Quit wool gathering! We've got...

2 of 56

2010-05-15T21:08:00.001-05:00

With a title like that, I should be knitting a Borg, not a Dalek! I've just finished the first round of bobbles. I can't say I'm a fan. Next go I might use buttons. I'd like to make a miniature version for my desk at work, too.

My daughter has asked to watch with me, so we've begun season 1 all over again. She keeps asking me what I'm making and I keep telling her, "You'll see!" lol

Testing out Blogaway.

2010-03-14T22:03:00.002-05:00

I'm testing out various ways of updating my blog from my droid.

Had a great weekend hanging out with friends. Met up with a friend from high school, and felt really old when I realized it had been at least 15 years since we had seen each other! We had a blast catching up.

I also spent a lot of time eating and drinking with another set of friends. There were men, kilts, fiber and booze... what more could you want?!

Progress

2010-03-14T21:39:00.001-05:00

Here are a couple pics of my firestarter socks done in STR. They fit!

Wollmeise, baby!

2010-03-10T13:36:00.000-05:00

Rockin' Fire

2010-03-10T10:55:00.000-05:00

Testing posting from my phone with ShapeWriter!

Ravelry saved my knitting.

2010-02-24T09:51:00.002-05:00

I love Ravelry with a passion. It brought knitting back into my life. It got me out of the house, living, laughing and enjoying things again. I've posted many of my projects over there (I'm tallyho) and I absolutely love project stalking others! It's an invaluable resource, great for the knitting community (nothing like free advertising!) I've bought yarn, books, needles, gadgets...all kinds of shit because of word of mouth on Ravelry.

I'm just happy to be knitting again!

So I thought I'd drag this here blog back to life a little. Maybe. :)

Look!

2008-07-11T19:52:00.000-05:00

It's a sweater back....for a baby! I'm knitting! zomg....

Not flat.

2008-04-11T09:17:00.002-05:00

Hiya! I'm a bit scarce lately. Not really been knitting too much, and it's creeping up on baseball season! Little League Rocks! The first practice is Monday night.

Here are the most recent photos. R2D2 rocks, too!

Flat.

2008-03-25T13:18:00.001-05:00

With all the action photos...thought maybe a "flat" photo or two was in order.

Plodding along, almost time to start the other cable panel. w00t.

And for all of those that think "why are you knitting this thing you hate?"... I don't hate it. I get bored easily! And scarves are bad for that. :P

I know.

2008-03-24T12:43:00.002-05:00

I'm lazy. I'm sorry! This is the half finished scarf for MBF. You can imagine the rest of it if you like...mirror image! Oh wait...I can do that for you!

C'mon...vogue.

2008-03-22T20:37:00.000-05:00

Ohh....100!

2008-02-19T11:01:00.002-05:00

My last post was my 100th! Who knew I could blabber on so much? Ok, so everyone knows. Whatever! :P

I treated myself to one of these:

I am wearing it today, even! I <3 it. It's replacing the one that is on permanent loan to the Newark Train Station. (At least that's where I recall it ending up last year. Oops.) [My winter coat is also there, we're not discussing that...] I'm sure the two of them had a grand time riding across central England. lol.

Anyhow...it's from Rabbitch's Cafepress! It's a nice quality product, and I am so glad I talked her into it! w00t!

Also:

going soooooo slow!

Update...Cable Scarf

2008-02-10T12:38:00.000-05:00

So here it is...modeled by V...being silly, of course:

Here you can see the elongation starting to happen, going from 6 rows (at bottom) to 8 rows (4 times) and ending with 10 rows (at top):

And a pseudo in-focus shot of the "drape":

Scarf on Bedpost, Relaxed

Hello!

2008-01-24T11:27:00.000-05:00

Yes. Boring title. Howdy to everyone stopping by from Rabbitch's blog. The particular t-shirt I want is this image, with a caption like, "Knitting without a helmet." or something equally as witty. I'm sure she'll think of SOMETHING. (hint, hint!)

Here's a picture of a mitten:

I'm not particularly proud of said mitten. It doesn't fit anyone I know, didn't care for the colors together, and I hate the construction (~~seem~~seamed). So, I never knit it a partner. I've had this mitten for a year. Just hanging out. I got a camera for xmas. It needed a home. My mitten needed a friend. It is no longer a mitten, but a "stylish" (fine..."weird") camera tote. With a thumb. Whatever. It works.

I'll have update photos of the scarf project soon, knitting is slow going on it, my hands have been achy.

Three cheers for recycling my own crappy knitting! Hip, hip, hooray!

99 Cables to Knit on the Scarf...

2008-01-21T09:41:00.000-05:00

99 Cables to go, get one down, wrap it around, 98 cables to knit on the scarf.

Take 1:

This Pattern.

We (MBF, Mom, and I) decided that 8 inches was too wide. Mom and I also decided I should bump the needle size to 10 for a looser fabric. I'm using KnitPicks Swish yarn in Coast Grey (don't tell my aunt!)

Take 2:

It's now twice this long. I know...I'm such a speed demon... (riiiight)

(ETA:) Looking at those photos together, of take 1 and take 2...I think my count is off! The newer one looks like I've skipped rows. (This would explain why I keep "losing count") I was debating using ribbing to connect the two ends, less bulky on the neck. Now I'm thinking I should just start stretching (elongating) the cables, arranging is so that it's like a 30 row cable behind the neck...coming back down to the 8 rows at either end (or um...6 rows.). Does that sound dumb? Help me Obi Wan! You're my only hope!

Guess the Weight Anyone?

2008-01-06T13:53:00.000-05:00

Do I have any Carnies out there? Any guesses?

Well, the black is 110 grams. I have 25g of some deep purple that was also grandma's:

Thinking I could do a repeat of the pattern in that for accent?

Anyone? Bueller?

First Project of '08

2008-01-05T21:36:00.000-05:00

In a change of mindset I can't explain, MBF asked for a scarf. Before I knit him Thuja, I asked him all about what he would wear if I knit it. Hats? No. Scarves? No. Gloves? No. So I knit him socks, which is fine, because I like them. :P However, I'm just a bit confused about it all. To think I contemplated going up against the boyfriend sweater curse because I couldn't think of anything else to knit him!

So, of course, I'm knitting a scarf. He requested black or grey yarn (don't all men? I think this is universal). I happen to have some very special black yarn:

I'm rewinding the skein there because it was a mess, and I really wanted to wash it before I knit with it.

It was/is my grandmother's yarn. I have no idea what it is, except it was in a large drawstring bag with a tag marked "wool". Unfortunately, since my grandma has Alzheimer's, she won't be needing the yarn anymore. However, I'm determined to put it all to good use (Beth...we still have to schedule that dye date!!!). So, the lone skein of black yarn will be a scarf. I'm stymied on a pattern, though.

When it's dry, I'll weigh it and go from there. If you have suggestions for "easy" patterns (I always mess up row counting.../sigh) I'd appreciate them in the comments!

EDIT: Alright, at MBF's insistence, he never changed his mind. I'm crazy and I made it all up in a delusion of not wanting to knit winter wear! I'm sorry...what's the knitter's equivalent of saying the rosary? Do I have to knit Shetland Lace in penance?

Ta Dah!

2007-12-29T14:40:00.000-05:00

Felting truly is magic. This was my first project, and I was paranoid beyond belief. I think they turned out well:

And yes...I know the tablecloth is ugly. It's the only wipe down one we have for the extended table (crap...something else I have to do today!)

Happy New Year, Everyone!

2007-12-25T23:58:00.000-05:00

Nope. Didn't knit this...but DANG is that a close up! I got a new camera for Christmas.

I'm in love.

Yes that's my lap. Wanna make something of it? :)

I'm new!

2007-11-26T11:19:00.000-05:00

Yup. Just had to cast on again. Not sure who this is for tho. LOL. Depends on who it fits when it's done. :P

(After lunch hour, and in focus! Mostly.)

Thank you, Felting Gods. XOXO, Me.

2007-11-22T21:36:00.001-05:00

also...

Now, as long as it fits, everything is great!

...and we're off!

2007-11-21T10:28:00.000-05:00

Off the needles, that is. Still have a tad bit of "assembly" to do, and weaving in the ends, but I'm officially halfway done with that. Again, I'm being vague, because MBF reads my blog, and I don't want to spoil it completely! I'm felting it tomorrow, so everyone cross your fingers for me! I've taken a TON of pics, never fear, it will all be revealed in full (ETA: get it? in full? Oh...I kill me!) after the holidays. :)

Everyone, have a Happy Thanksgiving (to those of you "stateside") tomorrow! To everyone else, Happy Thursday!

11th hour

2007-11-20T11:52:00.000-05:00

Here's the thing...when you live across an ocean from someone, lots of things require advanced planning. It took 2 weeks for Thuja to get to MBF back in June. Therefore, I need to mail his xmas to him next week. I want to allow double the time for it to get there, just in case. Also, there is no way for me to track an item send to the UK, unless I send it via UPS, DHL, etc. The last package I sent him cost me $18.00 to send via the Postal Service (which wasn't bad) and would have been $89.00 via UPS. I guess I just have to take my chances. I am contemplating sending two separate packages just in case, you know...not putting all of my eggs in one basket. I think I would die if my package with handknit stuffs went missing. It would be so much easier if he lived in Duluth (no offense to Duluthians, it just popped into my head as a place that seems remote) [that's Minnesota, I think], or something.

So yeah, kinda obsessing about it. lol. (me? never!)

Oh yeah...I thought of a 4th and 5th knitted project for him. All of this for a guy who doesn't want scarves, hats, or gloves. Per the vote, I'm not allowed to make a sweater (see bottom of page). He would love the sweater, he says to knit it. He does LOVE the socks (I was skeptical, but he continues to tell me he's wearing them, and I believe him. :P). So I'm limited to socks...and um...other inventive things that occur to me from time to time. (Heh...the Thing Sling (tm) is still in development. I, er...need a model for it. NO...that was not a call for volunteers. Anyone got a banana and a couple tangerines? lol.) Right...where was I?

Oh yes...if there are felting gods, please pay attention to this next bit. I need this project to felt nicely. As in, not too much! and also, evenly! I really don't want to have inadvertently knit something for myself for xmas. or Barbie. I really don't want to have knit something for Barbie. Oh...and if it doesn't felt at all? I guess it might look alright on the elephant at the zoo... Elephants deserve handknits, too. Right?

I think MBF is secretly holding out for a "felted willy warmer". I tried to explain that that's probably an item that should be felted "on site" and then tried to explain that felting involved really hot water and lots of agitation...and then I really don't remember the rest of that conversation. Where the heck is my head today? Yeesh. I'm gonna end this post now, before I start talking about pr0n.

Hai! I'm in ur knitting, makin' a heel.

2007-11-19T11:40:00.000-05:00

Yep. Success!

A few things knitting, a few things not

2007-11-16T09:08:00.000-05:00

Well, the MBF sock is going to have to lose it's heel, for a myriad of reasons. 1)it's off center by two stitches. I was going to over-look that...ya know...knitterly denial. BUT... 2) the sock is too short. I was going to over-look that, too, at least until I found a size 11 foot to put it on to try it out. BUT 3) I dropped a stitch...about 10 rows ago. I think even the Harlot would agree that the forces are trying to tell me SOMETHING. :P So...the heel will come back off.

But, what I think the sock is really trying to tell me is, "DO YOUR XMAS KNITTING YOU IDIOT!!! PUT ME DOWN! PICK UP THE THINGS THAT HAVE A DEADLINE!" That's right. "In the Navy" socks are not for xmas. I have THREE projects that I wanted to get done for MBF for xmas. I only think I'll get one of them to him. I'll be sure to pad the box with chocolate, then he'll not notice, or if he does, won't care! :P Oh yes, he is the perfect knitting companion. He'll talk yarn, stitches, patterns, etc. (i.e. ask intelligent questions) And he lives for coffee and chocolate. The very best part? He likes dark chocolate...like that 70% stuff? So...he never, ever has to worry that I'll swipe his chocolate, and by the gods, he better keep his paws off mine. lol.

As we all know, this is his second pair of socks. Thuja was great fun, my first REAL socks. But I was so petrified of running out of yarn (and rightly so...I only had a few grams left and had to make two toned toes) that I made the cuff very short. Now, if you're gonna have a pair of squishy wool socks for the winter, really you need a longer ankle, right? These were/are more like anklets or calflets. :P. So the next pair (In the Navy) is being knit toe up. The only problem with this is that I should have taken measurements of thuja before I mailed it away. I texted MBF the other day to see if he could take a measurement for me. Here's the response, "Gonna have to take them off to measure. Oh noes, chilly toesies." I guess he's willing to brave cold ankles for a nice squish. :P You wouldn't believe the photos I've sent with lines drawn on them for where to measure. :) You also wouldn't believe the 800 questions he's asked about where to measure, I think he's more scared of getting it wrong than I am. heh.

The "trendy fibers" thing? It's getting really close. One more BO to go...then weaving in the ends, and off for a good washing. That's really good news, since the washing "date" is next Thursday, Thanksgiving. My step-mom has a toploader. Gonna need one of those. lol.

On to the other news. I have a boobrock. Well, it's more like an armpit rock, and more like a pebble, but armpit pebble doesn't sound nearly as COOL. I have to go in soon for an ultrasound. I'm not sure when, the referral hasn't been set up quite yet. The Dr. thinks it's a fibroid thingie-whatsit and is nothing to worry about. Right, the damn thing ACHES and is tender...I'll just ignore it, no problem. (Miss V, I apologize for stealing the Boobrock(TM) wording.)

Other weird news... I can hear my pulse in my right ear. Used to be (a year or so ago) that I could only hear it at night (when it was really quiet) or when I elevated my heart rate (then it would be LOUD). Now...I can hear it all the time. The sound like when you hear your baby's heart in the womb on that little machine. Woo, woo, woo, woo, woo, in my ear, all the time. The doctor thinks this is not normal either, and is sending me for an MRI/MRA (the MRA is the MRI, but with dye to show my blood vessels). I don't know when this appt. will be, either.

So really, it's no wonder I dropped a stitch. That was while I was in the waiting room at the Dr. Wed. Night.

P.S. If anyone has a Transporter Room like on Star Trek, please let me know. I could really use an MBF hug. KK...thx.

um...yeah...

2007-11-13T11:05:00.000-05:00

I don't think this is right. Well, I think it's knit correctly, but I think my measurements are still off. I'm in knitterly denial and decided to keep going to "see".

Ummm...

2007-11-11T12:30:00.000-05:00

I got the thing back on the needles, finished up the gusset, and...I figured out the heel.

See? Isn't it turning out pretty?

Now, if only he wore 9 1/2's instead of 11's...it would be perfect.

Somebody shoot me. Please?

I guess I'll back the heel out and do a few rounds plain, give it an extra 1/4". Near as I can tell from photos on Wendy's site, the turn actually starts at the very "point" of the heel on this type. Maybe the flap type heel is deeper?

ARGH!

That's what I get for gloating yesterday.

:(

I am the boss of my knitting!

2007-11-09T14:57:00.000-05:00

Remember the "In the Navy" socks for MBF? I barely remember it either. I was working it toe up to maximize yarn use (just knit until it runs out!). When I got to the heel, though, I couldn't wrap my head around any of the directions! I set it aside, moved it to "Hibernation" status on Ravelry and promptly forgot about it. Then I needed some size 6 DPNs. I grabbed the sock, yanked the needles out and left it for dead, figuring I'd rip it out later. I put it in a drawer...life (edit: LIFE?..ugh...LIVE) stitches pointed all over...

It had been on the needles so long that the stitches just stayed perfect. That's kinda scary.

So last night...I get it into my head that I really should just do something with the sock. (Shit or get off the pot, right?) I don't like frogging. Especially 9 inches of sock. So, I think, why do I dislike this project? Why is it so much more annoying than the last pair? Well, I changed the pattern, and I'm working it toe up. I like the toe up change, gives me a challenge and all. The pattern change? Not so much. I managed to take a nice simple pattern (row 1: Knit, row 2: K3, P1 around) and make it more difficult (row 1: K3, P1 around. row 2: P1, *K3, P1* around). Still easy, but now I have to count EVERY row, and pay a bit more attention to things lining up and all. So. I had to face that I was NOT going to finish it as it was. Was I going to rip it? Nope. I decided to drop one of the 2 columns of "seed stitch" and turn it into all knit instead of knit/purl. Easy.

This shows the columns of knit and the columns of seed stitch.

This is the start of the stitch I'm going to drop down.

This is the stitch I need to drop down to.

This is a photo (blurry...sorry) after dropping the column of stitches down.

Here is a close up as I start back up the column. "Zipped" stitches below the needle, "unzipped" above.

First column "fixed".

I feel...like knitting a sock!

I think I'm going to use Wendy's toe up "thing" she's been doing recently that isn't short row, isn't flap and looks really cool. Maybe that will fix my heel confusion.

A question....

2007-11-06T10:13:00.000-05:00

As you can see, I've added a poll. (Shut up Tasha, they are not interested in the back story!) The reason I'm asking is because I came a across a pattern I like...and MBF doesn't wear hats, or scarves or gloves. He likes sweaters (and socks...yes...I KNOW!). He would totally wear a sweater (assuming it didn't have three arms and no neck hole). So yeah... what do you think?

Problem.

2007-11-05T14:00:00.000-05:00

That is a problem. You see...there isn't that much of it left. And it's going into a felting project, so I really don't want to louse it up (my FIRST felting project).

That's not a lot of yarn, and I have quite a bit of black to go...some of it double stranded black. I need more yarn. Panic.

Clasping this label to my chest, I went to Michael's today (the place I got the first batch), in hopes that they'd still have some of the same dye lot. I cannot explain why...WHY...I bought 3x the amount of the Other yarn used in this project, when the black is carried double thru the entire project (sometimes with the Other yarn, and sometimes with another strand of black). I'm an idiot? Guess so.

This is the yarn I got (both times).

This is the back of the yarn I got today. Notice the lot number. Notice that it is THE SAME as the one above. Is a victory dance too much? They had the dye lot! Yippee!!!

Oh...and this:

Might have jumped into my hands. I'm just sayin'.

F to the U

2007-10-23T07:47:00.000-05:00

Here is a knit sample of my *own* hand dyed F-bomb yarn. It was dyed by laying the hank down flat so that it was like an oval, and spreading the yarn into one layer. Then I wrote a word on it in purple dye. The 'F' word. Then I filled in the rest with blobs of yellow and green.

Ang, Beth and I felt rather silly about the whole thing, and honestly, I thought the end result was a rather ugly ball of green yarn.

HOWEVER, I absolutely love how it's knitting up!

This will be a pair of socks for my friend, Tasha. She listens to me whine and wheedle all week long...week in and week out. She keeps me sane in my current world of 'MBF is 3,784 miles away...this sucks...waaaaaah!' And she amuses me to no end. The fact that she is also many miles away from me really pisses me off.

Anyway, if ever there was a person that could put F-bomb socks to good use, it is Tasha. I can think of nobody better suited to sport a pair of handknit socks and quietly proclaim to the world "Eff You!" all at once.

Christmas?! Who said Christmas? Surely *I* didn't say Christmas. I'm positive.

Crap.

2007-10-08T09:17:00.000-05:00

Remember how I said I had gotten my Dish Rag Tag box? And that the photos were not on my computer? I lied. They were here all along. I finally found them!

BTW, our group came in second to last. :( I still had a blast doing it, and apparently, ALL of the boxes made it thru to the end, and there were no angels needed! Everyone got their goodies!

I'd been looking for the box each day on the porch (didn't think it would cram into the mailbox) and was disappointed when it said it was delivered, and still wasn't there! Lo and behold, my mom had stopped at the mailbox, and had the box in her car. Thankfully, that only wasted about 4 hours...not days.

My box was from Niagara Falls, and I got some lovely postcards. My kids are still flabbergasted..."People live there?!?!" lol. There were also some gorgeous stitch markers, and of course, the cloth!

Not sure if you can see it in the photo, but the cloth is a diamond pattern. It's really nice. My daughter wanted to know if I'd knitted it, and I had to fess up and tell her I hadn't. :( She really likes it, says it's beautiful. :)

Head over to www.yarnmiracle.com to get the rest of the race details!

Half empty? Half Full? Half Done!!

2007-10-05T12:35:00.000-05:00

2BOs down, 2 to go! 1/2 way there! Yay!

This better felt as advertised, or I'm going to have to send it to Hagrid to wear! :P

BO1 of 4 Complete.

2007-09-21T14:15:00.000-05:00

See? Only 3 more to go. :)

This would be a sewn seam. Only 1 more of these to go.

Still in love with the colors. Sure hope he is!

Almost there....

2007-09-18T12:58:00.000-05:00

These are decreases. This is what they look like when you do them properly. It only took me two tries to get it to look this way. >.<

I hate counting. It's so overrated.

Ugh.

'A Wool Gathering'

2007-09-17T14:40:00.000-05:00

The Yarn Harlot has made up a new word. "Kinnearing" I will wait while you read this post.

I was a Kinnearer before she coined this phrase (as evidenced by my post with the dog tire cover...).

This shot:

is my latest Kinneared photo. Not to shabby if you ask me. Taken while on the road from Columbus to Yellow Springs for the annual 'A Wool Gathering'.

This may or may not be a photo of people that I do or do not know. They may have threatened me if I posted it. Or maybe they didn't...

This would be the best photo of the day:

and of course...no fiber festival is complete until you see the smooshy animals!

And then...the weirdest thing I've ever seen...

Abby looks confused, too:

Not to mention, the sheep:

I'm a tease.

2007-09-15T12:23:00.000-05:00

More shots...I've encountered pink! Shhh...it's mauve...or dusty rose...no, no..LIGHT RED!!!

With flash.

and

without flash.

I hope MBF likes light red. :|

Beginning to look at lot like xmas....

2007-09-14T09:42:00.000-05:00

So....THIS:

is what I started last night. THIS will remain NAMELESS, because it is an Xmas gift for MBF. So, if you recognize what it is, or have theories...keep them to yourself! (hint hint...those fibers are rather trendy, yeah?)

Aren't those lovely colors?

Dish Rag Tag!

2007-09-11T11:50:00.000-05:00

I left all of my photos of the box I received AT HOME! I'm such a dork! So, I'll be posting them in reverse order.

Here is what happens when you grab the 5mm needles instead of the SIZE 5 needles:

Lisa wanted no part of that rag, assuming I finished it, which I did NOT. Ew.

Take #2 (well, #4 whatever!):

This is right after work, while helping V study for a spelling test. (6-7pm)

While on the phone with MBF (8:30-9:30pm) then 11:30-12:15am while half asleep. :P

Lunchtime the following day.

Finish Line! About 9:30pm....off to the airport post office!

I also sent two balls of the self striping yarn, one blue and one pink; and candy...a candy necklace, Razzles, and Jelly Bellys!

Another V FO

2007-09-11T11:45:00.000-05:00

Whoever thought this pattern would be "easy" for a 8-10 year old was on crack. That's a set in collar, so you have a curve going one way that has to match with a curve going the opposite way. All of the girls had a really tough time with it. However, it's complete, with only one pucker! She loves it.

Edited to add:

I never posted her pajama pants!!

and

FO's, but not mine!

2007-07-26T13:57:00.000-05:00

Last weekend, my daughter and I took a mother daughter apron class. V picked the fabric (the embroidered denim to the right) and off we went! You can't really tell it from her finished photo, but there are two pockets on the skirt part, and the skirt is gathered into the waistband. We started to run out of time, mostly because one of the Moms decided that the pattern called for in the supplies list wasn't to her liking. She got a completely different pattern, with scallops and facing and all sorts of INVOLVED sorts of things. The teacher had to read through the pattern, and familiarize herself with it before she could direct them what to do. It was vastly time consuming, and just a tad annoying. So, in the interest of getting V's apron finished, I stopped working on mine, and focused on hers. When we left, she was the first one done. :)

The last picture is of a pillow she made the day after her class. She's had the machine for a year, but hasn't been allowed to use her pedal, because she just wouldn't listen to my safety instructions. After her class, she did so well with her machine, she is now allowed to use her pedal. So, she made a quilted pillow! "It's a little twisted," she said as she handed it to me. I told her, "No it isn't! Mobius is all the rage right now! You've made a mobius pillow!" We could sell the pattern and make a fortune!

Progress...I swear!

2007-07-10T08:30:00.000-05:00

Not sure if you can see it, but it's there. Honest.

If you look really close, you can see the vertical lines of the KFB increases.
4 of them. That's right, 8 whole rows of knitting last night. I am a demon
with the needles. :P

This has got to be the oddest knot ever...
It's only in one of the plies! I don't mind knots, because I bought these
as seconds, but I just thought that was the wierdest thing!

Snail Knitting

2007-07-09T13:04:00.000-05:00

Yep. I've been practicing at knitting as s l o w l y as possible. This involves a fair bit of avoidance, lots of gaming (I almost got my priest to level 40...go me), and pretty much just not even looking at your knitting bag for at least a week.

Here are the results of my practicing...

oh yeah...and this happened too....while I was in a coma, I think.

I'm Henry the 8th, I am...

2007-06-29T08:03:00.000-05:00

I'm Henry the Eighth, I am!
Henry the Eighth I am! I am!
I got married to the widow next door,
She's been married seven times before.
Every one was an Henry
She wouldn't have a Willie or a Sam
NO SAM!
I'm her eighth old man named Henry
Henry the Eighth, I am.

SECOND VERSE, SAME AS THE FIRST!

I feel like Whoopi Goldberg in Ghost...lol. This sock should be FLYING by, but it seems that although I'm knitting on it EVERYDAY, it's still just a toe! :( I'm dying to try the toe-up gusset heel from Widdershins. It feels like I'm stuck in a time warp and just keep knitting the first verse over and over.

Does it look any bigger? LOL.

(Note: If the sock was for me, I'd be at the heel by now. LOL.)
(Note, part 2: Why haven't I knit any socks for myself?)

ETA: (In case you live under a rock, or are under say...30 and reading this)

MBF Sock #2

2007-06-28T09:11:00.000-05:00

Here is the continuation of MBF sock #2. Since the overwhelming majority of you (i.e. unanimously, via 2 votes!) want me to overdye it, that's what we're going to do! Beth says that she thinks navy would be nice. I agree. It will darken the blues and greens to almost black, take the white to navy and turn the blips of red to a nice rich purple. So, work continues as begun, and "chops" will have to wait for his pair. Would naming this pair "In the Navy" be too Village People?

For the photo op. today, I took these outside for a bit of a stroll, thinking the natural daylight might give them less "shine" and more of a true to life appearance. I still think that the yarn is not *nearly* as bright as it appears in photos.

Also, I modified the Thuja a bit. What do you think? I'm still doing a seed stitch rib, but 2 stitches wide instead of only one.

hmmm...

2007-06-27T07:56:00.000-05:00

Saw this over on The Stitching Nut this morning and thought it was a tad silly, but something made me click the link and take the test myself.

You Are a Pinky

You are fiercely independent, and possibly downright weird.
A great communicator, you can get along with almost anyone.
You are kind and sympathetic. You support all your friends - and love them for who they are.

You get along well with: The Ring Finger

Stay away from: The Thumb

What Finger Are You?

I agree with Rhonda...I'm blown away.

New Sock

2007-06-25T07:38:00.001-05:00

This is the new MBF sock. Well, it was intended to be the new MBF sock. It might be the socks for "chops".

Here's where I need your help (I know I have readers...they just don't comment!) Weigh in on the colorway! Is it totally ugly? I'm rather on the fence. Here are the pros/cons:

Pros:

MBF really liked the feel of the Wildfoote socks. This is the same yarn, different colorway, Rhapsody, worked with Soft Jazz (same yarn as toes on other socks).
Working with the same yarn makes it easier for me gauge-wise. He is rather far away for a test fitting.
I'm in a bit of a budget crisis and I have this yarn on hand.

Cons:

MBF does not care for the colorway.

So what do you all think? Is it too much? Does it look like a popsicle barf-o-rama?

Here are more photos to help you decide:

Bottom View

Left View

Right View

Let me know what you think!!!

Ipod Sock

2007-06-22T09:17:00.000-05:00

This is Cuthbert's new digs.

I don't like it, but I'm finishing it anyhow, then I'll worry about making another one that I DO like. At least this protects the screen from getting scratched in the mean time.

Tahki Cotton, size 3 (US) needles, worked "toe up", started with a turkish cast on. The rest was make up as I went along. I used Wendy's Stretchy Bind Off (K1, put back on left needle, K2tbl, around). I love the colorway.

P.S. Cuthbert is the ipod. :D

P.P.S.: yarn pr0n!

Don't Knit Angry!

2007-06-20T08:40:00.000-05:00

Nothing like utter frustration to get ya going on knitting. I don't know about you all, but when I am MAD, I get very quiet, and focused. Last night, I knit angry. It was satisfying in that it did help calm me, the quiet repetition of stockinette in the round neatly dispensing my anger stitch by stitch. This, my friends, is how I finished the Ipod cozy, albeit in an entirely different gauge (lol...angry knitting is tense knitting). It's in cotton, and to be honest, it was a mess to begin with. Done in a pattern I "made up on the fly," I started with a Turkish Cast On, made a buttonhole immediately (for the connection cord) and then began working in the round. I quickly discovered I'd made it too big, so I put in random decreases to get it down to size. I started this project in January, and in the last six months: my gauge has changed; I now despise the needles I started the project with (aluminum circs); and I've decided that when I'm casting off, I really need to take the time to find a crochet hook. (I used to be a crocheter, for YEARS!) Nothing makes a bind off fly off the needles like a crochet hook. The good news is that I think I've found my stretchy toe up bind-off of choice! Wendy uses this bind off (don't know if she "invented" it or not, but that's where I found it). Love the BO, hate the cozy. It keeps "Cuthbert" safe, so I'm happy for the time being. I still need to weave in the ends, and put a 'clasp' and button on it. I'll take pictures when it's all done.

Progress? Not so much.

2007-06-18T10:05:00.000-05:00

I did sleep with yarn the other night...does that count? Or does that push me over some sort of 'line'? Since I don't have another person in my bed anymore (which is a good thing...more room for yarn, as it turns out), I generally knit before going to sleep. Often, the balls of yarn, and the WIP end up laying on the bed next to me while I sleep. I tuck them up by the headboard and all is well. The other night, a ball got frisky and I woke up laying ON it. Thankfully, I didn't strangle myself. :P

Oh...Yarn News! I got yarn for my birthday!! w0oh00!! My aunt bought me all the yarn I need to make a Ribby Cardi! Yay!!! It's going to be Scarlet and Gray, cuz I live in Ohio...and *bleed* scarlet and gray, OK?!

P.S. I'm just kidding about the yarn being better in bed. It's just my attempt at humor. Clearly, celibacy drives you insane.

Jumping on the bandwagon.

2007-06-15T12:06:00.000-05:00

Ok. You've seen my finished objects. Y'all know I can knit me a dishrag. If you don't know, you can ask my neighbor. She has at least 5 or 6 that I've knit for her. (And someday, she will find that cone of peaches and cream yarn hiding in her basement that she promised to give me...)

It's a race, except it's the best kind of race! You get to sit on your duff and knit! There are teams (assigned by the admin) and each team starts with a box with a dishrag, two skeins of cotton and a small treat. When you get your box, you empty it. Marvel at the loveliness (or fugliness) of your new dishrag. Knit a dishrag from one of the cotton skeins in the box. Eat your chocolate (you know that's what the treat better be). Place the rag you knitted into a box with the two skeins of cotton you purchased for the event, and the treat (don't forget the treat!), and pass the "baton" to the next knitter in line on your team! The first team to return their box to the admin wins!

Now, I'm not sure what she's going to do with 10-20 dishrags when they show up to her house... :P

If you're interested, you better hurry! They are capping it at 200 participants and when I just checked, it's at 119!

P.S. Thanks to Beth for bringing this to my attention via her blog! Seems like everyone saw it there! :P

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood....

2007-06-13T13:59:00.000-05:00

It's so nice out, and I'm so bored at work, that I decided to go outside and take a photo of my current socks in progress.

This is my first toe up pair (well, they were when I started them...). These are the "gorilla socks", except now they fit me! Well, they do when the needles don't make them all wonky, and you don't have your feet (which are tied together, go go magic loop) propped up on the door of your car, while in the parking lot at work, while you pray that someone doesn't walk by and take a picture of you being a freak, so that they can put it on THEIR blog. /breathe.

Anyhow, I'm pretty sure everyone around here knows that I'm a freak already. :P

3 in 1?

2007-06-11T15:41:00.000-05:00

Wow....3 posts in one day!

Couldn't resist this tho, from MBF, pasted to me via Instant Messenger:

chops: hehe have u asked her if i can have some socks yet?
MBF: lol not yet
chops: ASK ASK ASK

My socks are in DEMAND! w00t.

Oh, yeah...

2007-06-11T11:17:00.000-05:00

Heh...did anyone else just think of this:

Oh, Yeah!

Anyhow....

What I really wanted to say/show was this:

Socks in action! They don't slide down over his heel, even in shoes. They also didn't morph into swim fins after being worn without shoes all day! YAY!!!

deedeedidee....This just in....

2007-06-11T11:02:00.000-05:00

More socks! :) I just found Picasa...and um...I'm in love! It thumbnailed these for me...and gave me the link and everything. <3

I hates(!) this bind off. Still on the search for THE best toe up BO

I cast this on immediately. No SSS for me! (at least not on this project)

and this:

Yes....I've knit about 6 more rows! go me!

I'm so loving how it's knitting up. And it feels fantastic!

The Eagle has landed!

2007-06-07T07:42:00.000-05:00

w00h00! Yippy! *happy dance*

After almost two weeks in transit, the Boy Socks arrived at their destination!

See?

and just to demonstrate his attitude on the matter:

Happy Feet!

Oh...and for those of you wondering, here's the "sock interview" with Mr. Boy Foot:

Me: I'm curious if I made the heel flap too long, (I know they are too short ankle wise) curious about the girth, did they go over your ankle nicely?
MBF: Perfect fit, aye a little short in the ankle, but it doesn't stop them being comfy, and I'm not going to wear boots over them, etc. I don't imagine.

Me: Too loose?
MBF: Nope, don't feel loose at all really.

Me: Roomy enough in the toe?
MBF: Plenty.

Me: Long enough??? [in the foot]
MBF: Yup, not tight at all.

Me: Some of the photos look like you're curling your toes.
MBF: That was me trying to make a smiley face with my feet, I think.

All Baby Socks, All The Time....

2007-06-04T10:51:00.000-05:00

Did I finish them? Of course I did!

Do they fit the baby? Of course they don't! In another of my long line of screw-ups, they don't even come close to fitting the baby. I did manage to cram them onto her feet for a photo (on my sister's camera, I'm afraid).

I asked Mommy if I could have a "do-over" and took the socks home with me...head hung in shame.

Take 2:

Much better! Now...I think they are gonna be too big....

P.S. Mr. Boy Sock reports that there has not been a sock spotting as of yet. He suggests that maybe they blew up the package, thinking it was some sort of threat. Personally, I think he should check the postal person's feet next time around....

Baby Sock, ad nauseum....

2007-06-01T13:28:00.000-05:00

So, those of you with a keen eye will have noticed that those two sock toes yesterday did NOT look the same. They weren't. I was so intent on making my increases properly, that I didn't alternate increase rows and plain rows. *Sigh* Frog pond on that...LOL. Good news...I cast right back on for that second sock, and got all the way through the heel last night. I probably would have finished the whole thing, but Braveheart came on, and I just had to turn it off and do something else before they killed his wife. (Yes, I'm a sap...so sue me.)

Here are today's photos:

Why, yes, I stuff my socks with tissues...don't you?

Toes! and Twins! (so far...)

2007-05-31T10:12:00.000-05:00

Here they are together...looking good so far!

Here's a close up. This is a good representation of the color...at least on my screen! :P

More Socks.

2007-05-30T08:12:00.000-05:00

The Thuja Socks have been completed and sent off to the UK to live with their new owner. Mr. Boy Foot has been charged with taking action shots of the socks, upon penalty of death (or at least no more sock love...).

In other sock news...

I learned something new! My first short row heel. It's not the most gorgeous thing ever, but it's a heel!

I also learned the K1 P1 Invisible Bind Off:

And that's all a part of this:

Sock 1 of baby socks for my niece-in-law. This is the yarn that my daughter and I dyed using Wilton Cake Dyes while at Ang's house. Beth blogged all about the dyeing experience here. Beth has also been bugging me to actually "knit" with the yarn...LOL. I used the Turkish Cast On and knit these toe up. Started with 10 stiches on 3mm needles, and increased every other row up to 36 stitches total. 18 on front needle, 18 on back. I started working Feather and Fan on the top, and worked the short row heel down to 4 stiches (won't do that on the next pair...I'll leave it wider). I carried the feather and fan up the leg on front and back needle (it's an 18 stitch repeat), and then worked a K1 P1 rib and cast off. I totally made it up on the fly, and I'll be damned if it doesn't look planned. LOL.

May your BO's be swift and your FO's be many!

Somebody Stop Me!

2007-05-23T14:06:00.000-05:00

Post Lunch Progress.

Whew....I need a nap.

:)

Rnd 15

2007-05-22T13:14:00.000-05:00

There's been knitting....but only a little bit.

Before I show you that, here's some close ups of the finished sock:

Zee Toe:

Zee Heel:

The heel of sock 1 (sock still in progress):

Sock 2 (complete) with Sock 1's progress:

Just barely progress....but it's there damnit! :)

Eff to the Oh....not quite....

2007-05-21T07:41:00.000-05:00

Well, one of them is done....so technically it's an FO, right?!?

Ok...so we had a slight issue with yarn, as in not enough of it. I knew this was coming....and juggled various options (even buying more of the same yarn...which you would have thought would have been the first option...but no....lol.) So...after talking with Mr. Boy Foot, we decided that it really didn't matter what the toes looked like...these are most likely house socks, or possibly boot socks if they aren't nobbly feeling in shoes. This is my first FINISHED *adult* sock...for a men's size 11 foot, no less. (please be aware that MY foot is the one in the sock for photo purposes....women's size 7)

So...Behold! A sock toe:

Isn't it lovely? I rather like it.

Here it is from an "on the foot" perspective:

Again, my toes just aren't big enough to properly model....

In fact, my toes aren't anywhere *near* the toe of that sock. lol.

Here it is in all of it's "blocked" glory:

Well, if you consider a sock that's just been taken off the needles, ends tucked in so you can't see them, hasn't been washed yet, thrown on a hanger for a photo..."blocked". LOL.

Rnd 14

2007-05-10T09:21:00.000-05:00

Ok...it's been awhile!!! Have I knit much? Not really.

I'll post my current/only project....Thuja from Knitty.

Variations? You bet. LOL. I'm using Wildfoote sock yarn in SY-29 Tom Cat colorway. It's a 4 ply of Navy, Black, Purple and Grey. Since the pattern calls for a different yarn, and larger needles, I am using 2 strands at once on 4.25mm DPNs (size 6 US). Also, this is for a larger boy foot (size 11), so it's a given that I'm going to run out of yarn. :P

Don't worry...I have a plan! All will be revealed....after they are gifted, of course.

Time lapse photography, anyone?

Here we go, starting with the foot in question:

The beginnings (on my leg):

The heel is turned (in Edinburgh, UK no less!):

I call this "Sock Repose, with Phone":

I've taken sock one off the needles to begin sock two:

Sock 2 begins!:

and continues:

and is almost caught up!:

100 Things (about a year later?)

2007-03-06T12:22:00.001-05:00

I come from a long line of Southerners…so long that I could be a Daughter of the Confederacy (if I wanted to…which I don’t).
I was born in Alexandria, Virginia.
My great-great-grandfather is listed on the east side of the Confederate Statue in Alexandria, VA.
Even though I think he was on the “wrong” side of the war, I think that it’s really cool that I have a relative on a statue. I can go there and say, “that guy, right there” *point* “was part of my family.” Interesting tidbit: To ensure that the statue would not be moved at some future date, the R.E. Lee Camp had legislation introduced into the Virginia House of Delegates on January 9, 1890. The legislation read in part:
And whereas it is the desire of the said Robert E. Lee Camp of Confederate Veterans and also the citizens and inhabitants of said City of Alexandria that such monument shall remain in its present position as a perpetual and lasting testimonial to the courage, fidelity and patriotism of the heroes in whose memory it was erected...the permission so given by the said City Council of Alexandria for its erection shall not be repealed, revoked, altered, modified, or changed by any future Council or other municipal power or authority.
My mother was an Air Force Brat…and I know the swear words to prove it.
~~I have never been outside of the US/Canada.~~ I can now proudly state that I have been to the UK. :)
Even though I am not a religious person, I am fascinated with religious art and artifacts.
I find Art History interesting.
I wear a size 7 shoe. I have a terrible time finding shoes that fit my short, wide feet.
I had my appendix removed a few years ago. It didn’t like me anymore.
I have a herniated belly button (an innie/outie), but it does not bother me physically.
I do not have any cavities in my teeth.
I am a terrible pregnant person. Everything hurts and I’m grumpy.
However, I’m a champ at delivery.
I have scars from third degree burns on my left forearm.
I am an only child.
I hated being an only child growing up.
When I was 5 and my step sister was 6, we decided we wanted to see the next door neighbor naked. He was in our brother’s room, changing into his swim trunks. We scaled the outside of the house to look in the window. Our progress was halted when a garter snake slithered up my step-sister’s leg and we both started screaming. (Gee, I started young)
Had we not moved during the school year, I would have failed 3rd grade due to having an idiot for a teacher.
My heritage is English, Irish, Polish and German.
I do not like peas or cooked carrots, no matter what you do to them.
I like lima beans.
I cannot eat an Arby’s roast beef sandwich without opening it up and rearranging the meat.
I have ~~three~~ four tattoos and wish I had more.
Every car ride is better with the radio blasting while you sing along.
I have really small hands. (6.75” from wrist to middle finger tip)
My mind is perpetually in the gutter. I have a nice house there.
Bananas are nasty.
My eyelashes are naturally black.
My eyes change color. (blue, green, grey) depending on what I’m wearing.
I do not handle heat well.
Humidity is also not my friend, I cannot breathe.
I cannot do anything in the car except drive, or watch the road. Anything else makes me carsick. If I take a Dramamine, it helps.
I’m not a huge dessert person. I prefer snack food.
When I was little, I learned that in England, they take milk in their tea. Ever since, I have been an English tea drinker. I get weird looks for this.
I have a spot on the inside of my right knee that I cannot feel. This is the result of falling down approximately 846 times on the same ice patch while skiing.
I fractured my pinky playing ragball in Jr. High. Yep, I broke my finger catching a ball full of fabric. Only me.
This caused my Orchestra teacher to have a coronary (not really). I had to pluck (picatto) for 6 weeks. LOL.
Other than the fractured finger, I have never broken a bone.
In my opinion, there is only one kind of apple. Granny Smith (tart).
I like eating grapefruit plain.
I cannot stand people that ride the right line while merging into traffic. Find a spot and GET OVER!
I know how to knit, crochet, quilt, cross stitch, sew clothes and draw.
I play online games. My current vice is World of Warcraft. This competes with my knitting time…and my sleeping time.
My favorite ice cream is mint chocolate chip.
I do not drink beer. If I drink, it’s Tequila (Margaritas, Tequila Sunrise) or Amaretto Sours.
If I do not eat at regular intervals (6 hours max), I get migraines.
I do not tan. I’m either WHITE or RED/PURPLE. I avoid sunsoaking activities.
Sometimes, I’d like to be taller. I’m 5’4”.
I used to be a dog person. I think I’m beginning to understand cats, too.
I can talk to ANYONE. It’s a sickness. I cannot help it.
During my first pregnancy, I ate a Subway Turkey Sub once a day. My second pregnancy, it was Cheez-Its.
I am obsessed with architecture and how things are built.
I like to read. I’ll even read a horrible book to the end…because I have to know what happens. The only book I have not read all the way through was Gerald’s Game by Stephen King.
I have never left a movie theater in the middle of a movie. I have wished in retrospect that I had, but haven’t ever done it.
I think Kevin Smith is a genius.
The first 20 minutes of Chasing Amy is the funniest thing I have ever seen….except possibly the episode of Actor’s Studio with Robin Williams.
I have 20/15 vision in one eye, and 20/10 in the other.
I used to have my tongue pierced.
I do not wear shorts or skirts unless the heat is unbearable. My legs do not see the light of day….and they could blind people. :P
I have a great sense of direction, because I hate to be lost. My step-dad used to say, “We’re not lost. I just don’t know where we are.”
Once I plot out a course on a map, I have it memorized.
The “vibe” I get when meeting people is almost never wrong. Sometimes I will not like someone and not know why….then they do something appalling, and it all comes together.
I have very thick hair. It takes me a hour with the blow dryer to get it dry.
Some of them are GREY!
When I was little, I was diagnosed ADD. Now that I’m older, I’ve been diagnosed as OCD. I’m not sure I agree with either assessment. Especially since I don’t have a clean house. Aren’t Obsessive Compulsive people CLEAN FREAKS?
My first car was a 1980 Oldsmobile Toronado Ragtop with leather interior and power everything. I got it for my 17th birthday in 1991.
My current vehicle is a purple 1996 Saturn SL2. I am the only owner. I know its quirks.
I don’t want to know about your foot injury. EVER.
I also don’t want a foot massage.
Flip Flops are evil.
I was a child of the 80’s and I have the hair band CD’s to prove it.
I used to have a Senegal Parrot named Vinnie. He beeped like the microwave when he was hungry.
If left to my druthers…..I’d stay up all night and sleep all day.
I have a lot of yarn and fabric stashed away. By 'a lot'…I mean it’s everywhere.
I wanted to be a drummer.
or a bass player.
I consider long hair on a guy to be a bonus.
This is probably a reflection of my hair band teens.
I have always had long hair, and I’m afraid of getting a short hairdo.
I used to have a poodle perm. It was heinous.
I never skipped school, until college.
My curfew all through High School was 10 pm on school nights and 11 pm on weekends. I hated it. Every minute of it.
My room when I was a teen was covered in posters. Even on the ceiling.
Sometimes….I eat peanut butter straight from the jar.
I would highly recommend smelling any milk in my refrigerator before consuming.
Alton Brown is my hero.
I used to work for a florist. In most cases, I find that flowers are pointless. If you love someone…tell them, or show them. However, my girly side does see the appeal…once in awhile.
I have rocks from locations all over the world.
I enjoy making people laugh.
I enjoy laughing.
If I have a friend that needs/wants something, chances are I’ll buy it for them, if I can.
I love watching people open gifts. Even ones I didn’t get for them.
I often say things I don’t mean. i.e. putting my foot in my mouth.
I’m really amazed I’ve stuck with this meme long enough to get to #95.
I hate clothes shopping. My wardrobe is horrifically out of style.
I never wear make up or hair spray.
I cannot walk outside barefoot, unless it’s grass…then I have to look where I’m walking.
I know how to throw a pot on a potter’s wheel.
All in all…I’m a rather odd person, and I’m ok with that.

(Silent) Poetry Reading

2007-02-02T09:32:00.000-05:00

In memory of Susie Robison. The best friend a person could have.

Binker---

Binker-what I call him - is a secret of my own,
And Binker is the reason why I never feel alone.
Playing in the nursery, sitting on the stair,
Whatever I am busy at, Binker will be there.

Oh, Daddy is clever, he's a clever sort of man,
And Mummy is the best since the world began,
And Nanny is Nanny, and I call her Nan -

But they can't See Binker.

Binker's always talking, 'cos I'm teaching him to speak
He sometimes likes to do it in a funny sort of squeak,
And he sometimes likes to do it in a hoodling sort of roar...
And I have to do it for him 'cos his throat is rather sore.

Oh, Daddy is clever, he's a clever sort of man,
And Mummy knows all that anybody can,
And Nanny is Nanny, and I call her Nan -

But they don't Know Binker.

Binker's brave as lions when we're running in the park;
Binker's brave as tigers when we're lying in the dark;
Binker's brave as elephants. He never, never cries...
Except (like other people) when the soap gets in his eyes.

Oh, Daddy is Daddy, he's a Daddy sort of man,
And Mummy is as Mummy as anybody can,
And Nanny is Nanny, and I call her Nan...

But they're not Like Binker.

Binker isn't greedy, but he does like things to eat,
So I have to say to people when they're giving me a sweet,
"Oh, Binker wants a chocolate, so could you give me two?"
And then I eat it for him, 'cos his teeth are rather new.

Well, I'm very fond of Daddy, but he hasn't time to play,
And I'm very fond of Mummy, but she sometimes goes away,
And I'm often cross with Nanny when she wants to brush my hair...

But Binker's always Binker, and is certain to be there.

By A. A. Milne from Now We Are Six

Susie was a huge Pooh Fan and gave me her hardback copies of the Pooh Library when I was little. Binker was one of her favorites.

This one was always one of my favorites:

The End

When I was One,
I had just begun.

When I was Two,
I was nearly new.

When I was Three,
I was hardly Me.

When I was Four,
I was not much more.

When I was Five,
I was just alive.

But now I am Six, I'm as clever as clever.
So I think I'll be six now for ever and ever.

A. A. Milne from Now We Are Six

Thank you, Susie.

I miss you.

Click Here to read about how the poetry reading started.

2007-01-31T11:06:00.000-05:00

Here is the happy recipient of my latest FO. You can just see the belly starting at the bottom of the photo. She's due Feb. 25th. I don't think she's gonna make it!

Leslie is the teacher at the after school program for my kids. They love her to death, and to be honest, so do I! She will truly be the BEST MOM EVER! She has the patience of a Saint, and obviously, works well with children!

I wanted to post a word about Kitchener/Grafting. There is an AWESOME pictorial tutorial over on Knitty. The one and only thing I would change on that tutorial is the mantra. She uses "knit, purl -- purl, knit." I would recommend changing it to, "knit, off, purl -- purl, off, knit." This really made the difference for me.

really, REALLY, FO!

2007-01-30T10:16:00.000-05:00

Alrighty...here are both socks (blocked because they are a gift and I wanted them to look purty).

Clicking should take you to the bigger version...I'm testing something new!

From the book, Knit Socks! Easily Remembered Pattern, just a 2 line repeat. Knit on Size 3 (US) needles with Sockotta. Cuff down, kitchener toe...

The left one was my second ever kitchener toe (don't ask about the first). The second wasn't much better. The right one, however, is very close to perfect. If you can't find the owie, I'm not gonna tell you where it is. Kinda sucked that I was down to the green repeat in the yarn right at the toe. LOL.

FO

2007-01-26T22:36:00.000-05:00

Stitch Markers

2007-01-26T21:02:00.000-05:00

I'm sending these to Misocrafty tomorrow. Do you think she'll like the colors? :)

and these:

are for some other people I know....bet you can't guess who!

KMKS has arrived!

2007-01-19T15:02:00.000-05:00

My Knit Mitt Kit Swap package arrived today! It was from Becky.

Here are the photos/descriptions:

Opening the box:

And the goodies inside:

That's 4 skeins of KnitPicks Swish in Dublin, Jade and Aloe (Green, Green and Green!). There's a pattern book with 5 mitten patterns in it from Mission Falls, and 2 sets of DPN's.

Here's a close up of the pattern:

and a close up of the bag fabric:

Thanks! It looks like fun!

Yesterday...

2007-01-17T10:37:00.000-05:00

The sky looked like this:

Isn't that just a great view to have from your desk?

I also sent out my Knit Mitt Kit Swap package.
Here is what was in it:
Stitch Markers, made by yours truly.

The Mitten Pattern “Fiber Fish”.

The project bag. I know...it's a mitten swap, but I couldn’t imagine her using a bag with mittens on it in the summer, and she’s much more likely to be knitting socks than mittens, anyhow.

Merino goodness hidden inside. That’s KnitPicks Memories in the “Fly Fishing” colorway. Appropriate, non?

I also included some home made candies, some Ghirardelli candies, a Dragonfly refrigerator magnet, a copy of Knitters magazine, a cube of rainbow post it notes and a short note. I really hope she enjoys it!!!

In other news, I frogged the Gorilla socks back to the toe increases. The ribbing was irritating and ugly. I've narrowed them by 8 stitches from 64 to 56. Let's all hope that they will fit now. I ripped out about 3 inches of sock, which was really depressing.

I also finished an infant sock, which is blocking, and the freaking colors bled when I soaked it for blocking. I am so NOT impressed.

Until next time, may your BOs be swift, and your FOs be many!

Things I Learned Last Night....

2007-01-12T10:24:00.000-05:00

1. Second graders do not *get* the concept of a timeline. Even if it is homework and they have several days to create one. NOTE: Screaming at your second grader about such things as "chronology" and "evenly spaced years" does not improve their understanding of the timeline concept. I really think the teacher should have helped them create the actual line, with years marked on it, before sending it home as homework. The worst was when she got so mad at me she screamed, "I TOLD DADDY YOU'D DO IT DIFFERENT!!!" *sigh*

2. Infant socks, while cute and quick, are a pain to figure out where you are at when you're doing a lace ankle. There isn't any other part to compare it to...that's it! It's in your hand...wtf did I do to the damn thing? Seriously, somehow my rounds were off, ending on the side opposite of the join/tail....and THEN one sock was back to ending rounds the right way...and the other was wrong. How the hell did I do that? Isn't that what magic loop is supposed to fix? Make it so you're doing the same thing to each sock at the same time?? Anyhow, the one sock is on it's own set of needles, and hopefully I can fix it tonight. (Ang, it's the sock from the back of that book you gave me, the green and yellow with the specific infant instructions.)

3. If you do your YO backwards (i.e. over the top of the right needle then down and between the needles) it's a big pain in the butt to knit that stitch on the next round. Well, it is if you don't realize you were doing them backwards and try to knit it properly, instead of through the back loop (which may or may not be a correct fix, but too bad...LOL). WHY was I doing them backwards? I have no flipping clue.

4. It's confirmed. DH thinks it's hilarious when I have to rip out my knitting. Although, he wouldn't say if it was just sick amusement, or if the swearing is what tickles him. I'd like to think it's the sudden "D'OH!" that gets him. (not to mention the words that would make a sailor blush that follow quickly behind the initial exclamation of discovery.)

5. I really need to knit more often. How could I "forget" how to YO? That really blew my mind.

WIPs:

Toe-up socks of my own design (stand back!) I've already had to add ribbing to the instep to "shrink" them. Ang, Beth and I have dubbed these the "Gorilla Socks." Inox circular needles (ICK!) with Lang Jawoll Jacquard sock yarn
Infant socks, cuff down from Knit Socks! Knitpicks circular needles, Sockotta yarn
Crib Afghan, Denise needles, Red Heart Acrylic (don't ask)

UFOs:

Baby garter stitch sweater. Lost track of the row count....bleh.
Bill's SSoD, The toes have holes, it's getting ripped back. I CANNOT M1 by pulling the bar up from previous row. Leaves a hole every time. K1FB for me. I can live with the small strand look.
Baby Bib. I've stalled out on the I cord. I think it's too fiddly, plus I have to throw when I do it or it looks like it went through a blender.

OK...now....what should I do with 1 skein of Lion Brand Chenille that a coworker gave me? She's having a grandbaby soon, and I'd like to make something out of it and give it back to her. Let me know!!!!

This just in....

2007-01-11T13:49:00.000-05:00

Say What?!

I cannot fathom that I have any readers that don't read Yarn Harlot, but just in case, please click the link above and read, in disbelief, what some bankers in Oregon have done to Blue Moon Fiber Arts (makers of Socks that Rock yarn).

Thanks.

200

2007-01-11T08:44:00.000-05:00

Woo....200 visits! Let me bask for a moment! LOL.

Seriously, I'm not sure how I'm getting around the net, but you all rock! Now, if I could just get some of my repeat visitors to leave some comments!! (Beth and Ang don't count.)

Netherlands, Switzerland, Australia, UK, France, Canada, Korea, Phillipines, Germany, Iran....I wish I could *really* go to all those places, and not just through the "nets".

Thanks for visiting!

ARGH!!!!

2007-01-10T14:11:00.000-05:00

It is really not fair that THIS:

Is stuck in my head today. Out of nowhere!

P.S. That is Stryper singing "Honestly". I didn't even like Stryper! LOL.

Notes

2007-01-10T10:02:00.000-05:00

This is inspired by Brenda Dayne's "Note to Self" from yesterday's post at Cast-On. If you don't listen to her, her voice is like buttah! She could read The Wall Street Journal everyday from 'cover to cover' and I would listen.

So, here is my "Note to Self" (Caution: Mad Galloping Topic Drift Ahead)

Being a knitter is like having children. People who knit like to talk about their knitting...and share pictures of their knitting...and talk about other people's knitting...and share pictures of other people's knitting.

People who do not knit don't want to participate in any of the above. The same goes for having children. If you don't have any, you really don't want to hear/see them. (Yes, I'm making broad generalizations here...work with me.) Wait...I have children and I frequently wish I couldn't see or hear what they are doing...

Exceptions: Husbands. Sometimes, (and I mean sometimes in the sense that sometimes I like to eat okra) husbands will find a knitting related blog post funny. I think mine had a genuine laugh at the Harlot's drug induced Green Sweater Debacle. I read it to him as he sat across the room and there were several, "oh no!"s and much head shaking.

[BTW, Bloglines rocks for trying to find stuff like that! Beats wading through the archives on her site...and gives you a direct link to it!]

My husband routinely thinks it's funny when I'm knitting along and suddenly shout out obscenities and start ripping back. He's a sick puppy. Either that or he finds my choice of swear words humorous (you know you've been reading too much Harlot when you type humourous first, and then wonder why it looks funny). My phrases of choice routinely involve ducks, goats, donkeys, as well as various parts of their anatomy...you get the picture.

My co-workers, while they routinely ask me what I'm making, DON'T CARE. Why do they ask? Why am I compelled to answer them in a rambling/gushing fashion? Why can't they just walk by and leave me to my tiny lunch time zen ritual? Why can't I just say, "socks" and leave it at that?

I sincerely believe this is why we (knitters) blog. This way, people who want to see/hear about our troubles/triumphs with short row heels, picking up stitches, k3togs and triple YOs can come visit...and those not interested remain blissfully unaware. The internet truely is a wonderful place. We are internally programmed to share this stuff with people, and this way, we aren't getting punched in the eye while at the urinal.

This concludes my "Note to Self". Carry on.

Sheep Intestines

2007-01-07T11:01:00.000-05:00

Good Morning! I didn't get home until 12:30 AM last night...so sorry that you all had to wait for the update on our Knitter's Day Out.

Ang, Beth, my blogless Step Mother and I all ended up shopping together and we had so much fun!

First up...the gifts! You can see some of what I gave Angie over on her blog (where's the pics of the handmade stuff, woman! Sheesh). She gave me this book and this:

there are a couple of firsts involved here, her first short row heel and my first pair of handknit socks! (On a side note, could someone please tell me the past tense of knit? Is knitted a word? Or is it like moose and deer and no matter what you just say moose or deer? LOL) Anyhow, I love these socks! Of course I love them, they have purple in them. :) Maybe Ang will leave the yarn specifics in the comments, because I don't have the info (other than that they are laundry proof! yay!)

We went to The Merc and Heavenly Creations you can see what Ang picked up over on her blog. Beth got out of town with just one bag of roving! (I think, did you pick up some of that Paint Box?) What did I get, you say?

Well, crap. The black/red/grey is rather lovely and nice to work with, but the tag is, er, um....missing. So I can't tell you what it is. The Noro is Kureyon #154. Sockotta in colorway 6674 (don't you just love these descriptive colors?). The bottom on is Jitterbug in the Fruit Coulis colorway. Oohh...I found the receipt. The black stuff is Aurora Bulky Melange in colorway ABM4.

I also picked up some laceweight, and a new friend:

That's Alpaca with a Twist, Fino in Champagne. 70% Alpaca and 30% silk. Yum! That is destined for Acid Dyes. I think. That's Beth and Ang's department (and our next get together?).

OK...now on to what Beth did for me! She taught me how to draft and spin on a drop spindle! She brought me this:

and aside from the fact that the skinny stuff is called pencil roving and the pink stuff is made from corn, I don't remember the details of what she told me they are. (Beth, could you comment and identify them again?) I'm to do the big blob last, I remember that. She also brought a spare spindle for me to test drive. We had a good time in The Merc while she tried to keep me focused on what I was supposed to be doing (there were people knitting cool things there...and there was conversation going on...I mean really! lol). Rule #1: don't let the drafted roving wind around your spun yarn, that was bad...lesson learned. LOL. Since I was spinning on a borrowed spindle, we had to remove it at the end of the lesson:

hence the name of this post. My dad has dubbed my first spinning "Sheep Intestines". I suppose I'll let it slide, because he helped me take this stuff:

and make this:

which I then used to do this:

Beth, if Ang bet you any money about how long until I had one made, I think we finished it around 11PM. :)

Thanks for coming up you two...I had a blast! Oh, and Beth, we found the Noro playground. It was hiding at the 3rd store!

The sun will come out....Tomorrow!

2007-01-05T17:05:00.000-05:00

So, today’s post isn’t so much about Today as it is about Tomorrow. Tomorrow I’m meeting up with a good friend for breakfast/lunch and some shopping. We’ve decided on Cracker Barrel as our eating establishment of choice, mainly because of its location on the southern side of town, which is only 1 ½ hours for Ang to drive…instead of 2. We’re also exchanging "christmas" gifts! I can’t wait for that part! I’d share what I’m getting her, but she is my ONE AND ONLY subscriber, and it’ll give the surprise away. Although I did let it slip that I got her some yarn. (Like it was really a secret…LOL) We decided that we’re giving each other knitting themed gift “baskets”, although mine does not involve a basket. At least I think we agreed on that....LOL. My "basket" does involve some handmade items, and since she’s coming up in approximately 14 hours, 32 minutes and 23 seconds, I should probably start making them!

Oh yes…the cat is out of the bag! I’m a procrastinator. The Procrastinator. 10 page paper due on Monday? Sunday night at 10pm is a good time to start. Luckily, I perform well under pressure. Unless, of course, you decide to stand right behind me WATCHING me try to crunch away. Then I make mistakes. Lots of mistakes. I like to perform alone. Wow….that sounded kinky…LOL.

Thankfully, I wasn’t fool enough to mentally commit to knitting something for her. I have other handmade talents, and I’m planning to put them to good use tonight! (that sounded kinky, too….yeesh)

So, I promise to take LOTS of pictures and to have lots of fun!! I’ll see you late tomorrow!

In the mean time, may your BOs be swift, and your FOs be many!

Rnd13?

2007-01-03T00:00:00.000-05:00

I've lost track of what round I'm on...it's been so long since I've posted a big post! I have photos today...brace yourselves!

I have a new project. 2 socks on 1 circular. Toe up pattern of my own devising (with a little help from my friends...). Fingering yarn on size 2 circs (I caved and bought a pair of Inox, lovely needles to knit with, but the join sucks.).

It all started like this:

Which is this lovely yarn:

Check it out...it comes with its own reinforcement yarn! I found that to be totally amazing. Yes, I know, it doesn't take much to impress me.

So, I began with a Turkish Cast-On, because, well, I really wanted to use that cast-on...it's really cool. After 2 rounds, it looks like this:

and this:

nothing too impressive, but go look at the tutorial. It's really nice.

Those photos were a few days ago. Today, the socks look like this:

I've completed the increases for the toes and I'm about 5 rounds into the body of the sock. They aren't twins, but I think they are turning out quite lovely. I heart that yarn. A lot.

Till next time, may your BOs be swift, and your FOs be many!

A name....I need a name!!!

2006-12-29T11:04:00.000-05:00

I have a new member in my family! I got an iPod for Christmas!

It needs a name!! Wendy named hers Irving. I've seen one named Orbit. Mine is a black one, with video. I've started making a cozy/sock/sweater for it already. I'm not super pleased with the button hole I made at the bottom for plugging it in. It's the right size, but it flares out on the front edge. I promise to post progress photos...when I find my camera. I'm also writing the pattern as I go, since I'm making it up and might want to make another one. :)

Grumperina made a cozy for one (alas...no name). Here is a pattern for the cutest cozy EVER.

In other news, I have another FO to share. It's a Cartridge Belt Rib Scarf done in Patons Rumor in the Moonstone Heather colorway. Be sure to read the comments, there is a pattern correction (a small one, and noticed by me no less!). I have no photos of this FO, because I was sick as a dog, and it was an xmas gift, and I was still knitting it at 11pm xmas eve.... Yes....I know. I suck.

So...gimme some name ideas!!!

Finished!

2006-11-13T11:11:00.001-05:00

...and on time, too! The baby has yet to arrive, and the gift has been delivered! <forehead wipe>*Whew*</forehead wipe>

Here are photos with and without flash:

here are photos of the top, which did indeed come out flat, much to my amazement...

This was a bunch of firsts for me....my first finished hat, my first finished "I knit it in the round, but this thing is flat", my first I-Cord (which I have discovered that *I* must do by throwing or it comes out all funky), my first "altered" pattern. I started several times with different yarn, different needles....and ended up with 1 inch of the hardest, inflexible band of fabric you've ever seen. I just could not get a stretchy band of moss stitch. Therefore, I said, "screw it" and did a rolled brim. Yes, I know it's a bit odd to do earflaps with a rolled brim. I don't care. :P I used the rest of the yarn from the SSsOD (slipper socks of death, see previous blog entries), well, not all of it. I think there is still enough to make some Mary Jane's for my SIL's newest girlie, born on the 5th. She's only 6 lb. 6 oz., so her feet are TINY!!!

Until next time...

May your BOs be swift, and your FOs be many!

Any Questions?

2006-11-03T11:15:00.000-05:00

KMKS: The Questionnaire

What are your favorite colors? I like darker colors, purple, blue, green....black.
Are you a new mitt knitter? Yep. These will be the first!
How long have you been knitting mittens? n/a
Do you prefer solid or multicolored yarn? depends on the pattern/end product
What fibers do you prefer in mitten yarn? I don't know! Warm, but breathable. Nothing worse than hot sweaty hands.
Where do you usually knit mittens? I usually knit on my lunches at work in our "lobby", or in front of my computer at home (to listen to podcasts) with my feet up on the side of the bed.
How do you usually carry/store small projects? I have a backpack that is crammed with all of the needles and yarn that I own (except for the 10 skeins of Red Heart Aran Fleck that we aren't going to talk about....). I tend to jam each project into a quart zip lock (if it will fit). My baby sweater project is currently in free roam status inside the backpack.
What are your favorite mitten patterns? I love color and patterns. I don't have a favorite.
What are your favorite mitten knitting techniques? I would prefer "in the round" as opposed to knitting flat and seaming.
What new techniques would you like to try? Um....I'm a fairly new "serious" knitter. I'm up for learning anything!!! (Continental purling was not fun to learn...)
What are your favorite needles for knitting mittens? Circs all the way. DPNS give me cramps...and poke me a lot. I can use them, I just prefer not to. :)
What are some of your favorite yarns? Um...I'm not a yarn snob. I'd prefer idiot proof...machine wash.
What yarn do you totally covet? Any yarn I don't have to pay for!! :)
Any pattern you would love to make if money and time were no object? (what about skill? is skill an object? lol) Ella from Knitty.com is on my "to do" list.
Favorite kind of needles (brand, materials, straights or circs, etc)? I've been wanting to try the KnitPicks circs...they're on my wishlist. :P I prefer circs.
If you were a specific kind of yarn, which brand and kind of yarn would you be? I'd probably be Tahki Cotton. Pretty colors, shiny, just toss in the washer and dryer...good to go!
Do you have a favorite candy or mail-able snack? I'm trying to keep my butt from expanding....how about peanuts? almonds? OH...I love those Kashi TLC bars...MMMM.
What’s your favorite animal? (besides the fiber giving variety?) Horses, dogs.
Would you prefer super warm mittens or something more like fingerless mitts? I'd prefer covered fingers.
If you were a color what color would you be? Purple.
What is your most inspiring image, flower, or object in nature? A nice sunset.
Do you have a wishlist? Yep! Link should be over on the right. --->
Anything else you’d like to share with the group today? I'm weird? I like to have fun and laugh. I like being silly..... Funky is good.

Knitting Content?!

2006-11-01T10:48:00.000-05:00

I have a feeling today's blog is just going to be a ramble.

Firstly, I've gotten my first commissioned piece! My coworker (the purple afghan, no pics...and FO#2 and a baby bib....) has asked me to knit her a hat for her soon to be son. I have to get a move on...she's due in 2 weeks!!! I cast on for the hat last night, and it's going to be a "going home from the hospital" hat. It's right about 13" in circumfrence....should last what....a month? LOL. So far, it's about 3/4 of an inch of seed stitch in a variegated blue. I listened to 3 chapters of Age of Innocence while getting it started.

I also started work on a baby sweater. It's one of those garter stitch jobs with a couple buttons at the chest. I'm using Red Heart Aran Fleck. Yes...I know... I have about 10 skeins of that yarn from a UFO from YEARS ago. I have to use it up somehow. In fact, I have about 6 skeins of it before I even begin to have to rip out the UFO (which will be so much fun...considering that I was using 3 strands together).

I'm still working on the I-cord edging for the bib, still working on the bootie (which is not earmarked for anyone in particular, I just want to see what the pattern looks like!), and the saxon braid dishcloth is still being snubbed.

Today is a new day for the Monthy Dishcloth KAL and I'll probably cast-on for that tonight.

I'll try to get some photos onto this later today. No camera right now.

Until next time...

May for BOs be swift and your FOs be many!

I've been tagged...

2006-10-30T12:26:00.000-05:00

48 Things You Couldn't Care Less About

1. FIRST NAME? Melinda

2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? My Aunt Linda (on my mother’s side) swears I’m named after her, but since my Dad had dominion over naming “the baby” if it was a girl, I highly doubt it. (My mother claimed naming rights for the “boy child” since she didn’t want her son named Harrie (Last Name), V) My middle name is from my paternal grandmother, though.

3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? Sunday.

4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? I used to be an architecture major, so I tend to print in all caps...yeah...I like it.

5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT? From a sealed up package? I guess Bologna (beef). From the Deli Counter? Roasted Turkey Breast.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I like Beth’s answer: “Not sure. I have lots of friends, but not lots of close friends.” I would probably find myself very annoying.

7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? You’re reading it.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes. Never broken a bone, no cavities. My appendix went a few years ago, if that counts.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Only if pushed.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Depends on the day. Cheerios or Golden Grahams.

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

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Physically or mentally? Ask my husband. We wrestle sometimes.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Vanilla, Strawberry Chip from Graeters, UDF’s Cherry Cordial, Mint Chocolate Chip (the cheap green kind…not mint flavored chocolate)

14. SHOE SIZE? 7

15. RED OR PINK? How about Light Red? I vote Purple.

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My inability to bite my tongue.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My Uncle Richard. I never really got to know him…and he was such a great person.

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? I’m not tagging anyone...so...um...no.

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS, SHIRT AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Striped shirt (Coral, Brick Red, White and Tan), Tan Pants and My Nike Sneaker/Hiking/cold weather boots.

20. LAST THING YOU ATE? Very Cherry Yogurt.

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? My coworkers in the background talking.

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? My mom is a trainer for a living (as in…she works in the training department at her company). She needed crayons for one of her training exercises. So she orders an 8 pack from the office supply place. This is what she got. Yep. MultiCultural Crayons. I just thought I would share.
The color I would be? Vivid Violet

23. FAVORITE SMELL? Onions sauteeing, or a yellow cake baking.

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? A customer.

25. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? Hair/eyes

26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON YOU STOLE THIS FROM? I didn’t steal it! It was foisted upon me!

27. FAVORITE DRINK? Margaritas…when I drink. Otherwise, Iced Tea.

28. FAVORITE SPORT? Football (OSU, baby!!)

29. EYE COLOR? Green/blue. They change.

30. HAT SIZE? I have no freaking idea.

31. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Nope.

32. FAVORITE FOOD? Salt. I guess that’s a mineral...um...my Mom’s Thanksgiving stuffing (yeah...it’s on my mind)

33. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? How about funny? I like funny.

35. SUMMER OR WINTER? Winter. You can always dress warmer, but can only take off so much before you get arrested.

36. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs.

37. FAVORITE DESSERT? Warm pecan pie. Or cherry, or lemon meringue...

38. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? I’m not sending it to anyone.

39. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? n/a

40. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? Nothing, except blogs. I ran out of books, and the
local library doesn’t like me...*ahem*.

41. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE Pad? Star Wars Episode I

42. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? Flavor of Love Reunion (not nearly as exciting as last year’s reunion) and Celebrity Paranormal Project, oh…and House. There was a marathon.

43. FAVORITE SOUNDS? Good music, the phone ringing when I’m expecting that special call, hearing the door close when I’m waiting for DH to get home.

44. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Both. Depends on my mood.

45. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME? Los Angeles.

46. WHAT'S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? Does talking the ears off a wall count?

47. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Alexandria, VA.

48. WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Ang tagged me.

Projects

2006-10-30T10:13:00.000-05:00

On the needles:

1 mint green baby bootie. "Stay Up Booties" that I got from knitting.about.com. I have no idea what this is going to look like...it's mystery knitting!

1 baby bib. The bib portion is done, I'm putting on attached/applied I-cord edging/ties.

1 Saxon braid dishcloth. It's in permanent pause status since I've lost a Denise needle tip (using as a "cable needle") and now I'm totally torqued off at it.

That's it!

In the planning stages: (or wish list perhaps?)

Ella from Knitty.com
Some sort of lace dresser topper for my grandmother (what is that called? a doily?)

Off the needles: (and not in the good kind of way)

Slipper Socks of Death. They have officially died. (queue the sad music) Not sure if you all noticed, but the "Super Short One Row Scarf" used up all of the light brown (tragic, I know...:P). Then I slid it right off the needles in order to start the Mary Janes. I'll use the dark brown to make more Mary Janes. (Lots of babies being born these days) I guess they aren't officially dead, since I haven't ripped it back yet....just sitting there....all those live stitches pointing in all directions. I should feel bad, shouldn't I?

Side note:

Bill, I know I owe you a knitted object. I'll send you something small to tide you over until I get proper needles for your new and improved socks. Promise. Besides, that wool-ease yarn was too itchy and slippery. You'll like the new ones better...assuming you ever get them. LOL.

In the mean time, may your BOs be swift, and your FOs be many!

Shoes for Ang

2006-10-26T10:11:00.000-05:00

Per yesterday's comments (from Ang....my only subscription, god bless her), here are some photos of the "mostly" finished Mary Janes:

I'm begging you to ignore the fact that one looks larger than the other. It's the camera playing tricks on you....yeah....that's it.

Bummed....

2006-10-25T10:21:00.001-05:00

J's blue scarf is already starting to fall apart. :( Could it be because he is sleeping with it? LOL. I have to admit, it's too wide for his size, and he tends to pull on it a lot. All of my woven in ends have started to work back out (we're talking 8 inches of tail, worked a few stitches together and everything...dang slippery yarn). However, this scarf was my "FKO" (first knitted object) and I'm proud of it. It was HARD to do....I kept losing a stitch (you try working 2 novelty yarns together on Addi Turbos! LOL), having to tink (I was not frogging that yarn, I'd never get it back on the needles) several times to find the lost stitch, and panicing because I was running out of blue yarn. I guess I should have been more concerned about the red yarn since it was discontinued this past spring. I did not know that until just now. Yeesh.

I have gotten my Mary Jane Booties completed, except for the buttons. <That photo is from the pattern book. I got the book at the grocery store, I think I was at Kroger. It's pulished by Pilbooks, but I could not find it on their website.

There are 17 patterns in the book, and so far, it was well worth the $3.99. The Mary Janes are so simple it's amazing. There's a Teddy Bear pattern, blankets, cardigans, sweaters, hooded towel, mock fair isle hat (with self striping yarn), bibs..... really cute stuff. Next time you're at the check out, Check it Out! :P

Until next time, may your BOs be swift, and your FOs be many!

A home....

2006-10-23T09:44:00.001-05:00

My super short scarf has found a home with my mother. She gets hot easily (gee, I can't wait until menopause), but doesn't like the draft on her neck. Perfect solution!

Either that, or she sensed my dissappointment with the short scarf and valiantly "fell in love" with it to make me feel better.

Moms are like that.

Until next time....May your BOs be swift, and your FOs be many!

Newest FO

2006-10-21T16:17:00.000-05:00

Happy Halloween!

May your BOs be swift, and your FOs be many!!

FOs

2006-10-18T19:46:00.000-05:00

My son, modeling his new scarf. He likes it quite a bit, keeps picking up the tail and rubbing his face on it. :)

Here's the October KAL (from the MonthlyDishcloths Yahoo Group):

Front and back. The coloration was my idea.

May your BOs be swift and your FOs be many!

rnd12

2006-10-16T18:43:00.000-05:00

OK, those were yesterday's pictures, and ...yikes...my digi cam sucks!

So, I took some updated pics of the One Row Scarf.

Hopefully, some of them are actually in focus.

Can any of you identify my current problem?

Well, besides the part where I turn to my husband (for whom the scarf was started) and said, "Honey, do you think this looks "guy scarfish" enough?" To which he replied, "Uh, I wouldn't wear it."

To keep him from receiving an 'Ocular Injury Sustained From a Projectile Knitting Device', I kept on knitting, and knitting, and knitting.

No, the current problem is this:

I'm running out of yarn! It takes 21" of yarn per row.

Does that <-- look like it will handle 60 more rows?

1,260 inches of yarn?

105 feet?

35 yards?!?!

I don't think so.

I hope whoever gets this thing enjoys short scarves.

I'm so bummed.

2006-10-16T17:08:00.000-05:00

Behold! An out of focus picture! Of what, you say? Why, that's the "One Row Scarf" from the Yarn Harlot The same scarf that she knit in ONE day. From yarn she had spun and plied just that morning. And then had time to go stroll about town waiting someone to notice the lovely scarf she had spun, plied, designed and knit all in ONE DAY!!! (the photo of the FO was outside, in daylight mind you....she had time to finish knitting it while there was still daylight!)

This is how far I've gotten after 1) an embarrassing admission on her blog that I'm an idiot and messed up the ONE ROW pattern, 2) going to the frog pond after said admission and 3) three straight days of knitting (I'm talking 8 hour chunks of knitting here) . How the hell does she do it? It's like magic, I'm telling ya....

FO: My son's scarf. Garter stitch, done on #11's with Skacel Rimmel (color 1610) and Bamboo Feather (the blue...sorry, label is MIA atm) worked together. You can't see it, but there are stockinette sections (2 inches or so) on either side, about halfway up.

Here is another photo of the Baby Boy Washcloth (minus the hideous ironing board cover from previous photo).

I've got another dishcloth FO around here somewhere, but I haven't photographed it yet....

May your BOs be swift and your FOs be many!

FO #2!

2006-10-04T14:54:00.001-05:00

Here is a photo of the Mid July KAL (Knit-a-long):

This one is a baby shower gift. I think I'll get some foamy baby wash and tie the cloth around it with a ribbon. (Yes, I stole that idea from another KAL knitter)

In the mean time...

May your BOs be swift, and your FOs be many!

Two Pics

2006-10-02T16:00:00.000-05:00

The first is a photo of the wire work I do:

The second photo is for Elisa's Challenge:

May your BO's be swift, and your FO's be many!

heh...

2006-09-28T09:36:00.000-05:00

rnd11

2006-09-27T21:07:00.000-05:00

Mr. Sockworthy asked for an update on the SSsOD.....

*ahem*

well,

I...uh...er....I changed my mind. I went and got some real sock yarn:

And, yes, it knits like a dream. It was suggested that I knit the socks using the recommended needles. Not sure if you can see it on this pic, but they suggest 8's for sock weight yarn!

I knit tightly, but that's a bit rediculous. The swatch looked OK, but once I got into the magic loop, things got stretched out a bit, and there were holes....

You can see the holes on the sides, where I was making my increases. By the way...the Turkish Cast On is unbelievable! I'm in love! Anyhow, I can't have socks with holes in the toes....so....

On to smaller needles...and another gauge swatch...*sigh*.

And what is on the other needles?

Yeah...so neither one is in focus. LOL. Sorry.

May your BOs be swift and your FOs be many!

Elisa's Challenge

2006-09-22T23:02:00.000-05:00

I belong to a "Mom's" list of women who were a part of I-village's August 1997 Playgroup (a bulletin board for Mom's expecting in Aug. of '97). We had our babies and kept chatting...and eventually we formed a yahoo group...and 10 years later....we have Elisa's challenge.

Elisa is a photographer (among many, many other things) and she wanted each of us to take photos from our front door. Well, I finally remembered to do it....and it's midnight...and raining.

And apparently, I can't stand still while standing on my porch, in the rain, taking a photo....at midnight.

Elisa - I'll try to remember to take one in the daylight. :P

FO!

2006-09-22T22:54:00.000-05:00

rnd 10

2006-09-22T21:42:00.000-05:00

Alright, I skipped a few days and the fans are clamoring for more! LOL.

Ahem...Ang asked for more photos. So, here they are:

KAL on Day 5 (I skipped photo time on day 4):

I still love the pattern. I'm itching to make some more dishcloths, I even made my own pattern.

Anyone wanna test knit my pattern for me? Put your email in the comments and I'll send you the pattern. It's a picture pattern (meaning a stockinette background with a purled picture), but I'm going to leave it a mystery as to what the subject matter is...

And here's a photo of the other item that's on the needles:

This was taken without a flash, as the flash washed the stitches out, you couldn't see anything. Those are size 0 needles, and sport/DK yarn (Bernat Softee Baby, color 31301, descriptive, eh?). I must have been out of my mind.
I hate these socks, they are the devil. BUT, they are nowhere near as evil as the SSsOD (Slipper Sock(s) of Death). I'm sorely tempted to either a) go get a size 6 circular or b) go get some fingering weight yarn. Either way, the project would go A LOT faster. I'm currently using Wool-Ease Worsted with Size 3 needles, and I knit TIGHTLY. I think it makes Ang's head hurt just to watch me knit. LOL. (Ang is the Purrrl-plexed link off to the left.)

Until next time, may your BOs be swift and your FOs be many!