Chronicles of the Knitting/Spinning Hussy

Kookie, Kookie, Lend Me Your Comb...

2010-05-09T17:20:00.000-07:00

Hubby is a Shriner and in the Clown Unit. His clown name is Cookie and his costume and makeup are still a work in progress, but are coming along nicely. This past weekend he participated in his first parade in Mission, KS and he had a ball! So far, he has learned to tie balloon animals, parade, and work on his make up. Being a clown is not easy or always comfortable, but it is something that speaks to Mike's heart.

As always, I must apologize for my lack of photography skills.

My Cookie may be spelled a little differently, but you get the idea.

I am going to try to start posting more frequently again, and as you can easily see this is a knit-free post as I did not want to take anything away from the first clown posting.

Way to go, Cookie, I am very proud of you!!!

Winter, Winter Go Away

2010-02-21T14:42:00.000-08:00

Winter, winter go away. Please let spring come back to stay...

As a dyed-in-the-wool (pun intended) knitter, you would think that knitting while the snow fell, and fell, and fell some more would be the time of year I live for - NOT SO MUCH! Real knitters knit all year long - rain or shine and heat or cold.

I have been been knitting away, and even taking a picture or two, but my conspicuous lack of posting has not gone unnoticed, albeit by some folks that do not update their Ravelry profiles I might add.

I made a Little Miss Valentine for the little girl next door, and in time for Valentine's Day no less. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture. You will just have to trust me that it came out exactly like the pattern picture - although some folk's LMV dolls seem to stray from that standard. Yikes, that is another story in and of itself.

In December, I knit the Drifted Pearls from the Rowan Lima yarn. The Lima is a chainette yarn. I was a bit nervous to work with it at first, but it knits up like a dream, and it is incredibly soft.

In December, I also knit a Scoop Neck Cardigan by Nashua in the green Daylily yarn. I wore this to a dance I went to in December. I added one black snap at the top corner where the right front crosses the left, and this was my mother's suggestion as that little point wanted to flop forward. Also, this sweater has two very cool, but really expensive, buttons that are black lacquer and leaf-shaped. I have never in my life bought buttons that cost $7.95 A PIECE! However, I had my little frequent flyer card filled at the knitting shop and got the pair for free, well sort of...

In January, I knit the Red Herring scarf for Mike out of Plymouth's Dream Baby in a solid azure blue that looks like a soft gray in certain light. This yarn is wonderful to knit with, super soft, but I did end up "killing the yarn" as this pattern (even with the moss stitch edge) has a propensity to curl. The iron did the trick, and Mike has worn this several times. This pattern was not hard, but knitting a 60+ inch scarf in fingering weight yarn is daunting, plus the fact that this was the fourth of fifth incarnation of a scarf for the hubs made me curse it the entire time I was knitting it...

I am currently knitting the Lace Panel sweater by Plymouth. Encore Worsted is the recommended yarn, and I had enough Encore that is almost identical in color to the pattern pic. I am about one-third finished, and this is the photo from the supplier. This sweater is supposed to be somewhat close-fitting, but Encore is not really the best choice for a fitted, next to the skin sort of pattern. Once this is finished, I plan to tackle two baby blankets for a raffle, but likely not consecutively though.

I have been very busy as of late with the two jobs, Mike's favorite uncle who is terminal and 100 or so miles away, and we have been taking dance lessons on Sunday afternoons. We are now working on 40s swing for an upcoming dance in March. We are not arrogant enough to say that we are good dancers, our goal is just simply not to embarrass ourselves and to have a good time.

The First Holiday Rant of 2009...

2009-12-05T11:40:00.000-08:00

If everyone is behaving themselves and practicing courtesy and kindness, holiday shopping (not to mention everyday shopping) can be a little challenging, but not unbearable. However, I have just gotten home from a four hour pushing and shoving match that has led me to the first of my holiday rants, and it brings me to the conclusion that some of you may need to be smacked...

If you are a repeat offender in any/all of the following categories, please present yourself for the aforementioned holiday smack:

If it NEVER crosses your lips in shopping lines or other congested situations to say, "After you, ma'am/sir", you need to be smacked.

If you NEVER give up your seat or your place in line so that someone standing right behind you who is injured or physically handicapped can be helped sooner, and then complain about how long you have been in line, you need to be smacked.

If you are a pushy/impatient driver who uses your horn like a weapon while driving or in parking lots without even considering that a lot of people are out and about, and that only your schedule matters, you need to be smacked.

If you bring a child/children to a store/restaurant/any public location and allow them to scream, run, whine, and annoy people for the entire time you are shopping instead of going home, you need to be smacked. No excuses here - my sister has THREE kids, and she has left many places because her children were not behaving. NO ONE loves your children as much as you and your family do. Do NOT inflict these little angels on the general population. If you have a publically ill-behaved child/children and you cannot afford a sitter, you cannot afford to be away from home. Stay home until they can behave or until you can afford the aforementioned sitter. Otherwise, you, AND possibly your child/children, need to be smacked.

If you throw trash OF ANY KIND on the ground in parking lots, sidewalks, or roads, someone has to pick that up. Be an adult, PICK THAT UP; otherwise, you need to be smacked, and then forced to pick the item up.

In the spirit of the season, I will set aside some time for volunteering purposes. I will be happy to serve as the Smack Commisioner in my area.

Bigger Than a Bread Box...

2009-11-19T08:59:00.000-08:00

My new toy is bigger than a bread box. In fact, it might be bigger than eight bread boxes.

I used to keep my yarn stash in two Sterilite multi-drawer bins stacked in tower fashion in a closet, but since the move that monstrosity had to be out in full view of the downstairs living room. While the bins were functional, they were also a little slim on the pretty.

Hubby and I had seen a wood and glass cabinet at World's Market that we thought might work, but I kept protesting that I did not want to spend the money. Then, luckily enough, it went on sale and I got to use one of the Entertainment book coupons as well for a grand total of $150 off the total amount.

My entire stash fits in the cabinet with room to spare! While I was putting my fiber away, possibly a mistake to do this in front of hubby, he mentioned that the collection behind glass looks like a "little tiny yarn store." Mike collects movies, so he understands the concept as it relates to collections that I may have more than I need, but less than I want...

Now keep in mind that my photography skills are lacking, but here is a pic of what hubby has loving termed "the yarn vault".

Both of the glass doors slide open, and there is a shelf below that holds me entire knitting library, such as it is. The "vault" also lives upstairs instead of downstairs for better access to light.

I am still in the process of moving things around, so the errant cords you see around the vault will not be there for long. However, Mike attached the cabinet to the wall so it would not topple over, and this is where it will stay permanently.

I did finish the Alan Dart bat in time for Halloween, although just barely, and here is a better late than never picture of Prince Vladamir.

I am working on the Drifted Pearls scarf which is too involved to be called just a scarf, but it is really going to be beautiful when finished. Have I mentioned that there are four types of cables, baubles, and applied I-cord??? I am using the Rowan Lima, and it is wonderful to knit with. I had read that it was splitty, but it really isn't even with blunt-tipped needles. To me, splitty just means you have to pay attention, and then it's fine. The Lima is a chainette yarn, which I have never worked with before, but even with the Russian join it did fine.

Off to knit!

Mitten Smitten? Uh, no.

2009-10-05T17:34:00.001-07:00

I have finished both pairs of Peekaboo Mittens. They were both knit in Encore worsted weight by Plymouth. They came out as per the pattern, but they just really lack any pizazz.

This project will not likely start the beginning of a mitten knittin' craze. Admittedly, they do not take long and the pattern is not tough, but they just don't do much for me. Paired with the Twisted Vine Scarves in the matching color the mittens will make a nice gift, but this pattern will not be one that I plan to repeat.

Maybe I will like the mittens better tomorrow. Unfortunately, I am THE Grinch today. I am agitated with everything and everyone. In fact, I could hunt bear with a switch. Let's hope that tomorrow is a better day...

p.s. Notice the "embiggen" feature now works with my pics.

The Great Scarf Project of 2009 is Complete!

2009-09-20T15:38:00.000-07:00

As my previous posts have told you, I had taken on a mammoth project of knitting ten scarves, or more precisely ten Twisted Vine Neck Warmers for some friends and the ladies in my office for Christmas gifts. All of the scarves were knit with Plymouth Encore as not all of the gift recipients are fiber folks, and I feared what they might do to them in my absence...

I made two in ivory, which I did not think I would like at all because I thought they would be boring to knit, as well as to wear; however, I stand corrected, and boredom gave way to simplicity which really accented the details of the lace and cables.

Here is the group of ten, yep TEN, in all their multicolored glory.

In truth, I would really like one for myself, but not today.

I am now working on some (don't ask my how many) bookmarks, and I hope to be finished with them by mid-week. According to my knitting progress calendar, I am supposed to knit two pairs of mittens, and then Christmas will be done. Also, I am going to try to incorporate the same large center cable that is in the neck warmers into the mittens.

I will admit, a certain vampire bat has capured my attention as of late...

MUST STAY ON TRACK, MUST STAY ON TRACK!

However, a certain sweater (Scoop Neck Cardigan) is shouting, "ME NEXT, ME NEXT!"

Still Plugging Away

2009-08-29T18:46:00.000-07:00

Secret Christmas projects are still underway and coming along nicely.

Hubby saw the stack and asked if I needed a tax number to open a shop.

It's Not That I'm Not Knitting...

2009-08-01T07:40:00.000-07:00

I have steadily been working on Christmas, as well as other gifts, and there is nothing postable at this time because the intended gift targets may look at my blog now and again.

TTFN!

Here Comes the Stole, All Knit in White...

2009-07-10T11:28:00.000-07:00

The following is the wedding song for the Scotch Thistle Lace Stole that I knit with the Lanett by Sandnes Garn.

Here comes the stole,
All knit in white,
Sweetly, serenely in soft glowing light.
Lovely to see, this was knit by me
Sweet little stitches for all eternity.

New knitting rule: Whoever knits the

bridal stole gets to pick the

music for the ceremony!

I was worried that the fingering weight might make the stole a bit too heavy, but in looking at the pics I think it came out just fine. The Lanett is a very soft, washable wool that comes in wide variety of color choices, and lent itself well to lace. I would not hesitate to make another lace project with it. In fact, there may be a little Lanett in my stash right now just waiting its turn in the gift queue...

You can see the thistle leaves and buds in this pic, and the color went well with her dress.

Congratulations to Mellissa and Mike. I wish you much happiness. Be good to each other, and that stole!

I am still plugging away on the Twinings Lace stole for DMS, and I have only had to lay on the floor and kick my legs once in the past week.

I may have to work on a something a little less intense than lace, yes concurrently, and that might be the Twisted Vine Neck Warmer as it appears to be short and sweet. I have not decided on a fiber for this yet, but I am considering the Malabrigo worsted.

We Have A Graduate And A Mouse!!!

2009-06-14T10:35:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone for the gifts, cards, and phone calls when Mike graduated from hair school this week. Mike was really touched and pleased that you guys thought of him. Also, thank you to everyone who let Mike do their hair while he was in school, and especially the Great Enabler who went above and beyond and allowed herself to be a model at his new shop, as well as one of his school clients.

Here is the proud graduate with diploma and congratulatory balloon.

This was one tough year, and Mike and both appreciate everything you guys did. Once again, thank you from us both.

On the knitting front, I have finished the Scotch Thistle Lace Stole, and it will be blocking today, and photos will follow. In a break from lace, I knit a toy from one Debi Birkin's patterns, and it is Margot the Mouse Ballerina. I made her from stash yarns, and they were likely Encore or Vanna's Choice, but unsure.

Margot is very cute, and I will bring her to knitting on Wednesday evening.

TTFN!

Meet Willa and Floyd

2009-05-06T15:51:00.001-07:00

Here are Willa and Floyd. As you might have guessed, Willa is a country witch, so she prefers to be on a first name basis only. She is currently looking for a good used broom with not too many miles on it, but realizes she may have to wait until fall to find a good deal.

Willa has curly hair that was baked on dowel rods. I realized after I started sewing on and trimming her curls that I must be a bit of a masochist in that I took an Alan Dart pattern and voluntarily made it HARDER!!!

I am still contemplating whether to knit her a very loose knit shawl, maybe like on size #17 needles so it looks kind old and tattered. or maybe a neck scarf as I am not crazy about the place where the neck joins the top of her blouse.

This was knit entirely from Plymouth Encore. Her bloomers are a deep red instead of white, and the rest is pretty much in traditional Halloween colorway. If I made another one, which I doubt, I would make her in rusts and mossy greens with some brown so that she could be a kitchen witch.

Unfortunately, pictures do not do her justice. She refused to sit still and behave.

Also, I gave her some bangs with the curls I trimmed off to soften her face a little bit. Floyd is a typical cat, and will look anywhere but at the camera when it is time for a picture.

Knitting from the Heart...

2009-05-04T19:42:00.000-07:00

Short post, one pic, lots of caring from two needles and some yarn. Five years ago this October, my dad passed away, and someone gave me a very nice bookmark at the funeral in a card. At the time, it seemed like a nice gift, but nothing really more than a kind thought.

Since my dad died, I have used that bookmark many times, and I have found particular comfort when I use it because for some strange reason it reminds me of the way I want to remember my dad. I can't explain it, and it is probably just the wierdness of me, but now everytime I have a friend who experiences the loss of a loved one, I give them a bookmark inside of a card.

There are two projects in this photo. The tiny project on the left is a pair of hearts knit for someone I do not know well, but her mother just passed away, and a group of knitters are sending a box of knitted hearts in different colors to let her know that her friends are thinking of her.

The long red strip is one of my infamous book marks. My friend should probably take up reading reference volumes as this one came out a little on the large side with blocking. Woops...

From hands to yarn, from finish to start, a gift from the hands is a gift from the heart.

Loopy Loot!!!

2009-04-27T18:47:00.000-07:00

We came, we saw, we kicked some... Who am I kidding? We hid in our room a lot because the loud girls scared us. Also, there were not enough tables and chairs, and I was silly enough to bring a complex pattern that needed a table and concentration.

However, the Loopy giftbag was very nice. We also got to go to Loopy Central, and I was so overwhelmed that I could not shop. I wish now that I had bought several things that I looked at, but I was just too unnerved to push through to the other side. I brought $200 for yarn purchases, and only spent $20.08 because of the mass hysteria. I could not even think about what I wanted because I felt too crowded, pushed, and shoved. The only thing I bought was something that could not be shipped, and it is a sock peacock. There are six wooden holders for mini socks on the handmade wooden peacock. It is pretty cool when you see it all socked up!

I did not take any pictures at the fling as I was too agitated because of the constant hysteria and not enough chairs and tables. Mom has read the TLE blog and there apparently will be a quiet room for knitting/spinning next year, and that is VERY appealing to me. I will have to take time to read it myself.

Mom and I did have a nice time together, and even with all of the craziness I would still go back with her if she wanted to go next year.

Now, for the loot:

At the top, the oblong gray tube is a Namaste bag that opens from both ends with an exterior zippered pouch with an adjustable strap. From left to right, just below the bag there are two Loopy Ewe temporary tattoos, my Loopy Ewe ID tag/zippered bag, TLE pin, TLE Spring Fling mug in a color that matches the bag, the wooden sock peacock.

On the next row, the Schaefer (Nichole) yarn that came in the bag, Highland Fling Socks pattern, and the Nicholetta sock pattern by Laura Nelkin. Also, I also got a sort of short-lived or possibly disposable red Loopy shopping bag that is somewhere between a dental bib and go green sort of material.

I met someone whose Ravelry name is "PlazaJen", and she is a sweetheart! She also teaches classes at The Studio. I met probably a dozen other nice girls, but unfortunately I do not remember their names or where they live.

In my next post, I will show pics of the Boudelaire socks. I did not get a chance to meet Cookie in person, but I saw her several times. I did not realize until I got there that she was the author of that pattern.

Anne Hanson is a lovely person, and a very kind teacher. I would gladly take a class with her again if it were offered, but next time I would take a much more advanced class.

Oh yea, Mom also bough me a red Loopy Ewe hooded sweatshirt.

Willa and Floyd are nearing the finish line as well. Their pics will come later.

TTFN!

The Victims of Knitting...

2009-04-22T11:10:00.000-07:00

I have often photographed and posted pictures of my finished knitted items, although a few do sneak under the wire, but not often do I post my intended targets of said knits.

The Irish Hiking Scarf. This was made for a friend of mine (Mike) who lives in Columbia. I also made a scarf for his girlfriend (Kathy), but she prefers not be photographed. He really isn't a sour puss, but I will admit he looks like he has a date with the hangman in this pic...

The Lucy Bag. This was made for a friend's granddaughter who is 12-years-old. She sent me the kindest thank you note telling me that she loved the bag, and that her friends would like one "two". I don't know if the friends were requesting two each, or if they liked the purse also. Either way, I am not asking any questions, and intend to play dumb. I am generous not stupid.

The Bajeejee. Since working at a hospital, I have found that many people have fond little nicknames for anatomical bits and pieces. My friend (her granddaughter is the one with the Lucy bag) is having a complete hysterectomy and SPARC sling procedure, and she is no exception to the nicknaming convention. She has the same off-beat sense of humor that I do, and so I made her something that takes pictures to explain. However, I have used her anatomical reference to name the project that will forever more be known as "The Bajeejee".

I must say, I was very proud of the results of "The Bajeejee". This project gave me quite an education. Not only do the fallopian tubes have the fimbriated ends, but I also learned how to do a cerclage - albeit in yarn, but still! You never know, I could be called in to assist in surgery at any given moment - hush, it could happen!

NOTE: My mother does not endorse the poor taste of knitting or photographing "The Bajeejee", nor does she use the F-word. However, after she comes back from spending this coming weekend with me in St. Louis for the Loopy Spring Fling she might...

Treats for the Sweet

2009-03-15T19:16:00.001-07:00

For Easter, I have knit a collection of sweets for my two nieces, ages 8 and 5. This collection includes the center two cupcakes (pattern from Little Cotton Rabbits), and the pastries include the jelly rolls, doughnuts, strawberry jam tarts, and chocolate fingers (pattern from Jean Greenhowe's Jiffyknits). Each girl will get one of each so as it is FAIR to everyone lest the balance be upset.

These sweets were really a lot of fun to knit, and they were very quick on and off the needles. They were knit with Lion's Brand Vanna's Choice, and a little bit of Plymouth Encore.

I am going to make a cupcake for myself to sit on my desk, but it will include the beads that look like sugar sprinkles, but mine will be chocolate with sprinkles (beads).

The tiny nephew will get something too, but the details of that project are still being worked out.

Think PINK!!!

2009-03-10T19:09:00.000-07:00

I finished the Lucy bag, and it came out better than expected. Admittedly, I am not such a fan of the color pink, but once felted this bag was double cute. The gals at the yarn shop told me that the Galway variegated pink would look like marble when felted, and it certainly did.

As I mentioned previously, I had enough yarn left over to knit a little accessory purse, and I put a button on it to match the Lucy bag. I tried to get up close, but the button was somewhat shiny and reflected too much light, so this was as close as I could get. It actually reads, "Girl Power", and it is an exact match to the pink with green accents.

This Lucy bag is the smallest version on the pattern, but knit in worsted to give it a little extra size. I will definitely knit one of these for myself - probably not in pink though...

As an aside, hubby never really has too much to say about the knitting because it just isn't his thing, but he told me he really liked this bag and thought it would be a hit!

The Fighting Irish are Fighting No More!

2009-03-07T19:22:00.000-08:00

I have finished both the leprechauns, AKA Lucky Fellows by Alan Dart. The colors I used more closely resemble the pattern in Simply Knitting as opposed to Mr. Dart's second version on his own website. While these little guys don't look like they would be tough to complete, they are labor intensive. There were knit with a conglomeration of things in my stash, but mostly Plymouth Encore. Mom gave me the red for the beards/hair, and I think that was a Hobby Lobby fun fur thing - thanks, Mom.

As a gift for a friend's granddaughter, I have also completed the Lucy bag, and with the left over yarn made a little tiny purse for incidentals. This was knit in a Galway variegated colorway made up of Pepto pink/hot fuschia pink/white, and it is in the wash attempting to felt for the second time. Yes, of course, I know how to felt. It seems that the bag is unaware of the felting process - not me. I used Plymouth Galway as it is supposed to be a "great felter and not furry" because of no mohair; however, I fear that the meaning of "great" has been expanded to include the description of "very little"...

This is a pre-felted picture, but after the first time in the wash, it does not look that much different. I have upped the agitation level, and sent it through in a second attempt.

I am now working on Easter projects for the nieces, and Natty wants to help with the little pastries so badly that they have had to be stowed away in a ziplock bag. This will include a collection of pastries from the Jean Greenhowe book, Jiffyknits. I was originally only going to make them for my youngest of the two nieces, and make something else for the older, but I have been informed by their mother that that will never do. Since my older niece has appointed herself to be the Commissioner of Fair, she is getting a set as well so that war does not break out in their home. The nephew, however, will get something else entirely, and I am hoping the Commissioner will let that infraction slide...

Down With The Little People!!!

2009-02-28T19:49:00.000-08:00

The cursed little people in question are the leprechauns that I have been attempting to complete - for what seems like eternity. The assembly process of these little devils is quite complex (even for my taste), and I am feeling somewhat, no wait, openly hostile towards them.

This is likely due to the fact that I am making two at once, and I do realize that this is a mistake of my own doing. I will say they are going to be double cute, but I have grown weary of them none the less. The assembly process is winding down, and the project has been grounded to home assembly so as not to lose any of the pieces.

In the interim, I have been working on the Lucy Bag for a friend's granddaughter. So far, this pattern seems pretty easy, although I am questioning some of the verbage at the post-felting point.

I will try to post pics this weekend of the little Irish men sometime tomorrow if possible, and I leave you with a final and heart felt thought.

DOWN WITH THE LITTLE PEOPLE!!!

Valentine's Party at the Chu's

2009-02-20T15:58:00.000-08:00

The Friday night before Valentine's Day (aka Valentine's Eve), I went to my sister's house so that I could do Valentine's Day crafts with her girls, and so we could all have pizza together. We forgot to take pictures of the pink and red yarn octopi that we made, but I did get a picture of everyone with their red yarn Valentine's wig on.

We even made a wig for Max, who was somewhat less than thrilled, but still a pretty good sport...

The only thing I have to knit on the leprechauns are one last arm and the two top hats. I am having trouble finding the little plastic pots that are sold as pots for gold around St. Patrick's Day. I have found a fairly large size, but the size I am looking for is about the size of a small apple - anyone seen any of those of late?

007 Versus Dr. Zaius

2009-02-16T16:54:00.000-08:00

The aformentioned "object" is the Presto Chango sweater, and was knit in Wild Horse Fantasy in a color called FA-99. Don't you wish the yarn companies would give you names rather than numbers??? There is something so off-putting about just having a number.

At any rate, the color is a pretty true cinnamon. I made the 6 month size, and it came out to gauge, but this is a VERY generous 6 month size as you can see - but I guess that means more wear time for the kid. This was knit for a friend's new baby named Guy who was born 12/26/2008.

Natty voluntarily tried on this sweater, but I neglected to get a pic. Guy's mother, not wanting her cat to be outdone, considered trying the sweater on one of her cats (Dr. Zaius), but opted for just a photo of him near the sweater lest he remove an arm for the indignity...

Is it just me, or does Guy have the same look on his face that Dr. Zaius has about trying on the sweater?

I am working on the leprechauns - yes two of them. I can explain. It's just that Mike never is really excited about my knitting, and when he said he would like to have one I lost my head and started making one for his station at school, and one or my office. I should have thought this through a little more carefully as these are hands down some of the fussiest items on the planet. In fact, this leprechaun thing is a whole lot like work, which is not what I had planned for myself at all!

OO7 Knits Again...

2009-02-08T09:07:00.000-08:00

I am nearly finished with a, er, uh, an object - yea that's it, an OBJECT. This is a gift for a friend, and she sometimes reads my blog - no clues or pics until the gift has been received. She doesn't even know I am making anything for her, and that is why I am knitting/blogging in 007 mode.

I can't decide what my next project will be. I usually know three projects in advance what I will be making next, but after my last nine projects being for other people I am a little giddy at the prospect of knitting something for myself...

I am trying NOT to knit socks between now and the end of April as I am going to the Loopy Ewe Spring Fling with my mom.

Some of the things I am considering in the meantime are:

Hococo the Lemur - Alan Dart
Jack Frost - Alan Dart - no picture available yet as it was published in Simply Knitting.
Leprechaun- Alan Dart
Witch and Cat - Alan Dart - I am thinking in orange and black with some sparkles worked in somehow...
Dickensian Party Mice - Alan Dart
Mr. and Mrs. Christmas - Alan Dart
Initial Imps - Alan Dart
Pepto & Tums - Mochimochi - maybe just Tums
Boo - Mochimochi

I also could finish the clothes for my Prairie Harze, but they might still be hibernating through winter...

I will leave you with my most recent and favorite quote that I have discovered:

Excuse me, I have work to do.

Evil plots do not make themselves...

Don't You Hate It When...

2009-01-28T14:57:00.000-08:00

Don't you hate it when somebody posts pictures of you on their blog that you trusted them with??? Okay, I am the guilty party, but in a shameless plug for a dog sweater that started out in a book, and ended up on the needles to be something totally different that I designed myself I am posting some pictures that a friend entrusted me with.

The sweater is for my friend Carol's Chihuahua who is full grown and weighs less than three pounds. He came from an abusive home, and Carol and her hubby rescued him. He is so tiny and the cold is a real problem for him. He has a couple of little shirts, but doesn't care for them so much because he cannot tolerate things being pulled over his head because of the former abuse.

Hmmm. Abused and cold, that's all a knitter ever needs to hear to get the needles humming. This little sweater is only about seven inches long from cast on to cast off. It was knit with Lion Brand/Vanna's Choice Baby in the Goldfish colorway. It really is a dusty salmon color, and is cushiony and soft. The body of the sweater is in seed stitch so that it does not stretch out and get too big, and the edges have a three stitch garter rim.

Here is my friend Carol holding him. I crocheted (believe it or not) two little fastener loops and attached two black buttons.

The little Chihuahua's name is Uno, and apparently he runs the house. He is still pretty timid, but is working through his issues. Carol told me that he acted like he liked his new sweater because he marched around with it on, and snuggled down in it.

Carol and Uno, thanks for being such good sports and indulging me with photos!

2009-01-23T20:55:00.000-08:00

Two more finished projects for 2009, and I believe that makes eight! Truly, I am not a production knitter, but more of a process knitter (unlike DM), not that you would know it by my recent progress so far this year...

I tried the Fantasty yarn by Dark Horse Yarns. It feels soft to the hands, but not quite as soft to the neck. Also, in a total of four skeins, two of each color used below, there was at least one knot in each skein of yarn. They were easy enough to untie, but still an annoyance. Also, the yarn was the tiniest bit splitty, but that could have been me as I was trying to really get these two scarves behind me and in the mail, and was knitting at the speed of light. There were also unprocessed bits of hard plastic (for lack of a better way to put it) that were similar to broom straws here and there, and the joins of the yarn that looked as if the ends had been glued together in some sort of a twist. I tried pulling out the glued areas planning to give the yarn a new twist, and luckily enough all those spots pulled out without too much trouble, and required only a minumum of work to smooth down the areas in question. The yarn was affordably-priced, and appropriate for a gift to non-fiber/non-knitting friends, but not as good as I had expected. It is softer than the value-priced Encore, but disappointingly the quality is not nearly as high as I think this yarn may be inclined to pill quickly.

The first scarf is knit with the Irish Hiking Scarf pattern which I got from Ravely. This pattern is super simple to follow, and the results are far more impressive than the amount of work it takes to complete this project. As mentioned above, this was knit with the Fantasy yarn, and measures 70 inches as it was made with the intention of being tied with the European Loop method. This scarf is really a deep crimson red, and not the cherry red as the picture shows. The friend who this was knit for fancies himself a cross between James Bond and JFK, and requested a color that 007 would wear.

The second scarf is the Basketweave Scarf by Ann Budd. I am aware that she is practically knitting royalty, but I did not enjoy knitting this scarf. While the instructions were not difficult, they were extremely tedious, and made me want to set the pattern on fire a number of times. This scarf was also knit with Fantasy, is allegedly reversible, and measures 70 inches as well.

To be honest, the Irish Hiking Scarf is far more impressive than the Basketweave Scarf, but that is just my impression. I have not really knit a lot of scarves before, and now I know why - they are as boring as boring can be. I would possibly make the the Irish Hiking Scarf again, but not the Basketweave. It was just too boring, and I had to rip it out too many times because the boredom lulled me into making mistakes. As mentioned above, it wasn't hard, just tedious because of the 18 row pattern repeat, and BORING!

I am happy to mail these scarves off to the friends to whom they will soon belong; wear them in good health, Mike and Kathy!

Shhhhh. You Must Be Vewy, Vewy Qwuiet...

2009-01-18T19:05:00.000-08:00

I am working on a project for two friends that live out of town, but peek in on the blog now and again so I don't want to give any of the details away. I have one of the two items finished, and the second item is about one-fourth finished.

I will be mailing them by this coming weekend or shortly thereafter if things go as planned, and I will post pics once the package has been received.

In the meantime, mum's the word.

Little Star Bag

2009-01-10T15:24:00.000-08:00

The bag was knit in the star stitch, and with the Debbie Mumm Traditions Yarn (Pine Needle Green colorway) that The Great Enabler gave me in one of our knitting group's stash swaps. I made two panels so that the stars would be going the right direction, seamed at the bottom and both sides, and finished off with several rows of garter stitch to keep the top edge from rolling. For what seemed like an eternity, I made a six stitch I-cord for the handle, and then a three stitch I-cord for the fastening loop. The button is something I got at Hobby Lobby several years ago.

I had originally considered lining the bag, but have decided against it as I have so many other irons in the knitting fire. Also, the star fabric is fairly dense, and I do not intend to carry anything in it that will poke through the knitted fabric.

I know this bag is no big whoop, but it is the first thing that I have ever designed and knit, and I thought it was post-worthy.

A shot that is a little bit closer so that you can see the detail in the button, as well as the star stitch.

Gettin' My Fussy On!

2009-01-06T19:23:00.000-08:00

Sheldon, currently known as the turtle of hate, is finished! This little fella definitely gave me the chance to embrace the fussy.

The instructions for the applied I-cord to assemble the attachment panel and the shell were at best extremely flawed, and I have made numerous projects with applied I-cord, so this is not a new skill for me. I decided to just use a mattress stitch after several failed attempts (and turning the air blue with profanity) because the instructions were not panning out. This is a free pattern from Knitty, so I can't really fuss too much, but it was a challenge.

Linda and Christy have taunted me that I am not able to make just one of any given item, and so the gauntlet has been thrown down. I am pleased to report that I have risen to that challenge. I will only be making one of these horrid little turtles.

He is cute, but way, way too much trouble to EVER repeat this pattern. I have seen on Ravelry that lots of folks made several Sheldons - all I can say is there is no explaining crazy...

The Designer Sport yarn worked well as it is very soft, and I did not stuff him too full so that he would stay snuggly.

I am not entirely pleased with the eyes, but they are embroidered on so that little fingers cannot snatch off an eye and swallow any small pieces.

Tomorrow is my nephew's first birthday, but I will be delivering Sheldon the Horrible a few days late. It's kind of early, but Happy Birthday, Max! Aunt Terri loves you.

Progress on the Terrapene carolina...

2009-01-04T16:05:00.000-08:00

TRANSLATION: Progress on the common box turtle...

A few weeks ago at a knitting get together, I mentioned to my fiber pals that I did not know why I had been so drawn to knitting toys as of late, and the Great Enabler thought that it might be because it "gave me the chance to be fussy..."

Yea, I see the irony, and maybe the Pope is Catholic too, right?

I recognize that I am the slightest bit detail-oriented, and possibly a little obsessive as well. The Sheldon pattern from Knitty is not exactly a hard pattern, but it leans heavily on the fussy side of things. This is not a pattern to knit mindlessly on at all. The pattern calls for Knit Picks Shine Sport, which is 60% cotton. Cotton makes my hands tired, and with all the pattern work on the shell I did not feel like fighting with a no-give fiber. I chose Designer Sport yet again because it is very soft, and it has a nice "sproing" quality. I am using the colorways Pistachio and Celedon for Sheldon.

Don't let my whining put you off if you are interested in making a Sheldon, just plan to spend some very focussed time with the project.

He is coming along, and believe it or not the shell has been the quickest part of him to knit so far. I think he will be very cute, and I hope much loved by my nephew, Max. This will be for his birthday, but will likely be completed after the fact. Also, his eyes will not be plastic, but embroidered on for safety's sake - Max is soon to turn one.

The body has been stuffed and seamed, but the instructions request the legs be stuffed and attached later.

This is the nearly half-completed shell. I had my doubts about it in the beginning, but so far so good.

Off to knit.

Knitting Needles Moving at the Speed of Light...

2009-01-02T06:37:00.000-08:00

I have been knitting furiously to have the Party Penguins all knitted and assembled by today as it is my niece's fifth birthday today. Happy Birthday, Lucy! Time has gotten away from me, and I fear that I may be late on the nephew's gift now, but I still have two days...

I also re-knit the bows on the little elephants so that they could have a firmer join, and not curl. I re-knit them in stockinette, and they came out great. Here they are with the penguins wearing their new and improved bows.

These are two of the shrugs that I made for Christmas gifts for my friends at work. The purple shrug being worn on the left is knit from Bernat Satin in Plum Mist Heather, and is for my friend and boss, Sylvia. The blue shrug being worn on the right is knit from Designer Sport from Red Heart in the denim colorway, and is worn by my friend Carol who is the clerk/tech for the department.

Both of the girls were good enough to turn around so the patterning could be seen.

As you can seen, they were both really good sports to model and pose with the Dream in Color Shrugs, which more accurately could be called Dream in Bernat and Red Heart in this case...

With two days to go to get Sheldon finished and assembled, I've got to get the needles in high gear.

I hope everyone had a happy and safe New Year!

Shortly Has Arrived...

2008-12-28T10:29:00.000-08:00

NOTE: Photo heavy post.

In my last post, I mentioned that regular postings and lots of knitting would "return shortly". In the past day or so, some weisenheimer called me on the "shortly" reference and asked when that would be??? The answer is that "shortly" is a relative term, kind of like when you your mother says, "we'll see..."

I have been knitting (quite a lot), just not posting about it. I have a variety of reasons, none of which seem to hold up in the Court of Mom, but still valid in my world none the less. Without further ado, the aforepromised knitting post. Drum roll please (((brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr))))...

These are the dishcloths that I knit for various Christmas gifts, and also the pair of footy/slippers that I knit for a friend so that she could give them to her grandson for Christmas. Sorry about the blurriness, this was before Cheryl helped me with my camera.

The round dishcloths were threaded with satin ribbon, filled with a surprise, and turned into this.

For three ladies that I work with, I knit them book marks. It is the diamond lace bookmark pattern, knit from Lanett, a Sandnesgarn yarn that is 100% merino. They were a deep red, but very Christmas-appropriate. As you can see, they blocked out pretty well.

Christmas morning at my home looked like this.

These are the Flower Power Elephants. I have not yet embroidered the daisies on them, and may not as the previous attempts have looked somewhat out of focus. If the daisies are not going to turn out crisp, I see no point.

I am currently working on the Party Penguins by Alan Dart, and I hope to have a few done in rather short order.

I received two gift certificates from Mike for Christmas to The Yarn Shop and More and The Studio.

We had Christmas with my side of the family on 12/19/2008 at my sister Cristy's house, and this is a picture of Cheryl, me, Cristy, and Mom. My mother says that my clothes are all still a mile too big, and since this photo I have bought some clothes that are several sizes smaller. I still hate to see myself in photos; however, it doesn't help that I am standing near all these skinny hussies. I think I always look like the tard that gets let out of the institution for holidays in pictures...

I have discovered that I am highly sensitive if not allergic to mohair, and that was a bummer as I really wanted to make the Ice Queen project, but it wasn't to be. However, my mother's Ice Queen came out beautifully.

I will have more pictures later on as soon as all the gifts for friends are opened. As far as when, "don't ask me any questions!" Can you guess who says this to me?

One guess where this direct quote comes from...

Lastly, I have started selling Avon. Not to worry, Avon ladies are not set for the attack mode like the Mary Kay ladies. If you have an interest or use Avon, I have a webpage that can be found at: http://tphillips4848.avonrepresentative.com/

On this site, you may pay with debit or credit card, and I also have the ability to take debit and credit cards. The site is good for convenience if you don't have a book, but I still prefer to flip through the pages. Sometimes Avon runs free shipping deals, but otherwise be sure to mark "Free Rep Delivery" so you do not get charged an extra fee.

The Knitting Hussy Will Return Shortly...

2008-11-14T09:40:00.000-08:00

Just a brief service announcement to advise that I have the good camera in my possession (no more crap photos), and that I will be back in the full knitting/photographic swing on 12/10/2008 or shortly thereafter.

The RHIT program is not for me. I also have decided I do not want to manage anyone but myself; I'm something of a handful on my own. My personal activities are a full-time job, and I am not interested in pursuing any additional schooling at this point.

Look out knitting world, the semester is winding down, and I'm planning to hit the ground running!

Dreams, Spares, Harze, and Cookies...

2008-09-27T19:48:00.000-07:00

I am taking a brief respite from knitting the Harze to knit something out of the norm for myself. It is the Dream in Color Shrug shown at the far left. However, I am trying to knit down my stash, and I am making this in a really pretty deep eggplant color in Plymouth Encore. Maybe it should be called "Dream in Encore" in this case. The picture does not show much of anything, and yes DH still has the good camera, but you will just have to take my word for it that it is coming out very nicely. I know not everyone likes Encore, but it is a good budget-friendly choice with tons of color options, and the ability to be machine washed and dried - plus it looks pretty good for the lace in this pattern too.

As far as the spare goes, DH brought me home a spare head, and I was pretty thrilled. This is one of his mannequin heads that he has gotten down to the final cut on in school, and he donated it to me for hat blocking and fitting purposes.

In reference to the Harze, I have three assembled, and one is still in the dismembered status right now. I will probably assemble the fourth hare sometime tomorrow. However, I am taking a short break from them lest I decide to make rabbit stew. I will finish their little outfits after I finish the above mentioned shrug.

As I may have mentioned two or fifty times, I do not like the intrusion on my time that school seems to demand. I have realized that at times my mood has been a bit dark as I feel very put upon by my lack of time to do anything I enjoy. I do not know how people with kids go to school - I only have a husband and a cat and some days I am overwhelmed!!! With the whole dark mood and overwhelmed theme, I have found a sign to hang on my front door, and probably in my cube at work too. How bad could a place be that gives you cookies?

Holiday weekend, hah!

2008-08-31T19:08:00.000-07:00

I am glad to have some time to spend with Mike, but less than delighted how much time the homework has taken this weekend.

I was one of the judges at the Irish Fest again this year, and that was kind of a bust. Last year, I judged on Saturday and got to see all different types of knitted objects - sweaters, hats, shawls, and even an evening dress...

This year, I could only attend on Sunday because of my school schedule. There were only THREE items entered for today's competition, and the theme was cabling. Three afghans, and not my favorite knitted object by a long shot - but I did my best to judge fairly. Two were done in ivory, and one in a blue-green. One afghan was covered in dog hair, one was a little worse for wear around the edges, and that only left the blue-green to be the winner - what happened to only submitting pristine items in contests??? I was told that the general competition was slim for admissions on Saturday as well. I have no idea what happened, and there were a ton of people at the festival.

I have not had too much time for knitting, once again, the wretched school work - bleck!

Oh yea, and someone who wandered up to the table at last week's knit night asked if I was knitting the rabbits for my GRANDCHILDREN!!! That was a lot of fun - right, not so much!

I'd like to knit a little bit tonight, but I am too tired to concentrate, and I need to get my schedule book out to schedule my study/homework slots for this coming week.

Maybe next time I will have photographic proof of progress on the knitting front...

Hot Off the Needles

2008-08-19T19:21:00.000-07:00

These two little knitted creatures have been my constant companions for the past month or so. I have worked with the Debbie Bliss Toy Knits book, as well as admiring the work of Little Cotton Rabbits, and many other toy artists as well.

I have taken some individual elements from several designs, mixed them with some of my own ideas, and this is what I have come up with. In dressmakers' terms, this would be my muslin mock-up for the design.

Once I get good and find my own design niche, I may sell some on Etsy, assuming anyone would want one of these besides me...

And without further delay, I give you The Prairie Harze. No, this is not a misspelling, I know how to spell "hares", I just really wanted the name to be my own.

The boy bunny, on the right, is the oldest, and as you can see I have been experimenting with the size of the feet, the head, the length of the arms, the width of the ears, as well as clothing lengths and sizes. Their names are Hatti and Herschel.

What good little sister would not be willing to stand on top of her brother for a good photo op?

I know, the harze are not there yet, but they are coming along - I hope.

The end/s, and that's all folks...

Oh, for Heaven's Sake...

2008-07-29T03:07:00.000-07:00

This is one of my personality flaws - once I decide something, i.e. the date school starts for instance, I become set in my own delusions.

For example, I thought because the first two classes that I had registered for this semester started on 08/25/2008 that the third class that I added would also begin the same date. You know, same school, same curriculum, yatta, yatta, yatta...

For some unknown reason, possibly the grace of God, possibly mental illness, I happened to check my fall/2008 semester schedule this morning and nearly had an attack!

The third class begins on 08/18/2008 - NOT 08/25/2008 as I delusionally believed. I know that I still have a LITTLE BIT OF TIME to prepare, but NOT MUCH!

If you hadn't guessed, I'm a LITTLE anxious any time my schedule changes, and I am not really delighted with interruptions. My personality just does not really want to lend itself to all this willy nilly changing. I need to plan, to contemplate, and savor the last bits of freedom until the academic Armageddon that I have registered for closes in around me. My rational mind tells me, "It's just three classes; not to worry. You have taken 18 hours per semester in the past, and that turned out fine..." Unfortunately, the size of the rational side of my brain is shrinking on a daily basis, and I fully anticipate full blown hysteria by 08/18/2008.

If anyone is looking for me, I will be the person hyperventilating in the corner rocking back and forth with my knitting needles in hand, and muttering unintelligible sounds...

Postop Activities and Progress

2008-07-21T10:05:00.000-07:00

While in the postop period, I have tried to take it easy and not get into trouble as I am hoping to return to work on Tuesday. Yes, that is my own plan, but I will see if I can get my surgeon to agree with that today at 3:15 p.m. - cross your fingers for me, I am not a very good patient.

To ease the nerves of a jangled hubby, and to thank him for the trip to Twist I baked him a peach and blackberry buckle. The recipe started out as a peach melba buckle, but blackberries are what I had in the fridge, so the melba had to go...

I have only finished one of the Broad Ripple socks. I have never had second sock syndrome before, but I just can't get my mojo workin' to finish the second one. However, I will force myself to start the second sock this afternoon. The sock fits well, feels nice on, but I just can't feel the love. I am probably just agitated because I am saddling up for the next semester in school, and there are a million and one projects I want to get done in addition to school.

Also, I may have to slide by The Studio this afternoon for the final day of their sale. I did not intend to go, but I am working on figuring out a double secret project that may force a trip there - you know, just to support the economy...

ETA: Not going to the sale at The Studio; the stars are aligned against me.

Road Trip for the Knitting Hussy

2008-07-14T20:27:00.001-07:00

Last weekend, I was the tag along with hubby to Wichita. He had clients to see there, and of course I rode along to be a loving and supportive wife... However, I heard there was a pretty great yarn shop there, so that might have been what I was loving and supporting...

The rumor did not disappoint, and long story short, Twist is a FABULOUS yarn shop. Their selection begins with interesting and affordable yarns all the way up to $30-ish skeins. The displays are creative but not crowded, and everyone seemed very nice. The shop is relatively large, but has a very homey and warm feel, and the owner (Shelly) is very nice. It is definitely worth the three hour drive - even with the $4 gallon gas prices.

Mike has to go back to Wichita again in a couple of weeks, and I am definitely going back - you know, just to be supportive...

I bought a little tiny bit of yarn, just to "help the economy". My favorite economist would be so proud! The camera is not taking great pictures of the yarn, so I will have to link you to the Soxx Appeal by Knit One Crochet Two and to Plymouth Happy Feet (see color #4).

The Swift May Not be So Swift After All...

2008-06-20T18:37:00.000-07:00

I just received my Tom Bihn Swift today, and I may be the one and only person on the entire planet that is not thrilled to bits with this bag. For starters, I am not crazy about the color choices that were available, and I selected the cocoa and olive bag. It is just okay in person, but there are no other colors that are currently available that I would prefer over this. The one HUGE plus for the Swift is that it does allow my knitting/purse items to live in one bag. There are some things I really like about the Swift, but unfortunately there are just as many things that I do not care for about it as well. Before you ask, I am not going to return it. One bag functioning as a replacement for two is worth it - maybe...

This is the view from inside the bag.

This is the outside of the bag with the olive side showing. The brown side did not show up that well against my wallpaper and door.

LIKES:

1. The handles - they easily accommodate over the shoulder carrying.

2. The wide opening and no-snag closure.

3. The clear pockets with nice zippers.

4. The space within the bag is very nice.

5. The drape of the bag is also very nice.

DISLIKES:

1. The color choices available are very limited, and not something I would normally buy.

2. No exterior pockets. I knew this when I ordered, and thought the interior pockets would be more usable than they actually are. They make the bag sit in an odd way if I put my wallet in either one of them. No, I am not buying a new wallet.

3. I thought the whole bag would be lined, not just the clear plastic pockets. The unlined bottom feels kinda cheap for a $70 bag. This is not a cheap price in my opinion. I have admired a friend’s swift for a few months, but unfortunately I never took the time to dissect her bag the way I have my own - this is my fault.

4. The key strap was a purchase I made to use with my scissors. The clasp is so narrow that my little Fiscars cannot fit the jaw clamp. I like the scissors I have, and I am not buying a new pair.

5. I ordered two clear organizer pouches thinking I would love them - not so much… The colors they sent do not match my bag. I could return them, but that is a hassle, and I do not want to pay to ship them back for a return/exchange. Never mind the fact that UPS hates me and I hate them!

Overall, I feel that this bag may grow on me because I take my knitting to work every day, and now I can leave the house at O-dark-thirty with one bag instead two.

Maybe I am being too critical, but with my two clear pouches and key strap (they did not tell me that one key strap came with the bag) the total came to $94 including shipping. It took me a little while to save this money, and I expected to be quite a bit more enamored than I was at first blush.

I will confess that I feel somewhat guilty because most everyone else on-line, as well as my friend, seem to adore their Swifts from the second they took them out of the box. As I stated earlier, maybe the Swift will grow on me…

Great Customer Service from Two Companies

2008-06-15T16:41:00.000-07:00

A week ago last Friday, my favorite set of ebony wood Lantern Moon circs came apart while in the midst of a project. As you might imagine, an easily identifiable fit ensued. After I regained the power of speech and stopped shrieking, I had the presence of mind to speak with Lantern Moon's Customer Service Department.

For those of you that have not heard, Lantern Moon has changed their design so that this "coming apart" that has been experienced by many, many knitters is no more.

Long story short, after explaining to Lantern Moon what had happened to my needles, they gladly shipped me a set of #9 26 inch in ebony. I happened to mention that I had a second set, yet unused, and that I hoped that they did not have the same "coming apart" issue. To this, they suggested I give a yank on the set of #3 26 inch circs in rosewood. Sure enough, I heard a crack, and they were more than glad to send a replacement set for those as well.

What makes this such good customer service is that they did not wait to ship the replacements out until I shipped the defective sets back, but rather took me at my word and shipped two sets to me free of charge with an apology for my trouble. They in fact do not want me to send the defective needles back, and within five calendar days, Lantern Moon had the new circs in hands. I cannot tell you how happy I am with their level of customer service.

Thanks in no small part to the Knit Night Enabler, also know as Christy, I have ordered a knitting bag combination tote/purse so that I may exit my home with only one bag in tow. I take my knitting to work with me every day, and several other locations as well. This multiple bag issue has become tiresome, and I decided I needed this. I ordered the cocoa/olive version, and I am nearly beside myself waiting for it to arrive.

Another long story short, I had saved my money, and decided to splash out on said bag. I am a person who needs not be given too many choices lest I become confused. Of course there are several color options, and I absolutely became confused. The person at Tom Bihn was more than patient during my three week decision process whether to purchase or not to purchase, what colors were available, and finally helping me place the order. I was lucky enough to speak to Josh every time I called, and he was always very kind and patient with my multitude of questions. The really great part is that Tom Bihn's Customer Service Department has a Buffy fan on duty (the aforementioned Josh) who readily identified favorite episodes and seasons of BTVS by name. What more could a Buffy fan ask for???

The Gnomes Have Arrived

2008-06-02T19:03:00.000-07:00

Jingle, Tingle, and Dingle have arrived!

Let me be the first to tell you Merry Christmas, 2008!

Santa's Workshop is Open for Business!

2008-06-01T14:15:00.000-07:00

Santa's workshop is open for business, and I am on track for Christmas. This is the first time ever that I will have my holiday knitting ready to roll by Thanksgiving Day - good on me.

I have finished the stockings for the Chu Family, five in total as per my sister's request, and I have made personalized and dated name tags for each member of the family as well - double good on me...

The picture is not that clear, but you get the idea...

It looks as though I have gone into a fit and dismembered a gnome, but I in truth I am nearing the finish line for my third gnome. He should come to life sometime this evening. He is the third in the set of Christmas gnomes, and their names are Jingle, Tingle, and the latest being Dingle.

I am torn between starting a lace rib camisole (interactive link to Creative knitting, move your mouse around and the pages will turn - it is the white shell on the page with the light blue lace dolman, a pair of socks, or an Alan Dart Snowme. The Snowme may win out as I am on the "finishing my Christmas projects high" right now.

As you might guess, I am revelling in the fact that I am not in school right now, but I realize that time is marching on, and 08/25/2008, the start of the fall semester (also known as doomsday at my house) will be here before I know it. "Ask not for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee" (bleck)...

ETA: It is no small feat to felt five separately knitted objects (with different wools), and have them turn out nearly the same size. The Knit Picks Wool of the Andes felted very, very quickly and made a nice fabric, but the Cascade Heather (the darker red) had to be felted twice, and make a slightly thicker fabric which is also very nice.

We Have A Winner!

2008-05-23T18:15:00.000-07:00

I put the names of the people who guessed Rain Man into a bowl and drew for the prize.

Beth is the person whose name I drew, and she will be receive two skeins of Wildfoote Luxury Sock Yarn from the Brown Sheep Company in the Blue Flannel color way. I would take a picture, but DH has my digital camera, and my cell phone does not produce good indoor photos...

At any rate, thank you to everyone who submitted a guess.

p.s. Four Christmas stockings are felted, and the fifth is on the needles.

He is an "Excellent Driver"...

2008-05-18T15:35:00.000-07:00

Points for knowing which movie the quote, "I'm an excellent driver" came from. There will be a prize for the winner. If more than one person guesses correctly, I will pick a winner at random. The prize is non-negotiable, non-returnable, and has no cash value outside of the knitting world. The contest will end this coming Friday at whatever time I decide.

At any rate, there is an "excellent driver" pedalling away on Mike's bicycle. This is actually a good friend of mine that was in town from Columbia this weekend. Before you scold me about my photography skills, let me mention that he was sailing by at the time, and this was with a cell phone camera. I am lucky that he is for the most part centered in frame without his head being clipped off, and with my photography skill set that is really all you can hope for...

On the knitting front, I am on my third of five Christmas stockings, but have only felted the first one so far. My thinking is that there will be two red, two crimson, one green stocking with their respective stripe patterns, and that they will be hung in order of crimson, red, green, red, crimson for symmetry's sake.

Meet my new friend, Millie Grace

2008-05-11T17:18:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, at the last estate sale I went to, I found my new friend, Millie Grace. She is to say the least a mature lady, extremely well-preserved, and not only will she help me with pinning sweater pieces and taking photos, she looks pretty nifty right where she is. I have an odd habit of naming lots of things that come into my world, and Millie Grace is no exception...

This is one of the gnomes that I have been working on. I believe his name will be Jingle, and I am ready to assemble his fraternal twin, Tingle, as well. Both gnomes are in the pinned or ready to assemble faze at this moment. I am only delayed in assembling them and making more gnomes as I am trying to complete at least three felted Christmas stockings before I transition back to the gnome project. It looks like there is a hole in the end of gnomes nose, not really, that is the pin you see holding it in place.

The felted Christmas stockings will be for my nieces and nephew, and possibly their parents if time permits. The knitting of the sock was pretty simple, and I learned how to do attached/applied I-cord on the top as well. It was almost a shame to felt it because it looked so cool! Also, the stocking was knit with Knit Picks Wool of the Andes, and it felts quicker and tighter than any thing I have seen so far.

For once, I have actually started my Christmas knitting with a respectable amount of time to make it to the finish line...

Okay, okay - I admit it, I am a fiber slut! In the past few weeks, I have realized that my once managable stash has taken on a life of its own. This came as a total surprise to me as I have continued to tell people I have a non-existent stash (with the exception of a tiny bit of sock yarn as sock yarn does NOT count), and that I only buy yarn when I am getting ready to start a particular pattern. This was not an intentional lie, to myself or others, its just that the stash seemed to get this big all on its own. I do not know where I went wrong, but clearly I need to enroll in a 12-step yarn program. If it gets any bigger, I may have to name it as well...

On a brighter note, I got an A in the class from Hell, and I am taking the summer off as far as school is concerned.

School's Out For Summer...

2008-05-02T12:24:00.000-07:00

Can't you just hear Alice Cooper singing, "School's out for summer..."

Cutting right to the chase, I got an A on the final. I believe I will likely receive an A in the class as well; however, one of the Devil's minions served as instructor for this class, so one cannot be sure...

Good, Bad, Pass, or Fail, the Class is Over Today...

2008-05-02T05:34:00.000-07:00

I have several pictures to post, but that will have to wait a day or two. Today, I take the final for the wretched class that has held me hostage this semester.

I am hoping that brain function returns to normal after this, but I fear there may be permanent dain bramage...

Hurrah for One Last Winter Snow!!!

2008-04-13T02:16:00.000-07:00

On Friday night, I finished the Butterfly sweater that I have been working on for a few months. This sweater has admittedly taken a while as I have not knit at home too much due to school - BLECK!!! Most of the work has been done on my lunch break at work, or on Wednesday evenings at Knit Night with the fiber gals.

For the past couple of weeks, I have been quietly lamenting the fact that this sweater took me a while to make, and that I was not going to get to wear it until this coming winter. The universe must have seen my plight and sent a cold snap complete with a little bit of sleet and snow this weekend. Normally, I hate winter, and am beating the drum for spring. One last snow generally sends me into a fit of rage that winter dare encroach on spring's time; however, this year I am downright thankful.

The Encore did create a heavy garment, but it was easily comfortable inside as well as outside throughout the day. Greatest of all, it can go in the washer and dryer, and it looks like a much more pricey yarn that it is.

Mike took this picture of my at Crown Center. The lighting is not great, but I didn't care as I got to wear it!! You can see in this picture (as compared with previous shots) that the yarn is not a bright red, but really a deep red.

I enjoyed this pattern so much, that I bought two more Plymouth patterns this weekend. The first is the Cable Cowl Neck Pullover, and it is made with Royal Llama Silk. That yarn is lovely to touch, but it would be $160 for my size, and I will have to think long and hard about that purchase - but maybe...

The second is the Ladies Lace Panel Pullover. This pattern calls for Encore, and I just happen to have some purple Encore that will fit the bill. I think I could wear this little sweater in the spring and fall, and possibly this summer as well if my office has the air conditioning set for pneumonia again...

Now, I am happily off to start the Yuletide Gnome Project!

TTFN.

Fiber Friends

2008-04-06T18:31:00.001-07:00

If you are a real knitter, not just someone who flirts with the knitting needles once a year or so, maybe you have been lucky enough to have made some fiber friends.

Fiber friends are different from you usual friends, although they can come from the usual circle of friends. Once you enter the fiber circle, the relationship changes into a different kind of friendship. There is just something very special about a group of friends that you meet with regularly to work on your current knitting (or crochet) project. I am lucky enough to have fiber friends like that, and I look forward to every get together. Today, we went to our first knitting show together and it was a lot of fun to be out with the fiber gals and get to shop together. We are all as different as night and day, live in different parts of town, have completely different careers, have different skill sets and ages, and knit vastly different things from one another - but the knitting unites us as one special group of friends. We share ideas, solve problems, talk about new products/patterns. We don't always agree, but we do always try to encourage each other.

To the knitting girls, thank you all for sharing this afternoon and your Wednesday nights with me. You all will never know how much your friendship means to me, and how lucky I feel to be part of the group.

Such A Deal, But What Is It...

2008-03-30T18:15:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite weekend outings is to go to estate sales and garage sales. I don't spend much money for the most part, but I get to see a lot of interesting houses that I would normally not see, and I get to see some interesting things as well. I have conscripted Dear Hubby into my avocation, but he has a few rules if he is going to play along.

Rule #1 - We must go to neighborhoods that are better than ours, and no sales that have primarily clothes or children's items - we need neither.

Rule #2 - Start early and finish by 11 a.m.-ish as everything is generally picked over by then.

Rule #3 - Feed him lunch immediately after the last sale as a reward for driving, carrying, and for the most part paying.

Behold my newest Saturday morning acquisition -

This little darning egg cost me a grand total of $1.25. I found in the kitchen of an estate sale, and when I went to pay the cashier told me that it wasn't a complete set. At first, I though I misheard the gentleman because I knew exactly what I had picked up. I really think he thought it was part of a mortar and pestle set. Because the company running the auction had no idea what this item was, it was marked originally for $3, then to $1.50 when the half-price hour hit, and I got it for the $1.25 price because they would have had to break a $10 to get the extra quarter.

I am guessing it to be at least as old as I am, possibly older, and probably made of a golden pine. Being a gadget person through-and-through, I had to have it. However, I must confess that I am not a fan of the Kitchener stitch; I far prefer the three needle bind-off.

As for the sweater, the sleeves are closing in on the elbows from the cuff edge, and I am knitting both at once as DM suggested, but on two sets of needles as it makes me crazy to do them on the same one.

As you might guess, I would like for this sweater to be finished so that I can move on to my gnome project. I plan to do several, but not consecutively or concurrently. They will be interspersed between other projects. Also, I am the proud owner of the Meet the Snowmes pattern now, and that will be put into the knitting queue as well. You can see a particularly cute Snowme here that someone on Ravelry has posted.

Bad Old Gnome Enabler...

2008-03-22T14:56:00.000-07:00

As I may have previously mentioned, I am not enjoying my class this semester. In addition, I am not enjoying the constant grind and endless demands on my free time that this class seems to impose... All this, and someone has put another project into my queue no less.

She knows I have an addictive personality, and that I am easily led. In addition to adding to my obsession list, this has further led to the running amok of my yarn stash. Bad, bad Gnome Enabler. Shame on you. More to the point, shame on me. I need one more thing to do...

Here is the gnome-enabling culprit, no doubt smiling because she likely is working on one of her sinister plots...

The gnome in question is the Yuletide Gnome designed by Alan Dart of the U.K. This pattern is nearly impossible to get as it is out of print. Luckily enough, someone on Ravelry had an extra and agreed to sell it to me. With all the whining, I have forgotten to mention just how cute the gnome actually is... I cannot get the picture to come in well, so go here to see one of the best examples on Ravelry.

The Butterfly pullover is closing in on the finish line.

This is the first garment that I have attempted to do cabling on. It wasn't too bad - behold the success... Also, once again, the sweater is not cherry or bright red, but more of a wine color.

Last week, a friend gave me some fiber, and I have spun it into a single. I may or may not divide and ply it. I think I kind of like it as a single.

TTFN!

D is for Dolores, Dolores for President!!!

2008-02-17T13:09:00.000-08:00

This week's letter programming is brought to you by the letter D. D is for Dolores, Dolores for President that is!!! As I am unable to reproduce a picture of Dolores without permission from Franklin, The Panopticon blog writer, so I will have have to let you link to her candidacy announcement on your own. The Panopticon is a hilarious blog, but the author is also a pretty great knitter as well. Her campaign promises include making Elizabeth Zimmerman's birthday a national holiday, fiber-related purchases will become tax deductible, knitting will become a mandatory subject in schools, and government subsidiaries will establish yarn shops in high-need areas. What more could you want??? Finally, a candidate that I can get excited about.

I have officially joined her party, the Fibertarians, and now I proudly display this as my Ravelry icon!

My sweater is coming along very slowly as I have been ill, and also suffering with another kind of sickness - SICK OF SCHOOL!!! I beyond HATE this class, and I would rather watch paint dry, but I am in it now and bound for glory. Also, I refuse to suffer in silence! I also have not had much time for spinning - see the same two previous complaints as they also apply to spinning as well.

As you might have guessed, I am in full Grinch mode, and I pretty much hate everything. If there is something I don't hate it is because one of the following two reasons:

1. I have not thought of it lately, but will probably renew my hate soon...

2. I loathe said object, and have went far beyond simple hate...

Also, all you lurkers out there, I have something for you...

Now shut up and knit!

Who in the World Came up with Corrugated Ribbing???

2008-02-02T20:14:00.000-08:00

Week three of the ABC along brings the wretched corrugated ribbing.

I want to know right now who came up with this method of two colored ribbing so I can find them and pull their hair - especially since I have spent the last few hours pulling out my own!

Corrugated ribbing or two colored ribbing is by far one of the most tedious knitting activities known to the world. It is not that it is hard, it is just that pulling all of the stitches to the back side as you knit or purl each stitch is so fiddley and painfully slow.

I have successfully knit intarsia garments, so I thought how tough could corrugated ribbing be? Note to self, any thought that starts with "how tough could this be?" should be filed under the heading of masochism, or possibly sadism if I am trying to convince someone else to do said activity... I have completed about 1.5 inches of ribbing, and need 2 full inches. The yarn is actually a wine-ish red, the brown is a deep chocolate tone, and this is Encore by Plymouth.

As far as the spinning goes, I have graduated myself to colored roving, and here is my first colored single, still on the bobbin - sorry about the blurriness of the photo.

I enjoy spinning, but it will never take the place in my heart of knitting. I actually see spinning as an adjunct to knitting, not a separate activity unto itself.

Another C-word that I have recently enjoyed (get your minds out of the gutter, it is not THE C-word) is a book by Crazy Aunt Purl called Drunk, Divorced, and Covered in Cat Hair. It is about a 30-something woman who was married, now single by her husband's request, and trys to drink her problems away until she finds knitting. As tragic as this all sounds, it is pretty funny. I have read more than half of the book in one day, and it is far more interesting than the class I am taking, but then again watching paint dry is more entesting than the class material so far...

And thus ends this week's rant.

B is for Buffy, Buffy the Vampire Slayer that is!!!

2008-01-26T18:30:00.000-08:00

This is week two of the ABC Along 2008. Those of you that know me, already know I am a HUGE Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan!!! One of my e-mail accounts is named "The Buffy watcher" as in I am not simply a Buffy Watcher, I am THE Buffy watcher...

I have several Buffy collectibles, not nearly as many as I feel I need though. Below you see a mug that says "Eat Stake", a pillow with the Buffy logo and many phrases in Buffy-verse, and lastly one of my prize Buffy items - the season five promotional tombstone that was produced as part of a media kit. I got that piece on E-Bay - yea, me!!!

Since school has begun, I feel as if I don't have time to knit or spin, and I am already weary of Legal Aspects of Health Information. I have went back to school to obtain my RHIT - in my case the RH could possibly stand for "really hateful"...

On the knitting front, I am yet to finish the second navy sock, but I am making forward progress every day. I did take time to do a pretty major fix on a friend's afghan. She is a very new knitter, and I took pity on her and took the broken project home to repair. I took out six rows, doesn't sound so bad until you remember it as an AFGHAN!!! All jokes aside, it wasn't too bad. After I ripped back past the error, I re-knit the six rows so she would not feel like she had taken two giant steps backwards. I also rewound her ball of yarn into a neat little yarn cake as Natty got the yarn out of the bag and gave it the old one-two with the bunny kickers. I hope I did not take too much licence with a project that belongs to someone else... The gals/friends I knit with meet on Wednesday night, so I will see if I overstepped my knit-etiquette.

Come On Old Sock!

2008-01-19T11:15:00.000-08:00

Even recent projects that are not finished can rapidly become the "old" project when there is something else that you want to work on. I am hoping to have the lion's share of the second sock in the Leaf Lace pattern done by the end of the weekend. I have whined and offered a multitude of excuses why that sock isn't finished including the color is too dark to work on at night, I am too busy, or this is the second pair in a row of the same pattern. The truth is I just want to start my new sweater, I also want to spin, and those two things have led way to the aforementioned excuses. Also, as a last excuse, school starts on Monday...

As far as my spinning goals, I have been forcing myself to spin up the undyed yucko stuff that came with my wheel for practice before I move onto the good stuff, but I am beyond being over that... I have purchased several batts of colored fiber to spin. Starting with the fiber in the upper left corner that looks kind of rainbow-like (Cottage Fiber), then the peach-colored fiber (TerraBella Spun), the the fiber in the lower right (TerraBella Spun), and lastly the fiber in the lower left corner (Cottage Fiber). There is a naughty little enabler who set me on the Etsy path, and now I am hooked. I get kind of a little buzz coming home to a package of something in front of my door that I have ordered from Etsy. Another seller on Etsy that I really like, but have not ordered from yet is
Copperpot Woolies. The next thing you know I will be staying up late to secretly watch recorded episodes of Dr. Who...

This is my "Christmas money from Mom yarn", and it will be my next project as I think I am tired of socks for this minute. However, when I am halfway through the sweater, I will probably be plotting my next pair of socks. This yarn came from Misknits, a "curious little yarn shop" in Kansas City on the Missouri side. Amber, the owner, helped me pick out the colors, and she is just wonderful to work with. She always makes me glad I came into her shop, unlike a few others that shall remain unnamed - at least for now...

In response to FKD's challenge for her readers to participate in in the ABC - Along 2008.

A - A is for afternoon nap (Natty's), which I will not be getting as I am off to work on that "old sock". TTFN and happy knitting/spinning to all!

Too Little Time in the Day...

2008-01-10T18:55:00.000-08:00

Leaf Lace Socks by Fiber Trends, Lanett yarn by Sandnesgarn in Navy. This yarn is lovely to knit with, but the color is so dark it is difficult to make much progress without going blind. The red sock blockers really show off just how lacy this pattern actually is.

This is my new orifice hook. Love, love, love it. This tool allows me to draw the roving through the orifice of the spinning wheel without any trouble at all.

This is my first attempt at plying singles. It's not great yet, but I am working very hard at not letting my yarn suck... The ball on the right is what I did in class, and the ball on the left is what I did at home alone.

After much hysteria and a fair amount of screaming, I realized that I NEEDED a tensioned lazy kate. The tensioned kate acts as a second pair of hands for the spinning/plying impaired. I did a little research on the net, and behold my success! You can tell it is nothing fancy, but it has made a world of difference in my plying. The bobbins came with the wheel, the cardboard box is a box that printer paper came in. The only thing I had to buy was size #2 needles that were long enough to go through the box.

I have a pretty wooden niddy noddy from Kromski, but this is my favorite one. I made this from PVC pipe and PVC joints. It cost me less than $10 to make, and it is wonderful to use because it is so small. I extended the length of the arms so I could get more yarn on it.

Here I am with my hair pulled up (more or less) in all my still fluffy glory, trying out my new tensioned kate, and successfully plying. I look a mess, but I wanted to show how easy plying was with the kate. Notice the lack of hysteria??? You can see my wheel in the picture. I still haven't named it yet, but I will. Any suggestions?

I have really gotten into quotes lately, and I will leave you with my new favorite:

"You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you odd." Flannery O'Connor

Jumpin' Jack Flat...

2007-12-30T11:27:00.000-08:00

On 12/14/2007, I was driving down the road and a driver in another car alerted me that my front right tire was low. I thanked him, quickly turned around, and went to a Shell station three blocks back the other way.

I get to the Shell station, pull up to the air pump, and realize that I do not know how much air goes in a tire. The obvious answer to me would be "until it's not flat", but realizing this probably wasn't an exact estimate, I called dear hubby and the coversation went like this:

Me: "Hi honey, I have a front right tire that is very low, but I am sitting in a Shell station right by the air machine, how many pounds of air goes into a tire?"

Dear Hubby: "Take your car to the Ford dealership and ask for my service writer, Kevin; he will take care of it."

Me: "I am already here at the gas station, and surely I can put air in the tire. Just tell me how much air because I have several errands, and dealership will take forever just to look at it..."

Dear Hubby: "Do you know how to put air in your tire?"

Me: "I am sure I can figure it out, just tell me how much air..."

The conversation ended with him telling me how much air to put in, and then telling me to have a good day. In my mind, he had signed off on my idea to put the air in, and go about my way. In reality, not so much...

I filled the tire, replaced the cap, and went inside to get a drink and use the restroom. I waited for about ten minutes before leaving and the tire was still round, and appeared to be fine, fine, fine. I figured that was enough time to see if it was going to go flat again. Long story short, I drove downtown to 1919 Wyandotte in Kansas City to order my spinning wheel. After I came out of the fiber shop, full of joy at having just ordered my spinning wheel, I noticed that the wretched tire had gone completely flat. As you might guess, the second conversation with dear hubby was not nearly so cordial as the first, and went something like - "Why didn't you just go to the dealership like I told you to??? There are no service stations of any kind where you are, and now I will have to come and fix it!!!" Unfortunately, I have no clue how to change a tire - yes, I know it is pathetic. Before you all fuss at me too much, I have other skill sets... I can swim, whistle with my fingers, and drive a stick. I am getting AAA Motor Club, or so I am told...

Dear Hubby was there in less than 30 minutes. When the lug nuts (every one of them) seemed to be frozen on the wheel, he had to jump up and down on the jack to break them loose, and all I could think of was the chorus to the song "Jumpin' Jack Flash" or dear hubby's case, "Jumpin' Jack Flat." Luckily he did not see me snap this picture of him...

After the tire was changed, dear hubby asked me "Where are you going now?" My answer was to finish my errands - once again, not so much... I was sent straight away, do not pass go, do not collect $200, and go straight to the dealership without another errand!!! When I arrived at the dealership, I found out that dear hubby had made arrangements for four new tires, and all I had to do was show up.

All that behind me, the spinning wheel has been delivered, and it is a Louet S10 double treadle. The yarn I spun is from the roving that came with the wheel (corriedale silver), and I am hoping to make less ugly yarn in the future.. The brown yarn is what I have tied it with to keep it secure.

This is what I spent my Christmas money on. Thanks, Mom! This is my comfort yarn, Encore. It can be machine washed and dried, and will become the Butterfly sweater from Plymouth Yarn. The wine color will be the majority of the sweater, and the ribbing at the bottom, cuffs, and neck will be with both the wine and the chocolate brown - gotta love that combination, right?

This will be the last post of 2007. I will leave you with my favorite quote, the author is unknown to me, and it will stand as my single New Year's Resolution.

"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes it is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying 'I will try again tomorrow.'"

Be happy, be well, and Happy New Year to all!

A Few of My Favorite Things...

2007-12-14T03:05:00.000-08:00

Debi of FKD has recently posted a list of her favorite things, and kindly charged her readers to post a few of their own favorite things. I absolutely love that idea, and cheerfully challenge anyone who reads this to post their favorite things! Here is a list of things that I really enjoy:

FALL/HALLOWEEN - Fall is hands down my favorite time of the year with the colors, kids going back in school, and the anticipation of the holidays - it's for me! I really enjoy Halloween decorations and spooky things. This includes movies with a nod towards vampires and witches, but not so much with the gore, and the same for books.

CAREN ET CIE HAND TREATMENT - The hand cream in the tube/pump bottle with the blue label is my personal favorite hand cream. The blue scent is baby powder, and it combats the harsh soap at the hospital where I work. It is a little bit pricey, but completely worth it!

LONG AND PRETTY MASCARA - Clinique makes my favorite mascara (Long Pretty Lashes Mascara is the full name). I am not a fan of thick, fat, and clumpy lashes, but rather a long and feathery look. It doesn't flake, and rarely smudges.

SOOKIE STACKHOUSE/SOUTHERN VAMPIRE SERIES - Charlaine Harris writes my favorite series of books, The Sookie Stackhouse/Southern Vampire Series. Her characters are so real it makes you feel as if you actually know them.

CASH IN THE ATTIC/BARGAIN HUNT - The BBC America channel has become my new favorite for the shows Cash in the Attic and Bargain Hunt.

OMEGA PAW LITTER BOX - This is a funny thing to be a fave, but anything that makes changing the litter box easy is going to make it onto my list. It uses clumping litter, and all you do is roll it over onto its top (no litter or anything else falls out when you do this), tap the floor, roll it back over to shift the litter back in place. Lastly, pull out the drawer with an easy to use handle and dump the contents into a bag. It is dirt simple, and nothing ever touches your hands. EASY PEASY!!!

Natty has favorites too, and they include hair bands, and anything that can be stolen out of the knitting bag!

Progress and New Yarn are Beautiful Things

2007-12-09T05:41:00.000-08:00

Leaf Lace Socks by Fiber Trends, Lanett Yarn in cranberry. In truth, it is a true Christmas red. That works out nicesly as this is a holiday gift for someone that does not read my blog. I have to admit, this pattern came out pretty darned great. I am very pleased to give this pair of socks as a gift, and I will definitely be knitting this pattern again! The Lanett is wonderful yarn to knit with. It is spun a bit looser than other sock yarn, but once on the needles I had no trouble getting eight stitches to the inch. It is soft, has a nice sheen, and is machine washable and dryable - hallelujah!!! As for colorfastness, I have no idea, but I plan to use this yarn again. Also, it was only $6.56 for approximately 215 yards. Also, the Leaf Lace pattern was super simple and really pretty.

Fetching from Knitty.com with a few modifications. I added one extra cable with three extra rows to lengthen the finger edge. Also, I did not like the bind off they recommended as it made it roll and flare. I did the sewn bind off and it really made them fit great! I used the Plymouth Baby Alpaca, and even with the extra rows it only took one hank.

The candy corn-colored washcloths for Secret Spook Gift Exchange - Sugar 'n Cream, mini fern stitch.

The felted oven mitt and hot pad for the Secret Spook Gift Exchange - Brown Sheep.

The socks mentioned in the previous post from top to bottom:

1. Opal Rainforest - Flamingo - top up, 2x2 rib with magic loop.

2. Fortissima Socka - toe up, 2x2 rib with magic loop.

3. Meilenweit Fantasy - cuff down, 2x2 rib.

Lastly, you See Natty is checking in the most yarn recent shipment - the two skeins on the left are Claudia Hand Painted Yarns in the Chocolate colorway and the large skein on the right is from Spritely Goods in the Sage colorway. The photography does not do the Claudia justice. The Chocolate is really beautiful, and I am hoping that the Sage is not a striping yarn, but more of a color pooling yarn.

No matter which of the holidays you observe during this time of year, find some time to celebrate the joy of the season, and save some time for knitting - cheers!

Terri and Natty

Sorry Honey, I am not in the Mood Tonight...

2007-11-25T19:25:00.000-08:00

"Sorry honey, I am not in the mood tonight" describes my entire world right now. I am not in the mood for the holidays, for writing blog posts, for holiday get togethers, for decorating for the holidays. Thus, the time since my last post has been considerable.

My mood isn't as dark as it sounds, I am just not up for a lot of hoopla...

I have been knitting up a storm since my last post. At least two pairs of socks (toe up magic loop, thank you very much), one pair of cuff down socks, two pair of Fetching gloves from Knitty.com, many washcloths as Secret Spook Exchange gifts for Halloween, washcloths for hospital gifts, and lastly a felted oven mitt and hot pad for the aforementioned Halloween festivity.

On a brighter note, I have discovered a fairly new, as in less than a year old, knit shop in town. It is quite a bit further away than either of the two yarns shops I often frequent, but the shop owner is so nice that I am pleased to spend my knitting dollars with her when possible, and drive the extra distance. The name of the shop is Misknits, and it is worth a visit if you are anywhere near close enough to visit the Kansas City area.

Amber, the owner of Misknits, recommended a yarn that I have never used before. It is Lanett in the cranberry color. It is really affordable, and according to Amber knits up very nicely into socks. I also got a new, new to me that is, type of knitting needles - Hiya Hiya. I also picked up a Plymouth pattern for worsted Galway, of which I will probably substitute Encore for as its ease in washability has me hooked. However, I am going to have to purchase a second copy of this pattern as it seems to have escaped me after leaving the shop. I have turned the house, car, purse, knitting bag upside looking for that pattern, and finally had to give up and turn the air blue with expletives. Since that hasn't helped either, I just e-mailed the shop and asked if they have another copy available. This is the Butterfly sweater that seems to have flown away...

In the meantime, I am going to use the Lanett to knit the Crock Socks from the Pattern I ordered from Sheri at the Loopy Ewe - another great source as well.

Maybe, next time I shall post some pictures of the aforementioned finished objects, then again, maybe not. I may still be in a puppysnatch...

It's a Pickle I Tell You, Just a Pickle!!!

2007-09-16T15:03:00.000-07:00

I thought I was a big enough girl to make my own decisions, and to forget the rules my mother gave me as a child. The rule in particular that I have recently disreguarded is,

"Don't start another project until you finish the one you are working on..."

To be fair, it is not entirely my fault that I am in this mess - but sort of. On 08/26/2007, also known as Black Sunday. I had the first of a series of three classes on magic loop toe up socks with a short row heel. Sounds innocent enough, right? The problem began in that the second of three classes was THREE WEEKS after the first class due to scheduling issues with the LYS. I was given homework and promptly finished that. Hmmm, I then had two and a half weeks and nothing to knit except that 80% finished sweater I was working on before the class, and who wanted to work on that? The answer was certainly not me.

My evil self talked me into starting a second pair of socks, just a little gap filler between the sock class, and now classes pleural as I still do not have the sweater done, my gap filling socks are not done, and of course I just had the second of three classes today. Aarghhhhh!!!

In my youth, I used to be an extremely disorganized person, could never finish anything, and thus the "don't start a new project until you finish the one you are working on" rule came to be. Now, I am in a three project knitting pickle, and nary a one of them are done! The worst part is after the third of three classes, I will just have one of the socks done - NOT BOTH!

To make it worse, I even bought a new sweater pattern today after class. I think the only way to get this unfinished project monkey off my back is to go cold turkey. First, I will do my homework, and that only until it is finished. Then, I will finish the "gap filler" socks. Lastly, I will finish the long neglected sweater.

By all that is holy, I will never get myself in this knitting pickle again!!!

Sit and Spin has Taken on a Whole New Meaning...

2007-08-16T17:59:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday afternoon, Christy, one of the girls that I regularly knit with was kind enough to get together with me and show me how to use a drop spindle. For a month or so, I have had an ever-increasing interest in spinning, and this has been since the evening that Christy brought her spinning wheel and drop spindle to our Knit Night. Needless to say, I have been fascinated with the process of spinning ever since.

For years, my only thought about spinning was that it was absolutely none of my business how yarn got from sheep to shop... I was so wrong, and I will admit some people just don't dig the spin, and that's fine too - God knows I am no fan of nupps and fair isle. However, I have now become an amature enthusiast of the art of spinning and those who do it well.

Think back to how difficult that you thought knitting was when you were first learning - now multiply that times ten and that is how tedious learning to spin can be. That being said, this is not to whine about the learning curve, or even all the profanity uttered, but rather to give applause to the spinners who can churn out yard after yard of everything from bulky weight to perfectly plied and spun fingering weight sock yarn.

I have heard discussions that hand spun yarn can be too rustic, not refined, and strange-colored - all of those valid points, and ones I used to make until I saw the absolutely phenomenal things that a spinning wheel can do in the hands of a master. Today, I purchased 400ish yards of some absolutely lovely fingering weight sock yarn that was spun by someone locally, and sold in a local fiber and spinning shop called the Fiber Cottage. My photography does not do the dye work justice. In reality, the color changes are from kind of a subtle silverly lilac into a dusty amethyst that is really just stunning.

Now, from the sublime to the rediculous... This is the silk hanky that was my first attempt. The blue flecks are the yarn that has secured the little skein. There are places where it gets bulky, then thread and skinny, and then back to bulky. I am told my first skeins will be referred to as "novelty yarn" - eck!

The yarn on the spindles are some additional spinning attempts, as well as my humble tools. Also, a few silk hankies and a little bit of undyed roving that I am yet to mangle as well...

Just in case I have not appropriately frightened you with my spinning, one last close up.

Happy knitting to all, and stand up and applaud the spinners who do such incredible work - they deserve it!

What A Good Helper Natty Is...

2007-08-08T14:19:00.000-07:00

I have knit a pair of baby sweaters for someone that is near and dear to my heart, but who has asked to remain anonymous at this time.

This is a free pattern from Jimmie Beans Wool, and the panel in the front is removable. There will be four buttons on each side of the panel, but I have not selected the buttons yet. I also have not blocked it as I am unsure if this yarn is blockable. They both were knit with Encore by Plymouth (25% wool, 75% acrylic), and it can be washed and dryed. I thought that was as much of a gift as the sweaters to the proud by shy parents to be.

However, Miss Natty did volunteer to model the sweater for the photo session since we have to keep the recipient a secret for now.

As you can tell, Natty does not mind participating at all, and she loves to play dress up! I had recently taken a picture of her wearing a pair of socks I knit, but the picture would not up load...

Natty thanks you for coming to her most recent fashion show...

Supervisor Turned Supermodel...

2007-07-12T14:59:00.000-07:00

In her first modeling debut, Miss Natty takes the stage with a lace shawl knit from the label of Trekking XXL.

As a recap, it is a pattern from IK Spring Issue, and it is the Clementine Shawlette. My blocking is tighter than theirs, and the Trekking is less snuggle-like, but it blocks well, and really shows off the lace pattern.

Here you can see the drape and length of the shawl.

As you can see, the model is very weary of the

photo session, and ready for a well-deserved nap.

She was very patient to let me pose her and try the shawl on her in different ways while I took different pictures.

Although I hate to push my luck, I wonder how she feels about socks???

Tahdahhh!!!! Clementine is off the Needles and in the Bath!

2007-07-10T18:58:00.000-07:00

I will keep this short and sweet - the shawl is completely knitted, ends worked in, and Clementine is in the bath. I will block her this evening, and hopefully she can be dry by tomorrow evening so I can take her to Knit Night. DM gave me the idea to fold the shawl in half for a manageable blocking length. The blocked pictures will be next time - wish me luck as this is my first lace blocking attempt!

After the blocking, off to scrub out that sink!!!

Does Time Move This Quickly for Those Who Don't Knit???

2007-07-01T05:33:00.000-07:00

My shawl progress is coming along, but not as quickly as I would like though... Don't get too excited, the first half isn't blocked, it is just pinned for the photo. Natty, of course, had to check that I had pinned the piece correctly...

This is a sort of close up of the lace work, but again, the yarn is not this pink. It is much more dusty purple and navy blue, with just a hint of pink here and there.

There are a minimum of two, and possibly three projects impatiently waiting in the wings.

Firstly, I have a friend with a birthday early in August (thankfully she is not a blog reader), and I am knitting her a pair of socks. They will probably be in the Pennlyn pattern from Wildhorse Farm Designs, and knit with Claudia Hand Painted Yarns in the Grape Jelly colorway. My friend is a self-proclaimed "lover of ALL things purple", and this should fit the bill. The photo does not do the yarn justice at all. It appears almost fuschia in the photo, and in real life it is almost a solid grape jelly purple with a hint of lighter purple here and there that is not quite lavender. As this colorway is already screaming hot, I will probably add beads at the cuff to finish the electric look.

Next, I want to knit at least one, and two if possible, Christmas stockings for my two nieces. I am using the Holly pattern from Annie's Woolens. I have knit a ton of socks, but never a Christmas stocking, and I have no idea how long this will take - that is where the concern for knitting one or two before Christmas comes into play. If all else fails, the eldest niece will get hers first, and the youngest the following year.

Initially, I had ordered some Wool of the Andes from Knit Picks for the stockings, but I just couldn't feel the love for that yarn. The colors were off, and it just did not feel like anything that the kiddos would keep and treasure all of their lives, as I hope they will with the new yarn. With that being said, it's not my fault that I had to go out and forage for more yarn yesterday... There might have been one, two, or possibly six (ahem, but who's counting) skeins of sock yarn that followed me home this weekend in addition to the new yarn for the stockings.

The sock yarn is Claudia, and from top to bottom the colors are: John B., Butter Pecan, and Jungle. To the right is the yarn for the stockings that I got this weekend. The hunter's green and ivory are from Galway, and the bottom wound hank is Cascade 220 in The Heathers line. Per the Yarn Shop and More, Galway and Cascade 220 are "the exact same yarn". The Yarn Shop and More even claims that they are made in the same factory. I have never heard this, but there a ton of things that I have not heard...

Put Me on the Short Bus and Send Me to Lace Town...

2007-06-19T18:55:00.000-07:00

I will admit, I was a little slow on the uptake when it came to lace knitting. Between the two yarns, I think I snatched it out it eight times. I guess nine is the magic number. I think I am getting the hang of it thanks to the life line, stitch markers, and a great deal of hyperventilating.

The arm of the sofa seemed just right for pinning the end piece out for inspection.

All jokes aside, it is coming along, just SLOWLY... This isn't my stuck in molasses slow from last time, this is the knit 40 rows move ahead half an inch slow. Not really, but it seems like it.

The unblocked version of a lace projects is definitely nothing to write home about. I am hoping for better photos once it is blocked. Also, the actual color is way less pink, more of a smoky purple and a navy with only a tiny bit of pink. My camera tends to lie. I think it's in cahoots with my bathroom scales...

I also have a concern about the blocked size. I think it is going to be just about 12 inches or so in width, and I am hoping that will give me a similar result to the pattern's photo.

I think this pattern (Clementine Shawlette) was an afterthought in Interweave Knits magazine as it did not receive much in the way of good photos.

Also, great news for me, maybe not so much for other folks. One of my guilty secrets is that I am a huge Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan (the television show, not the movie). I recently found a Buffy KAL that is active and very current. I am yet to contribute, but I fully intend to. Once I can figure a reasonable link from episodes to projects.

Somehow, I am Stuck on Slow...

2007-06-05T01:28:00.000-07:00

You know how some projects just fly by, just blink and they are done? Well, this isn't one of them. The pattern is another one from Wildhorse Farm Designs, and it is the Berry Basket Socks pattern. It is turning out to be really nice, and I like the colorway I am working with (Baby Blues). I am knitting it with Panda Cotton, which I quite enjoy, but this project is moving at the speed of molasses.

Incidentally, Panda Cotton is a bit more difficult to bead than wool, but not too tough.

I just can't seem to get in the groove for this project. I have definitely put the time in on it, and it just isn't coming together the way I would like.

The progress on this has been so slow that even my knitting supervisor came to see if she could suggest something...

Incidentally, I have plans! This is not the time to daudle! I have the impending shawl (Clementine Shawlette) to revive, and I have already wound the yarn for that. Also, I need to knit something for a girlfriend's birthday in August, although I have not a clue what that will be. Hmmm, maybe a nice shawl...

It is now June, and CHRISTMAS IS COMING!!! Just last weekend, I had the idea that each one of my nieces should have an heirloom Christmas stocking. Where the top row of holly is, just under the ribbing, the pattern allows for a name to be placed there, which I probably will do. This whole heirloom stocking idea might have been better reserved for February or March... At any rate, I bought the pattern from a LYS, and ordered the yarn from Knit Picks. However, I may only knit one a year as they look somewhat involved.

Time's a wastin' - off to knit.

The Shawl Passed Away...

2007-05-30T19:33:00.000-07:00

Could we have a moment of silence for the dearly, or not so dearly, departed shawl...

The wretched little shawl reverted back to its wicked ways, and it had to be frogged. It was such a final death, that I even returned the unusued portion of yarn back to The Studio... This was not because I hate the pattern or lace knitting for that matter, it was the yarn that I did not care for.

Merriam-Webster lists one definition of progress to be forward or onward movement. In my own self-negotiating way, I suppose there may be a smidge of progress in regards to the shawl - but in a very abstract way...

From that I experience, I have learned a few things. I can knit lace, as well as read charts, and I will pick up the project again, but in another yarn. I have heard many knitters extole the virtues of alpaca yarn. I unfortunately am not one of them. I hate the hairy, albeit mild, quality that alpaca yarn has. In fact, I pretty much hate all hairy yarn, chief among them being mohair!

I think I am going to try the shawl again in a fingering weight yarn (once the socks are done), and maybe even in Trekking as I have a great big skein of purple that has been crying to come out of my stash drawer. Yes, just one drawer. I am not pitiful, that is just how I maintain my work flow and manage my yarn budget.

To comfort myself, I have started a sock (aren't you all surprised???) in Panda Cotton. I have read that some knitters just loathe that yarn as they feel like it is way too splitty. I have not really had much trouble with it, but you do have to pay attention.

Hot off the Press...

2007-05-24T12:25:00.000-07:00

Damn, Damn, Double Damn!!!

2007-05-23T14:58:00.000-07:00

I am just about to rip out this damned shawl for the fifth (YES, FIFTH) time, and I have come to a conclusion...

If we (the shawl and I) can't get our act together, it is going to be either it or me, and I like ME better.

With my naturally forgiving nature, I will give it one more chance before it has to go to shawl heaven...

I Don't Suppose Anyone Has Actually Died From Knitting Lace...

2007-05-21T20:13:00.000-07:00

I keep remembering the lace on the sleeves for DMS that nearly made me mental, and I find myself wondering why I wanted to knit a lace shawl???

I am going to take a deep breath and jump in. The shawl is from Interweave Knits latest edition, and it is the Clementine Shawlette. I am using the Blue Sky silk/alpaca listed in the pattern, and I am using Mocha/122.

Dear Lord,

Wish me luck, and please make sure my Addi needles go to a good home if I don't survive this project. Amen.

To Meme or Not to Meme, That is the Question...

2007-05-19T02:59:00.000-07:00

I looked at my comments yesterday and discovered that I had been tagged by someone who has read my blog. While I am a team player, I am definitely a negotiator at heart. Here are my terms. I will do approximately 50% of the request, and we will call it good. I will answer the questions, but let the tagged decide who they are instead of me tagging them. I know people are busy, so participation is the most fun when it is not coerced.

Here are the tag rules (of which I have totally disregarded and/or made up my own):

Each person tagged gives 7 random facts about themselves.

Those tagged need to write on their blog the 7 facts as well as the rules of the game.

You need to tag 7 others and list their names on your blog - or rewrite the rules as I did (heh!)

4. You have to leave those you are tagging a note in their comments so they know they have been tagged to read your blog.

Seven Random Facts:

1. Halloween is my favorite holiday.

2. I am comfortable being by myself.

3. Fall is my favorite time of year.

4. I have always loved magical things.

5. I recently purchased an MP3 player, and I love to download books and listen while I knit.
(Thanks, Grandma)

6. I have recently discovered that I am probably a very boring person, but I am comfortable
enough with myself not to care...

7. I hate rudeness. I try never to display it, and dislike it in others.

NOTE: If you feel that you have been tagged, then be tagged. If not, maybe next time.

Now that that little chore is complete, on to the knitting news. I am nearing the finish line for suprise surprise, another pair of socks. This is the first time I have tried lace knitting for socks. The pattern is from Wildhorse Farms (Savannah), and the pattern is pretty easy. I did use an eye of partridge heel with a little modifcation here and there instead of the pattern's heel, but I like the effect. The yarn is Jitterbug, made by Colinette, and the color Toscana. My stitch count is correct, but the yarn feels and looks the slightest bit FIRM. They stitch pattern is really pretty, but I think this pair will be reserved for cool fall or cold winter days.

I think the time has come for me to get some sock blockers for my photos. The little cardboard set I cut out just doesn't really do it for me...

I think Karen has some really nice wood sock blockers from The Loopy Ewe. Take a peek at hers back in the archives.

Happy knitting!

Fun, Felting, and My Favorite Author...

2007-05-03T17:36:00.000-07:00

I have had a lot of fun this week. I have lived in fear of entrelac for years, and this week I have finally arrived!!! I conquered my fears, jumped in, and knit like there was no tomorrow. The pattern is from a company called Knitability, and I used Brown Sheep yarn. This was also my first attempt at changing/designing my own color scheme. I am not entirely happy with it, but it is a start.

The first picture is the before shot. This was so big I could have worn it as a skirt!

I am not a fan of the felting process, but I do enjoy the finished results. The smell and feel of wet wool is not something I look for on a day to day basis. The pattern did direct me to make button holes and insert the grommets, but that did not work at all. I resorted to brut force, and stabbed holes with a phillips (ha ha) screwdriver, and snipped a little teeny bit with scissors. I made the holes so they would be snug around the grommets. That being said, I think it turned out okay.

Also, this week I got to meet my favorite author (Charlaine Harris), and have her sign her newest book that came out on 05/01/2007. She writes the Southern Vampire Series, also called the Sookie Stackhouse books. She was a complete delight, and I enjoyed meeting her. She was even gracious enough to allow me to have my picture taken with her. Charlaine is seated, and I am the star struck fan standing beside her. My clothes are a little too baggy, but I have lost some weight, and nothing from the bra out fits quite right. I have always liked a "comfort zone" in my clothes, and have hated tight clothes all my life as I fear I might look a little too much like a sausage if I were to wear snug clothing! At any rate, baggy or not, I was thrilled with the opportunity to meet Charlaine!

As you can see above, I have the newest book in my clutches. I am off to read now.

I've been a bad, bad blogger...

2007-04-11T10:48:00.000-07:00

Okay, okay, I get it. The postings have been few and far between. Tardy does not even begin to cover a two month hiatus from blogging. In my defense, I've been sooo busy...

I have not slacked off on the knitting however, and I have knit several pairs of socks.

Before you ask, I did knit both socks. I realize my follow through on posting makes me a little suspect in this area.

This is the Pennlyn sock pattern from Wildhorse Farm Designs (I did use a different heel and toe though).

This sock was knit with CTH Spring Frost with green beads with a gold center just below the ribbing cuff. (Thank you Debi for the bead tutorial.)
As you can tell, I have been much enamored with the Pennlyn sock pattern, and used it for both of the next two pairs as well.

This pair was knit for my DMS who has yet to take receipt of them. They were knit with Claudia Hand Painted Yarn (Freesia) - no beads as they were kind of loud all on their own...

This pair (now finished of course) was knit with Claudia Hand Painted Yarn as well. This may be my favorite pair of socks I have ever knit. They now belong to a friend at work. It made my little heart sing to find out that she loves themas much as I do! They have beads just below the ribbing cuff, and the bead color is called "tropicana".

The yarn color is Sherbet, and I am definitely going to have to order some for myself.

(I got all of my Claudie at Loopy Ewe as I love to get packages in the mail...)

I have also started on my Christmas knitting - for the little gifts that are nice just to let someone know that you thought of them, and hope they have a happy holiday season. I am using up my sock yarn left overs by knitting mini socks. I got the pattern from the Loopy Ewe.

I am a little bit socked out right now, and I am trying something new. I have seen both spellings, so I do not know which is correct. I am doing a felted (entreloc or entrelac?) back pack in fall colors. I am on the third tier, and will take pictures when complete. Unfelted (entreloc or entrelac?) doesn't look like such big whoop, but I have it on good authority that it will whip itself into shape once felted.

Holy Crap! I Have Loose Balls!!!

2007-02-09T21:09:00.000-08:00

Loose balls, that was all I needed...

Before you get you knickers in a twist, the balls I speak of are the yarn balls wound on my very own swift and ball winder. Worse yet, I have uneven, loose balls...

To all the knitting geniuses (or is is geniusi) in the world - how in the world do you get nice compact, firmly wound yarn balls that are the same size every time???

On a happier, less screaming kind of note, more Claudia Handpainted yarn. I am going to make the scale skin socks that FKD posted a while back. I will also be beading them - thank you Debi!!! The picture made the pinks look much brighter than they are, it is really very soft and delicate. The color is Pink Clouds, and it may be my favorite yarn so far...

I am almost done with a pair of socks (photos once they are finished) knit with CTH in the Pennlyn Pattern from Wildhorse Farm Designs complete with beading. FKD gave a great tutorial on beading with a crochet hook, and with that I was able to do it in a snap!

Finally, the knitting supervisor in repose...

Dear Hubby Put My Knitting Needles To Sleep...

2007-01-28T12:46:00.000-08:00

DH (Dear Hubby) is a fine husband, friend, and all around good guy. However, and yes there is a however, he is possibly the most boring person on the planet to knit for... I adore color - bright, soft, loud, subtle, and God forgive me, even metallic colors... I also love small delicate patterning, as well as things that are big and bold. That might give you a hint how DH feels about patterning in his knitted items - you guessed it, he wants things "just knitted, no loud color, no patterning, just simple". The man does have an image you know - as I have been told many times.

Thus, the sleeping knitting needles now present their latest accomplishments...

The socks were made from my teeny, almost non-existent stash drawer with Fortissima yarn. This yarn is just okay. It is a little bit scratchy, not very stretchy, and oh so plain. DH loves it!

If he loves them, I am glad. He is the one who has to wear them...

The hat looks like it is great big, and it kind of is, but it fits DH's head perfectly, and he doesn't like hats that squeeze his head. Once again, no pattern, just black, and for God's sake, NO POM POM! This yarn was actually wonderful to knit with, and it feels very nice too. It is from Karabella, and it is from the Soft Tweed line. I knew I had to work in tiny flecks of color somewhere - he would not even allow a stripe!

FKD knits beautiful socks, and she always has the best yarn. She recently recommended The Loopy Ewe, and it is as wonderful as she said it was. It is a totally on-line yarn shop with the absolute best customer service, quick shipping, and a nice selection of yarn as well. FKD introduced me to the Claudia Hand Painted Yarn, and there is nothing "just okay" about this yarn. It looks and feels great, and thank you Jesus it has COLOR! I can't wait to knit the socks that this yarn will become...

Lastly, the puffed heart. This appeared most recently in the Holiday Edition of Interweave Knits. It is knit with Koigu, and stuffed with lavendar potpourri.

Happy Knitting New Year!!!

2006-12-31T14:23:00.000-08:00

I am not a drinker, I do not stay up/out late, and other than dancing around a yarn shop with glee I have hung up my boogie shoes. All that being said, this is shaping up to be a joyous New Year's Eve. My hubby and I are home together with a warm fire, my house is clean, and the laundry is done. I am probably one hour's worth of work away from finishing the second modular sock.

Thanks to some kind encouragement from FKD and my mom, I have finished a difficult project. I found a friend who loved this colorway, and I knit them to her size. This will be my final project for 2006.

They were knit with Koigu yarn, and the pattern is called Diamond Patch Socks from Heartland Knits.

Surprisingly enough, my next project will also be a modular project, and hopefully a quick one too. No one is more surprised than I am, believe me... As a hint, it appeared in the holiday edition of Interweave Knits 2006. For fear that some of the recipients may read this, I will post the picture once they are ready to be presented to their intended recipients.

Santa Claus gave me a gift certicate to the LYS this year for Christmas, and I got a swift, two hanks of Koigu, and a ball of Inspiration. I don't know that I set out to get a swift, but my mother snatched one up, and gave me an acute case of swift envy. Since there was only one left, I snatched it up, whipped out my gift card, and danced around the counter with joy!

My mother is on the right, and my grandmother is on the left.

Now I ask you, is this the face of someone who could inspire swift envy? You betcha, baby! She is also the one who taught me to knit and finish my projects - I don't which lesson was tougher...

This is what Santa Claus brought me from the LYS this year, and I must have been good...

I turned 40 this December, and my life is far from perfect, but I have made peace with my inner demons. In doing so, I have decided to count my blessings and just be...

Happy Knitting and New Year's to all!

The Frog Poncho Lives!

2006-12-04T19:07:00.000-08:00

I have decided to continue on with the aforementioned wretched sock, and its mate as well - much to my own chagrin, because one of the most accomplished knitters in Blogland mentioned it would be a great gift to an adventurous sock wearer. I have just that sort of person in mind, and she has exclaimed undying love for the colorway. It will be my pleasure to give them to her as a gift for Christmas. I would rather she had mentioned that to me two weeks ago when I stopped working on the wretched thing, and then I would have had purpose. Like all knitters, things for myself can wait - things that are a gift require knitting at breakneck speed!

Besides, encouragement like that from FKD is akin to a papal blessing on your knitting.

Off to the frog poncho!

I Hate That Damn Sock!!!

2006-12-01T03:08:00.000-08:00

PROBLEM #1: The sock has little to no stretch as it was knit on size 0 needles. My feet and ankles are wide, and this will never fit comfortably, and I do not like tight socks!

PROBLEM #2: According to the teacher in the class for the modular sock, "Gauge doesn't really work on this project. Just cast and on follow the instructions." I must tell you, GAUGE MATTERS!!! Also, said knitting teacher has very narrow feet and small ankles. Note to self - remember to hate her.

PROBLEM #3: For all the hooplah about how great and glorious Koigu is, I would like to officially say it's not such big whoop. I much prefer Cherry Tree Hill for the sheen and twist in the yarn. Some people think the two yarns are nearly twins. To them I say - NOT SO MUCH...

CONCLUSION:

I hate that damn sock. I am not going to finish the pair. I am going to attempt to return to the two unused skeins of Koigu, and count the one skein I knitted with as a total loss. I am at the point where I am to pick up stitches and add the heel, as well as evening out the points at the toe, and then of course pick up stitches there and add the toe. I see no point to wasting knitting time on a project that I won't/can't wear. Even if this hateful thing did fit, I like socks that stretch, not a modular prison for me feet.

To add insult to injury, I can't even frog the sock as each modular piece was knit individually by picking up stitches, and then cut. I have included a photo so that all may embrace the horror. Even my DMS told me the sock "is the ugliest thing she has ever seen, and it looks like a frog poncho". I have never seen a frog with a poncho, but to that I say, let the frogs have it then...

I Do Not Like Green Eggs and Ham, Alas I Might Be Sam I am...

2006-11-07T18:59:00.000-08:00

As you might have guessed, I am not always the one in the crowd beating the drum for new things. I like things in my world, including my knitting, to be the way I know them. Change is for the wicked... The "comfort zone" is a big deal to me, and tonight I jumped out of the comfort zone with both feet because I do want to learn new things about knitting. This was the first knitting class for the modular socks. I think in reality they are called diamond patch socks. They are from a company called Heartland Knits. This was a hard class, and I have knit several pair of socks before. I am sore from my shoulders to my knees after knitting those little mitred squares of hate.

Being the person I am, I like to get to class early so I may select my seat, and not just sit anywhere that is left. I have all of my requisite items neatly on the table in front of me, and something to take notes with. However, I am never blessed with the people that slide sideways into the seat beside me being quite as prepared. They want to come in late, loud, and appear to have little or no knowledge of knitting. This was supposed to be an advanced knitting class, and I was afraid I would slow the class down as I am not an advanced knitter, but I could complete all the "you should know how to do this prior to taking this class" tasks, so I signed up. Most of the other gals were nice, but I always get the joy of sitting by the loud gals that don't get much done - except being loud. I am all for having a good time, and my agenda does not have to be theirs, but if their constant chatter is keeping me from hearing or concentrating, I should be able to poke them with a knitting needle. One of theirs preferrably, I am knitting with mine!

I am really not a grouch, I like to visit and laugh, but can some people have to take over the whole class with totally non-knitting projects, or at least not the one we have all paid to learn.

Now that I have gotten a good whine in, back to knitting. I am knitting the modular socks out of Koigu. Once I have significant progress, I will post the Koigu in all of its modular glory.

I Have Been Hit by the Meme Fairy...

2006-10-18T13:19:00.000-07:00

48 THINGS YOU NEVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT ME...

1. FIRST NAME? Terri

2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? No. I was named for myself.

3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? Saturday, 10/07/2006.

4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? It is pretty, but sometimes hard to read.

5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT? Pastrami or a tangy salami.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Yes. I am a kind person.

7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? God no! I can barely keep up with my blog.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? No.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? I did it in my 20s. I hated it, and have no interest in repeating the event.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Thick, hot oatmeal with real butter and chunky peanut butter.

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Not so much.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Yes, I am strong in many ways.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Anything that is mostly chocolate, and more chocolate. Did I mention chocolate?

14. SHOE SIZE? Nine.

15. RED OR PINK? Red!

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My self-doubt.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My dad.

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? It’s up to them.

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS, SHIRT AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Blue jeans, black sweatshirt with a Halloween pumpkin, and brown Merrell clogs.

20. LAST THING YOU ATE? Sugar-free ice pop.

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? The sound of the keyboard.

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Cerise.

23. FAVORITE SMELL? Lilac.

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My husband.

25. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? Their eyes, and if they have a nice smile.

26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON you stole THIS from? I have never met her, but I am sure I would like her. She is kind, smart, and funny.

27. FAVORITE DRINK? After surgery, I can’t have it any more, but Diet Coke has been my undisputed favorite for years. Other than that, I don’t embibe.

28. FAVORITE SPORT? Knitting. It is so a sport!

29. EYE COLOR? When I was younger, it was dark brown, and now it falls somewhere between chestnut brown and hazel.

30. HAT SIZE? I don’t have a clue. I am so not a hat person.

31. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? I tried, but they are too fussy for me.

32. FAVORITE FOOD? Pizza with lots of meat, mushrooms, black olives, and artichokes.

33. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Scary as long as it isn’t too gory.

35. SUMMER OR WINTER? I don’t care for either one. I love fall, and it is the payoff for summer, and the price for winter. Spring is a distant second.

36. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs.

37. FAVORITE DESSERT? Chocolate mouse with marascino cherries and whipped cream.

38. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Maybe nobody.

39. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Not a clue.

40. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? A Deadly Yarn by Maggie Sefton.

41. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE Pad? Nothing.

42. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? Charmed on DVD.

43. FAVORITE SOUNDS? The ocean, crashing thunder, and driving rain.

44. ROLLING STONE OR BEATLES? The Stones all the way!

45. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME? Geographically, Canada. In my heart, Las Vegas.

46. WHAT'S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? I have an excellent memory.

47. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Kansas City, Missouri.

48. WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Stolen from La Cabeza Grande, aka Karen.

Thank God I am a Better Knitter than Photographer...

2006-10-09T03:47:00.000-07:00

I finished knitting the baby hat and sweater for my friend before surgery, but I didn't sew the buttons on until the weekend after. When selecting the buttons, I had to keep telling myself - THIS SWEATER AND HAT IS FOR A BOY, as my inclination is to get buttons that are too cutesy for boys... Long story short, I settled on simple, pearlized white, heart-shaped buttons that are gender neutral. The buttons on the hat are cute, but they really are to keep the slick yarn from unrolling and falling in the baby's eyes.

I am making progress on the BIG cardigan, and I am still cursing the pattern writer every time I get a chance...

The piece on the left is the sweater back, and the piece on the right is the left front. See, I told you I was a better knitter than photographer... This yarn is not as bright as the flash makes it seem. It is more of a brick red color, but you can see the slipped stitch design.

Today, I have my one week postop visit and get my 15 staples and one stitch out. Not to worry, there will be no posted pics of the incisions with staples. Thank you to all who expressed your kind concern before my surgery. I am on the mend.

Baby Sweater and Hat for a Friend

2006-09-18T02:41:00.000-07:00

I have become such a slacker in respect to my blog.

This is not an excuse, but I have had a lot on my mind lately. I am getting ready to have weight loss surgery, and there are many hurdles to jump through before THE BIG DAY. I have have had a roller coaster emotion ride that ranges from neuroticism to elation. Some of my family and friends have been so helpful and kind about my decision, but unfortunately, not all of my friends and/or acquaintances are even nice about my having the surgery. I have wondered many times if the nay sayers are genuinely concerned about me, or if they are experiencing insecurity about their own weight issues? Either way, I cannot worry about that, and God knows I have tried.

I am still working on the cardigan mentioned in the last entry (the brick red cardigan for DH). I have interspersed a project or two as it is such a big project. The pattern is by Mari, and I do not care for her pattern writing style one little bit. I have spoken to the designer once on the phone, and I don't plan to use any more of her work - I will be lucky to finish this monstrosity! She doesn't know me, and I don't know her, but I found her to be curt and arrogant.

On a happier front, I have almost completed a little short project. To the right you see the baby in the yellow sweater and hat - I am knitting this in baby blue as it is for a boy. A friend at work is expecting, and she is due in January. I wanted to finish the project I am making for her baby before my surgery (10/02/2006), and I can see the finish line from here. The sweater is made, but needs some blocking, as well as the buttons. I have a good start on the hat, and it will be finished within a day or two. The pattern I am using is from Plymouth, and it was super easy to follow. I saw this sweater made up in my LYS, and it was made out of the Plymouth yarn called Oh My! Of course, I thought mine had to be made out of Oh My! too... The knitted fabric looks like a well-worn bathrobe, but has the coolest, silkiest, and most snuggly texture you could imagine. Oh My! feels great, but unravels easily, and snags if you breathe on it. I love the way it feels, but I probably will not use it again.

I am already dreading going back to work on that big sweater for DH. The back is finished, and I am not looking forward to the rest. I may have to knit a pair of socks before I jump back into that sweater.

Once the baby sweater and hat are blocked and ready for presentation, I will post an actual picture of my work.

My Old Friend, Knitting...

2006-06-29T17:32:00.000-07:00

It's been longer than ever since my last post. I have been working through some personal struggles, and figuring some things out... Lately, my best buddy has been my knitting. It is never too busy, always has time, and I always feel better after I have spent some time with yarn running through my fingers.

Even when friends, family, and husband are too busy or too indifferent to care or listen, the knitting always makes time... In fact, I have made my best decisions and cleared the highest mental hurtles with knitting needles in hand... My old friend, knitting, is to thank.

Here is my latest project. It is a pattern by Mari, and the LYS ordered it for me. This picture of course is the pattern advertisement. This will be a gift for DH, and he picked the pattern and color. I am knitting it with Cascade 220. It isn't as luxurious as I would have liked, but Cascade seemed to fit the bill.

Drum roll please... Here is my progress so far on the back.

And the close up version for detail. The flash made it look much brighter than it is. The picture above is much more true to exact color.

Since my last post, I have visited Big Cedar Lodge in Branson, Missouri. It is one of the lovliest placed in the entire Midwest. The landscaping is gorgeous, and the buildings look like something from a Thomas Kinkaid painting.

This really does not do the gardens and building justice, but it was just beautiful.

I have never really been a big fan of going to the lake, but this resort could easily change all of that...

The lake you see in the distance is Tablerock Lake, not exactly the Lake of the Ozarks, but still a great place to visit.

I could so easily be a pool rat, but that eating and living in doors thing gets me every time!

Last, but definitely not least, a picture of my two nieces. The little girl with the sundress on is the youngest niece, Lucy. She was already dressed for bed, so DMS just slipped the dress on over the jammies. Behold the success... Also, this was the night I delivered the birthday present to her older sister, Braydee. I got her a knitting machine for children, which I have not had time to help her with yet (sorry Braydee), and DMS refers to that device as a "HORRID LITTLE MACHINE". DMS doesn't knit (yet), and Braydee is very interested in learning - that's Aunt Terri's girl!!! To be fair, DMS jumped in and untangled hours worth of knots in the yarn, and really tried to make it work for the kid, and now it lives in the box until I go up and help with the process.

To everyone I owe comments to, sorry to be so slow in getting back. I am out of the funk, and back in Blogland. Happy knitting!

The Big HAIRY Truth about My Knitting Projects...

2006-05-26T13:15:00.000-07:00

I used to wonder how my knitting projects would end up decorated with cat hair after I would carefully remove every bit of hair whenever I found it, and then placed the work in progress in a plastic bag inside the knitting bag itself. I have come to know that mischief is afoot, to be more precise mischief has four feet, a tail, and a little bandit's mask. I caught her in mid oogie on my current project.

The second that she realized she was busted, she started playing possum as if to say, "Don't wake the sleeping kitty...". Either that, or she just just decided we weren't going to continue this charade of "how did cat hair get on this" any longer...

The project that Natty is currently coveting is just a very simple pair of cotton/chenille washclothes for a friend. Everytime I have a friend that goes into the hospital, I knit a pair of washcloths in his or her favorite color, so that they don't have to wash their hands and faces with scratchy hospital wash cloths that smell like bleach. This particular set is made of Crystal Palace cotton/chenile, and all of the cloths I knit have a heart on them somewhere, or are actually in a heart shape for the friendship we share.. I don't think the camera let the detail of the heart show through, but it was nothing more than purl stitches worked into the design.

If anyone is as nosy/curious as I am, I wonder where everyone else in Blogland gets their blog on, and if that is a multipurspose space. That being said, why not post a picture of your blog space and what its uses are...

I work at home three days a week, so I transcribe at my desk, as well as knit, watch TV, eat my lunches, and of course blog - and here is a picture of that hard working space.

Take a peek at the little dress...

2006-05-21T03:28:00.000-07:00

I finished the little dress for my niece, and it really came out cute. This is a class I took to learn intarsia, and it wasn't too bad. I wouldn't want to put intarsia on everything, but at least I know I can do it - hurrah! The edges are all embellished with that dastardly crochet. It looks okay, but I only know enough about crochet to fake it, and I had to fake double crochet and scallops this time. I really liked the yarn, Inspiration by Cascade, and I may even make another little dress like this in red with scotty dogs in the band portion, but I will have to wait and see. I have other projects to tend to first.

Here is an attempt at a close up of the tulips in the intarsia band.

Sassy pants likes to admire herself online, and here is Natty doing just that...

Intarsia and finished socks...

2006-05-07T14:43:00.000-07:00

Before I go into the new project, here is the pair of socks I knitted for a friend at work. The yarn is Sockotta by Plymouth, and I think she was really happy with them. The self-patterning yarn came out just great, and I may even make a pair for myself, but not right now as I am "backlogged". A term I learned from DM.

The new project I am working on is for the new niece, and it is made with Cascade Fixation. If feels great, but it takes some getting used to as far as the knitting goes. It is a little bit like a bungee cord, and it has got a whole bunch of bounce.

This is the hem of a little dress that can be worn as a sundress, or have a blouse underneath. The intarsia parts are going to be some very simple tulips, and there will be 19 of them. Please forgive the photography as I am still a little new at that. Speaking of new, this is my first attempt at intarsia, and it is a little slow going, but not too bad.

Speaking of bad, I think I have a volunteer to try on the dress, or at least help with the knitting.

Peachy Keen Jelly Bean...

2006-04-13T10:00:00.000-07:00

This is the start of a pair of socks for a friend at work. I have never knit with Sockotta before as I am fairly new to the love of sock knitting, but I am gaining ground every day. This yarn is part cotton, part wool, and just a teeny bit nylon - my guess is for durability and bounce.

When I look at this self-patterning yarn, it looks just like jelly beans to me, and it almost has kind of a happy look because the colors are really bright and fun. This is going to be a pair of cuffed anklets. The ribbing looks great, and I have Debi at FKD to thank for that. She suggested a 2x2 rib as opposed to the 1x1 rib that I used on the Cherry Tree Hill socks. The 2x2 really lends itself to the look of a folded cuff .

Supervisor Natty has just made an appearance in the room, and has reminded me in her unmistakable Siamese voice that she was promised credit for her work, and she intends to have it! Natty is my constant buddy. I work at home 3/5 days a week, and she is also a seasoned expert in medical transcription. Natty turned ten this winter, and she is still as frisky as when she was a kitten. I am undoubtedly a good playmate, but playmate is all - her heart belongs to another. She really likes me, does all the knitting, transcribing, and housework stuff with me, but she lives for my husband. I am not really jealous (not much anyway), just amazed. Hubby doesn't even have anything good for Natty to knit or play with, he isn't home with her all day, and I do most of the caretaking of her - and yet she loves only Mike. Okay, I admit it. This is an affront to my very being, petty as it is...

As you can see, Miss Natty takes her supervisory duties very seriously. I turned around for just a second and found her inspecting the progress of the new sock. Natty LOVES all bamboo needles, especially the double points. Given a chance, she would snatch those needles and give them a good chewing. In fact, she has destroyed more than one set of bamboo needles. Of course you say, "Why would you leave them out for her to find?"

The answer to that is simple. I never leave the knitting just lying around, she is a VERY determined little gal, and if there is something she truly wants, she can open sliding closet doors, undo snaps on knitting bags, and jump to the highest shelf in a closet to find what she is looking for - whatever it takes! She has been known to conduct many a black ops mission to get into something - usually my stuff, knitting in specific. Now that she is older, she doesn't do that quite so much, but I have awakened MANY times to balls of yarn unwound into a mess on the floor and around furniture that were put in a knitting bag, in a closet the night before. She has also taken the knitting off of the needles to give it a good kick/chew Siamese style. Thank God she does not have opposable thumbs, nothing would be safe!

Exploring in the land of sock...

2006-04-06T07:26:00.000-07:00

As you can see, I have finished one sock, about half of the other, and am well on my way to another FO for 2006. This is the first time I have knit with Cherry Tree Hill, and it is great. It has been in my stash for over a year, and I finally got brave enough to undwind the hank. This is one of the few items I have knit for myself, and before you ask - yes, my feet are shaped like that sock...

CTH is wonderful to knit with, and it feels great on. I LOVE the feel of merino wool, and the weight is just perfect. It took me a long time to love to knit socks, but I have arrived. The first pair was for DH, and the rat lost that pair - guess how cold it has to be in Hell before he gets another pair??? He actually will get another pair (just not right now) as I am in a period or righteous indignation about the LOSS OF A PAIR OF HAND KNIT SOCKS! I understand a five-year-old losing socks; however, how does a forty-year-old man LOSE SOCKS??? Because it was truly an accident, and he really is sorry, I may choose to forgive him and knit an additional pair or so in the future, but nothing is concrete as of yet.

I have discovered from my extensive internet research that most knitters have supervisors of some sort, and many of them are of the feline variety. My favorite bloggster FKD has a beautiful exotic shorthair named Pumpkin - he even has photo ops and blogging privileges. From the grapevine, my supervisor (a sassy Siamese named Natty) has heard of the injustice that has been done to her, and is demanding credit for her work in the knitting world. As you can see, the supervisor and reigning queen is not amused. Credit has been given too late and too little. The above socks will probably have to be removed from the knitting bag in the middle of the night, given a series of good bunny kicks, and possibly even a little treatment with the teeth could be in order. I now have to go hide the knitting bag from Natty...

No Mo' Mean Sister Blues...

2006-03-30T01:02:00.000-08:00

I can officially retire the song I composed to comfort myself now that DMS has graciously sent me a few photos of herself in the sweater. Please forgive my lack of skill in photo editing as this is my first attempt to add a real photo. I think the yarn is more of a blue red than bright red, but either way the sweater has found its home, it appears to be much loved, and for my part that makes it all worth the struggles and tears. However, I am not sure what DM would say for her part (the sleeves and collar). DMS has the collar folded down, but it can easily stand up as well.

As you can see, she looks great in her sweater - just as I predicted. Mom did a great job on the sleeves and collar, and she assembled it too. The lace pattern on the sleeves and the collar is where all the trouble came from. At one point, I contemplated cutting the sweater into pieces and throwing it from my balcony, but DM graciously offered to see what she could do. DM has knit for 46 years, is a very accomplished knitter, and she thought the pattern wasn't written well. She had to get out her magnifyging glass to look at the detail in the pattern picture, and she even showed the pattern to her mother for confirmation that the pattern was off. I am thrilled that DMS loves the sweater! I will definitely knit DMS another sweater if she would like one, but I get to pick the pattern next time, and I won't be foolish enough to promise a deadline.

The Mean Sister Blues

2006-03-27T17:20:00.000-08:00

As per previously posted, the evil sweater that DM rescued me from has been completed, assembled, delivered, tried on, and I understand that it fits. Not that I have a photo of course, even though I was promised that I would be e-mailed a photo on Friday evening - no such luck. DMS claims that because she had to wait for the sweater, that I should have to wait for the photo. Like that is fair! All knitters know it doesn't takes as much skill to photograph the project as it does to knit it...

I think the Devil himself designed the pattern that DMS picked out for that me to knit for her. He must also have designed her digital camera as she can't seem to get a picture of herself in that sweater e-mailed to me!

I know, I know DMS is busy with two children and her hubby, and can't be bothered with taking pictures for her poor sick sister with diabetes... Okay, enough with the guilt and whining - I am even weary of it. To brighten things up a bit, I have composed a little blues song that is sung to the same tune as the Kraft Macaroni & Cheese song. If you know it sing along...

MEAN SISTER BLUES

I got a mean sister, she’s sassy and bad - dah, nah, nah, nah, nah.
She’s got her darn sweater, so she shouldn’t be so mad...

(chorus)
I’ve got the mean, mean, mean sister blues...
She’s got me so wired and crazy that I’m gunna blow a fuse.

She won’t take a picture, and I think it’s not fair -dah, nah, nah, nah, nah.
It’s making me so cranky that I wanna pull her hair.

(chorus)
I’ve got the mean, mean, mean sister blues...
She’s got me so wired and crazy that I’m gunna blow a fuse.

My next post should have a photo of some sort on it, possibly of the socks I am working on.

p.s. Rasperries to the sister who probably looks just great in her new sweater, but not that I'll ever know...

The Joy of Socks...

2006-03-17T09:48:00.000-08:00

It took me a long time to discover the joy of knitting socks, but I have arrived. They are easily portable, not terribly expensive, and it satisfies the immediate gratification need that I have.

In visiting FKD's blog, I understand that I am to consider myself tagged for the meme. Here goes nothing...

A-Age: 39.
B-Bed size: Queen.
C-Chore you hate: Dusting, unloading the dishwasher, and scrubbing the bathroom.
D-Dessert you love: Chocolate mousse.
E-Essential start your day item: Diet Coke!!!
F-Favorite actor(s): John Cusack, Johnny Depp.
G-Gold or Silver: Both.
H-Height: 5'1.5"
I-Instruments you play: None.
J-Job title: Medical transcriptionist.
K-Keeping track of your day: Notes on my calendar.
L-Living arrangements: Just me, the hubby, and Natty cat.
M-Mom's name: Shiny Hiney. No, really it's Joyce, or Linda on a good day...
N-Not liking right now: Diabets and the diet that comes with.
O- Overnight hospital stay other than birth: None.
P-Place you were born: Kansas City, MO.
Q-Quote you like: "Hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, LOATHE..." - the Grinch!
R-Right or left handed: Right.
S-Siblings: 1 sassy younger sister.
T-Time you got up today: 3:39 a.m.
U-Unique habit: Not really any...
V-Vegetable you hate: Most of them...
W-Worst habit: Quick-tempered.
X-X-rays you've had: Teeth, chest, knee, and ankle.
Y-Yummy food you can make: Enchilada casserole
Z-Zodiac sign: Sagittarius

Consider yourself tagged if you feel a meme coming on too!

As you have noticed, not much on the joy of socks, that is because there isn't much of a sock yet...

Patience is a virtue...

2006-03-13T21:50:00.000-08:00

Many years ago, I had my first knitting machine. The only thing I saved from that adventure was the Brother ball winder that I had purchased to use with it. Many years later, I have another knitting machine, but I mostly use the ball winder for handknitting projects as I don't use the machine too much even now. However, I do NOT have a swift, and therein lies the rub, or rather the knot.

When I re-learned to knit a couple of years ago, I purchased some yarn, forgot about it, and rediscovered it this week. It is a lovely sock yarn, and I think I got it at the Studio, but not entirely sure as there is no sticker on the label. I have knit socks before, but with yarn that comes in skeins, not hanks. Hanks are twisted into a nice little twisty-ropey-looking things, and they are created by the Devil. I though, hmmm, I will use this for myself. I would like my own pair of socks, and if I make short cuffs I will have just enough yarn. Great! yarn untwisted, safety ties untied, and POW this monstrosity of yarn that is a big wiggly hula-hoop-type thing falls out of my hands, and onto the floor. I am just barely over five feet tall, the damn yarn didn't fall that far, how could it have gotten so screwed up on the way to the floor - and it no longer looks like a hula-hoop. It more closely resembles a plate of colored spaghetti now. Then part two of the disaster - Natty the cat is having her nightly cat fit, and flies through the pile of spaghetti yarn and gets all four feet tangled up, but pulls the yarn about three feet apart. The mess has just went from a moderate-sized catastrophe to a homicidal event!

Long story short, after two and a half hours, I have 420 yards of sock weight yarn, which does not unknot easily, wound onto the ball winder. The memory of where I purchased this is starting to come back to me. I did purchase this at the Studio, and the day I purchased it there were about six pain in the ass women in the knitting store with me, and they were driving me crazy. I was still very new at knitting, a little intimidated, and definitely irritated as they pushed and shoved their way through the store and people to ferret out anything and everything. When it was finally my turn at the register, the sales lady asked me, "would you like us to wind this for you?" I distinctly remember that all I wanted was out of that store, and I didn't realize I had just set myself up for disaster. I should have stayed and let them wind my yarn. It would have maybe taken ten minutes, fifteen tops to let them wind it as they have a swift, and the same ball winder that I do, but most importantly a swift. I cursed myself by saying, "No, I have a ball winder. I will be fine." I naively walked out the door, came home, put the yarn away and forgot about until I found the little cursed hank this week. The curse was still alive and well when I opened the yarn this evening. The moral of the story is ALWAYS let the store wind your yarn, it is worth the time to wait!!! It is not impossible to unwind a hank of yarn without a swift, it is just damned unpleasant!!! I have no one to blame but myself for this most recent lesson in knitting. When you make the mistake yourself, it will stay right there until you fix it, or until it has the chance to bite you in the ass . Either way, it was one big giant suckapallooza fixing that mess.

The Perfect Knitting Day...

2006-03-09T08:06:00.000-08:00

Not that I have had one myself, but I have the same recurring fantasy of a perfect knitting day. It takes many elements to equal that kind of day (yes, a whole day), and here they are:

The house is clean from top to bottom - no guilt about knitting for hours and losing track of time.

The laundy is completely done and put away - further, no guilt about knitting the day away.

All errands must have been completed, hopefully the day before so that you can have the whole day for selfish pursuits. This includes the grocery store, what would a good selfish day would be complete without snacks (salty, chocolate, and Diet Coke no less)?

Hubby needs to be at work, stay a little late, and offering to bring home or order a pizza to ensure his continued good health on the day of knitting.

The weather needs to be stormy, rainy, blustery - just in case you thought about leaving the sancity of your knitting, it wouldn't really be good - so now you HAVE to stay in for safety's sake...

The phone is not allowed to ring much at this time, but you must have the cordless beside you on the knitting throne (the throne is a comfy seat that includes the project, Diet Coke, snacks, telephone, remote control, soft blanket). Also, the cat is not allowed to be demanding during the Perfect Knitting Day.

Knit, knit, knit. No chores, errands, or distractions to deal with, and definetly no guilt about not working on more "important" projects. The success of this day is not measured by the amount of knitting completed, but by the amount of total indulgance and lack of distraction. No interruptions by thoughtless non-knitters (like they count anyway) will be tolerated!!! Hubby should not arrive back home before 6 pm, really 7 pm is better, and no questions like, "What did you do today?"

Now that is a fantasy! Not that I live in that world, but God I would like to...

Back to reality as the house isn't spotless, the errands aren't complete, the cat is demanding, I am planning what to serve for dinner, and hubby is coming home EARLY to run an errand that involves going to the airport with me. It ain't perfect, but it's the life I got. I can always dream about the perfect knitting day...

Purple and Sparkly is my Charge

2006-03-04T14:41:00.000-08:00

BC would like to have a purple sparkly scarf, and this aunt will not disappoint. The scarf is nearly done, and I may be able to have enough left over to make LC one as well. I will have to see. The needles that I am knitting this on are size #17. I refer to them as my Buffys (e.g. Buffy the Vampire Slayer), and they do look a little stake-like. After the possible scarf for LC, I just have one more to make for DM as she would like a scarf to match her snappy chapeau.

Four FOs for 2006, and One Teeny Flub...

2006-03-02T05:24:00.000-08:00

Okay, the teeny flub as we all know is the sweater for DMS that nearly finished me, not the other way around, and I had to have a rescue from Mom. Not my proudest moment as a knitter, but sometimes you have to realize when the party is over, and believe me it was.

The sweater to the left is the beast in question that that Mom is "helping" me with so that it doesn't get turned into yarn confetti and pitched off my balcony.

The four FOs are the two, yes two, keyhole scarves. One charity scarf for the Red Scarf Project, and with the left over yarn, and set of hogbones (scarf) for DH. The keyholes were one for DMS, and one for myself. I have now successfully used up the Sinsation yarn from Plymouth that I bought. I am planning to have a minimum of one scarf finished in a week (not that I am on a scarf binge) as my dear niece, Braydee, asked her Aunt Terri to please knit one for her, and she further thought having it ready when she got off the plane would be nice as well. Never mind that it was almost 80 degrees here yesterday. If the kid wants a scarf, then a scarf she shall have. I would love to knit something for her new little sister too. That little girl has stolen my heart from thousands of miles away. DMS went to China to adopt her, and they are still on the journey to bring back the new niece, Lucy. I better get started knitting!!!

The Way to a Knitter's heart...

2006-02-22T13:13:00.000-08:00

DMS loved the keyhole scarflet, and that is the way to any knitter's heart. Just acknowledge that you loved the gift. Truly, a gift from the hands are truly a gift from the heart. I love you, Sis! Travel safely, and come back home soon.

I Owe Mom, Big Time...

2006-02-19T21:46:00.000-08:00

Boy do I owe Mom now, big time... That sweater for DMS that had become the project from Hell, my mother offered very graciously to finish the sleeves, and possibly even the collar. However, the collar has not been officially stated. I shouldn't have let it wig me out so bad, but all those yo, and k3tog, yo commands finally drove me over the edge. I am reasonably sure I will be assembling it as Mom asked me, "I don't suppose you have sewn the seams, have you?" Fair question for someone who is rescuing you from the sleeves. I will happily assemble the project. I am just so grateful to have it out of my hair.

On the bright side, I have finished a project for DMS to wear on the plane to China. It is a keyhole scarflet (see picture of the plum-colored scarflet in the upper right corner). I made it out of the most wonderful yarn called Sinsation by Plymouth. It is the color of milk chocolate and dark chocolate, and it feels like oyster-sheared mink. It is really a lovely little project. I have taken four hours of PDO to spend some time my DMS and present the scarflet. I hope she likes it. By the way, thanks Mom.

F-WORD, F-WORD, F-WORD!!! SLEEVES!!!!!!!!!!

2006-02-16T11:31:00.000-08:00

That is me in the above picture, up to my neck in issues!!! Knit + idiot = knitiot. That is the word that describes me - go the dictionary and there will be a picture of me waving there. I have been working so rapidly so as to have the sweater finished for DMS that I have totally bolixed up the gauge for those F-ing, F-ing sleeves!!! If you are reading this, sorry again girl. My bad. FFFFFFFFFF!!!! To make it worse, DMS was so very nice about it that it made be feel like the knitiot I clearly am. I have already started over on those sleeves at least once before, maybe twice, and now again.

The Red Sleeve Boogy

2006-02-04T13:47:00.000-08:00

Faster, faster! If there aren't sparks flying from my knitting needles I must not be working fast enough! I am knitting day and night to finish that beastly red sweater, and I am determined to conquer the monster that this pattern has become, and then I will move on to other projects that don't make me want to snatch out a handful of hair out (mine or other people's) every time I pick up the knitting needles. Did I mention that I am swearing off of Vermont Fiber Design patterns? Mention, hah!!! They (the patterns) look relatively user-friendly and pretty cute, but step away from the pattern - IT'S A TRICK!!! I believe the Devil himself wrote this pattern. I have heard an ugly rumor that the yarn I am working with, Plymouth Sunsette, has been discontinued. It does want to split a little bit, but it feels to soft and weightless. DMS, the person for whom the sweater is for, and the same person with sweater itchitis should enjoy wearing it. That is assuming it fits. The little heffer wouldn't sit still or agree to a fitting during the holidays, or really any other time. I am pretty sure it will fit either Barbie (i.e. Barbie the doll) or Rosie O'Donnell.

Rattlin' them bones...

2006-02-01T19:21:00.000-08:00

The hogbones were fun, but gone, and I enjoyed making them very much. I have found out that a quick easy project in the midst of a difficult one can be a nice break. The farrow row (K3, P1) worked particularly well with the suede yarn. It needed a strong pattern to have a gender neutral look. Now, back to the sleeves at hand (pun intended, weak as it was...), hopefully I will have it finished for DMS to wear on the plane to pick up my new niece in China.

I notice I have had 45 people look at my profile. You lurkers could leave a comment now and again. I may even start posting pictures...