deck than in my cluttered house. So I could take my parts outside and do the warp there. And then I'm thinking how much nicer it would be to have a warping board, so maybe I'll wait and ask B to build it for me.

But wait, there's more! I took a mini break from my sock knitting. I needed a break from charts and intense things and now I'm feeling ready to jump back in. I still have 2 pair to finish up. I had wanted to this past weekend, but got distracted. So perhaps this coming weekend those will be on the plate. As soon as that darn block #5 is finished, I will sit down and untangle the sock mess. Yes, due to carelessness on my part, I have 2 different sock projects that have merged and become one goofy mess.

I love to knit!

Knitting: For the love of garter stitch

2010-06-08T13:50:00.002-04:00

I've been meaning to blog several things over the last few weeks, but I've failed miserably due to extremem laziness or interests in other areas.

But let me start with the garter stitch fascination. First and foremost, I don't know that I've ever really done a garter stitch project. I mean, maybe I have in their somewhere before (who knows), but when I learned to knit, it was a hat and then I made a bunch of hats. I think they were stockinette though, so I learned to knit and purl at the same time. I know there are many out there that only learned the KNIT stitch first.

Anyway, a friend is due with twins in December. I thought I'd get started early since she will find out the sex of the babies, but it's still too soon. I want to make little sweaters, am planning on BSJs or Kimonos or something along those lines. But to hold me over until knowing if boys or girls are coming, I've opted for the EASY Mason-Dixon Baby Bib o'Love. This was a great small, quick fun project. I've made 2 already and have plans to do a few more.

These are straight up garter stitch for 40ish stitches and roughly 6-7 inches. Piece of cake. I still need to get some buttons for them, but for mindless, simple knitting - which has a time and place these are the perfect project. So not only my desire to make baby things, but a few upheavels and stressful things in my life warranted garter stitch.

This need led me into discloths as well. Sitting in a hospital room for a few days worrying about family will bring on a strong desire for garter stitch and sweet cotton in bright and cheery colors. It was great to be able to just grab a ball and some needles and knit away in the slightly uncomfortable hospital chairs. I've finished up 4 or was it 5 dishcloths so far?! These are the easy knit on the bias, cloths that nearly everyone makes at least one point in their knitting lives. Again, easy and mindless and just what I needed for those stressful days.

I do want to mention also that while I didn't care for the tightness of cotton and how unslippery it is on the needle, I felt extreme pleasure from the softness of it. I'm just knitting away thinking how soft and springy this garter stitch is. Felt nice to knit with and my fingers weren't sore or dry from a lot of the wools I use.

This garter stitch/cotton extravaganze has been a nice change from all the intensely patterned socks I've been making. Sometimes its nice to just sit and knit and not have to worry about a pattern. I'm continuing the cotton parade with a market bag (slow going but good so far) and I'll keep making discloths and a few more bibs. I went on a little cotton spree over the weekend, so I have new colors to use as well!

I've been lax in the photo dept as well, but here is a sample of ONE!
And the colors are my fave!

Music: It's in my head, man!

2010-05-18T08:14:00.003-04:00

I've been wanting to do a music post for awhile. I've been lazy and such and haven't done it... so this will probably come out all rambly and crazy and meandering.

I'm starting with today. For sometime now, I had switched over to the Brew 105.7 for the daily commute. CD101 had been less than stellar and a few of the DJs really get on my nerves. The music had been annoying, etc... I could go on. So I've been consistently listening to the brew without a switchover EVER. Well in the past month or 2, I've been switching back to CD101 every now and again. See... the Brew, all of a sudden, got COMMERCIAL crazy. They would play 1 song for every 10 commercials (or so it seemed to me). I couldn't take it. I started station hopping, like a jack rabbit. Very unhappy with the radio. Now, I do enjoy a good radio, typically you get variety that can only be had with a random mix CD/playlist.

Anyway... on to my point... CD101. Every morning around 6:30 AM, they do 3 at 6:30 from a particular artist. Sometimes, they link a random bit of history with a band or song and that's how they pick, sometimes that band will be in concert or it's a band member's birthday, etc. Today, I missed the REASON for what they played, but I couldn't have been happier, I flipped over and was in the 2nd verse of Take the Skinheads bowling by Camper Van Beethoven. Now if you know me at all, you may know this is one of my most favorite songs in the world! I'm not kidding. It is my instant HAPPY song... as soon as I hear even just a little bit of it a note or 2, there is a HUGE smile on my face. It just cracks me up. So I'm bopping along, singing the song, driving to work, with a smile on. Next they played Pictures of Matchstick Men (hadn't heard in forever) and finally 51-7 (I had forgotten how good that song was).

After listening to Camper, they went into Evenflow by Pearl Jam. By this time I was on the highway and I'm rockin out only to realize that I AM SPEEDING! Like RIDICULOUS (85) and I laughed because most often when I listen to PJ, I speed... is there some twisted subliminal message in there somewhere? But I do love some classic PJ and so when I arrived at work (and I did slow down), I knew I had a LOT to do today, so much going on and meetings... well, music makes me tune in and get the shit done. So Pearl Jam it is, I loaded up the media player and just finished listening to 10 (Pearl Jam's first full length release). Wow... what a great album! It was released back in August of 1991. And while it was on the heels of the grunge movement, I think it is really timeless. And some may say it was the forefront of grunge, but I will debate until I die it wasn't and well, that's a whole other post, some day.

I was in college and I remember, not liking them at first. If I recall, I think, Alive was their first release from it and well, it was, eh, ok, then I got tired of the overplay. Enter Evenflow which still didn't flip me over, then Jeremy and the Jeremy video talk about overplay... I was nearly DONE with Pearl Jam, but then....

A friend of mine from college, Mike (aka Chewey), was in a band and he played the bass and one night at a bar they played Evenflow... I was converted. Something about that night and about Mike and his bandmates turned me over, I was hooked, hard. I started liking Pearl Jam so much so that when VS was released in October of 1993, I REMEMBER ditching classes on a Tuesday, with Mike, Nancy, Heather and Andy, driving up to Franklin Park Mall in Toledo to go buy the CD as soon as it was released! We had a blast by the way, it was completely ridiculous and raucous and so much fun!

Somewhere in the Spring of 94 (I think), I went to my FIRST (of many) Pearl Jam concerts with my best pal, Heather. Her grandma actually bought us the tickets as soon as they went on sale because we were in class. Anyway, we looked forward to it for months. They were playing in Cleveland, we had no idea where we were going and I don't remember much about the trip there or home... but I remember the show (most of it, vividly). We were in the nose bleeds on the stage left side. We were so high it was nauseating... but it didn't matter, we were there! So the stage was black, there were speakers and equipment everywhere. Everything was draped in black sheeting and atop the surfaces were candles, tons and tons of candles, varying heights and sizes, hundreds of them. I didn't see how it happened or who lit them up, but they were finally lit and from this far away place, I began to hear this low gutteral moan and a few tinkling notes and I LOST MY SHIT! They were opening with my very favorite song in the world, RELEASE. I swear I nearly hyperventilated and passed out. I was euphoric, in heaven, I felt like Eddie was singing RIGHT TO ME. Like he said, "Kristie, this song is for YOU!"

And that was it. I melted, died, fainted into oblivion (not really). It was the most amazing moment and everytime I hear that song, I still remember that moment like it was just last night, I remember the feeling and I get chills, everytime, I still get chills. So over the years following I had my ups and downs with Eddie and crew. But I've always remained a fan. I've travelled the furthest for them over any band I've liked, Albuquerque, NM. That was a trip of whimsy.

My friend Christy and I decided it would be cool to see PJ in another city. We looked at Seattle first, of course, because it was their birth city and why not, Seattle is really effing cool, right?! Well of course everything but the last row was sold out... then, why not CA, I've never been, lets go there... nope, nosebleeds and sold out too. So we looked up Alb... wth? They had amazing seats left. So we got them, then plane tix, then hotel and then requested vacation time, literally, in that order.

The show was at Mesa Del Sol ampitheatre which lies just outside the town in like the desert. It's an amazing place. You drive up a big hill (mountain) and park, then walk, winding down and it's like the pavillion is carved out of the rocks. There is no ceiling, just a stage in the middle of the desert. So, there we were, at stage right up close to the stage. We were the last couple of seats of like the 4th or 5th row but because we were on the curve, there were no seats in front of us, so it's almost like we were right next to the stage. Again, an amazing show and amazing moments. Vibing with Pearl Jam in the desert, open air and a sky filled with stars - magical.

So that all came flooding back today and here is where I start going backwards.

Over the weekend, I managed to catch two really great programs. One was a 2 hr documentary on Johnny Cash, I think it was called Johnny Cash's America (but I can't be certain). I missed the first 15 minutes but was glued to the rest of the program. I've loved JC for a really long time, so it was really amazing to see how all these different people felt about him. People from the music industry as well as family, friends and fans. I never really understood the massive effect of his influence on people, considering back in the day, he was billed as a Country star. But what is interesting to me, is I've never felt that he was that label. His roots were in gospel and blues (my opinion). I don't love all of his songs, but I do love his voice. I love the lack of him having a big backing band with experience. It lends to his sound and makes his music distinctive. So yeah, he was a big influence on a lot of people and that's pretty profound. He definitely left his mark and I'm sad all over again that he is gone.

After that show ended, another show I hadn't heard of started, Private Sessions. Not sure how long this has been airing, but I'll have to keep tabs and watch again. This week, they featured Melissa Etheridge. And while I feel, the host is a major dingbat, fangirl airhead... Melissa and her music are pretty darn awesome. She played about 5 or 6 songs during the hour and they had their little chat. I wished the interview would have been a little meatier. I would like to know more about her inspiration, how she writes, why she left college to pursue music, etc. Just KNOW more about her. Anyway, it was good show and makes me want to buy her new album, Fearless Love.

Back in concert mode. I attended a couple of concerts a few weeks back. The first, Blue October. I won tickets to this show, which is a good thing because I wouldn't have gone, otherwise. I'm a fan of them, but not sure that I'd pay to go, not knowing what you are going to get, ya know. So I really got hooked on BluOct back when She's My Ride hit the radio. I thought this song was amazing, it's dark and angsty and rocking all at the same time. I think it's a great song. So much so that I downloaded the album and fell in love with a few other tunes... then I downloaded their first album and realized that I had heard them before, Calling You and Hate Me which is on the same Album as She's My Ride, but that song came out like third. I was a little late to the game that time. Anyway, the more I heard Blue October, the more I realized this singer, Justin is really messed up. He's admittedly attempted suicide, is on anti-depressents and such and from a very young age due to being bi-polar. I feel bad for him, but I truly LOVE his vocals. He is one of those tortured artist soles that luckily hasn't lost the battle and I hope he continues to be ok. He has a lot to bring to the music scene and he's really good.

So the concert rocked pretty hard. There was a really mixed, diverse crowd, young and old. I was down in the pit at the LC, enthralled. They played many of the songs I liked and Brian seemed to enjoy the music, too. It was a fun night and I'm so glad I was able to experience the show, if they come around again, I will try and win tix again, but if I don't, I would definitely PAY for the show.

While at the window for the Blue Oct show, I bought my ticket for a show going down a few days later, Angels and Airwaves. I LOVE Tom Delonge and A&A music. I was always a fan of Blink 182 (who wasn't) and I especially like the unique sound of Tom's voice and vocals. It's different and I like it. Plus as great as Blink was at being punk and crazy... A&A is definitely more attuned to my taste as it's more soulful and earnest and angsty all at the same time. Anthemic, really. Anyway, I won tix for them a few years back and it was another one of those pivotal, amazing experiences in my life. I can't even describe right now as I don't have the right words, but MOVING is on that list. I went in, only knowing a song or 2 (and also not know the blink tie-in at the time) and I fell hard. I don't even remember what songs were played in what order, only that I stood there, mesmerized by the experience. Trance-like really. I was in awe and in love and just shredded. So I was now a fan.

They toured again, but I waited too long and the show sold out. I was mad at myself and I was NOT going to miss them this time around. And maybe because of the build up or the lust and need to see them again, I have to admit I was a little disappointed. It wasn't the music I was disappointed in, but over all the show. First of all, the entire crowd was YOUNG... and I don't mean just like college kids... I mean HIGH SCHOOL and MIDDLE SCHOOL! I was shocked! I mean, I'm definitely glad that there are people out there listening to them, who cares how old they are, but I was really dumbfounded at the youth in the group.

For a bit, I felt like the oldest person there, but then I spotted a few folks that were older than me, but I was definitely old by comparison. Anyway, a group of these kids kind of ruined my experience. It was just chaotic, there was pushing, shoving, elbowing, these annoying children running around trying to squish in here and there and just not being still or even paying attention to the music or the band. It was incredibly rude. So I'm in the midst of trying to listen and enjoy while dodging body parts, feet, arms, legs... it was chaos! Finally I left the pit and stood in the back so I could actually SEE and hear the show.

They only played like 2 of my favorite songs, so I was a bit disappointed by that. Overall it was probably a better show than I am remembering it to be, but I'm still left feeling a little bummed. Although, Tom was his usual silly self and chatted with the crowd now and again. He's always funny and witty. I will pay to go see them again in hopes that it's even better. One thing I do distinctly remember though is the sound quality was excellent. It was loud like a rock show, but not grating or grinding or awful. It was clear and pleasant and LOUD!

Knitting: Still on the sock wagon

2010-05-12T07:15:00.003-04:00

Sadly, not much in pictures to post today, but I'm trying to blog more consistently. I'm still on the sock wagon and enjoying it immensely. I committed myself to 3 challenges this month. One is half done - Slip Jig.

An uber largish photo because I'm so proud.

With that one done, I moved on to get underway with the Cookie A mystery sock again. The first c/o was not big enough 60 stitches. And the 80 does fit, but looks GIGANTIC! Anyway, I'm nearly finished with Clue #2 on one sock. Should be done tonight and then will start Clue #1 for the #2 sock. Once both clues are completed for both socks my plan is to jump back over to Kristi and finish the leg chart. I'm on like row 31 of 38 (I think).

The Cookie A Mystery is being made with the LAPIS colorway from Socks that Rock and is simply gorgeous! Probably not the best yarn for this pattern, but I don't care because the yarn is pretty! And for the first time, I've had blue fingers (from the dye) with this yarn. I haven't had dye issues before as some have, no worries, it washes out, I just thought it was funny.

And somewhere in there, I need to start the 2nd slip jig, but I know it can wait a bit as it moves pretty quickly.

I'm really liking switching between these projects, they are all varying levels of ease. None of the patterns are difficult, but due to intensive chart reading, Kristi is the most time consuming. My eyes are glued on that chart every stitch of the way. The pattern is great though and looks wonderful once knit. I wish I would have jumped up a needle size or made a few increases for fit though. Lesson learned and now have a new plan for future (AKA Bex - if I ever get around to making her).

I don't know that I'll have all of these completed by the end of May, but the challenge end date is actually the end of June. I am hoping to be done with at least 2 pair though so I can start fresh for June with a new challenge. I'm not looking ahead though, I'm just concentrating on the NOW.

Kniting: Sometimes it just goes on... and on

2010-05-07T08:25:00.003-04:00

SO I've been touched with this rabid case of castonitis.

I was working on Absinthe - snafu!

I started Kristi and the Cookie A mystery - little snafu

I then started Slip Jig (lovely).

And in the mean time, I've been designing a little anklet sock. It's cute.

I really want to start the bombshell, now that I have lovely yarn in which to make it, but I'm holding up some restraint here. Nevermind that I am behind on my Mystery Blocks. Still need to finish #3 and now I have #4 to do as well and be ready for #5 come June 7th?

Anyway, Absinthe was moving along at a nice clip and then I realized I had stitches out of place or was short or something. So I sort of tinked? Basically I unded 2 or 3 rows on the top needle, but not the bottom (sole stitches) and lo' and behold I can't figure out where the H I am! Shouldn't be that hard, right... I can read knitting like a book, but this does not make any sense. So it looks like I might have been OFF for sometime, but that doesn't make any sense because if I truly had been OFF, as it were, I wouldn't have continued on for so many rows. I'm tried of looking at this and might be calling it quits for now. Have also considered handing off to one of the knitting buddies to look at and assist. Volunteers????

Moving on.... Kristi, well, she's a lovely gal... I mean sock. :) Giong along nicely but the heavy cable intense pattern has me paying VERY serious attention which causes for a slow down in actualy progress. It's taking me several minutes to complete a round. So I'm on row 33 of the 38 repeat. You are supposed to then repeat rows 1-25 on the leg, but I think I am opting out of that because if I make it longer, it really won't fit me at all. It's quite stretched as it is. Had I known about the snug fit before getting this far, I would have added a few extra stitches to the 2-stitch columns of twisted stitches. But alas, it's much to late for that... and I am NOT starting over.

Then there's that darn Mystery..... It proves to be a great mystery... after all it's Cookie A! I started with my gorgeous Lapis Socks that Rock yarn. Did the 60 stitch cast on. I went UP a needle size and thought that would accommodate for my THICK ankles. No go! It's still pretty stretched when I try it on. So, I'm considering going up to the other size, which is an 80 stitch cast on, but before doing so, I want to see the 2nd clue so I know HOW this sock progresses. I love the yarn and I'm sure I'll love the pattern, but I just can't knit it blindly. I want socks that I can wear, I do NOT want to gift them. Call me selfish... yes I am!

Lastly Slip Jig is being knit with Boobie 1 Socks that Rock. It's a pretty great project even though I'm not crazy about the garter stitch cuff. It's moving along well and I hope to be very much progressed this weekend. Dare I say be to the heel or further?! I hope!

Knitting: Socks, socks, socks!

2010-05-04T07:54:00.002-04:00

So as most know I've been a sock knitting fiend lately! I don't know what bug bit me, but it's helping me finish some stuff!

Firstly I finished my Secret Garden socks. They are warm and squishy and fun to wear. I just wish the cuff was a tad tighter (but I'm not ripping it out).

Up 2nd was the Wanida pattern by Cookie A. It is in her Sock Innovation book. At the first several glances of this book, I really didn't care for this pattern at all! The pictures don't do it any justice at all. However, there were a bunch of people in the Sock Knitter's Anonymous group that were making this and it looked awesome. And it was SO fun to knit! I LOVED it.

I used my new Cabana Hazel knits from the April sock club shipment (so glad it came early in the month). I still have the other skein, Surf and I'm trying to think of something spectacular for that. Normally I'm not really a brown person either, but there was something about Cabana that I loved. And once it was knitted up, I fell that much harder.

Here are my happy toes...

The picture is a little tweaked, so those brighter areas really aren't that bright. It's really quite a deep brown.

And just hanging out:

So with Wanida finished, I had 2 days left in April. Enough time to YES, cast on for another April SKA challenge. I went to the stash and found all my bright greens. I've been wanting to make Absinthe from knitty since first glance. Now was the time. I selected the color Creme de Menthe from Yarn Love. I bought this yarn while visiting Yarn Cravin' up in Perrysburg sometime last year. Anyway, I had a great start to this and was going well and had a snafu. :( I'm not sure if I will continue on with this or not. It's on hold.

In the meantime, I started the SKA May Challenges. Kristi from Cookie A. It's being knit up in my reclaimed Bird of Paradise by Pagewood Farms. It was reclaimed from a mystery sock that I didn't finish last year. It's moving along nicely, however a bit slow.

And the other May challenge is a Mystery Sock by Cookie A. I started, but have to start over. Am using Socks that Rock lightweight in Lapis. I LOVE this colorway, tho the photo below does not do it justice.

Knitting: Accomplishment all the way around

2010-04-25T21:56:00.003-04:00

This was a fantastic weekend to knit! On Friday, I had the day off and it was lovely. I sat out on the deck for a few hours while the dogs lolled around in the grass. I had my Iphone playing some Itunes and knitted away on Secret Garden. I finished the 2nd sock and then had a pair. And LOTS of smiles! Was so happy. The pattern was a lot of fun to knit. For the entire second sock I barely had to look at the pattern. It was such a memorable one and really easy to read your knitting, etc. The second sock is a far better knit than the first. I spread the first sock out over weeks, picking up/putting down, etc. But this 2nd one, I finished in under a week, so it's a much tighter, more consistently knit sock. I love these socks, they are so comfortable. I can't wait to make another pair with Socks that Rock. I knit these socks for a challenge. I've been in the ravelry group Sock Knitter's Anonymous for over a year I think, but I've never finished a challenge. I've tried a few times, but have always failed. So this was for March and you have to cast on in March and finish by end of following month. I DID IT! With a few days to spare!

So, I opted to enter the April challenge as well. Earlier Friday morning before finishing the sock, I cast on for the April challenge, which was to knit a sock from an online magazine, or a Cookie A design. My first thought was to knit Pomatomus. I picked my new hazelknits Cabana yarn and thought it would look amazing. But, for some reason I just wasn't into the pattern, so I ended up with Azure (from Knitty). It's a great pattern and I had several great yarns in my stash. I picked one and started. So I did my cast on, a toe up using Judy's Magic and I began the toe. Paused to finish Secret Garden and went back to the Toe Friday night. I did quite a bit of the pattern and still hadn't knit very much in inches. I kind of panicked a little. The yarn I was using was finer than I normally knit and it was 100% merino. I had some concerns about durability because of the lack of nylon as well as if I'd actually be able to finish 2 socks in time.

Then Saturday comes along and I changed my mind yet again! Many people in the SKA group had made Wanida by Cookie A from the Sock Innovation book. Now I must admit, looking at that pattern in the book, I never really cared for it. Not sure if it was the yarn chosen or the photos, but these folks on SKA... wow! Their socks were amazing and it was great fun seeing all the different yarns used. So I jumped on the bandwagon, took my hazelknits and started Wanida. Holy knitting frenzy, 6 hours later and very late Saturday evening, I had knit the sock all the way through the heel turn and was decreasing for the gussets! I couldn't believe how far I had gotten. This sock has been so much fun to knit though. I'm not entirely sure why, but it just is. THe pattern, while easy to remember and follow, still has me looking at the chart... but it's so easily read if you get lost, you can just look at your stitches and know where you are.

When I started the sock, I had hoped to get through the cuff and a bit through the leg... but now as Sunday evening closes in, I actually only have like one inch left to knit. Had I not gotten this cold and slept so much today and knitted more earlier, I probably could have finished. OH well, it will definitely be done tomorrow, perhaps during my work lunch hour. I'm so excited about these socks. I'm hoping to continue this sock momentum and hopefully not come crashing down.

Couple of things on the horizon, Cookie A is designing the Mystery Sock Challenge for the SKA Group's MAY challenge, so I plan on knitting that. And I might even try my hand at knitting another sock during the same time (we'll see, let's not get over zealous). The 2nd thing is there is a designer contest to come up with a sock pattern for free or sale and it was to be posted by 5/21... so I have some ideas rolling around in my head for that.

I have put my sweaters on hold for the moment, Tappen Zee and the BSJ. Need to ride this sock wave out until it's over.

Here's the last pic I took a few hours ago. Tomorrow I'll post the finished sock.

Knitting: A reprieve

2010-04-19T07:39:00.003-04:00

So while I talked about knitting all week last week, I never really did any.

Yes it's true, I took a little break my last stitch was on Saturday and my next stitch was the following Friday (I think). I mostly worked on my Sock Club socks, Secret Garden. In fact, I finished the first sock. Now my plan was to get through the heel, cast on the Sock #2 and catch it up to the next and finish the legs at the same time. But something happened... "just one more row" and before you know it, boom the leg! Crazy!

Anyway, I still have a desire to do sock #2 so I will cast that on. I should have done so yesterday, but thought it would be smart to take a week break and work on a gift.

DUMB MOVE! It occurred to me whilst I was trying to fall asleep last night that the Secret Garden socks are part of the Ravelry SKA March contest, which has to be finished before April's month end. That means roughly 12 days to start and finish socks #2. I honestly think this is still possible for me. I just have to start it!

Up next... Decided my in between would be a Baby Surprise Jacket for my new niece or nephew to come (my prediction is it will be another niece). I really wanted to make something girlie... but just what if it's a boy. So as I hadn't like what I previously cast on with my Hazel Knits : Its a Wrap colorway, I decided perfecto! I've been wanting to make a BSJ out of sock yarn as the last one I did was a DK/Light worsted weight yarn. Anyway, Brandy started one with STR and Kim is going to make one as well, so I jumped on that bandwagon. It's definitely much slower progress! Sheesh! I'm using sock yarn and US 3 needles.... and it seems like forever. It's okay though, it's mostly mindless and just goes row after row. That being said, I feel like I've knit forever and only have a bit over an inch done. eek!

It's all good, have a few months before baby is here.... but I really need to get that sock done. Tonight I will be casting that on! No TV until it's done!

ETA: Since I didn't post this the day it was written (Monday). I did actually cast on sock #2 last night as planned and worked the whole toe and into the foot about an inch! About another 4 and it's heel time! Hopefully tonight will progress as nicely!

Knitting: Really, just thinking about it

2010-04-16T19:02:00.003-04:00

So the entire past week, I have NOT knit a stitch.

I know I said I was going to, but I truly have not. I think I last played with some stitches last Saturday! No kidding. While I have desired to knit a bit, I was not really feeling inspired or motivated to do so. Soooo... I didn't.

Anyway, it's okay, I've been keeping my mind occupied with knitting and designing and knitting some more. I have a whole list of things to make, mainly socks and the desire for some sweaters/tops. I tend to be a warm person, so making sweaters for me is typically not something I have done/completed. I need short sleeves and lightweight. I work in an office that is rarely cool, so I'm constantly overheating, especially in the summer. I'm not one of those people that need a cover up... EVER!

So, Cath has made a few of the Bombshell pattern, and it's a great looking sweater that really shows off your curves in a pleasing way. I've wanted to make this pattern ever since I saw the book. However, something has always stopped me. Well, it's breathing down my neck now and I really want to cast on. Problem is, I'm unsure what yarn to use. It is something that will require a swatch and I will be good and proper and actually do one. But first I have to pick a yarn.

Ok... so my other thought is SOCKS... socks, socks, socks. I want to make all kinds of socks. I want to be able to wear multiple pairs this fall when the weather gets cool again. I want to have a variety to choose from. It's mid April, how many socks can I make by October? And not just socks, but how many PAIRS of socks. Oh darn 2nd sock syndrome! However to get me there, getting some good stuff from Blue Moon. I ordered an array/plethora of colors as well as the Sheep to Shoe kits, so I can practice spinning some sock yarn.

Ok, so again, I should probably get to knitting instead of blogging.

In music news, I won tickets to see Blue October tomorrow evening. I'm pretty excited as I've not been to a show in awhile, so that should be fun.... more news on that to come.

Knitting: It's an itis

2010-04-14T18:48:00.002-04:00

Why oh why can't I finish anything?

I've been on this organization kick recently and it occurs to me that I should reclaim lots of yarn from old projects never finished. I'm still on the fence here on this and not sure. In the meantime, I want to finish a darn sweater/tee/shirt type of object that I can wear NOW before it gets too incredibly hot (cool office - fyi). But I don't know what exactly.

Keep in mind I have several ideas and thoughts here. But then I think about the current stuff I am working on and am kicking myself because they aren't done.

Progress Report:
1. Tappen Zee - Huge booboo made by me not paying attention, need to tink 3 rows.... time out.

2. Secret Garden Socks - going well actually, but requires concentration, patience and some twisty hand movements.

3. Every Way Wrap - Got a little boring and is just hanging out. Too warm to wear now anyway, so on hold for a bit.

4. BOM #3 - The bobble catastrophe, man I hate this block, but I'm half done and it will be easy peasy to finish just not in the mood.

5. Cascadia Sock - RSC #1 for the year, have done quite a bit on this, but fear it is too huge. Contemplating if I really want to finish the pattern or reclaim the gorgeous yarn for something else. I LOVE the colorway.

So there ya go... as usual I have plenty to work on but yet want to start more, more, more.... Good grief, someone reel me in!

Ok, I think I'll go tink those rows or maybe take a walk in the secret garden, hmm....

Knitting: Staying on top of 'things'

2010-04-12T09:02:00.004-04:00

I'm starting with this photo because, A. I love spider plants and B. this one is looking great! Cath gave me a few little starter spiderettes way back last year sometime. I potted them and recently a month or 2 back added a few more from my mom's plant (the darker green). So now with the 2 of them together, this plant is just flourishing and I love it. It's a little bit of happy on my work desk!

This past weekend, much time was spent knitting and much time was spent organizing.

After work on Friday, I did some errands, went home and had a nice nap. Got around and headed west to Hilliard to meet up with Cath for dinner at Joey Changs. While my meal was okay, I didn't love it. I branched out and tried something different and while it wasn't BAD really, it just wasn't what I really expected and therefore didn't like as much. It was edible, but on the blah side. I think I would try the place again and get something that I typically get at other places to give it a true test. Cath had the Pad Thai which she enjoyed.

After dinner, we headed back to her place to do some knitting. I got quite a bit done, until I ran into a snafu with one project, so I picked up another... and then, well I cast on for a new sock because I needed something that didn't require paying attention. She also assisted me with measurement taking and now I feel quite able to try my hand at just casting on any ol' sweater and making mods so that it will fit ME. More to come on that, I do have a project in mind... but other things need to be done first. I'm talking to you Vivian!

And you to Every Way Wrap.

Anyway, we also watched some True Blood (season 1 - Cath is catching up) and the latest episode of Merlin (on syfy - LOVE it).

Saturday morning we had breakfast at First Watch. I had a great meal, eggs and a waffle - yum all the way around. Cath had some amazing french toast and fruit, it was very pretty.

Next I met up with Audra and we did some knitting and chatting. We moved on from coffee shop knitting to lunch at Baja Sol (Lennox area). While I did not enjoy my meal, cheese enchiladas... very bland and lots of spice, like pepper, but no actual flavor (weird I know). But the chips were good and I made my own salsa concoction. I will go back and try the tacos, they sounded good and I probably should have ordered them, but I love cheese enchiladas, so I had to try. Obvious mistake.

We did quite a bit of chatting on FB, old friends, crazy friends and family and everything else. We also discuss that we are both in a similar state with our CLUTTER. We want to get rid of things and organized, so we discussed starting a plan, some sort of tracking worksheet to map out what we need to do. We want to share with each other and hopefully motivate each other to finish our projects. Hopefully we can come up with something. Maybe we need to have an incentive, like one person buys/gives the other person something like a reward. Who knows, sometimes friendly competition spurns motivation? It could work.

Then I went home. I had the urge to WORK on things. I had boxes in hand and I cleared the book shelf in the computer room. Brian helped and carried the boxes to the basement. I threw some stuff away. Then I got the sneezies and was pooped anyway, so I took some allergy meds and relaxed with some knitting.

Sunday, I woke up much too early. Met up with Cath downtown because I forgot my shoes and she was in the area. Then I popped out to Easton. Brian had an appt at the Apple store, his phone was coming apart at the seams... and drum roll please... THEY FREAKING REPLACED IT!!!! I have had so many problems with Apple Care over the past 2 years, I cannot even tell you. So much so that we had to BUY him a replacement phone awhile back because they wouldn't honor anything... so now they replace the phone. Well, I'm glad and was shocked and glad. Then he went and bought a HOPEFULLY better case so his phone will last longer. It has little covers for all the "open" spots. We are hoping this will prevent so much dirt and dust from getting in.

While he was doing that, I popped into the container store. OMG, I could be in there for days figuring out ways to organize things and spend money!!! I did buy a few little basket type things to help organize my pantry. So often, I don't know what I have because things get shoved to the back. This basket has a handle sort of like a pitcher, so you can just pull it out. Handy, I think. We'll have to see if practical or not. Next I travelled over to the trash can area. I knew they were expensive going in, so I had an open mind.

Brian caught up to me, so I showed him the cans. There was one I really liked that was on sale. There was another I liked even more, but it was $50 more and NOT on sale! Anyway, we walked out with hopefully a new DOGGIE PROOF, slightly pretty trash can. This one will sit flush against the wall, it has a removable liner and an air vent is stainless steel and has a foot pedal with a slow close mechanism and a little switch you can flip to keep the lid open. Basically everything I wanted in a trash can. If it was a little bit taller, I'd be even happier, but that's all. Oh cheaper would have been nice as well, but it's done. And I shouldn't have to buy another one in a very long time!

When we got back home, I started in on my room. I had to make space for the bookshelf to come in. While doing this, I realize the yarn tower, might have a better location on another wall. I measured it's depth and the depth of the space I wanted to put it. It was perfect and I even had a couple of inches to spare! So I slowly moved that over to the other wall. And re-orged some of the yarn while I was at it. Then I got the bookcase in, went through magazines and put them in order. Pulled out pattern sheets and pamphlets and put them somewhere else. Started stacking the knitting books on the shelf. And then I had other areas to clean up and get laundry started. SO I did not finish the bookshelf, but most of the books are on it although they will need to be sorted into the appropriate areas. But it's a start and because of this switch, I have much more usable floor space in my room, therefore making that area look very clean! YAY!

Since I started the post with a pic, I'll end with one 2. This is a not so great iphone shot of the yarn tower. FYI, each section contains 7 wire baskets. And they are probably 2 feet deep from front to back, so in a nut shell... a LOT of yarn here. There is some roving, too. Oh and guess what.... this isn't the entire stash! Oh yes folks, I have a lot of purging to do... be ready for a sale sometime in the near future!

Knitting: Oh bobbles...

2010-04-06T18:09:00.004-04:00

Or BOM #3.

Yeah, bobbles... do I need to say more?

Any knitter pals that know me, probably know that I hate bobbles. Sure on some items they are cute and so forth and even a decorative edge... but seriously, I hate them. I find them annoying to make, time consuming and yarn hogs, so there.

But I was duped into them again by the mystery afghan project. There are a total of 24 bobbles on this block. Michelle says it's considered an Irish Bobble, so because it's Irish I like it a little more... but I still hate bobbles.

Anyway, this bobble is actually an easier style to knit although for my unfinished unblocked block, the bobbles are looking a little craptastic to say the list. They are sort of triangular, squarish circular things. Yes all that geometry in one little stitch.

For this style of bobble, you are increasing 5 stitches into one, turning, knitting, turning purling, turning then decreasing by k2togs, turning and purling 3 together. Bobble done. It's definitely easier than the PSSO bobble I've made in the past.

Anyway, I'm doing the block as designed, just because.

I've also decided I want this afghan to be bigger than it's supposed finished size. The blocks are 12x12, which would make a 36x48 inch smallish afghan. I've decided I want this for my bedroom to be a pretty cover. I have a king size bed... that is one huge afghan. So at any rate, I'm definitely planning on increasing... maybe 20 squares? Still TBD, guess it depends on how fast I get these done or if I get burnt out. In the mean time, I still love block #2 and block #3 will be pretty as well - even with the bobbles.

I have yet to go back and make #1, we are still at odds.

Knitting: Rockin' Socks that Rock!

2010-04-05T09:23:00.003-04:00

I am REALLY in love with my latest sock project. The pattern is Secret Garden by Janel Laidman came with the latest shipment for the Rockin Sock Club. She has some really unique and interesting patterns and this one does not disappoint. And the yarn is so fantastic. Of course I'm talking about Socks that Rock, it's the mediumweight version of yarn and the colorway is Wild Irishgirlie. It took me a little bit to like it, but it helps that the texture and feel of this yarn is so amazing. Especially after being knit up. I definitely understand why Brandy has such an admiration for this yarn. I will definitely be buying more and this may eventually become my GOTO yarn.

Of course I do love so many different sock yarns... so much to choose from, must knit faster. That's my motto!

Anyway for your viewing pleasure, here's a little photo of what is going on...

I just LOVE IT!

Knitting: The Sockqueen's video tips

2010-03-31T07:36:00.003-04:00

So BOM square #2 is officially done. I called it done the other day, but still had the bind off today. Michelle uses Grandma's Favorite Bind Off. It's a bind off I hadn't ever heard of, but Michelle likes it because it gives a nice stretchy even edge. And, I tried it, A. It's easy and B. the edge looks awesome!

The basics of the b/o are to P2TOG, put loop back on LH needles and repeat. Super simple and like I said, nice looking edge.

For those that don't know Michelle, she works at Temptations in Dublin, her rav name is Sockqueen and she has designed a LOT of socks! Her website which is linked above has tons of tips and different videos to check out.

Speaking of socks, Cath and I were going to do a KAL but that was put on hold. I did start a sock, but have decided to wait since I really want to make Secret Garden. So yesterday, I casted on for Secret Garden and this morning I ripped it out because I didn't like the way the toe looked. I'll start over again sometime today.

Yarn: BMFA Sock club #2

2010-03-30T08:15:00.002-04:00

So I peeked!

I couldn't take it anymore, I had really hoped to have had my shipment on Saturday, but alas it didn't come. So yesterday before I left work, I jumped on the site really quick and checked the spoilers for a photo.

It was a little shocking at first. I wasn't sure about it.

Got home... had a package!

Of course I ripped it open and my first thoughts were... hmmm.....

But the more I looked at it and the more I felt it, the more I liked it. Now of course this isn't to say I didn't like it at first site, I did like it, but I just wasn't in love with it. Not like Happy Go Lucky, I fell hard there!

Anyway, the variation and color changes in this yarn are remarkable. I wanted to wind it up right there, but I didn't. Not just yet. I want to hold and fondle it and just stare at it lovingly.

But tonight... I shall take a walk through the Secret Garden. It's one of the patterns sent and is by Janel Laidman. As soon as I saw the name I KNEW I would knit this sock. I like the other pattern as well, it's called Slip Jig, but I LOVE the secret garden pattern. It's toe-up, what I've mostly been working these days, so it fits right in.

For now.... take a look at the lovely, it's called Wild Irishgirlie by the way.

Knitting: BOM #2

2010-03-29T07:35:00.002-04:00

Back in February, I started the Block of the Month afghan at Temptations. I may have talked about this before, but it's sort of a beginner's type of knitting class. There are a couple of experienced folks in the class including myself. I mostly signed up because I was hoping it would HELP me to finally finish a freaking afghan for our home. It's something I've always wanted to make, but like most things, I fizzle out on.

So I went in February, we started the first block. It kind of reminds me of the flying goose motif from quilting. The knits and purls make a nice V. However the pattern is a little on the boring side to knit. SO I'm about half way done. Here's my other hesitation... while I love CASCADE 220 in natural (cream) color, I'm not sure if it is right for this afghan. The stitches aren't quite POPPING like I want them too. Now Michelle made hers with this colorway that looks amazing. It's just off natural, cream but darker.

I missed class #2 because of the discovery sock class, so I picked up the pattern a couple of weeks ago. I opted to grab a skein of Brown Sheep Superwash to try and I got the same color Michelle used. I love it soooo much better. I started work on the block yesterday afternoon and am just slightly more than half way done! I really like this pattern too, it's so easy to remember. I had it down after the first repeat and it's REALLY easy to see what row you are on and count and all those necessary things.

Last night I held both of my half knit samples up to show B and get his opinion. He likes the darker version, too. So I'm going to frog #1 and when finished with #2, go back and do #1 in the new yarn. However, #3 will be next Monday, so I may just go ahead and wait until after #3. In any case, here is a photo of what is going on!

OH and the color is Oats 'n Cream (which I just love, makes me feel all homey and warm).

Oh and here's the old swatch in progress in the cascade 220

Knitting: A Knitty Cardi

2010-03-25T07:44:00.003-04:00

So I'm really enamored with my latest project. I fell hard in multiple ways. For some time I've been wanting to make a nice light breezy spring/summer cardigan/tee etc. Last week, I went so far as to peruse many fine publications at Temptations in Dublin. I even thought I'd settled on a beautiful project from dear Jane Ellison for Mirasol. Anddd... I even bought a skein of this fantastic blue yarn. It's dreamy! The name escapes me right now, but it's a merino/silk blend (I believe) and it has a little bit of a sheen to it. Fantastic.

Anyway, I went home to mull it over and to swatch.

I mulled, but I didn't swatch. I just didn't feel like winding that pretty hank of yarn, only to start a swatch of a project I might never make. See, while I really LOVED the look of the cardigan, I don't like knitting in pieces. And I LOVE Jane Ellisons patterns. She definitely has what I would call a classic style. Many of her designs are modern, yet timeless. And some give off a vintage feel. I have several pattern books by her and I LOVE the sweaters and items in those books, but you know, I still haven't knit one. NOPE, not one.

So I continued to pause and mull as it were. I thought about doing the math to do it as one piece, I thought about top down and more math. And it wasn't in me to start, so I didn't.

WHICH turns out to be a good thing because on Sunday Cath and I met up for tea at Zen Cha. Got my fave Lavender Latte (delicious times a million). And then we headed to the Merc. While there I happened upon this delicious light COOLWOOL by Elisabeth Lavold. It's a 50/50 wool/cotton blend. Is super soft and I would say it's a DK or sport weight. Sometimes those weight definitions are lost on me, but it's definitely not a worsted weight and it's not sock weight, so to me dk/sport. Not sure if those are interchangeable, but that's what I know.

Anyway, the color I put on HOLD was called, Ultramarine, it's blue. But seriously there is a huge color palette for this yarn, it's all gorgeous. I purchased one skein because I was going to swatch first and I still had the Mirasol sweater in mind. (Cath bought a love tan of same yarn for a fantastic project as well!)

But then..... the spring/summer issue of knitty popped up and I found the PERFECT sweater for this yarn. It's the Tappan Zee by Amy King. So far it has everything I want.

1. It's top down (yay)
2. Looks lightweight and breezy
3. Short sleeves
4. Yarn works up to the perfect guage
5. Easy to read and follow the pattern along

So I cast on the other evening despite not being quite to the end of the socks which was a mistake because this thing has really taken a hold of me! The first night I finished a little over an inch and then day 2, I did increases and still managed to eek out another inch. I love the look of this thing so far. Granted I still have quite a ways to go. But I'm moving into the "design" section next, so I'll be following a chart for a bit so that will be fun. I'm full on committed to this project (ravlink) and let me tell you it feels fantastic.

Someone please remind me of this when I get to the bottom half and have to do stockinette for miles!

Knitting: The discovery sock

2010-03-23T12:17:00.003-04:00

Last night was our last session for the Personal Footprints sock class. I am not quite DONE with my socks, but later this week or by the weekend, I should be complete. And not just with one sock, but BOTH! This makes me very excited because so far in my life.... I have only completed 2 pair of socks. I have many, many single socks... but not many pair.

I had some ups and downs with the sock, more ups than downs though. I'll go with the positive.
1. It seemed to be a fast knit.
2. As described, a very 'personal' fit. I feel it was made specifically for my foot and no one elses.
3. Did I mention quick?!
4. Lots of room for designing your own pattern and personalizing the fit.
5. No short row heels
6. No back and forth heel
7. IN THE ROUND heel (afterthought)
8. Great technique for self striping or handpaints because you can eliminate much of the pooling or weird striping when the leg/heel parts come together.
9. Oh and it's QUICK!

Ok, so now the negative
1. The discovery is meant to be knit and ripped and knit and ripped until you have the perfect fit, so you might have to do this several times at different sections. For me, it's the heel, I started my heel decreases too late and consequently have to rip back a bit maybe 1 1/2 inches on each sock. Tying a good to this negative, once you have the discover sock done, and you've made your notes, you don't have to worry about knit/ripping again for future socks.
2. The book/guide says NOTHING about the leg and making the leg work or fit. It's kind of glossed over really and not specific. We spent so much time getting the fit of the FOOT right and then your leg is completely left out.
3. The round "star" toe worked up nicely, but I'm not sure if I like how it FEELS so this is still a question mark for me.

And right now, that is my first thoughts on this discovery project. I feel well equipped to make decisions on sock design as well as choosing patterns for myself to make in the future. I definitely think I will use this technique again, especially if I want to do a quick no-pattern sock with self striping yarn. Huge benefit of speed and lack of pattern might make a QUICK pair of socks.

So all in all, I left the class, glad that I had taken the time to learn this. It was fun sharing with the other ladies our trouble spots or celebrating each other's successes. As always, Beth (yarnaholicbeth - rav) is fun and informative and a wealth of tips, tricks and funny stories.

In the course of 4 weeks, I have made a pair of socks. I'm quite proud of myself, especially when I consider, I knit on other items in this four weeks and not solely on the socks.

Next up... more socks. Doing a Joy of Sox KAL with Cath soon. And I'm REALLY hoping to get started on a lightweight cardi for spring/summer. Fisherman sweater is on hold as is the Every Way Wrap (she's been hibernating and waving at me every few days).

Knitting: A day without it?

2010-03-20T20:15:00.003-04:00

You know awhile back it was pretty rare for me to have a day that I didn't knit. I would typically knit a few stitches at least every day. And it's mostly because I do love it so much. Well around last fall some changes were made. Mostly with work and that put the knitting on the back burner a bit. I mostly saved the knitting for the weekends because I couldn't fit it into my normal day.

Anyway, the point I'm trying to get at, is the presence of knitting in my daily life. And it's a constant presence. I sort of lose myself in it sometimes. For instance today, Audra and I headed downtown to Travonna Coffee house and we did talk, but there were moments there that I just got lost in my knitting. I was in my own world and just kind of zoned out with the stitches.

And after that, I kind of just wasted the day away. It was a good waste, though. I had fun and I looked at a ton of knitting books, found a few cardigans I really love... checked out some really great yarns... and I napped.

So about that discovery sock... good grief. I'm struggling with it. At first, I picked this one pattern, it caused me to double the stitches, so I was cabling over 96 effing stitches... it sucked and I did it for rows and rows. I even bound it off and tried it on.

Today, I ripped it out. That felt good, but then I was back at the drawing board so to speak. I started over wit a new pattern from the book and I for sure don't love it but at this point I just really want to be done with these socks.

Which leads me into my next point, I really want lots of socks. I have a shit-ton of sock yarn and I really need to get it knit up. My entire stash needs revamped and organized. I'm at the point of having an overwhelming amount of yarn and haven't a clue what to do with it.

While I know I need to knit, I get so overwhelmed I kind of shut down and don't know where to go or how to start. And that is why I have all of these projects all over. And probably in another week, my next sock club shipment will arrive from Blue Moon and I'll be in love all over again with something new.

In the meantime though, I've been mostly monogamous. I've only been working on the Discovery Socks and the Cabled Mitts. The first mitt is nearly done, but I do need to make some design changes. Kinks to work out so to speak. I'm being especially critical of these because this might be the first pattern I post out for sale.

Anyway, these two projects are going well and are coming to a close. Perhaps by next week the socks will be done, just in time, too because I decided to head to Mystery Sock on Tuesday night. It's a stranded 2-color project, so I'm anxious to get that started, too. I think I might opt to do both socks at the same time, so as to get finished earlier than later and not fall to SSS (second sock syndrome).

So I just might accomplish that dream of having multiple pairs of hand knit socks to choose from this year. Now... about that sweater................

Knitting: Continued DISCOVERY sock progress

2010-03-14T20:06:00.003-04:00

I'm still knitting away on the discovery sock. As I finished the pod last week, I opted to start the 2nd pod instead of finishing the leg on sock #1. It's going well, although I haven't committed to it this weekend. I haven't felt the knitting bug much however I did have some fiber adventures.

I went to Dublin on Saturday to pick up my "new" macbook. Purchased from Cath since she upgraded to pro. And since I was in Dublin, I stopped off to visit Temptations. I chatted with Karen a bit. Picked up month #2 for the BOM Afghan and purchased a skein of Malabrigo Twist in Grape. It's super pretty.

I now have 3 skeins of the twist in different colors. GK2 pal, Brandy made really super pretty and squishy cabled fingerless mitts. I decided these would be great gifts for my non-knitting but supportive friends. So I know have 3 colors that I believe they will each like, Olive, Rust/Olive and the Purple. I searched Ravelry last week for a pattern, but didn't see anything that jumped out at me, so I'm designing my own. I'm writing as I go. It's turning out really nice. The yarn is fantastic to use and I love the cabled diamond I chose for the central motif. Not sure if I will make these identical or, swap the cables out as I go. Providing on the feedback, I may go ahead and list on Ravelry.

Great thing is, with my new macbook, I can design anywhere. I'm not restricted to being home on my IMac. I have some great software and am so amped to get some of these ideas out, anywhere I go!

So the mitts are in progress. The Discovery sock is in progress... and I'm being very good to not pick up any other projects, nor cast on any additional projects until I'm done with the first pair of mitts and/or these discovery socks. I hoped to have the green socks done in time for St. Pats, but it won't happen. No biggie, they should be done before end of the month.

So I should have knit on Friday but didn't. Didn't knit most of Saturday, but had a lovely catch up time with Cath at Starbucks on Sat. night. I did knit a few rounds on the sock while there. I've finished all the increases and just need to knit to the leg lines and put the lifelines in and finish up the heel. Not much further at all.

Have the sock class tomorrow and will cut open for the leg and start a pattern. I'm going away from my original thought of designing a cable, due to lack of time. But I will definitely do it sometime in the future.

Not ready to start another work week, but we do what we must. Here comes Monday... bring it on!

Knitting: Always learning something new

2010-03-11T09:45:00.002-05:00

So, pretty much my whole knitting life I have tried multiple ways to make socks. Toe Up, Cuff Down, 2 at a time inside of each other, 2 at a time on one circ, magic loop, dpns, etc and so on.

I have never made a Cat Bordhi sock. I know her followers are thousands... but frankly, I wasn't into it. So recently I read about her latest book coming out and how can you turn away from a book with INSOUCIENT in the title. I mean, it's a great word and for those that don't know... from Dictionary.com:
–adjective
free from concern, worry, or anxiety; carefree; nonchalant.

I feel like a nonchalant sort of person most of the time... so insoucient, I am. Anyway, the merc was offering a class with Beth (yarnaholicbeth-rav) and she is a pretty funny and interesting lady. I decided to join the class and learn a new style. Now, I could have learned this from reading the book. But there were a few points here and there that puzzled me, so talking amongst others that are doing the same thing as you is a comfort and good learning tool.

Anyway, I started the class with a lovely skein of Purple-Burgundy colored yarn, it's called Impulse by Hazel Knits, part of my sock club shipment. I wasn't LOVING the color so much as liking it a lot, but I love her yarn in general, the feel, the twist, etc... so I thought it would be good to make the discovery sock with this yarn. However, I became NOT-insoucient and concerned that I wouldn't be able to READ my sock well because it was dark in color and you really need to be able to tell where your increases are, and so on. I decided to cast on a new yarn (same weight and needles). I picked a new stash acquisition. It's a love green, with many different shades. To me it is the PERFECT GREEN.

Green being my very favorite color forever and always and this is what I think of when I think of the color green.... it's THIS yarn, yes it is.

Anyway, I've been knitting away on the "discovery" sock and I finished my pod (pic below). There are a couple of lifelines and between them, I will pick up stitches and SNIP the yarn and knit up the leg. After that piece is done, I will go back and finish off the heel. So yes, this is a very different technique and way to make a sock and so far, I kind of like it. I still have a bit to learn, like how to incorporate a patter on the foot, etc... but it's been fun to veer off the regular STANDARD c/o 64 or 72 stitches path. I definitely reccommend this style of knitting to those wanting a more PERSONAL fit to your sock. IT's not too big, not too small, it's just right.

Knitting: What?!

2010-03-08T11:55:00.003-05:00

So, I've been meaning to write for days and days... but been too lazy to do so. That being said... I felt like I had a lot to say and now sitting here typing, I can't recall a darn thing. And I have no photo updates either.

So, let the random purge begin.

I read a good book a week ago... it is still sticking with me and I can't get it out of my head. I even took the time to go back and read some of the chapters. In the end, the book is basically about a woman that ends up "finding" herself and healing old wounds when she moves to Ireland to research and write a book about KNITTING. So, not sure why it has stuck with me so much except, it was a pretty good story and had a happy ending and all that, so maybe that is what I'm looking for or yearning for? Who knows... what this book has also done is made my feelings for a fisherman gansey resurface with a vengeance.

I've done research all over the place... 2 of the most notable books (from every website I surfed) happen to be in my Library. I've been pouring over patterns and cables and ropes and moss stitches and more. There is no real "pattern" that I am using, it's kind of make it up and go.

I had planned to be a good knitter and swatch out all the pattern motifs I was planning, but then on Sunday... I grew restless and silly and c/o 264 stitches to start this sweater in the round from the bottom up. I'm using EZ's almanac instructions, but with different panels. I really liked my chosen stitches, but after doing 1 1/2 rounds, I realized one of the panels was NOT for me. So mid-round, I stopped knitting. I grabbed my 2 books, Gladys Thompson and Shelaugh H(something) and looked for another pattern with a count of 20 stitches. I couldnt' find one! Then, I pulled out a couple of BW stitch dictionaries and of course, after looking at several possible motifs, I chose one. It's a pretzel braid and will fit in nicely I think. So I finished round 2 with that stitch by dropping that section back to the edge and going forth.

Another thing I decided on was to do a provisional cast on using the crochet method. I did this for several reasons. Mainly because I am impatient, but 2ndly because I wasn't sure how these patterns would actually fit together and also because I don't know how long this will be. So, I figured I could get it where I want and after having done a significant amount of knitting, I can go back, pick up that edge and do some ribbing. My other reason, is I definitely want to do it in a size smaller needle and I have no idear where the 7 is right now.

Moving on... Details: Using Cascade Eco Wool in the natural colorway on a US8. I'm getting 3.77 stitches per inch. This sweater will def be huge, but I'm modeling it after a fave sweater of mine that is big and baggy and one that I love the fit of.

I have no idea what will happen when I get up to the chest area and I need to start thinking about sleeves and stuff. This will definitely be a practice in patience, skill and learning new things. I think I am a good knitter, but I rarely WING it to this extent, so we shall see.

In other knitting news, I'm taking a class at the merc and learning about Cat Bordhi's "new" technique of toe-up sock making. It's called Peronal Footprint. And basically you are making notes as you go, trying on as you go and making a patter of your foot, as you go along knitting. It's pretty interesting and I'm enjoying the progression so far.

I did have a bit of a set back though. As this is a learning sock and you have to be able to READ your knitting, the yarn I picked was the IMPULSE colorway from the February Hazel Knits sock club and not really a good idea for this venture. So, around Saturday, I decided to switch over to a lovely green yarn that was newly acquired. I can definitely "read" my increases much better and it didn't take me long to get back to where I was with the Impulse as well as continue on. I'm not sure of what the leg of the sock will be yet and if it will be plain or if we make something from the book, but if we can pick our "own" thing, I'm definitely planning on making some shamrocks or celtic rings on these socks... it's THAT green.

Maybe I need to take a trip to Ireland, soon!

Yarn: The shop hop pRon

2010-02-24T07:57:00.003-05:00

So you want to see my yarn do ya? Well, as promised, photo'd and flickr'd.

They are from left to right, top to bottom...
1. Dream In Color, Prism, Schaefer, Handspun Alpaca
2. Koigu, Pagewood Farms, Kollage, Ellyn Cooper's Yarn Sonnets
3. First 2 Araucania, and last 2 Hazel Knits (part of my sock club that arrived while I was away)

As you can see, I'm still drawn to all those greens and blues with a smattering of purples and pinks thrown in. I can't wait to get some stuff finished so I can cast on with some of these lovelies!

Knitting: Back to Camp

2010-02-22T13:27:00.002-05:00

I have been away again at the annual Knit Cam0, held at the lovely Camp Kon-O-Kwee. Sister Sarah and I shared a room with another lady named Linda (she was a newbie this year). As this has become an annual trip, I leave a day before and we shop till we drop. This year was no different.

Left on Thursday and arrived around 1:30 PM. Met up at Eat 'n Park, had some lunch and Sarah drove from there. We headed into town (east side) and hit up Knit One first. Now before I get into the yarny story, let me tell ya 'bout the snow and the parking. Knit One is located in an artsy district similar to Short North for you Columbus folks. However unlike our very FLAT high street it is on a hill, narrow street with parking on both sides and only one lane of traffic each way and NO turning lanes (unlike our High St.). Moving on to the SNOW.... Pburgh received about 2-3 feet more than we did a coupla weeks ago. Consequently, the normal street parking was not really available on the main drag. There were a few people that slightly dug out a few spots in front of their houses, but the shops didn't do that. So there was another big hill that we went up and then came back down. Found a dug out spot that was unoccupied, sorta kind dug out that is. Sarah backed into it, backing UP HILL and then tried to correct and got herself a little stuck.

She promised NOT to run me over, so I got in front of the car (PS, was in the front seat, had to crawl to the back seat to exit the driver side) and I pushed, she backed, I slipped and down to my knees in the wet slushy snow I went. Was ok, not hurt too bad, no biggie but wet jeans (ew) and hit the bad knee - small bruise.

Finally made it to shop, looked around a bit and I ended up with Koigu a lovely color that LOOKS like Starry Night (to me). I also found a lovely yarn by Shaefer Co which is the color I have coveted for YEARS. It's called Gertrude Ederle. It's fabulous shades of purple, blue, grean and dark pink. I LOVE it... and so happy I found. It's a merino/silk blend fingering weight, so not sure if it will be socks, gloves or some other fabulousness.

Oh and I grabbed a few skeins of a novelty type yarn to make a scarf for Joy. She pointed one out to me a couple of weeks ago in Toledo, but I can't find that yarn, so I think this one will do.
Here is the yarn (wrong color) and the scarf (color she wants)

After that purchase, for which I received 10% from the kind owner, even though I forgot my coupon, we headed to Natural Stitches. LOVE this place. They have such a huge selection of fabulous yarn and a bunch was on sale!

I bought a lot, including the newer wire sock blockers. I picked up a hand dyed sock blank, some Pagewood Farms Denali in a pretty impressionist style color way, I think it's called Lavender fields. I picked up a skein of this brand last year and LOVE it... so I added more. They had the Arucania on sale 40% off, picked up 2 skeins, one green and one pink. And then in the super bargain sale, a cotton/nylon blend of fingering weight for $3/skein, bought 2 for future socks. I think that was all... but Sarah and I combo'd our order because if you hit a $100 you get a nice canvas bag... and you all know how I love bags... so now I have another bag...yay! And I also have some customer rewards points, so I get 10% off my next purchase and it expires in May, so now I have an excuse to go back. LOL.

After that we hit up Trader Joe's because it's in the same plaza for camp snacks and goodies. While there I noticed they had a selection of hand made enchiladas, that I'm hoping our local stores carry. Really want to try.

Then to dinner and back to Sarah's. Finally got a little bit of knitting time in and then to bed. Next morning, we headed to Sewickley, PA for Yarns Unlimited. Picked up a couple of skeins (can't remember now), Audra gave me her coupon because she wasn't buying anything so I received 10% there, too. WOOT!

Finally we were headed towards Camp.... that's all I have time for now, so details and photos to come. Hopefully later today or tomorrow if I'm ambitious!

Knitting: An olympian is born

2010-02-16T08:22:00.004-05:00

This year I decided on several projects to knit while the Olympics were on. This year, they started on my birthday which ended up being a bad thing. As knitters everywhere were gearing up to cast on with the ceremonies and lighting of the torch, I had other plans. Good plans, but plans, none the less. So I did cast on a little later and as it was late and I had several glasses of birthday wine... I didn't knit too much. Simple 2x2 ribbing.

Then the majority of the weekend that followed was BUSY. I had a long drive back home, plans with a friend (Rodeo) and a bit of shopping. So I didn't get much knitting time in, or Olympic time. By Sunday evening, I did get settled in though and worked more on my project and even got to watch some great athletes, finally!

The Men's Moguls was an exciting event. And the figure skaters were good and bad and I'm really wondering what the heck the judges are smoking because they gave some people too high of marks and others too low. It's really random and odd.

Anyway, my Winter Twilight Mitts are coming along nicely although I'd hoped to be done with at least ONE by now because I still have to make a second one. Anyway for your viewing pleasure here is the MIP (mitt in progress) from the inside and outside. Normally I wouldn't show inside pics, but stranded colorwork is so pretty on the inside.

Book Review: Joy of Sox

2010-02-09T07:50:00.006-05:00

A few weeks ago, I happened upon this book at Cath's house. I think I might have seen it online, but didn't pay attention to it. Anyway, after a quick perusal (is that a word?)... I thought it would be a good purchase.

So, with the book sale at KP, I decided to get it last week. I REALLY like a lot of the patterns in it. And there are tons of tips and of course different techniques, dpns, 2 circs, magic loop etc.

Another great thing about this book is; it's not just one persons design, it's a collection of different designers. So, you get a really great variety and many styles of patterns. Lace, cable, colorwork, thigh-his (REALLY!) and knee socks, anklets, even a pair of pedi socks. There are great photos, showing many angles of the socks, etc.

Now, I have not yet knit anything from the book, so I don't know how the patterns are written. Although, they do give both written and charted instructions. They also feature different toes and heels as well as doing toe up and cuff down depending on the pattern. Did I mention the tips??? Well yes, there are a ton, from different designers, knitters and fiber junkies. There are also a bunch of percentages, like X% of sock knitters do xxxx. Type of thing, so it's a fun read as well.

For me, the BIGGEST drawback to this book is some of the photos. I think they are meant to be sexy or intimate photos and many are of a man and woman. The woman is wearing the socks and the man is bare foot. Well there is nothing I like less than a freakin' bare foot....ewww!!! So it's really a distraction and a bit annoying. But so far that is the biggest drawback for me. One thing to mention though; he isn't in EVERY photo, but many.

All in all, if you like socks and books, I totally recommend the Joy of Sox.

ETA: oh and one more thing... it's a hard cove, but spiral bound book. LOVE that!!! So much easier to knit and fold and work from!

Knitting: It's a wrap x 2

2010-02-08T13:59:00.002-05:00

That title will make more sense in a moment, I promise.

I had a bad week yesterday, it was pretty much all work, so by Tuesday morning... I decided it would be a GOOD thing to take off Thursday, then have my usual Friday off as well. Wednesday was actually not bad and I thought, maybe just maybe I'll go in to work... ahhahahaaaa. I didn't.

I did do some errands which included a quick run to Yarn Market. I had a much more pleasant time this time around. I was actually left alone to look around and mill about the warehouse. There was a fantastic gal that chatted with me while she was "picking" other orders and she was really helpful. Anyway, my main point in going was to get some kollage square DPN's. Which I did get. And... I also picked up a skein of really pretty indie dyed yarn.

After getting home, I started a new project. A Wrap called Twin Leaves. I did finish that on Friday. I blocked and put one heck of a long seam in it.

And onto the 2nd wrap (see I promised)... I decided on a pattern to use yarn from the Hazel Knits Sock yarn club. The colorway is called "It's a Wrap" and it is a multicolored blue, red, green colorway. Wendee based it off of a piece of vintage christmas wrap. It's a pretty yarn, but I just always wondered what I would make with it... so I found a sock pattern called "Paisley Socks" and that is what I cast on for on Sunday. It's also part of the SKA February challenge.

As for this week, just gearing up for Ravelympics to start on Friday and I can finally get to work on those darn Winter Twilight mitts!

Knitting: Why yes, it IS another new project

2010-02-02T12:55:00.003-05:00

I decided to take a BOM class in hopes of actually being on point to finish an afghan. It's hosted/taught by Michelle at Temptations. It's sort of a beginner type of class, kind of going over the basics, pattern reading, guague, etc. My main reason for taking the "class" is because I thought it might force me to actually work on a block once a month and in a year, I'll have a fantastic afghan.

I've learned over the past few years, I don't always have the sticktoitiveness to get things done. I've started several blocks through different KALs and guess what, none of them are finished. So I'm hoping this will be my fresh start. Anyway, the pattern is pretty simple, just comination knit and purls to make a nice texture pattern. Each block will have a seed stitch border and we are also doing a crochet cast on and a specific bind off for each block for consistancy.

I did a total of 2 repeats last night and have about 10 more to do, depending on measurments. Shouldn't take long and it's definitely a relaxing knit.

The picture isn't great because I have it squished on to DPN's, but I couldn't find my 10" US7 and that being said, I may opt to go down to a 6 anyway. We'll see. Need to find more of my needles at home, perhaps that is the project I will work on tonight.

Knitting: Sometimes organization is bad

2010-01-31T10:02:00.003-05:00

Mostly it is good though.

Case in point... I had the brill idea to make a pattern/project binder for 2010. Sort of like the ravelry queue. And while ravelry is still a genius and I am its slave... I need tangible. I need something that I can carry around with me and touch and feel. I know this is weird because with the Iphone I can actually carry ravelry around with me. But anyway... binder it is.

So I started planning. I had 2 projects in the binder. The lovely Welig Gloves and The every way wrap. Both started around beginning of January/end of December? Anyway, I was a good girl and soley worked on these 2 projects. I finished the gloves. And decided to start a simple sock project to go along with the wrap. I cast on Spring Forward. It took it's place in the magic binder.

Then I did a dumb thing and went to knitters mercantile. I bought this fantastic self striping/patterning yarn by Regia. I went to a friends to watch movies, needed something even more simple, so I cast on for another sock! That has no pattern though, so no insert into the binder. I will write it up though for prosperity, and to OH yeah, make the 2nd sock match the first. har,har, har.

The pic is of the in progress, but the 1st sock is actully complete.

Then, I went on Ravelry forums and started reading the January challenge for SKA and I cast on another sock! It's a made up pattern from BW stitch dictionary... and I haven't gotten far on it. The sock yarn is alpaca and is super slippery and fine to knit, so these may get frogged or take forever, not sure.

THEN... if all of this wasn't bad enough... my first shipment for the Rockin' Sock club came on Friday. Holy crap, do I love this yarn. It''s this gorgeous red/pink with a bit of bluey/silver, some orange and pinks and it is way too fabulous! I was actually leaving the house on Friday, pulled my car over in front of the mailbox because I saw a package. I sat there on the wrong side of the street facing the wrong way and opened the amazing. I was in love right there. It was like this was the most perfect yarn in the prettiest of colors and I felt like it was made just for me. I checked the patterns quick too and they were stunning as well.

Instead of running back into the house to immediately wind and cast on (which was truly a thought), I went about my errands. I didn't even cast on for a whole day! But then I just had too. It was staring me in the face and I knew I couldn't knit on anything else.

So, I cast on Flabella. I read through the pattern multiple times and on I went. Until the 1st freaking row. Yes, this pattern has bobbles, which normally I don't like, but they look so pretty in the pattern, I knew I had to knit them and would be pleased at the end. Well, I had problems, after about the 4th bobble, I decided to give up. I plan to potentially still knit this pattern someday, but in the mean time, I decided to cast on the other pattern that came with it, Cascadia.

It's a toe-up so not my fave method, but I did it. And for all of you that know me and know my relationshp with Judy's Magic Cast on... I actually did it. First time ever it actually came out fairly well. I just have one little hole to fix up instead of the usually craziness that happens when I do it. So, I felt better about that... then onto the pattern. It's just awesome. It's pretty and easy to memorize, the directions are written very well and the charts are awesome. So I'm half way through the foot (I think). And the yarn as knitted is still amazing and lovely.

Oh yeah, back to the binder... so on my lazy Sunday morning, I notieced I had patterns skattered about and thought I really needed to wrangle them in. So I put some random patterns in another binder. And I started putting the "I REALLY WANT TO MAKE THAT!" in the 2010 binder and lo and behold it has grown!

I think it is mostly due to ravelympics. If I get on a crazy knitting roll during this time, I want to be sure to have enough projects in my "queue". So I've picked a couple to knit, since Vivian is going to be knit another time. I have the twilight mitts to knit with Jackie and Karen. I thought maybe another sock pattern to go with the SKA Feb. challenge. And then I forgot about this cowl I want to make AND there's a blue moon team too and the criteria there is just to use Blue moon yarn, so enter in another project! Of course I could merge the Blue moon and ska into one thing and have my blue moon entry and the ska challenge be the same pattern.

Anyway... at this point in time... the binder has gotten out of control. I'm pretty confident I can finish the twilight mitts during ravelympics. I MIGHT be able to squeeze the cowl in, too... but much more than that is probably hopeless. I need to slow down and concentrate on one thing at a time, not sure if that will ever be possible, though.

Oh well, at least I enjoy what I do!

Misc: Land of the lost

2010-01-27T07:36:00.004-05:00

So in my still posting nearly daily phase of January, here I am again. This time not talking about knitting. I've been a bit spacey lately, enter "land of the lost." It's kind of weird because normally I'm pretty grounded, logical and let's face it overly dramatic... I'm good with all that. But then there's this spaciness that I just don't get and I don't really like it all that well.

I think it mostly stress trying to eek it's way out of my brain and giving me a way to deal, so it makes my brain mush and spacey. It's ok, I'm not like drowning in space or anything like that... I definitely just feel in an odd state of being right now.

I think the stress is mostly work related. It's not bad stress necessarily, just a WHOLE hell of a lot to do type stress. But, I made the proverbial LIST of things to do, and I'm just going to work that list and if new things crop up, they will get added to the end or if high priority, might get inserted in there somewhere. So that's the plan for today. And this is my next to last day of work this week. Having Fridays off is great indeed. A HUGE gas saver for me and it gives me that much needed 3rd day to the weekend.

While this schedule is great and suits me fine, sometimes these 10 hour days are just so long! In the mornings when I come in (usually first on the scene), I feel like I was literally just here 5 minutes ago... and I'm not always last to leave, but nearly so. The days are getting longer though, so when I buzz out at 5:30, there is still a bit of light before dusk really settles in. It's nice. For awhile in December there it was pitch black coming in and pitch black leaving. That really sucked.

Anyway... I digress. The days are getting longer and with this seriously effing cold front that is kicking in, I'm really looking forward to spring. I need to finish cleaning up my front yard and flower beds (atrocious) and then my pretty stuffs will start popping up and be lovely. I hope to plant more "things" this year, but we'll see if I can get the lazy out and actually do it.

Knitting: The lure of the Ravelry boards

2010-01-26T08:14:00.002-05:00

I really need to stay off the internet and ravelry boards, etc.

I have so little will power and there I go again casting on for yet another project?! Why????? The lure of a possible prize... of course I have to finish the darn project! But I'm getting faster on the sock knitting, so I think I have a chance. I have until the end of February. I've also already decided I probably won't do the February challenge, so... I can certainly give it a shot to finish these socks.

The January SKA challenge is a textured sock. There were several patterns out there I like, but the one I liked best was a toe up and I'm just not in the moode for that right now. I grabbed the BW treasuries and scanned and found a pretty pattern already charted. So I'm gong with it.

I even went into my STASH and pulled out some Alpaca Sox yarn, I purchased last summer(?) maybe. Anyway, I didn't make the pattern that the yarn was originally bought for, so now I'm using it. It's kind of a coral/terra cotta color. I like the color a lot and since it's alpaca, it's pretty soft and buttery however... it's also a very thin, just a 2 ply yarn, so not sure how great this will be... might be a floppy sock, but I'm really trying to tug tight on my stitches to keep it together. The pattern is looking nice so far.

But even though I casted on last night, I will continue working on the socks for Brian. I had a good idea though, I might do Brian socks at work during lunch since it's basic stockinette and I don't have to worry about patterns/mistakes, etc... and then in the evenings, I'll work on the Celtic Pattern sock. I really don't have a clever name for it yet. But maybe when I'm done, I'll think of something.

On to work....

Knitting: Off track again?

2010-01-25T11:12:00.003-05:00

Well, I wouldn't totally say off track, but yeah, kind of. I was supposed to be working on the Every Way Wrap... but due to attention span and not having the time or placement of actually concentrating, I have not knit on this thing in over a week. Shame, shame, shame.

But it's definitely a project I have to pay attention to and lately, I haven't had that opportunity, so being a little smarter than the knitting, I decided to do something less attention needing... that would be a new sock. Yes, I cast on another darn sock. However, this sock is using REGIA self-striping, so it is just plain old stockinette from nearly beginning to end. I've decided to do a turkish/afterthought heel because I couldn't bear doing another heel flap right now. I just finished the flap for Spring Forward... and I just hate the flap. Anyway, haven't done the afterthought heel before, so I thought I'd give it a whirl. And these are for Brian and I don't think he'll complain about the look or feel of them. My only worry is they might be a bit to big for him.

I did a c/o of 54 stitches because my long tail wasn't long enough.
I did 1x1 twisted rib for 1".
Next round I increased 10 stitches around with K1FB (64 stitches).

Then just knit. About half way in the picture, you can see the waste yar, it's pink/green/yellow and that is where the heel stitches will go. I have about 5 inches done on the foot so far and that is where I'm worried it will be loose. Also Brian has a very skinny ankle, so we'll see.

In any case, I have to do about 2 more inches and will then start the decreases for the toe. I started this sock Friday evening, worked it a bit on Saturday and Sunday and I'm really pleased with the yarn, the striping pattern and the colors.

Knitting: On the horizon

2010-01-21T17:06:00.002-05:00

Sometimes I don't know what is wrong with me... I have all these projects going on and rather than keeping in time with them, enjoying them, my mind is off and running thinking about the next 47 things I want to knit. So much so that I also dream about and often times BUY more yarn. I am ridiculous. I have a problem.

I suppose it's not a bad problem over all, I mean I could be addicted to drugs or booze and I'm not. So yarn or knitting addictions... is it so bad really?

But yesterday I splurged a little. I've been good for weeks mostly because of car issues and being a little broke. So a little retail therapy did the trick. While I've mostly avoided Cat Bordhis methods and socks... I decided I might go ahead and try some. Ya see a gal I know, Beth (yarnaholicbeth on rav) is teaching a class on Cat's new method/book, Personal Footprints. I like Beth, so I decided why not give it a try. I bought the book yesterday, read it last night and I'm not sure about it. Seems like it might be a lot of work, even though Cat says it isn't. We'll see. I'm still going to take the class. It's for 4 mondays in March which is a lot, but hopefully it will go well.

Then I was in NEED of needles that the merc didn't have so I ran over to the Yarn Shop on Kenny. While there I got my needles, the latest issue of Spin off and yarn. It's sooo pretty. See below.

So now I really want to knit that up into some fabulous socks... but I'm being good and only working on what I am working on! :)

But I can still think of the future, right?!

So for the future, there are some patterns I want to make (hopefully soon), but definitely after the wrap and ravelympics.
1. Mystic Sea (socks)
2. Knotty (gloves)
3. Winter Witch Mitts (mittens)
4. Ribbed hat for Brian (hat)
5. Winter Twilight Mitts (fingerless gloves/wristwarmers)

So that's on the agenda and very soon will be added to the Knitting 2010 Binder. I think there may be another thing or 2 in there already. I get so easily sidetracked.

And I need to get back to the WIPS too. I want to finish 2 sweaters that I started last year. One is probably a 3 season peice and the other is def Spring/Summer... although since I'm usually always on the warmer side, it may end up being a 3 season piece as well and I'll wear into the fall.

Anyway... that's the horizon... and don't think I've forgotten about the spinning and the weaving... those ideas are percolating too!

Spinning: The wonky wheel

2010-01-19T08:54:00.004-05:00

So I haven't done much spinning lately... or ever really. Last time I had the wheel out was late last spring/early summer. I remember because it was a lovely warm day and I took the fiber and wheel outside on the deck and spun some lovely Corriedale top roving. This has become my favorite fiber so far. Granted, I have a limited scope.

I attended 2 fiber fests in 2009, the Great Lakes show in May and then the one at Young's Dairy around September/October (maybe)??? Anyway at both I purchased some roving and it's sat in it's little area of my home in various balls or bags of fluff.

I haven't done much spinning because my wheel was a little broke. The connector between the treadle and arm (this is what makes the wheel spin) had broken. We rigged it up so it would work but that resulted in uneven treadling. So it was more bother and frustration than I could handle. Problem #2 was my tension. When I receiving the gently used wheel the tension spring was quite stretched. It was ok though and still worked. Problem was, I could never get really good tension for my spinning. It either was too fast or too slow. I couldn't get it JUST RIGHT.

Just before Christmas, B and I headed down to Nelsonville for boots at Rocky Boots. We also stopped by a LYS. The owner sold ashford wheels, looms and carders as well as had various supplies. I bought the "repair" kit for the wheel, but left it in the bag until I was ready to spin again.

Enter last Sunday. I was invited to a spinning party. I got the wheel out, fixed the connector thingy and READ how to use 2 springs instead of 1 for the tensioning. It was a lifesaver. It has made such a difference, I can't hardly believe it! I also oiled the wheel and put a new drive band on. She's all fixed up and ready to go.

So I went to Stephanie's house which isn't far from mine (cool). And set off to spinning. I recently purchased this super cute BFL Top roving from Miss Babs. It's hand dyed... and I just love the shades of reds and pinks. Received several compliments on the roving and everyone asked where I got it. I happily talked up Miss Babs because she is such a sweet person. I met her back at Sock Summit and she was so helpful and kind and just a great business person. She is also a super fast shipper! I like her sock yarn and colors are fantastic. I did purchase roving at SS, too, but I've misplaced it in my house somewhere.

Anyway, I snagged a photo from her site, so you can see the colorway. By the way, it's called GLEE, which I think is very suitable because it makes me happy to look at it. I initially purchased just one 4oz portion, but decided I might want more. It was in the sale bin and there were 3 left, so I went and purchased the last of it! I don't know if she'll make this color again, but now I have 16oz which should make me something nice (I hope).

But as far as the spinning is going... it's good! I'm excited! There have been a couple of oopsies or thick spots, but... I'm learning and I am fairly consistant, so that is good as well. Last night I worked on this roving again and I think I'm nearly half way through, maybe 1/3 of the first hank I purchased. But I'm hoping to continue this week and into the weekend and maybe have a finished bit of yarn by next week. Of course this means, I have pushed the Every Way Wrap off to the side... and I really need to work on it! The spinning is definitely a nice break/addiction though.

Knitting: Yes it's another sock

2010-01-16T10:33:00.003-05:00

Since I'm going to Sticks 'N Stitches today, I decided I needed something fairly simple to knit as well as something on wooden needles. I currently don't have any WIPS that fit either category. Hard to believe, but true. So in the wee hours of the morn when I woke up, ie. 6AM on a Saturday... I cast on another project.

It's a sock project that I've been wanting to do for some time. It was featured in Knitty, sometime back, Summer '08 (I think). It's called Spring Forward and I was going to use a lovely shade of green to knit this however, I deicded I really wanted to use some of the lovely blue moon yarn I purchased back in November. So I'm using the Water Lilies color way (think Money painting). And what better time to think of Spring that in the middle of cold snowy January.

So I cast on. Did 1x1 twisted rib for an inch and have already completed a few rows of the main pattern. It's a pretty easy repeat to remember, so I hope these socks go quickly. I'm not entirely positive how much knitting will be done at the Hockey match... because I am a Hockey addict and LOVE it... so I may not get much done. No matter, I am ready for both.

Had a bit of bad news this morning. A friend of mine is having a rough time right now and another friend from my home town just lost his father. Dan was a really great man. Being from such a small town, you really DO know everyone! Anyway, Dan worked for the fire department as well as did tons of odd jobs around town. My gram hired him to plow her drivewayn every year. It's a really long drive and up hill. He and his wife Carol, owned the "Corner Cut/Rate" for years and years. Just really nice people. Anyway, my thoughts are with Jim, Jamie, Carol and the rest of their family today.

Knitting: Best laid plans?

2010-01-15T08:56:00.003-05:00

Well, I don't know who out there is reading, but I promised a picture of the wrap. So here she is, the lovely Every Way Wrap in Progress.

I really do love the look of this. It's just very tedious knitting, which I need to learn to deal with. As I said before this project is definitely a trial in patience.

So all week, I've been looking forward to knit knite! I've missed a few weeks because of various issues, but I was finally able to go. So I start working on the wrap and it took me a bit to find where I was. I thought I had stopped on a particular row, but the knitting was arguing with me. I finally agreed with the knitting and started along. Well, with that very first row I started, I realized I was not paying as much attention as I should because lets face it, I like to talk and listen to all the stories going on at the table. So I pulled the row out and set the knitting off to the side and conversed for the rest of the evening. Yes I should have taken something extra to work on, but I'm trying to be good and not cast anything on.

Which leads me into a nice segue way. These gals I knit with are terffic. They are kind, funny, talented, witty, amazing... etc. They are also a bunch of freakin' enablers!!! I am too, but just when I think I've gotten on a good track things go astray. I really feel that I'm going to be good and I'm not going to cast on anything else or buy yarn. I mean I REALLY thought I had gotten rid of castonitis... but lo and behold these wonderful people just bring it right back out of the wood work! :) They could sell yarn to a sheep, I'm not kidding!

It's all good, but after chatting about projects and ravelympics, I have some seriously itchy fingers! So much so, that I spent the first HOUR of the day today looking for the Vivian pattern. I printed it awhile back but can't find it anywhere. As well as my size 8 interchangeables. Now, I have the wrap which I need to be working.... but that Vivian, she is an evil siren and is calling to me. She is my Ravelympics challenge and I cannot start her yet.

So I swatched! I pulled out my yarn, a previous purchase for another sweater. I calculated the yardage I currently have and realized I don't have enough because the previous project was a short sleeve - 3/4 sleeve cabled/lacey sweater and vivian is a cable/seed stitch long sleeve cardigan hoodie. So I need about another 5 skeins of yarn. Good thing I realized this now, so that I can order and get before ravelympics start.

I feel pretty proud of myself for showing some restraint and actually swatching. I'm horrible about it normally, but I said, "Self, do this right and you might actually make something that will fit properly!"

What I learned with this swatch is that I'm still a knitter that can get guage with said needles for said type of yarn. I swatched with a size 9 because I couldn't find the 8 and my guage is off. It's off just enough though that I know I can get guage with the 8's once I find them. So another guage swatch isn't necessary. The pattern gives guage in stockinette and seed stitch, so I incorporated both into my swatch, rather than doing 2 separate swatches.

Oh and while I was thinking about projects and itchy fingers... I happen to see something in my stash and got a fantastic idea! Last fall, a few of the ladies and I talked about doing a KAL for the Winter Twilight Mitts. I know Karen and Jackie recently picked out their yarn and ordered from Knit Picks. I hadn't ordered because I thought I would use some stash yarn. I have massive amounts of sock yarn I want to use up. So I was good. Well, about a month ago, I was trying to pair up yarns and wondering what would look nice together, etc. I have a lot of knit picks Palette yarns, differing colors... but nothing was jumping out at me. For awhile, I actually thought about dropping the idea of joining the KAL.

But today... I spied with my green eye what I think will make some very nice mitts. I have the Knitpicks Imagination in Mermaid Lagoon and the Essential Kettle Dyed in Eggplant. They look REALLY nice together. See!

So I'm considering that pairing to make those mitts. And of course I want to start RIGHT NOW!

But... I'm going to be good, at least for the next few hours and work on the wrap.

Knitting: The very long wrap

2010-01-14T07:42:00.002-05:00

So lately, I'm wondering what I have gotten myself into. I've wanted to make the every way wrap for quite sometime. Well, I started it as my 2nd project of 2010. I'm trying to be as monogamous as I can, so that I may actually get some finished goods out of this year. Anyway, as most know, I hate ribbing. So this project starts with 5 inches of 2x2 Rib. BUT... somewhere in 2009, I realized RIBBING although tedious and annoying does have a purpose and to skip it, means you are lessening your garment. So, I have RIBBED. And, what I did decide is that I really love 1x1 Twisted Rib, ala Cookie A. I've come to love that for sock ribbing. And what is funny about that, is most typical patterns require about an inch of it, I've been going PAST an inch... so I've come to enjoy it more.

However, still not a fan of 2x2 Rib. But I did it for the wrap, however I went to just shy of 4 inches instead of the full 5. I can't recall the size I chose to knit, but it's the next to last one. It's a c/o of 126 stitches. Around half of those stitches become odd, but lovely cables. I'm saying odd because they combine K2 and P2 within a cable, something I'm not sure if I've really done before. All the cables are 4 stitch which makes cabling without a needle a bit faster. However some of them, I still have to pop off the stitches and rearrange a bit. Anyway, they are like slip 2 to front P2, K2 from cable needle. Anyway, the end result looks nice and I like it, it's just different/odd.

Now the other half is MOSS stitch... another "stitch" I dislike. It's not hard, but I find it a nuisance, it's all K1P1 and P1K1, over and over and over again, row after row. But... I like the wrap, so I'm doing it. It's a bit tedious and monotonous and it's almost mindless... so it is definitely a relaxing knit. One where I can watch TV while knitting and still pay attention to both the TV and the knitting without mistakes.

So I've made it to row 18 and it is at this point that I need to repeat rows 3-18 another 16 times to get the full length of the wrap. I'm thinking... OMG!! Can I actually do this?! I'm still trying. I still want this wrap and I can only think it really will get faster, won't it? If I keep working on it, little by little it will be done, no?! I'm hoping so. My goal was to have done by knit camp which I leave for on 2/18. However, Ravelympics are starting on 2/12 and since I have a project potentially picked out for it, then I need to be done with the wrap by 2/12. So at this point, I have 29 days.

I'm using Cascade Eco+ Wool in a nice navy blue. I really like cascade yarns and can't wait to give this a nice wash in Kookaburra. It will smell and feel great. I just need to keep plugging away and it will be done.

I promise to post a photo soon. I've been slacking in that department, but it does look nice so far. I just wish it was moving faster. This project is definitely something that is helping me build patience.

Knitting: New Gloves for a New Year!

2010-01-10T14:26:00.002-05:00

Those are my finished masterpiece. This was a great lesson for me in knitting. I doubted my progress several times when I shouldn't have. Consequently, they took me longer than they should have. But, I liked this pattern a lot and it was good fun to knit. Had many cables and crosses and twists. And I think the finishe project looks fantastic. The yarn I used was purchased at the great lakes fiber fest last May. I spent the day there with Cath, Audra and her mom Sandy. We had a nice time and I found this lovely shade of green-blue Handmaiden Casbah yarn. The yarn is a super soft superwash merino, nylon and cashmere blend. And the skein is so hearty, that while I made the set of gloves, I have enough left over to make something else. I have to weigh the skein first, but I'm hoping and THINK I might be able to get a pair of socks. They might only be anklets, but am hoping I have enough for pair. Or else, I'm sure I can get a pair of fingerless gloves.

So I'm kicking off 2010 in a good way. One finished project under my belt and I'm moving on to my next WIP. It's the Every Way Wrap by O. Park. I think it was featured in the fall 2009 of Interweave Knits. I've been wanting to make for some time, and I cast on a few days ago. Ther first 5 inches is 2x2 ribbing. I think I have about 3 1/2 inches so far and I really think that looks good enough. I plan to start the cable and seed pattern today. I would like to try and get at least an hour a day in on this. I'm not sure if I can do it during the work week, but I want to have this completed in the next 3 weeks, so that I can take to knit camp with me.

We've spent the weekend mostly relaxing, watching movies and knitting and a wee bit of cleaning too. We've watched; Star Trek, 4 Christmases, The hangover, The Final Destination, Angels and Demons, The Ugly Truth, Extract, and we tried to watch Taken, however the disc was bad. And today, we have Terminator Salvation, UP and GI Joe. Guess I'll get back to my knitting! Cheers!

Knitting: Finally a list

2010-01-08T08:11:00.004-05:00

So I've been meaning to post for a couple of days, but time just escapes me. New projects at work are definitely a time suck, but also, it was REALLY hard to get back into the work groove after so many days of off/on style work with the holidays.

I have been successful at work. With these new projects, I have a plan. Hopefully one that I will get written out and it will be well execute, but the wheels are already turning and things are going well so far.

Which leads me into the year laid out before me. I've been trying to turn a corner with my knitting. Not starting so many projects, but actually finishing a few. Now, yes I have many items in hibernation on ravelry and will those get touched/finished... I really can't say. Some of them have definitely lost there lustre and may just end up going to the froggy pile, while others may still have a spot of hope.

So, for 2010, I've decided to make a special binder for all my projects. Yes I realize that we have a great tool in Ravelry, but one thing I know about myself is I like tangible things. Yes I can look online at all things, but to shop, I like to touch and feel what I am buying. SO anyway, I've created a binder for my projects. I've put copies of the patterns I want to make this year. Now, here's where best laid plans fall apart... new magazines and patterns and books will come out this year and probably tempt me. So I have to leave some room for the new stuff.

Anyway, so far this year, I've only knit on 2 items. I started a KAL with Cath of the Welig gloves. I love this pattern. I've never made gloves before and this pattern is definitely a fun one. Lots of twisted stitches and cables. And the yarn... I'm using the Handmaiden Casbah yarn. It's a dream and so soft! I can't wait to wear these gloves. I worked up through the pinkie on the first glove and then decided to make the 2nd glove before finishing all the fingers. I am hoping to be done with both or one by later today.

The 2nd project I cast on for is the Every Way Wrap. I'm going to knit camp in a month and I really want to be able to show off this project. So I have just around 4 weeks to complete it and I think this is do-able. Just concentrate and don't cast on anything else.

So this will be the year of the sweater for me. I have several sweaters/cardigans/jacket patterns in my queue. Of course if you think about it... I don't have much time because soon, summer will be upon us, so I really have to whip my knitting into shape! After the wrap, I think I will start Vivian. And I really want to knit Heroine and the Bountiful Bohus cardigan. Can I do all these before winter's end? And, will I get burnt out doing so many big projects. Yes, possibly.

So, with this predicament, I think I will try and finish a sock (from all the unfinished pairs I've started), as my in-betweens. Or just work smaller projects, like hats or mittens (gifts) for next Christmas. Hopefully this will get me on my way for gift knitting and not running crunch time like this past year. I also have squares for an afghan to make as well. So the year ahead will hopefully be a prosperous knitting year. I have a plan!

And the best part of this PLAN, I am going to destash while making these items. I bought bulky yarn awhile back for a sweater, that I wasn't crazy about after I started. So, I can use that yarn for Vivian. For Heroine, I will most likely have to invest in yarn because it's a felted piece that requires a LOT of yarn. And the Bountiful Bohus will require a new yarn purchase as well... however, for all my small projects, I have plenty of yarn. I also want to do an inventory and find projects for all my single skeins or smaller amounts of yarn.

So that is how I am starting the year.

Knitting: What was 2009

2010-01-04T10:52:00.003-05:00

I remember at the end of 2008 or beginning of 2009, I made a post. A sort of resolution type of post... and sure I could look it up and read what it said and see if I accomplished what I set out to do. I feel like I should make another such post about 2010 and what I hope to do/see/make/accomplish. I think it's good to have goals.

But before doing that, I already feel like I might have done some of those things in 2009... and I may not have and if I didn't, it's ok because I realize that for me 2009 was definitely a growth experience.

I've heard quite a bit here recently that poeople didn't really like 2009, they were glad it was going and looking forward to 2010. My 2009 was really not that dismal. In fact, I can't really recall a SUPER BAD time of 2009. Sure, there were ups and downs but mostly what I remember are some of the amazing experiences I have had this year.

So before I make my 2010 LIST, I'm going to go back on what I'd like to call HIGHLIGHTS of 2009.

First memorable moment, spending the weekend with Cath and Audra and Tammy in Hocking Hills at a cabin. Unfortunately a couple of others couldn't make the trip due to weather. It was sad and we missed them. But, I found myself having a great time in spite of some of those things. We had great food, knitting, a roaring fire, lots of snow and ice, one seriously BROKEASS truck that barely got us there and home and one helluva large icey hill that promised to be the death of my beancountknitter. All in all I can look back and laugh. It was riot! I hope to have another of those weekends this year, but in better weather for sure!

#2, my lovely Knit Knite gals gave me a LOVELY birthday knit knite with Graeters Rasperry Chocolate Ice Cream cake (thanks JULANE!). It was such a great birthday, surrounded with friends, knitting and ice cream cake! YUM! I have had the unfortunate experience of some less than stellar birthdays in years past, so this was definitely one fantastic day.

#3, Knit Camp with Sarah and Audra in the middle of somewhere in PA (seriously). The camp was great, I met a lot of wonderful new people (knitters). We chatted and knit all weekend, had great food and bought some alpaca and got to pet my first Alpaca. His name was Pretty Boy Floyd and he was certainly a charmer. Speaking of which, I still have that alpaca yarn, I must work something up with it, soon!

#4, While still in February, I took on a new position at work... this was both great and bad. And let me tell you there was a LOT of bad with this one. But I got through it. I wasn't the best person during this time, to myself, to my co-workers or to my family. I didn't like who I was most of that time, but I was just so unhappy and I couldn't get out of it... but Brian did put up with me and we eventually took a vacation that managed to fix things.

#5, TRIP TO BOSTON! It was definitely a good time. Highlights of the trip were going to Salem (loved it) and meeting up with Brian's grandparents. It was so nice to visit and hang out with them. Then we took the train to Gloucester to meet up with them the next day, too. It was a fabulous time driving around the peninsula and checking out the boats, beaches and even a yarn shop!

#6 SOCK SUMMIT... so roughly 4 weeks after vacation I headed out to to Oz... at least that is what it felt like. All the buildup all year for sock summit and it was finally HERE. I had a wonderful time. There was a lot more I wished I could have done, more people I wanted to talk to, more pictures I should have taken and bravery I wish I had... but all in all it was a spectacular experience. I am so fortunate that I got to do it and so happy that I did. And the yarn.... oh heavens the yarn!

So those were the major highlights/memorable moments in 2009. There were lots of knitting gatherings, fiber festivals attended and a LOT of yarn was bought. Oh and I did sell some of the stash too. But I still have a lot left and I'm still not knitting as fast I want, but maybe some day, I can use it all!

Knitting : The sound and fury

2009-12-21T13:13:00.003-05:00

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

2009-12-09T07:37:00.003-05:00

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?!

2009-12-07T16:12:00.003-05:00

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

2009-12-02T12:58:00.002-05:00

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!

2009-11-30T07:44:00.002-05:00

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

2009-11-16T07:38:00.003-05:00

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

2009-10-14T07:14:00.002-04:00

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

2009-10-02T17:20:00.002-04:00

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!

2009-09-18T13:53:00.002-04:00

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

2009-08-27T11:31:00.003-04:00

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

2009-08-26T15:05:00.001-04:00

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!

2009-08-08T20:52:00.003-04:00

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

2009-08-08T00:20:00.003-04:00

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!

2009-08-04T12:35:00.002-04:00

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

2009-07-28T13:50:00.003-04:00

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

2009-07-04T08:00:00.003-04:00

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

2009-06-30T15:27:00.004-04:00

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!

2009-06-15T08:05:00.003-04:00

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

2009-06-02T10:03:00.003-04:00

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

2009-05-11T09:21:00.000-04:00

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...

2009-05-11T09:10:00.003-04:00

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....

2009-05-07T09:18:00.002-04:00

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

2009-04-17T09:01:00.003-04:00

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....

2009-04-07T11:16:00.003-04:00

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...

2009-04-04T09:25:00.002-04:00

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

2009-04-01T07:53:00.003-04:00

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!

2009-03-09T16:44:00.002-04:00

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.

2009-03-04T08:53:00.002-05:00

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

2009-02-22T21:37:00.011-05:00

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

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

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!

Knitting: At knit camp.... HA!

2009-02-22T21:27:00.004-05:00

So let's start by talking about what I didn't do at knit camp this weekend. KNIT.

Seriously... it felt like everything I touched turned bad. I worked a little on xxx and messed something up... switched projects and well something went awry there too, so all in all sort of a frustrating knitting sort of weekend.

However..... there were SOOOO many wonderful and amazing things to talk about here. Unfortunately, I'm totally teasing you and not posting it all right now.

Ok... a little more of a teaser for the week to come... plus my thoughts so I don't forget everything! :)

There was some shopping (ok, LOTS of shopping), Pretty Boy Floyd the Alpaca (real sweeatheart!), new friends, an auction, projects, camp goodies, IKEA... and oh the stories. I met some of the most wonderful knitters this weekend. It was a great trip and I even did an impromptu class on how to make crochet granny squares?!

Anyway... I should get to bed... so pictures and stories of Knit Camp to come.

Knitting: The Opulent Raglan

2009-02-15T18:42:00.006-05:00

So due to the crazy hectic week last week, I didn't have too much of an opportunity to work on this sweater. I made a bit of progress here and there, but not really much until this weekend. I did many rows between the 2 days. I like it so far, it's a pretty easy repeat... and the sides/underarms and back are all stockinette. It's nice because instead of just going around and around forever, the middle cable section adds a point of interest. And when I'm going around it doesn't seem like it's taking me too long to get back to that section, so that's cool too. I definitely understand why those that have made it said it's a fast knit. In some respect it is. I think my stuff just seems to take forever because I'm always making larger sizes which use a LOT more stitches. :)

ION... Coraline, 3D! WOW! (don't worry liz, you can keep reading, I won't spoil it). It was actually my first 3d movie... yes EVER! It was a cute story, I was uber tired when I went though and got a little drowsy towards the end. I never officially FELL asleep, but I think I closed my eyes a couple of times. Not sure if anyone could tell behind the 3d glasses though.. HA!

But seriously... there was the cutest part at the beginning and I just laughed and laughed. I thought it was really well done, all of it! And the bonus part was that part way through Coraline is out shopping with her mom and she's wearing what look like knitted stockings and a knitted skirt!!! AND, the thing she wants most in the store is a pair of stripey knitted gloves! LOL I thought it was sooo funny that of all clothing they could have drawn for her, it was knitted garments. Too awesome.

I guess that's about all the update that is in me at the moment. Here are a few shots of the sweater. A close up of the cable section and another one showing more of the "make."

OH and aren't you all impressed... yes I've cast on a few new things of late but I have meticulously been sticking to one project for more days at a time. Perhaps before it was lack of interest in projects... or now I just have that need/desire to finish? Who knows... anyway, I'm liking that I'm having some doneness in my life. One sweater nearly finished (still not entirely seemed), and another well on it's way. You know, now that I think about some of those unfinished projects, I realize that the majority of the undone stuff was stuff I was making for other people. Maybe that's the problem, I can't seem to finish stuff because it's not for me?! That's a bit selfish, but I think that might be it! Hhhmmm....

In other news, I picked up the new Debbie Bliss Spring/Summer. I like a couple of things... the sweaters as is would cost a fortune because the DB yarn is not cheap! I'm anxious to see knit picks new cotton blend option and maybe try out swish as well. After the op rag, I really should look into doing something more for spring summer. Of course that will require new yarn because most of what I have now is wool and not really summer friendly. :)

Oh and in Ravelry news... someone contacted me about a different Verena sweater. It seems they needed help with the pattern. I had to go back and pull out my summer issue. She is making a pattern I really like and was having trouble interpreting the chart. I think I helped, but I thought it was really nice that she reached out. It doesn't look like she's super updatey on Ravelry, but I hope she posts about it.

I actually do have a lot more to say about stuff I've read recently and other patterns, but I'm going to go... the more I write, the less I knit and I really want to get started on those shaping decreases... off I go!

Knitting: Crazy good times... and with ICE CREAM CAKE!

2009-02-13T09:21:00.009-05:00

ok, does that not look seriously amazing?!

It totally was! And while we all devoured it, I think it was the quietest part of the evening... the only noises were mmmsss... and aaaahhhsss...

Oh and one of my favorite parts of the night... I went to the bathroom (ok, not so amazing), but apparently while I was gone, something funny happened and EVERY SINGLE person there was laughing LOUDLY... it was awesome to walk into this room full of laughter... it made me laugh and I missed the joke entirely!

I brought pizza for the group, a place I hadn't tried before, but I really liked it. I thought the cheese could use a bit more flavor, but I'm always about the cheese, really!?! :)

Then the girls brought out the cake, totally shocking surprise and sooooooo amazingly nice. I mean, I seriously have the best knitting group ever. Lisa brought a bottle of $2 buck Chuck... awesome! The cake was chocolate with Black Raspberry Chip ice cream in between layers and topped with bittersweet chocolate syrup, whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles. YUM!

I know I've said it a few times, but I am so fortunate to know these people. At first it was just like group knitting with people, yay... but slowly, it's evolved into this thing we like DESPERATELY cling to on a bad week (which for many was this week)! LOL... but through the last many months these gals have become... well not just knitters I know... but people that I am glad to call my friends.

I think the majority of us like TV (even if its bad and reality based) and it seems we love different music and movies and of course we have the common love of awesome yarn and knitting. So yeah, maybe first it was about the knitting, but as we've all come to grow together it just becomes this awesome community. We are all bummed when someone misses... and our newer people that have been coming for a few weeks, well it's like they've always been there. So yeah... great group.

And on a week when bad car EXPENSIVE problems crop up and work is going to crap, my stomach has had issues most of the week... and it's your birthday and being near the end of the 4th decade (do the math, that's late 30's people!) it's kind of freaky. Like when I was in my 20's... this seemed so old. And now it's here... I still feel like those days of my 20's. Pretty carefree, sometimes serious... but you know, just living. Age really is nothing but a number, but it's also a cause to pause and wonder and may be be a little melancholy because you realize... wow, life does change and with age comes mortality, etc. So long ago, birthdays meant GROWING UP... now they mean GROWING OLD... and I'm really okay with it... as long as I have these wonderful people around me, like my fabu knitting friends.

So yeah... what started as a great week with a visit from my cousin, then turned to trash on Tuesday.... but as things do, it turned around and am having a wonderful finish! Complete with dinner tonight with friends, a movie tomorrow with a friend I haven't seen in a few months... and well, it's a sunny and beautiful Friday, who could ask for more.

Oh and my car is FIXED! YAY!

A ton of my friends on facebook and ravelry wished me well. I received text messages on my phone and some cards in the mail (and a few late night phone calls). So all in all it was a pretty effing great birthday. Thanks to so many people. I am truly amazed, astounded, proud and so very thankful for all these wonderful people in my life. I am blessed and ever so fortunate.

So here's to 37, people! It's great to be me!

Knitting: Unfinished projects, starting more projects and lot of eating!

2009-02-08T18:18:00.003-05:00

That is what this weekend has been about.

Friday-Met up with Lindsey at Temptations. I bought some shibui sock yarn cause i've been dreaming about it. It's a lovely shade of green and should go nicely with my almost finished sweater. Then we went to Red Lobster. I had a great meal. It's been ages since I been there and it totally hit the spot. After that I came home, did a little work on the OpRag. Crashed early cause I was tired.

Saturday--it started out pretty rough. The tow truck came to get my car and take it to MAG in Dublin to be looked at. Well, like a dingbat... I took the key for it off my chain, then the driver asked me to move the car down to the pullaround area, so he wouldn't block traffic. Then he left and I came back in the house. I got ready and Brian left for work, I gathered all my stuff and where were my keys? I totally panicked! I strongly felt like I had left them in the rover. SO I call Brian and ask him about the red truck of death... will it make it to Dublin. He says, no, but drive it to where he is on 256 and take his truck. So then I look for the red truck keys... can't find them. I'm losing patience and the clock is ticking because I need to get to the bank before it closes. Finally I decide to call MAG to ask them to look in the rover for my keychain which houses the keys to my 2nd car, house, work, desk, computer, etc.... LIFE! Now every time I call the service guy, it goes to voicemail, so I PLEAD with the operator to ask someone to go find him because i have to know. She tells me there is nothing she can do and transfers me... he picks up. HALLELUJAH! I ask him, he goes to look, I'm on hold. While on hold, I remember putting stuff from the rover into a bag, maybe I threw the keys in there. He comes back can't find them, thanks for trying... and I go out to the garage, grab the bag and they are there! HALLELUJAH again!

So I get it together, and take off. I get to the bank, drive thru line looks long, I decide to go inside... holy crap... line from HELL! seriously, I counted there were like 35 people in line... and this counting was after I had been standing there awhile, so a few people had already gotten through. Sooo banking done, Cath invited me over for movies and knitting, so I went over there. In the meantime, Brian and I had texted each other about dinner and decided to meet at Taj Palace. I've been craving Indian Food for awhile. It was HEAVEN. And I tried a new dish, Aloo something. It was a spinach and potato dish. It was tasty, but it was actually better mixed with my curry sauce, too.

After that, home to knit... do some more rows on the OpRag.

Sunday--Met Molly and Betty for brunch, it was yumtastic. Then we went up to Blendon Woods for the hike. Martha was already there and then Lindsey got there. Off we went. The trails were quite snow and ice covered. We hiked up and down hills and by a stream that wound around. So then after awhile we were at a cross road. The group wanted to go towards the Nature Reserve area and I had enough at that point, so opted to take the trail we came from and head back. It was a nice solitary walk. I stopped a few times and took some photos (to be uploaded soon). Then I waited in my car for the gang to catch up and we went to Baja Sol to knit. And eat.

Then I came home and am knitting some more. I'm almost to the point of joining for the body.

So as far as unfinished work.... I haven't worked on my entrelec socks. I haven't worked on my Schooner sock #2. I haven't finished seaming my sweater. I've been slowly working on this opulent raglan. Not so big a deal, but it just feels like I should be going faster and that it would be further along.

Well, I have to go find the camera cable so I can get these pics uploaded and show all my advetures.

Knitting: Opulent Raglan, an update.

2009-02-05T08:07:00.004-05:00

I should have added this pic to the last post because I really have nothing more to say. I'm in the motivated vein to be working on this project so I brought it to work with me today for lunchtime knitting. It's still in it's infant stages so I don't have to LUG a lot around. Hopefully I'll get a row or some done while at lunch.

Speaking of rows... I've noticed a couple of spots of rowing out... weird thing is, it's not the WHOLE row... it's only a little part, like right in the middle... weird. I'll have to pay a big more attention. I don't usually have the problem, of course it's been awhile since I've done stockinette NOT in the round. I've noticed my knit guage has gotten a little tighter. I think it's from too much sock knitting on US1 with smaller weight yarn. I did so many worsted wt project for so long I became very consistent. I guess that is a good reason to keep multiple things going all the time, get your hands trained for the big and all the little stuff.

Speaking of big (ok, apparently I did have more to say, just not on the OpRag), I was reading through 2 of my Aran sweater books that were aquired recently. I REALLY love the one... and oddly enough I thought I would like the OTHER one better, but no matter. Anyway, it gives great description on HOW to design your own pattern and how to use the stitch panels, etc. Information I kind of know already, but it was still nice to read anyway and I LOVE some of the stitches in this book.

I don't however "care" for the construction/finished piecing of the sweaters in the book, perhaps I need to reread that part... but in any case, I was thinking of going back to Barbara walker's design construction for the top down... but I have plenty to work on right now... but the wheels they are turning. I would like a big bulky aran sweater, it's one of those things I've always wanted.

And for some time, I've really wanted to make a sweater for my dad and I can't remember how to spell the STYLE but I know it sounds like Coweechin. It's one of those sweaters, typically done in natural spun aran or bulky yarn and they typically have an animal on them. Anyway if you know what I'm talking about, please remind me of the spelling and if you don't know, I promise to look for it this weekend and post about it again. Anyway, so yeah,I want to make one of those for my dad.

Ok... I better get some work done. The sooner the work day goes by, the sooner I get to go hang with my girls and knit! :)

Knitting: A continuance

2009-02-04T19:55:00.003-05:00

So I decided earlier to just chuck it and continue on with my Opulent Raglan with WOTA that I had started the other day. I definitely like the color and I'm just hoping in the end it will soften up and feel better. And that I will be able to happily and unitchily wear it.

In other news, Entrelac socks are coming along slowly. It's ok, they are a nice project to work on now and again. I've gotten lots of compliments on the colors I'm using and the design.

I have updated pics of both the sweater and the socks, but am too lazy to upload right now. I'm sure glad it is Wednesday and we are one day closer to the weekend. It's been a long "work" week so far. I'm making progress on my accounts, but it seems there is still so much be done and I'm just not that motivated.

I guess that is all for now... more work on the sweater the bed!

Knitting: Unprogressively

2009-02-04T08:21:00.004-05:00

So last night... after much thought wrangling (?) I decided to try the OpRag in the DK Weight Ranco. I cast on (including the 20% extra stitches), I made a few rows... and then became perplexed. While I had calculated the horizontal guage needing 20% extra stitches, hadn't really thought about ROW guage... and at that point, it was a little more math than my tired brain cared to think about.

So, I decided to cast on for a bag I've been wanting to make, the Sipalu bag. This is the bag that came with the Knit Picks Palette yarn sampler. Cast on 240 stitches... YIKES! And it's a provisional cast on. So I'm thinking, hey what a great idea, I'll just cast on to a cable needle with that cast on where you like wrap the yarn and hold the auxillary piece (in this case the options cable). So as I get READY to do this... I realize, oh crap... this is on a size TWO and stupid knitpicks doesn't have interchange for size 2! DARN! So I stop, grab some cotton and start the cast on. I was about 15 stitches in and something happened. I couldn't figure out what part of the motion I was at, so I started over. Then I tried again... I kept losing count and starting over and then the stitches looked weird and there was a lot of "am I doing this right?"

So, after much thought and trial and error, I ended up doing a crochet chain type provisional cast on. Little bummed about it because I was trying to avoid it, oh well, it works, I know it does, so there ya go... now let me just talk about 240 stitches on a US2! HOLY COW!!!

But I started the pattern, it's not difficult, just time consuming. I didn't even make it through a whole row. I could have, but thought better of it because it was getting late, etc. Granted I COULD have stayed up and knit all night, but I used better judgement. I read a few more pages of Mary Thomas (man she cracks me up!).

So today, back to lunchtime knitting and working on the entrelac socks. I'll be taking these to my knit togethers this week as well. And hopefully I'll continue into the weekend with them. Dare I say maybe even get one finished? Ha! It's a long shot. Entrelac isn't difficult, but I've noticed it is definitely time consuming.

There it is, my un-progress. Oh yeah and I didn't finish seaming the sweater either!

Knitting: Goodies and there's the seaming, too

2009-02-03T08:18:00.004-05:00

So last night, I was UBER excited to start the seaming on the Verena Cable sweater. Much to my dismay... I was definitely not ready for it. See the plan was to do a three needle bind off for the should seam, pick up the still LIVE neckline stitches and finish the neck, then complete rest of seaming.

So, I picked up my handy books, BW, Knitting from the top and Nancy W's Finishing Techniques... well, the 3 needle bind off while a good THOUGHT, probably not the best to use because of the pull on the shoulders from the sleeves. And while lofty feeling this is a heavyish sweater and I know me and I pull on things anyway... so scrap that idea, which then meant I had to BIND off! So I did that, then I tried 3 different times to start seaming and I just did not like the way it looked. Both Nancy and Barb talking about lying the pieces side by side, which I did... but it just didn't look right. So, I went back to my sewing 101 experience. I put right sides together and did a version of Nancy and Barb's weaving seam stitch. Anyway... after alla that, I got the shoulders finished.

I did a trial try on and the neck opening barely fit over my head (whoops, guess the bind off wasn't so stretchy) and I sat there on the floor with my "smock" on for awhile... and then I noticed how WARM it was. Heaven. So I got out of my daze and removed the smock and started on the sleeves. This was tricky because I was attaching a bound off edge to a very neat knitted edge. Anyway, sleeve 1 done, then onto sleeve 2 where I got about half way finished. I was tired of seaming. So I will resume that tonight.

Now let us talk about the goodies... yesterday I received PACKAGES... not just one, but three!!! One-from knit picks (with gooey yarn and needle goodness oh and books, too) and 2 pkgs were from Amazon... more books (YAY!). So I felt a little spoiled. Here is the run down in bullets. Pictures to come soon.

-WOTA Worsted in Amethyst Heather (for Knitscene's Opulent Raglan)
-WOTA Kettle Dyed in Ivy, Spruce, Eggplant, Gold and Bordeaux (for Knit Camp project)
-Harmony options in 5 and 6 for OP Rag (see above)
-Needle sizer for Lisa (froggyknits)
-Vintage Knitwear (book)
-Cables and Arans (Harmony Guides)

So that was a great package! I was on fire to start the oprag and because I couldn't find my copy, the wonderous Cath (and hubs Jimmy) helped me out and sent me a copy via email. I still have one room to tear apart looking for this mag but at least I knew how many stitches to cast on, so I did. I did about 4 or 5 rows and it's going along nicely but then I got that icky knot in my stomach... am I doing the right thing?

Here's the deal on one of my trips to Pittsburgh last year, I bought this GORGEOUS Araucania Ranco (Solids) tealish yarn. Gorgeous I tell ya! Anyway, I bought plenty of yardage per the OPRag's yardage req's. Well I had a DUMBASS attack apparently because the guage is comeplely different. The oprag is knit in a worsted weight and the ranco is a dk weight. So I am looking at 19 and 24 stitches per inch difference. At first my thought is to just rework the design and do it to the guage on the ranco, which involves a lot of math. Well, last fall, I just wasn't ready for all that, so I set the yarn and pattern aside for a later date.

Well because I finished (almost) one sweater, I was very much in the mood to cast on for a new one. I wanted to do the Jackie O sweater and have the yarn for it, but I'm in disagreement with the pattern... and that's when the oprag popped back into mind. I ordered the yarn and I'm off.... here's the rub... or shalli say itch?! The knitted fabric so far is very rough. Now my thoughts are that I could keep going and SEE what happens, but this is a low-cut, form fitting sweater that you probably wouldn't want to wear anything under it. So do I keep going in hopes that the knitted fabric after a kookaburra wash feels soft and amazing, or will it be the itchy death of me and I won't be able to wear it?! What to do, what to do? And let me just add, that no matter how much I love a pattern, I'm not likely to make it twice, so if I knit it once and can't wear it, that is a huge waste of yarn and my time.

I wish I had more experience with the WOTA, granted I jusy used the bulky and it's pretty soft... softer than I would have originally imagined, however... the worsted weight WOTA I've noticed, seems a bit stiffer and scratchier. I think I may go ahead and leave my cast on as is for a moment. Do a little larger swatch, maybe a wrist wrap, to finish and wash and wear on my arm for a bit and see if I'm bothered.

My other idea is to go back to the original plan of the ranco and knit the sweater in a DK version. I've figured it out... between guage 19 and 24, it's a 20% difference, so I just need to use 20% more stitches right? And it's top down, so I'll be able to try on as I go. I'm thinking the ranco might work after all. :)

Goodie break... remember I got books from Amazon, too. They shipped in 2 pkgs because of differing locations.
-Traditional Aran Knitting (Dover repub of OLD book) LOVE IT!
-Patterns for Guernseys, Jerseys and Arans by Gladys Thompson (also a Dover repub of old book) LOVE it, too!
-Mary Thomas's Knitting book (SUPER old book, also from Dover)

Jackie recently reminded me about this book on one of her posts. She obtained from the library and I've been wanting it since reading EZ's books because she refers to Mary Thomas and Gladys Thompson a lot. I started reading it last night. I figured I'd go cover to cover since she talks a lot about the history of knitting and so on. It's been a good read so far and quite funny too. It just amazes me at some of the things she points out because it was originally published in 1938! Anyway, it's a cool book and for $9.95, can't beat the price.

So I am in book heaven and ecstatic over the prospect of having a finished garment. One that I can actually wear and that people will see... oh and in other geeky news, the EDITOR of Verena magazine, left me a comment! She want's to see my finished sweater when done. I thought that was incredibly nice of her to say! I realize I am a big geek, but I think it is really cool when designers or in this case editors find you on ravelry and take the time to comment, it's just nice of them.

Knitting: Lunchtime progress

2009-02-02T12:43:00.004-05:00

So this morning, I was having a mildly bad morning. No particular REASON, I mean there are always annoyances at work... that's a given, I guess I've been a tad moody lately, so I'm taking everything VERY personal and things are bothering me more than they normally would.

Holy runon sentance batman... anyway... I was going to go out because it's a fairly nice day out, temp is not so bitter cold and the sun is out which tends to make everything a little better.

Anyway, I decided if I went out I probably wouldn't get any knitting done and for another reason, I really had nowhere to go, so that would just be a waste of gas, right? Settled it and went down to our little safe where I sat by a window in full on sun and had a tasty pot-roast sandwich, salad and KNITTED! I worked on the entrelac sock and I really like how it is coming along. That being said, I have this nagging feeling that I should really rip it out and start over. The toe isn't as "pretty" as I'd like it to be, so I'd like a do-over and I switched to US1 size needles today on the 3rd tier. I was on US2, but thought the stitches looked too loosey goosey.

It's several hours worth of work to rip apart which is why I haven't yet. But I think what if I keep going and I really hate it... that's just MORE work. But then I think... will it really matter that much in the end when they are all finished? And that part of me, thinks... no, it won't really matter that much. So I should just move on and keep going. I guess the other part of my thought process is that, these socks are for ME. Secondly because they are entrelac and I'll be able to FEEL all those little squares, I may not wear them TOO often because I have very sensitive feet and if my socks don't feel right, then I just aint right all day.

So in retrospect they will most likely be more for show and the HEY, I made those trophy. :) Anyway... I'm not going to frog, I have precious little time to do these, want to be done by end of Feb. Anyway, it's Entrelac and multiple colors which I love and the yarn is really nice. I love the project, it's fun to make, so block by block I'll keep 'er going.

And after knitting and texting Julane at lunch... the day just isn't so bad. Knitting heals, it does.

Knitting: Success

2009-02-01T18:49:00.005-05:00

So, the front is finished! YAY! I washed it and it's drying now. I decided long ago I wouldn't make the neck the same as the pattern calls for. It's a lot of bulk around the neck area and I don't do so well with that.

For this particular sweater, the directions call to seam some stitches on each side of the shoulder. Then you add the neck piece to it and seam that in the back. Then you add the sleeves to the straight sides and seam the remaining sides and sleeves. It seems kind of clunky thinking about it, but I think I've figured out a way to make a nice finish. This will definitely be a learning experience.

Here's the plan, I am going to seam the 25 stitches on each side, I'm thinking of a 3-needle join, or I could kitchener it (so I'm not totally decided yet). But then I'm going to pick up the neck stitches which, because I unintentionally thought ahead, are NOT bound off per the pattern instructions, but are still live stitches on the options cable (don't ya just love knit picks?!). So for those live neck stitches, I'm considering a reverse stockinette neck or perhaps garter stitch. Originally garter was the plan, but after talking it out, I think the reverse stockinette might look nicer. However, if I don't like it, I can always tear it back and think of something else.

I'm definitely going to pull out Barbara Walkers Knitting from the Top book to read her seaming instructions (from what I remember they are brilliant) and I'll also scan EZ's books, too. I know she discusses some different methods. All my seaming to date has been very limited and is very bad, of course most of it has been on stuff that is inconsequential... but this, this is my birthday sweater. And I'm HOPING it fits so that I can wear it ON my birthday. :)

I will probably have to wear a cami under, and I'm hoping it won't make me itch to death. I haven't had great luck with wool, but I've also not had much experience with a handmade garment made out of wool. The pieces feel quite soft, but running your hands on them is certainly different than wearing for any amount of time.

Anyway, I'm very happy that I'm nearly finished with this project. And now I can get started on the February sock project, the Entrelac socks. YAY!