Stashless Wool Monkey

In which she helps me decide

2012-01-20T09:57:00.000-08:00

Next week we'll be going on vacation and since I'm a knitter, the most important aspect of the trip is what yarn to take. Given that we'll be childless, and the husband's big plans are to drink, there will be plenty of knitting time.

One of the things I'm taking is a simple scarf. I was picking out yarn and undecided between a green from Alpha B that I picked up at Sock Summit over the summer, and a dark red from Hazel Knits that I think I picked up at the Sock Summit 2 years ago. Both are very pretty. Lara was sitting on my lap, and I held out the skeins for her and asked her to pick one. She stared at them for about 30 seconds, then patted the red one. So that's what I'll be taking.

In which she's a basket case

2012-01-19T11:13:00.000-08:00

This week we've had quite the winter storm (you know, for the Puget Sound), and since there's 6" of snow on the ground, and now an ice storm, we haven't left the house much this week. Happily, we can work from home, and we've been tag teaming on munchkin care.

We took her out in the snow yesterday, watched the dogs run around, and as soon as you set her down, she started crying. Not sure if it was the cold, or the weirdness of a world of white, but she wasn't a happy camper.

One of the things she's discovered lately is super fun to play with is the basket we keep the dog toys in. She either thinks she's a dog toy, or just finds it fun to sit in a basket.

In which she's so happy to see you

2012-01-12T07:52:00.000-08:00

When Lara wakes up in the morning, she'll bellow that she's up and you must come right now. She'll continue to bellow, stopping to see if she hears anything, until you open the door. And then you are graced with the cutest, shyest, but biggest smile. It's as if she's saying 'Oh, did you hear me? I'm awake, and so happy to see you'.

In which she is a cartoon

2012-01-09T18:45:00.001-08:00

Lara makes this noise a lot. When she's pointing, when she wants something. It's a question, I think. Sounds kinda like, mmm? But the super cute thing is that she squints her eyes shut whenever she does it.

In which no one wins

2012-01-08T16:32:00.001-08:00

It's Sunday and so it's football day. It's also now playoff season. And in today's game, no one wins (Broncos v. Steelers).

In which she sorts the mail

2012-01-06T09:11:00.001-08:00

Lara likes to go through the ads in the Sunday paper, so when we got the Valpak in the mail I let her have out. Didn't get it on camera, but she kept throwing each ad up in the air and off the couch. Only once through the ads though. I handed them back to her and she gave me a definite 'what do I want with these' look.

In which she gets a milk bath

2012-01-06T09:08:00.001-08:00

I think Lara has seen its shaking her milk to mix it up and decided it would be fun. We're discouraging it. She was a little surprised at the results.

In which she acknowledges the dogs

2012-01-02T18:03:00.001-08:00

Lara has started doing this weird thing where she bows to the dogs. Head touching whatever she's sitting on, the ground, the couch. They are superior beings. Maybe only the very young give them their proper due.

In which Riley gets a milk bath

2012-01-01T08:45:00.001-08:00

Riley likes to sit under Lara's high chair while she eats. Lara likes to pour her milk onto the table. Sometimes she misses and it drips off the table. Insert inevitable conclusion here.
Happy New Year!

In which she licks a wet nose

2011-12-29T17:45:00.001-08:00

Lara and the dogs are on friendly terms. She giggles when they give her licks and they tolerate her smacking instead of petting. She is, however, also learning from them. Today, she stuck out her tongue and licked Riley's nose.

In which she plays with yarn

2011-12-27T14:53:00.001-08:00

I'm finally back to working on the sweater that will not end and ended up ripping back the entire yoke. And someone thought the yarn would be fun to play with. No photos taken off her eating it, which she also did.

In which Christmas morning arrives

2011-12-25T12:54:00.001-08:00

A rousing success. She's even starting to figure out how to tear open presents.

In which she only takes what she wants

2011-12-24T13:21:00.001-08:00

Our coffee table has spaces in it for storage. We have 3 baskets, two with Lara toys and one full of remotes. Today she pulled out the remote basket, selected the two remotes she wanted, and slid the basket back in. Such a tidy girl.

In which she pets a pony

2011-12-24T09:28:00.001-08:00

For her birthday she got a pony she could sit and rock on. Each of his ears trigger a song or saying. One of them is, I like it when you brush me. Makes my 12 year old self giggle.

In which there was cake

2011-12-21T10:44:00.000-08:00

It's official (actually, was official on Sunday), Lara is one. We had a party with family on Saturday and a good time was had by all. Including the birthday girl. She managed to get it in her eyelashes, but not her hair. And she cleaned up pretty easy. She also got all twitchy from the ensuing sugar high.

In which she's being trailed

2011-12-16T08:55:00.001-08:00

She crawled from the living room to the kitchen with the tape measure trailing behind her, like TP stuck to her shoe.

In which Santa is seen

2011-12-15T08:23:00.001-08:00

Lara got to meet Santa on Sunday. We waited in line for over an hour and got in right before he took a break to feed the reindeer. She did awesome. The only time she cried was when we wouldn't left her crawl on the floor. Once she got on Santa's lap, she'd stare at him then look at the camera, then stare at Santa, then look at the camera. No smile, but also no screaming.

In which she dances

2011-12-14T09:44:00.001-08:00

We listen to Pandora quite a bit, and have a Katie Perry channel (yes I know). Someone likes to dance to Katy Perry...although she won't dance on video. She holds onto the coffee table and bounces up and down. pretty darn cute.

In which she helps with the tree lighting

2011-12-10T17:54:00.001-08:00

Om nom nom.

Sunday is for football

2011-12-10T07:51:00.001-08:00

Lara generally doesn't get to watch tv. Sundays, however, are different. It's also where she's learning to swear. Last Sunday she was on a nap boycott and so super grumpy in the evening. That is, until the Sunday night football theme song came on. Then there was dancing.

A daily funny

2011-12-09T22:32:00.001-08:00

I have a new goal to write down something funny or cute or memorable each day.

Lara likes to lift up your shirt and poke your belly button. Today, Travis and I were sitting on the couch with her between us and she'd lift up my shirt then Travis's, then mine again there his, like she was comparing our bellies.

It's been how long? A recap

2011-07-19T10:56:00.000-07:00

It's been a little over 2 years since I posted. I got out of the habit of posting, didn't really feel the need to, life happened, and poof...2 years have gone by.

What has happened...the sweater described in the last post never happened. I took the yarn and made something pretty and easy to follow (thanks Ysolda Teague). It was one size too small (a pattern i've noticed when knitting sweaters), but still looks super cute. Not long before that last posting, I got hitched. Still am hitched, happily even, although as with all marriages there have been challenges. But the challenges are mild compared to what they could be. Thankfully, communication is something we're pretty danged good at. Fast forward to last December, when I spent a quick 7 hours giving birth to a little girl. She's 7 months old now, and pretty darned adorable. She's starting to eat solids, and sit up, and god forbid she'll be mobile soon.

Most days it's pretty great being a mom. Doesn't leave a lot of knitting time, but I'm still squeezing it in here and there.

We've done some house remodeling..we have a nice walk in closet now that's mostly finished (it's usable, and thus why we've been dragging our feet).

We're also working on a pretty major backyard remodel. It's our summer project. We tore the scary deck down and put in a patio. This week we're having new steps put on the back of the house. Now the steps look really nice and the siding on the house looks really crappy.

The garden is doing beautifully this year. Last year was a meh year. Weather was mostly grey and cloudy. I've been eating lettuce almost every day, it's growing that well.

The plan is to keep relatively regular postings, if nothing else than to document the kiddo. We of course have lots of photos, but not a lot else.

Stupid Stupid Pattern

2009-04-29T20:25:00.000-07:00

I'm finally back to knitting something for myself. I'm way ahead for mother's day...the wedding cardigan has been mailed and received, and I've turned my attention back to my birthday cardigan, a picture of which can be found on the Skacel site...here. Now, I saw this knit as a shop model at Renaissance Yarns and upon feeling the fiber, had to have it. So I ordered the yarn, bought the pattern book, and waited. Once I had the yarn, I decided to be lazy and not swatch, but would do the sleeves first, and see what happened. I got the cuff just fine, and then I ran into an abbreviation that was NO WHERE IN THE BOOKLET. After scratching my head for a few, I emailed Nancy at Ren Yarns, and had my answer. Then christmas happened and I put the cardigan down. Picking it back up tonight I started where I had stopped, looked at the pattern, and was stumped. I cast on 58 stitches, didn't increase at all (the pattern didn't tell me too) and suddenly, when i start the sleeve pattern, I have 72 stitches. Somewhere, magically, I picked up 14 frackin stitches. Seriously. Where do they come from? I have no idea. I do know, that right now, I don't have the patience to figure it out. I'm torn between wanting to beat the pattern (and by beat I mean figure it out and make my pretty cardigan) and scrapping the whole thing, writing Skacel a nasty-gram, and designing my own darned round cardigan. Dang it.

And another thing...you see it's all round like a bulls-eye...you might assume, as i did, that it's knit like a shawl, slowly growing in diameter. Oh no, it's knit like sections of a bullseye and then sewn together. Dum. Dum Dum Dum.

And of course, I don't want to knit another pair of socks. I want to knit a sweater. Dang it.

Brief update

2009-04-13T13:39:00.000-07:00

The last month has been filled the brim and coming down from the high that was the wedding/honeymoon has been tougher than I imagined it to be. Took awhile to get readjusted (still not 100%), had to get over a case of bronchitis that someone shared on the plane ride home (still coughing) and trying like mad to finish the wedding gift from the hawaii wedding (about 70% done). So I have pictures of the wedding and the honeymoon, but haven't gotten them ready to be posted, and I've actually finished a project, but haven't taken the time to photograph them (the cleo socks, for anyone paying attention).

So my head is mostly connected, but I'm not feeling totally caught up yet...so stay tuned. I'm whittling my to-do list from things like officially changing my name to taking photos of projects. I know, my priorities are all mucked up. As the new Mrs.Monkey, I'll try to be better.

Wish me luck

2009-03-12T19:55:00.000-07:00

By this time (8pm), two days from now, I will be a happily married woman with a drink in my hand (hopefully...to the drink part). It's a really odd thing to type. One, because while I rationally know that as a female of age 28 who owns her own house, car, dogs...I am technically a woman, I don't see myself that way. I don't feel mature enough, most of the time, to consider myself a woman. It's something I don't completely understand (as I know I'm ridiculously mature). And the married part just seems odd. I don't think I'm old enough to be married (again...rationally I'm well aware that I'm old enough to be married). So referring to Mr.Monkey as husband and myself a married woman just seems odd and will definitely take some getting used to.

So stay tuned in a couple weeks time for pictures and a report. I will hopefully post from the honeymoon, but will likely be doing other things. Wish me luck!

More than sporadic

2009-02-23T21:09:00.000-08:00

So although posting has been spotty of late, it's going to get worse. Wednesday, my mom and I leave for Hawaii, where I will be watching my 'little brother' get married on the beach. I'm working on their gift, and because they might see it, I'm not going to post a photo (it's on ravelry). It's turning out nice. We're staying through sunday, and get back late. I'll work for another week, and then be off for three weeks. There will hopefully be time for knitting amongst the festivities. 18 days. It's pretty crazy to think about.

I finished the handfasting scarf. it's just barely long enough. looks good though.
I'm quite pleased. It's stretchy, so it'll work. I've also started a leftover sock yarn blanket project. mitered squares. it'll be nice and warm. It's a little weird, working on a project that has no definite end. someday, i'll just decide it's done and put a border on it. but for now...
Madrona was the weekend before last (thanks to marti for the sock blanket inspiration). I took classes every day, and was completely exhausted by the time Sunday came around. Lots of color classes, fair isle and intarsia. And i learned a knew way to knit from the yarn harlot...she called it lever knitting. I haven't done much with it, but it's good to know another new skill. Jen and I saw this sign...which summed things up quite nicely.

Top 10 reasons why I'm a bad blogger

2009-02-09T22:03:00.000-08:00

1) i haven't posted for 3 weeks
2) i've been so stressed that i haven't even felt like knitting
3) i had a week of layoffs (not me, thankfully), a bridal shower, grandparents and college roomies in town, huge work project, and wedding invitation madness. there was a meltdown and tears. great fun.
4) did i mention wedding invitation headaches...they're all out now.
5) my office has been waiting for ceiling patches since christmas (the ceiling got a first coat of paint this evening...it needs another coat and then two coats on the wall. maybe this weekend).
6) i took a really cool sock yarn dyeing class and have had no time to dye my own yarn, or knit up the yarn i did dye, or show off pictures i took
7) we have a new addition to our family
Click to embiggen. She's pretty darn cute. the first week was a fun week of potty training. She's 16 weeks when we got her, and it didn't seem like much training had been done. she's feeling much better now.

ok. can't think of 8, 9 or 10. i will try to be a better blogger. however, only 33 days 'til i'm hitched. I expect to be fairly busy, although hopefully not stressed.

For the love of sockies

2009-01-07T14:33:00.001-08:00

I do so love finishing a pair of socks. So warm, so snuggly. And I'm really fond of these. The colors are fantastic and the pattern is good.

Socks socks socks. This weekend, Genypher and I are taking a variegated sock yarn dyeing class. Maybe someday I'll make stuff as pretty as the brilliant Tina from Blue Moon, but I doubt it.

New Year Salutations

2009-01-01T10:35:00.001-08:00

I know I said I'd be posting pictures of the 'rents in their new sweaters TOMORROW (as in 5 days ago), but that didn't happen. I was having a good pout and didn't really get off the couch much. And then I started what should've been an easy house project, but isn't (as nothing is in this house). First though, the promised pictures. Both the 'rents loved their sweaters (and have been complimented on them) and here they are vamping for the camera. Click to embiggen.

I have good looking parents no? Sorrel (mom's sweater), is a Lousia Harding pattern and is made from Kimono Angora (which feels like heaven). Avast (dad's sweater) is a knitty pattern and is made from Knitpicks Swish (which is splitty, but soft...and apparently quite warm).

I haven't constructed my 2009 knitting goals yet, although I'm pretty sure I hit my 2008 knitting goals. I know I have some goals for the 1st quarter, a handfasting scarf, a wedding blanket. Those must be done by March. One would think I should get started. Instead, I finally swatched for the round cardigan I bought for my birthday. Discovered it's not, in fact, knit in the round, but each circle is knit separately and GRAFTED TOGETHER. I'm going to be really good at that by the time I'm done. A little bummed I didn't start with 2 stitches and increase, but I'm not going to rewrite the pattern.

Last but definitely not least is the house project. I had been wanting to paint my office for quite awhile (it's currently a greyish green color that isn't bad, but is just light sucking). I have this bright granny smith apple green color. So i figured, couple days to paint the walls, 2 days to paint the ceiling (2 coats and all...the ceiling is currently the same color as the walls...boo). The previous owners had, at some point, but square acoustic tiles on the ceiling. The house is plaster, and in the room next store (the yarn room, very important), the finish layer of the plaster is peeling off. So I figured they'd seen that, been too lazy to scrape and fix (which isn't rocket science), and tiled over it (the tiles are cardboard, essentially). There was also this saggy bit directly over my desk which I admit to being suspicious about, but said 'We need to check out the ceiling...just take one tile down' (this was said to Mr.Monkey, who was on the ladder). We discovered that each tile was stapled, several times, into the ceiling...and so after one came down, they all came down. And we discovered this.

Lovely, no? I've spent two days this week patching the smaller holes and sanding (which i hate hate hate hate). As you can see in the picture on the left, the lath is showing, and so needs to be completely replastered. Good directions on how to do so here. I gotta say though, I will be a plaster repair goddess by the time I'm done (I kinda made the holes bigger...nothing as fun as watching the ceiling fall to the floor and shatter), which is good, as there are 3 more rooms that have acoustic tile on the ceiling...and saggy bits. Weeee.

Not quite after Christmas

2008-12-26T09:56:00.000-08:00

This is the second year that I have had two christmases, one with my family and one with Mr.Monkey's family. For the first time in I don't even know how long, my mother worked on actual christmas, so we didn't have to divide the day (and miss out on prime rib and pumpkin pie, as we did dinner with my folks last year and brunch with Mr.Monkey's folks). Christmas Eve is just for us. Our little family. I wanted to establish that tradition early so if/when the kids come, it'll already be there and the grandparents won't be jockeying for christmas eve time. Families are complicated.

My knitting for christmas was wrapped up on christmas eve (exactly 23 days AFTER i had naively hoped to have it all done). Pictures on that tomorrow, as the two remaining recipients haven't opened them yet, and I hate to ruin the surprise (and i don't have pictures anyway).

The bat went over well with my grandparents. The Fetchings went over very well. My future aunt was very exciting because she can't wear gloves while taking care of the horses or riding, but her hands get cold...so these were absolutely perfect (thank you Jen for the suggestion). Although if I hadn't been knitting on a sock when she was opening them, I don't know if she would've realized I had knit them. She was a little floored. The best kind of reaction to a knitted gift.

One more present to make, and then this christmas is complete. It's been good so far, and even white, which is rare in the Pacific Northwest (it usually rains...shocker). Hope every one was as blessed by the holidays as I was. Merry Christmas...a day late :-)

Boo!

2008-12-19T09:51:00.000-08:00

Boo the bat is complete. He'll be mailed to sunny (i think) Florida this afternoon. I think he's stinkin cute.
I have two knitted things left and one sewing project and then the christmas presents are done, complete, finito.

The northwest is still covered in snow. We have a total of close to 4"...with a lovely sheet of ice underneath. The roads are hazardous. Good time to stay home if you don't have to be somewhere.

Going here tomorrow. Mmm, cake.

Snowed In

2008-12-18T12:06:00.000-08:00

Not really. It has been snowing, and it's really quite cold out, but I'm snowed in by choice. The folks in the Pacific Northwest are not used to snow, and are therefore not used to driving in the snow. There are some, those with 4WD, who think that because they have 4WD, they have no stopping issues. They, would be wrong. Especially in weather where the roads melt and then refreeze at night.

The smart stay home. I like to think I'm one of those. Luckily, my job is such that working from home is a possibility.

I have been putting the stay at home time to good use. Behold a pair of Fetchings.
Made for Mr.Monkey's aunt for their secret santa christmas. Elsebeth Lavold, Baby Llama. One skein with some leftover (used as stuffing for another present).

I'm also working on this guy for my paternal grandparents. He's super cute. His wings are drying, so pictures when he's all assembled.

And I finally ordered a zipper.

How close is christmas???

2008-12-10T15:01:00.000-08:00

I just realized that I haven't posted anything since before Thanksgiving...2 weeks ago. There's really no excuse. It's not that I haven't been doing anything blog worthy or I don't have finished stuff to show off...I just haven't felt inspired to share. Apparently I'm feeling better now.

I finished a pair of socks.
Pattern is Leyburn (rav link), sherman heel, colorway is a mill ends from last years Blue Moon Fiber Arts de-stash sale...more on this years below. I literally almost ran out of yarn...I was nervous. This is how much I had left. The tape measure is 2 inches in diameter. Not sure if it's because it was mill ends, or if the pattern just used a lot of yarn (easy pattern, goes quickly, looks cool), but it was close. And the socks aren't that tall.
I had a plan, maybe more of a goal, to finish all the christmas making of stuff before Dec. 1. Totally didn't make it. Blew by it without even blinking. One sweater is almost done, it just needs a zipper (and has for at least 3 weeks...note to self: order one already). The second sweater is getting close. I have the back and am about halfway through the front. Then i'll knit sleeves and seam. There's also sewing in my future, which shouldn't take all that long, now that i've finally bought the supplies. And then there's just a couple of purchases to make and the shopping is done. Although i just realized I haven't planned for my paternal grandparents. crap.

Anyhow, Genypher and I went, last saturday, to the now annual Blue Moon Destash Sale. We got there early this year (and didn't get lost, unlike last year) and waited patiently in line...where Joanne came around with free swag.
Genypher's is the one eating the brains of the lady next to her.

The drive was good, it turned out to be a beautiful, although chilly day. And we bought loot (which i don't have a picture of...suffice it to say i bought 4 sweaters worth of yarn, my mom's bday gift, and some future socks...and i stayed under budget because i'm that awesome).

Yay yarn!

Not DaBear...

2008-11-20T13:40:00.000-08:00

Honest...he's never done this before

Nothing like a cold nose at 4am.

The little heel that didn't wanna

2008-11-17T13:29:00.000-08:00

I usually try to have a small project and a large project on the needles. The small project is usually socks, and of late, the larger project has been a sweater. My father's christmas gift is done, finito, except for the zipper, which i haven't purchased yet. and I'm guessing, that the length I need does not exist in the real world and there might be zipper surgery in my future. We'll see what the local Joann's has to offer. Photo after the click.
I have a plethora of sock yarn, and occasionally will follow a pattern, but i have weird skinny little feet and rather high arches, so my gauge and the gauge of a sock pattern don't always jive. and i like knitting the foot in stockinette...the better to fit in shoes, my dear. And i have knit a number of socks in my knitting lifetime, enough, that you'd think i'd know where my heel needs to begin and if i need gusset stitches etc. etc. but apparently that information is deleted every time I finish a sock. the sock you see before you...
got 5 heels before it was done. That's right, i knit a heel and ripped it out FIVE times before the darn thing fit properly. I knit it all by itself because i figured i'd have this problem (see, i kinda learn from my mistakes...but not really). yet i didn't write any of this information down. I'm relying on my sieve of a brain to keep it all for when i start the mate. Sigh.

PS. started mom's christmas present. i don't think i'll have it done by dec. 1, which was my goal, but i'm thinking it'll be done by christmas (fingers crossed).

Entrelac...dress?

2008-11-13T13:49:00.000-08:00

I give you

the entrelac dress...in beige

clicketh here

in other news, madrona sign-ups are today...i first typed 'were today' because i'm guessing most if not all classes are full. i'm a little poorer now.

Condom Hat

2008-11-07T09:16:00.000-08:00

On the LYS tour last year, I got a skein of Sheep Shop Yarn (Sheep 3) that i wanted to knit a hat with (the hat that came with the yarn, actually). It was a speedy little hat, and rather cute as I was knitting. And then I put it on. Now, generally, I don't wear hats. I have a hat I wear in the rain, which has a brim, and I think I look rather cute in, and there's a hat I wear when it's cold to walk the dog (i generally don't care about cuteness then). So knitting what is essentially a beanie, might not have been the greatest idea. It was a little snug. In fact, I started calling it a condom hat. The ends were never woven in. But I had enough yarn left over for another hat, so I copied my friend Genypher, and knit the Clamber (ravelry link) hat. Her hat was large on me and so I assumed picking up 120 stitches for the hat would be plenty. It's a super cute hat, but again, a little condomy (although not as condomy). I think i just look silly in hats.

The photo on the left is the first condomy hat. This one needs a good home on a smallish head. The photo on the right is the mostly finished Clamber hat (ends aren't woven in). It's not bad, but it makes me look like a conehead (I think, but i'm fairly critical of myself). So I need input? Cute or conehead?

Halloween Excitement

2008-11-03T20:27:00.000-08:00

This was a good weekend. Lots of knitting, lots of not leaving the house, great weird fun on halloween.

I wove in ends on my father's christmas gift. All that's left is the front bands, zipper, and seaming. That's it, easy peasy. So I'm working on a hat instead. As I have to pick up stitches, and I don't like to, even though it's been made easier.

As for Halloween, it started on Thursday. I picked DaBear up from daycare, where he got a new annoying squeaky toy (shaped as a candy corn) and a super cute peanut butter dude.
Friday was spent knitting with Genypher and eating chowder. I love me some Duke's. Friday night was...well...an experience. My dear friend Courtney has been working with a theatrical company called Pure Cirkus (now 4 Horseman). I hesitate, for only a minute, from calling it a freak show, but it's a good way to describe it. There were fire eaters, and knife wielders, and people who bend re-bar with their body parts (some of them wince-worthy), and burlesque girls, and a girl on girl suspension (which sounds dirty, but isn't). For those who don't know, a suspension is where someone inserts hooks into their body and then hang from the hooks. The girl on girl action is one girl with 8 hooks, hanging from another girl with 8 hooks who has 8 more hooks and is hanging from a bar. I put together a photo collage of the crazy good fun.
Click to en-biggun. It'll enlarge as one entire image. The suspension might be a little disturbing.

I discovered a new TV show, Fringe, and have been catching up on episodes. Reminds me a little of X-Files, but not aliens...kind of crazy science. And it's got Pacey from Dawson's Creek (and the Skulls, never watched Dawson's Creek).

In which two weeks go by

2008-10-25T11:05:00.000-07:00

Grab a cup of coffee...as this one is going to be long.

First off, a week of book signings. The Yarn Harlot is always a good author to see. Her new book is a book of essays, and she read one of the essays, which she's never done before. She also did a Q&A which included wildlife adventure stories. Apparently in Toronto, skunks have more rights than the people who's porches they live under. Who knew? Prior to the talk, I purchased her book and Genypher and I waited in line for her to sign it. She admired my sweater (the first one, the one that's red, and super toasty) and while Genypher was getting her book signed, I kinneared this picture.
The Harlot is wearing Hey Teach from the summer Knitty. It's much cuter in person than in the Knitty photos.

That was Monday. The next Saturday, at Renaissance Yarns, Wendy Bernard of Knit and Tonic did a book signing of her new book, Custom Knits. There are several gorgeous patterns and good info on how to resize and modify the patterns. I kinneared a picture of her doing signings.
They had several of her patterns knit up. I wanted to knit most of them. She also had an Offhand Designs Zhivago bag, which she was kind enough to let me paw through. I wants it. Maybe for Christmas. Or maybe when their fall line goes on sale.

I've been diligently working on my dad's christmas present. No pictures posted here, but there's pictures (ok, just one) up on Ravelry. The goal is to have it done by then end of October...it's looking unlikely at this point, but it's good to push myself...right?

I spent Wednesday afternoon to Friday evening in sunny Los Angeles, where the high temperature was 97 degrees. I was wearing wool socks when I got off the plane. Not comfortable. I did get to wear my tangled cardigan again, but still...too warm for me. Walked along the beach on Wed. night. Got some good pictures.

Did you know that they build fake islands off the coast to hide oil platforms. Complete with palm trees. Orange County is weird. I ate well, but I don't think it was very worthwhile for me to have gone. I did work on the sockies though...and finished weaving in the ends this AM.
Sorry for the crappy picture. Apparently blogger doesn't like shrinkage..but really, who does. And for the opposite of shrinkage...I give you the Airbus 380.
As seen from the Alaska Airlines boardroom (which was very nice). Thing is monstrous. Didn't get to see it take off though...the runway we were watching wasn't long enough.

Radio Silence

2008-10-21T14:31:00.000-07:00

I noticed, when finally logging into blogger, that it's been over a week since I last posted. I've been meaning too, wanting to show off the kinneared photo of genypher and the Yarn Harlot, and the book signing of Wendy Bernard. Instead I've been maniacally knitting away on a certain christmas present (lots of stockinette) and doing homework and entertaining out of town guests and basically ignoring the computer outside of work. My apologies.

I'm also not going to post any of those things now. Forward progress is being made on the christmas present list. Forward progress is being made on the wedding to do list. And there's been lots of knitting by the fire time...oh, and I bought season 2 of Supernatural...which is probably the real reason I've been a posting slacker...that Jensen Ackles.

Weekend Roadtrip

2008-10-06T10:39:00.000-07:00

Genypher and I took a road trip to Sequim on Saturday. The North Olympic Fiber Arts Festival was being held this weekend and we decided to check it out, because we are wild and crazy like that. I was also feeling a little left out for skipping the Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival. I didn't take any pictures whilst there. Not a one. And that's because there was really nothing to take pictures of. It's a very small event and spread out around Sequim. There were a total of 6 vendors (and I got to meet my work lead's sister, who owns a lavender farm over there, small world) and maybe 5 booths. They did have llamas...and i was pretty convinced they were going to get up and belly dance, as they had bells and jewelry on their heads. It was a nice drive though, and good chatting time. Not a lot of knitting except on the ferry.

We did, however, stop in Winslow before getting back on the Bainbridge ferry and coming home. I mean, we practically had to drive right past Churchmouse Yarn and Tea, so how could we not stop by? Didn't buy any yarn, but bought two books (one on sale, one discontinued) and then we went to Ethel's Fabric Store. We discovered they have a FANTASTIC button selection. I know, because I bought a bunch of them.

Here's a handpainted Lily of the Valley button which will go perfectly with my birthday Divine cardigan.

And here's some caribou antler buttons.

And here's some blue buttons (the larger ones, they're shiny and hard to photograph) and black buttons with silver leaves.

No idea what I'm going to do with them, but I couldn't pass them up. Apparently I'm now collecting buttons as well as yarn. OH, and I forgot...I bought some merino/bamboo roving in this gorgeous story blue color. And no, I don't spin.

Off to the Harlot tonight. Full report tomorrow...and I'll have her new book...weeee!

Birthday present? Check

2008-10-02T20:38:00.001-07:00

I finished my mother's birthday present last night...today is her birthday, and while she won't be getting the gift until Sunday, I was done early...EARLY. I'm a little proud of myself. Here's the proof after the click.

I've swatched for the first of the christmas presents. Yes, I know it's October...I don't want a chicken-headless December.

Tomorrow will be a vegetable day...then saturday, Genypher and I are going to the North Olympic Fiber Arts Festival...it should be a good time. Then Monday, the Yarn Harlot is in town for her new book. I missed her the last time, as I was sent to St. Louis on a business trip (boo). Has anyone read the new book yet? thoughts?

Dogs like to dig? Who knew.

2008-09-29T11:24:00.000-07:00

Since yesterday was a gorgeous day (and good thing too, engagement photos happened yesterday), I let DaBear run around the backyard with the basement door open while I put together my birthday router table and puttered around the basement. At some point, he came running into the basement with the doggie equivalent of 'Mom, mom, come look what I did, it's awesome, come look, now now.' He had dirt on his nose and his tongue was brown, instead of pink. He bounced around a little more until I followed him outside where he said (in doggish) 'See, see? isn't it the coolest thing ever. And I did it, it was me. i'm so awesome.' and bounced some more. Here's what he did. I know what you're saying. Who doesn't want a deep hole (it went below the brick border) in their flower bed. Luckily, he seems to only dig holes where he's a) seen me dig holes and b) where I don't really care that he's digging holes. He was so proud of himself. I couldn't help but laugh at him. Silly kid.

What the...?

2008-09-26T11:17:00.000-07:00

Taking a page out of Rose-Kim's thursday are for... posts and present my own what the hell is this post. I was trolling the intertron looking at amusing wedding snafu's, and came across this...it's even knitting related. Nice wedding dress huh?

Bellatrix...Redux

2008-09-21T21:10:00.000-07:00

I finished the Bellatrix (ravelry link) pattern the first time back in March. The problem was that everything seemed too big, the heel wouldn't stay put, the foot was baggy even though I used size 0 needles, it just wasn't good and I'd never wear them. So they sat on my desk, asking to be frogged for quite awhile and I finally got around to it.The first pair had the pattern all through the foot, which I think helped the too baggy issue. These fit much much better. I'm now diligently working on my mom's b-day socks...she's seen them, I made her try them on after I couldn't get them on, they got frogged and started again toe up. The foot will be in stockinette and the leg in pattern.

I've also been meaning to post my latest glass creation. It's been done for awhile, I just hadn't photographed it until today.
The symbol's are Kanji for Zen, or so several internet sources told me. It sits in the window at the bottom my bedroom stairs, so I see it several times a day. The solder lines are really quite dark, although the light in this picture doesn't make it seem very dark. Very happy with this piece. It's the second that I've done using Kanji and I really like the way they turn out.

Maxed Out

2008-09-20T21:39:00.000-07:00

I'll post on knitting tomorrow, as I have new socks to show off, but I wanted to comment and promote the movie Maxed Out. It's a documentary about credit card companies and the ease in which people can get credit and get into debt. People in America are over a TRILLION dollars in debt. To me that's not even a fathomable number. It's astonishing how easy it is to get a credit card, then debt, then only be able to pay part of it off, then get another card to transfer the money to, then buy more, then fall behind, and on and on. And what's worse is that the credit card companies prey on the people in this situation. That's how they get their money, through interest and late and over-limit fees.

But what's even worse than that is the federal government. They pay more money in interest on the loans they've taken out than the military, education, and healthcare combined. COMBINED. Social security was, according to the movie, emptied and filled with IOU's in 2005. If you count on it as part of your retirement plan, you will be sorely disappointed. And yet spending goes on and on and there's no plan to balance the budget and pay off the debt. If I'm required to live within my means, have a budget, pay off my debt, why isn't the government? Why do they get to live way beyond their means?

I don't get it. I'd ask questions like, why are we funding the rebuilding of a country that is rich with oil, or why do we send money we don't have to aid other countries. Why is the US the caretakers and police to the world? I don't think there'll be an answer that satisfies though. Yay America.

The movie does a good job explaining what the credit card companies do and how they keep people in debt. Good and rather discouraging at the same time. I recommend watching it.

What's wrong with this picture

2008-09-17T13:30:00.001-07:00

I took a mental day from work on Monday, as I knew it was going to be a gorgeous day and quite frankly I was having eye trouble. So I played with DaBear, took him on a walk, knit, read a book, and weeded the backyard planting beds (although weeds are currently the only thing planted in them...fear not, there is a plan). Ivy (cursed stuff) is something that has grown in the beds and occasionally tried to creep onto the grass for the last 2 years. It's been a losing battle as it all gets ripped out and then all grows back. I win battles, but not the war. At any rate, the couple feet between my garage and the neighbors garage was of particular concern. The ivy was making little hills (kinda scary...what the heck is under them? dead things? bodies?) And in addition to slowly devouring dead bodies, I discovered this.Anyone see something wrong with this picture? Like the fact that the ivy is growing out of the garage? Yes boys and girls, the ivy has been so sneaky as to grow under the siding of the garage and it got so excited about it's victory, that it showered itself down the side. The vines that were sneaky enough to get under the siding have had their roots cut out from under them, but I suppose i'll have to rip siding off at some point to get it all out.

I have a theory about ivy, as it doesn't seem to provide anything but irritation. It was the 6th day and god was tired. He'd created trees and the sun and the planets and the field mice, but he noticed that the ground had pretty flowers, but lots of visible dirt. So he said, well, i'm tired, and i don't relish the idea of putting a lot of energy into ground cover, so I'll make something that spreads fast and is green. And because he had a sense of humor and wanted us to invent swear words, he made it so that it's next to impossible to get rid of. thanks a bunch.

In knitting news, my mom's b-day gift has been frogged, as it was going to fit DaBear and not my mother (minor issue). One of the Bellatrix socks has been completed and the other cast on for. So far I'm avoiding second sock syndrome. It's an easy enough pattern that I think I'll be able to keep interested. And i have an order from Knitpicks coming in the mail. Excited? Me? Never.

Seaside

2008-09-08T17:06:00.000-07:00

MrMonkey and I went to Seaside, OR over the weekend. Just for one night, which is really not long enough to get away, given the drive. There's a great car show this weekend every year, Wheels and Waves, that allows both of us to drool, although over completely different cars. I took lots of car pictures, but this is the one I want.

Pause to wipe the drool off my face. That's not the ultimate dream car, but it's near the top of the list. I want to say it was a '57 corvette, but the year might be wrong. I can't remember what years they had the double headlights. Le sigh.

Anyhow, we saw beach too. The first day we were there was foggy and cool, just like the weather guessers predicted. The ocean was...where, exactly?
That would be MrMonkey looking bemused at my documentation of the lack of ocean. The second day, however, more than made up for the first. Sunday was gorgeous, blue skies and toasty.

Exactly the kind of day we were hoping for. So far this is the second year we've gone to Seaside over this weekend. MrMonkey is making noise about Las Vegas next year, but we'll see.

The Great Houdini - a photojourney

2008-09-05T09:45:00.000-07:00

The father's day socks I've been working on for quite some time (i started a pattern, got to the heel, and discovered that -I- couldn't get it on my girl foot, so it got frogged, i got frustrated, and it was ignored), has been finished. I attempted the Houdini pattern by Cat Bordhi. The construction was curious...you completely knit the foot from toe to heel (for me they were the same) and close it off. So you have this footprint that you couldn't get your foot into. Then you pick an end, and pick up stitches.

Then you bravely snip the middle stitch in the row between the two needles and start unweaving, leaving the last two stitches on either end of both needles still 'knit'.

And then you knit a leg, starting at the middle back of the heel (which is something i never do, my rounds always start on one side, so that was new, i think i like it though).

and TADA

a whole sock. I can't tell, as they are made for man feet, how they fit or if the heel will be funny (note to self, use the cast on toe for the heel), but they are house socks for chilly mornings. Just in time for the weather change. I'll be trying Houdini again for myself, and will report on the fit/feel at that time. Definitely an interesting method.

He's a virgo

2008-09-04T15:17:00.000-07:00

My good friend genypher and I were discussing old people and how we don't get them, her grandparents, my neighbor herb (who's 98 and still lives alone), john mccain. And then we started to wonder why the heck john mccain would want to be president at his age (he turned 72 august 29). I pointed out that he's a virgo, and we don't want virgos in office (i'm a virgo, so don't get your knickers in a twist) and she's decided that that's her response to everything. i quote:

that's going to be my line for anything that McCain does now...trashing Obama? he's a virgo. Picking on Boeing? he's a virgo

She should know about virgos, she's strangely surrounded by them...me, her boyfriend, her mom. and we're all a little nuts.

In all seriousness, while I don't agree with most of mccain's politics. I do worry about the idea of having a president that old in office. That old with health problems. And yes, if Obama got in he could get fast acting cancer and die in 2 years, but that's less likely. You gotta wonder, is that the best the republicans can do or was it just finally his turn?

Disgustingly Productive

2008-09-03T12:42:00.001-07:00

First and foremost, the cardigan I've been working on for months?
Done.

The to do list for the weekend was pretty long, and most of it got done. We've been procrastinating on getting the backyard redone, primarily because we put off tearing down the deck/building a patio until next year because a) the summer ran out and 2) no budget and rumor has it the rocks can be pricey. One of the things we definitely needed to get done was a setup to allow DaBear access to his 'area' while we're not home. Not quite a run, but access to the outside world. We ran into the problem of having to leave events early to make sure he was taken care of, which was a bummer (sometimes). So here's the side where he usually enters his area...except with a lattice gate.

And here's the new gate closed.

Once we actually install the doggie flap on the basement stairs, closed will be this sides usual position. Will allow the meter dude to check the electric meter as well.

The other side, where the basement stairs are now looks like this.

There's a gate on the smaller side, and it's not attached to the roof, so that can still come off relatively easily. This will hopefully help the water issue when it rains a lot.

Other stuff not photographed got done too. Forward progress made on the super late father's day gift, and the glass for the front door stained glass window is now cut, although not ground yet. And I'm getting ready to start the gifts for christmas, which means buying more yarn (yay), but it's not yarn for me, so I'm adhering to my yarn goal.

Overall a good weekend. Not that relaxing, as I kept myself pretty busy, but it felt good to cross stuff off the list.

Math - we hateses it

2008-08-27T07:47:00.000-07:00

So once upon a time, when this WoolMonkey was in high school, she loved math so much she wanted to teach it. Then she taught remedial algebra to a bunch of high school kids and it took all of 40 minutes for that dream to die. Yet she still loved math (albeit was confused as to why others didn't) and she went on to major in both math and something useful (not to say math isn't useful, but there aren't many options outside of teaching or research for theoretical math majors). And she did well, learned about chaos theory and fractals and used her computer science major (the useful one) to animate the fractals to make pretty pictures. She was proud.

And she happily went through life, proud that she needed a calculator to balance her checkbook (not an accountant, theoretical math, no numbers). And then she began knitting. First she knit socks and scarves and hats and the math was easy..different gauge? simple algebra. Need to reduce some stitches in a pattern or the number or the number of repeats? Simple as pi. And then she made a sweater...from the bottom up. and she happily trucked along, following the loosely written pattern until she got to the yoke, where the pattern said 'Decrease evenly over all stitches'. And she looked, and thought, and looked again, and panicked a little and then found a handy decrease calculator and finished her sweater.

Then she decided to start a cardigan. Now this cardigan (Tangled Yoke from Interweave Knits Fall 07) needed a great deal of alterations, as it called for a gauge of 6st/inch and the yarn she was using yielded 4.5st/inch. So she set out modifying the pattern for her gauge...and all was well. The body was knit, the sleeves were knit, the sleeves were attached to the body. And then the decrease round appeared. And she had calculated wrong from the pattern. So she consulted her knitting guru, the Genypher (ravelry link), and her knitting guru came up with a suitable decrease row. And so away she knit. And she discovered that she should probably not be watching the tellie and trying to count at the same time as she had decreased too much. So back she ripped. She sat, stumped, looking at graph paper, wondering how math failed her and the light bulb came on and away she knit again...and decreased too much. And again there was ripping.

The cardigan is currently sitting in a ball on the couch sulking, where I will need to move it when the couch cleaners come today. I'll be working on socks instead.

Day at the beach

2008-08-24T11:09:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we decided that dabear needed a trip to the beach. We had actually planned on taking a day trip a few weeks ago, but the weather turned to crap and we decided we didn't want to get rained on, especially if dabear didn't like the beach. We didn't really need to worry.

The boy loved the beach. He liked the people, he met other dogs, he tried to chase a kite. We stayed for about two hours and then took off, because someone was acting like a 2 yr old who wouldn't listen (dabear, not MrMonkey). It was a fun day. We kept him on leash once the beach got more crowded, but we had it pretty much to ourselves when we first got there. Even got some good video. Watch out!

Look Ma!

2008-08-22T09:40:00.000-07:00

SLEEVES!!!!
I really like this picture, it looks like the cardigan is just lounging on the back of the couch..."look at me, dahling, look at me". The sleeves were finished and attached last evening and about 3 rounds completed. I'm on the last stretch and I have faint hope of finishing it by Sunday (which was my half-assed ravelympics goal). I don't think I'll have a problem finishing the main part of the cardi, it's the button band and neck band and the button hole band I'm concerned about. I think those will just take more time than I'm expecting, and it's looking like it'll be a busy weekend.

Tuesday marks the day my mother squirted this monkey out into the world (an octopus falling down a ladder is how I've heard the process described). It's the first time in several years that I'm not taking it off work, so this weekend is the celebrations. MrMonkey has some sort of surprise for tonight, we're going to the beach with dabear tomorrow (see if his prissy-ness is still around), and then Sunday MamaMonkey and I are taking a soft cheese class and then doing birthday dinner (including yummy chocolate cake). Mmmm, cheese and cake, two of my favorite non-fiber things.

After the cardi is done, it'll be finishing the incredible late father's day socks (yes, they're socks) and then pondering christmas knitting, god forbid. I have this goal to get all the present knitting done by December 1, so I won't be stressed for the holidays...we'll see if that works. I've also decided not to buy any more yarn until Madrona, which is next February. Excluded from this is yarn for presents and the yarn I'm buying (hopefully with the help of gift cards) for my birthday. Have I showed you the circular cardigan yet? Made from cashmere and silk and alpaca oh my. You'll want to pet me, I promise...wait, that sounded bad.

Peck of Peppers

2008-08-13T13:15:00.000-07:00

Apparently a peck is an actually unit of measurement for dry volume. You can find the wikipedia entry with more info than you ever thought you wanted to know about a peck. The relevance of a peck to my post today is thus. Here's what I found when looking closely at my green pepper plant this morning.A pepper plant full of little pepperlets. I should note, that I bought this plant, not because I heart green bell peppers (i don't, they're vile), but because Mr.Monkey loves stuffed peppers. I have never made a stuffed pepper, nor do I think my attempts could match those of his mother and/or grandmother (hispanic family). So the veritable plethora of peppers that my plant is producing (I'm saying this in my head as I type and even my mental tongue is tripping up a little), will likely be given away to many many people. I counted 13 pepperlets without turning the pot. Up to my eyeballs in peppers will I be. Want some?

In other news, Mr.Monkey is jonesing for another dog. While it would be great to have a buddy for the mutt to play with and get all tired out and god knows puppies are cute...do we really need another one of these?
Mmmm...box...nom nom nom.

Not a knitting project...but

2008-08-11T09:20:00.000-07:00

It's knitting related. In between coffee dates (with a cute baby who's now walking. The baby didn't drink coffee, although she did chew on the cup) and birthday dinner with the future in-laws (MrMonkey's little brother turned 24 yesterday. and MrMonkey remembered on Saturday. Man needs a calendar), I made this
The i-cord was knit over 4 stitches on US6 dpns. As I didn't have anything bigger and it didn't really dawn on me to use circs. Anyhow. It's knit out of Blue Sky Organic Cotton. The jury is out on whether I like it or not. I think I need to knit something besides i-cord. If you open the bag, and because I haven't washed them lately, you will find
a bag of socks. That's right folks, instead of tossing the lovely hand-knit socks on the floor of the closet, so they stay out of the machine washables basket, they've been getting discarded onto the floor. But no more. I'm a little proud of myself. The closet is clean(er).

Lookie

2008-08-09T19:37:00.000-07:00

The socks it took me just a month to knit.and no, I'm not kidding. According to the Ravelry project page, I started these socks exactly a month ago. But they are done, and on my feet, and rather warm and snuggly. I like the wave pattern, but not the purling, so I think i'll try a sock that knits two together instead of purls...and see what happens. I've finally finished translating the cardigan pattern to the appropriate stitches, so that should go without a hitch now...famous last words.

Hurray for nature

2008-08-07T12:08:00.001-07:00

I was watering my deck garden when I came across this first tomatoes of the season. I ate the second strawberry (the kid got the first, sneaky devil) awhile back and it was deliciously sweet. I'm hoping that when I get the tomato tomorrow, it'll be the same. Yay gardens.

Dog Days of Summer

2008-08-06T14:04:00.001-07:00

Summer has finally seemed to arrive in the Pacific Northwest...at least the summers I remember. It's a toasty 81 degrees outside at the moment, although the weather guessers projected 90. Which is too hot, in my opinion. I haven't been complaining about the 70+ degree weather we've been having...it always amuses me how quickly I acclimate so that 55 degrees requires a hat and gloves. In February 55 will be shorts weather.

The mutt has been suffering in the heat a little. 4 or 5 frisbee throws is all he's good for before he looks like thisAccording to daycare (yes, we send the mutt to daycare twice a week), he's a bit out of shape. While Mr. Monkey has been unemployed, we've only been sending the kid to daycare only once a week. Apparently his girlfriends (yes, plural...we're so proud) can run circles around him.

In other news, I had the fun opportunity of rear-ending someone last evening. Am cursing myself for not getting the brakes looked at on the Pathfinder. I basically couldn't stop in enough time. The other guys car has a very faint outline of my license plate on his bumper...didn't even chip the paint. He had made a comment about not calling it in, but he did and is going to get an estimate and blah blah. His bumper had other scratches and paint issues, so I'm betting it's just to get a new bumper. I did learn something about insurance though. Apparently, if you aren't getting your car fixed, you don't have to pay a deductible. There's no deductible on liability insurance. And since I'm not planning on getting the Pathfinder fixed, it is the beater truck, I'm not out of pocket for anything. I fully expect my insurance premiums to go up, but that's the price I pay for not getting the brakes checked out...which I'm going to go get an estimate for this afternoon. Sigh.

In knitting news, I have made good forward progress on the Tangled Yoke cardigan. I'm still planning on leaving off what makes in tangled, the celtic knotting along the yoke. Wouldn't show up well in the yarn I'm using. I have the body done (picture doesn't show the ribbing detail at the bottom very well) and have started on the sleeves, which I'm doing in the round, two at a time, so hopefully they will go rather quickly. I'm excited/anxious to get this done, as it's cotton and I want to wear it whilst I can. And I'm still plugging away at the mermaiden socks. I'll need to get started on mom's b-day present (oct. 2, but we would like to be ahead of schedule) and then probably start the christmas knitting so I don't go insane waiting until the last minute.

Ooh, Stitch 'n Pitch is tomorrow night. Apparently there are booths set up and yarn for sale...I feel like trouble is a-coming. And with no yarn money in sight (i'm scared of the visa bill this next month...3 plane tickets, 2 nights hotel, and god knows what else is on it). Hopefully I won't see anything I will need. I'll go play in the stash to make sure I'm still feeling overwhelmed by it.

Daily Posting

2008-07-30T14:54:00.001-07:00

I have a goal to make this a blog that gets posted to daily. So far I've averaged once a week, which is not anywhere near daily. The problem, I think, is that I don't get enough done in a day that a) is worth noting and b) is worth reading about. A typical day for me includes working 8-9 hours, commuting 1.5hrs (but only a couple days a week) and then spending the evenings knitting or spending time with Mr. Monkey or playing Bunco with my mother and her gaggle of friends. That is what is on the books for this evening, knitting group and then Bunco. I'll also be picking up an angle grinder and a 12' x 12' canopy...because that's how I like to have fun.

The angle grinder is to finish off the fence project. There are 2 big metal thingies (they were holding up the fence posts on the old fence) that are in the concrete pad and need to be removed before I attempt to park on the pad...as I have the skills to run them over and do something awful to the truck. And then we need to make a dump run and the fence project will be officially complete...except for the sagging gate Mr. Monkey wants to rebuild because it's difficult to open. But after that...and we finally have a backyard plan, so I see sod ripping in my future. I want to get the planters and everything set up for the garden for next year, so i'll just have to make the soil lovely and plant stuff.

The canopy is for the booth my knitting group is setting up at the Proctor Arts Walk on Saturday. On Friday all the shops on Proctor have a sidewalk sale, and then groups set up booths on Saturday and sell stuff. Our booth is selling Barbie knitted clothes, baby clothes, some knitting supplies. I'm going to attempt to sell little drawstring bags. I use them to hold my yarn and projects. I don't have a good picture of them anywhere, so I can't show them off. If they do well, I might open an etsy shop, but I don't know. But I've been busily avoiding making them, because I'm a nut.

I have been working on my mermaiden socks, I'm now past the heel. And the cardigan is coming along nicely. That will hopefully be done by the end of the month. And since August is my birthday, I've decided to buy myself some birthday yarn (shocking, I know). There is a specific project in mind for it. The cardigan seen here knit out of Skacel Divine. I'm thinking green. It feels like heaven. And it will make a great fall sweater...for next fall, given my current rate of completion. Sigh.

Environmental Smugness

2008-07-16T15:14:00.000-07:00

Whenever I do laundry and hang said laundry outside to dry, I always feel a little smug about it. As though I'm not sucking down unnecessary electricity to dry things (towels and sheets in this instance) that the sun, who happens to be out and shining anyhow, can dry for me. Now it amuses me to be smug, because I don't buy into the whole global warming crisis (yes, I'm a fundamentally bad person and a skeptic, so shoot me. Besides, regardless of what the US does policy-wise, China screws us over). I do not, however, think it is at all a bad thing to take action to reduce my carbon footprint. So I'm a little AR about recycling, and harass the male monkey in the house to recycle, and I try to walk instead of drive, although that doesn't work that often. So taking the 50 minutes of drying time out of the dryer and into the sunshine makes me feel warm and fuzzy.
There are drawbacks however. Pretty much since I started college, I've done my laundry with dryer sheets instead of liquid fabric softener. Since I haven't been drying things (see where I'm going here), the line dried items, at least the towels, have the texture of rough grit sandpaper. I get to exfoliate twice when I shower. What makes no sense to me, is that the towels feel all scratchy, but the sheets come out crisp and not scratchy. As do the other clothing I hang out to dry. Is it because of the weave? Do sheets and jeans and shirts have a weave tight enough and not fuzzy so that they don't have the opportunity to get scratchy? Inquiring minds want to know.

You'll also notice in the above picture construction going on. We're building a new fence and tearing down the old one so that we can park more cars on the backside of the house. And have a place for sand and bricks to be put (and not block the alley) for when the rest of the backyard is redone. Mr. Monkey and I aren't yet in agreement on the attack. We just know that we'll be tearing down the deck and building a patio and putting in a large garden. So far, the deck garden seems to be working ok.
I've been looking up ways to freeze basil, as I have a ton of it and it will go to waste if I don't do something with it...of course freezing it means that I need to cook once in awhile. I'm also planning on making pesto, as it's super yummy, but we'll see if that happens. The last time I had a garden I did this too...loved planting it, loved watching it grow, and then was too lazy to harvest anything when it became time. Totally retarded.

In knitting news, I'm about to do the heel on my mermaiden socks. They are knitting up gorgeous and are definitely my favorite Lucky Lurker colorway so far. Although the one I got in the mail yesterday is right fine as well. I'm also translating the Tangled Yoke cardigan into my pattern measurements, since I cast on about 56 stitches less than the pattern called for. Huge difference in gauge. I'm about 2/3 of the way on that. Then I can print it off and knit like there's no tomorrow.

Summer...the love/hate relationship

2008-07-09T11:08:00.000-07:00

It's finally summer in the northwest. The holiday of big booms has passed with only a sprinkle of rain. We had some disturbingly mid-west weather with evening thunderstorms (some which had no rain). And a smacking of muggy-ness. Ick. But that's all past, and it's been a gorgeous 75-85 degree spread with sunshine over the last several days. That's the love part of the summer. Teaching the dog not to fear the water (bought a kiddie pool...he's finally comfortable getting his prissy paws wet), sitting on the deck reading a book, building a fence. Simply enjoying the nice weather.

But along with summer seems to come more commitments. Classes to take, BBQ's to go to, a general lack of sit on the butt and knit time. I seriously feel like I'm never home, and when I am, the dust buffaloes make noises in the corner and I have to take the vacuum to them. They revel in the dog hair Riley's been tossing their way (apparently the only part of German Shepherd he got was the shedding part. He's got short-hair....everywhere).

I finally finished one of the two pairs of socks I was making my dad for his b-day/father's day (yeah, i know that was mid-june...i can read a calendar).
It's Socks that Rock mediumweight in Obsidian, which I like quite a lot. I will likely make a sweater out of Woobu (blend of wool and bamboo) someday...hopefully before they discontinue the colorway/fiber. I started May's Lucky Lurker socks on the train yesterday and have been working (starting over) on my orange cardigan while at home. Now that it's warm out and I have no need for a sweater, I want to get it done (logic? what logic). Wedding plans haven't really gone anywhere. We are madly hunting for a ceremony site, and either running into size issues (again) or the places don't do just a ceremony. I'm hoping to avoid a church ceremony, as they tend to want god involved and force you to use their pastor (which I understand...it is a church). But I want to write out a ceremony that means something to the man and me and use someone we actually know. I know...novel concept. So it's being difficult. In fun news, I get to order my dress next Wednesday. Now I just have to figure out what type of stole/shawl to knit for it :-)

Back with nothing to report

2008-06-30T08:54:00.000-07:00

Got back from vacation last Tuesday night completely wiped out. Family vacations, while great fun to catch up, and in my case, meet some new relatives that I definitely wish lived closer, are exhausting. My idea of a vacation usually entails some downtime with no family politics. This wasn't it. And I'm out of vacation time for quite awhile, especially saving the hours for the honeymoon (where I will be taking 3 weeks off work...WEEEE).

The trip itself was...interesting. I ate as much Malley's sodas as I could (if you're ever in the Cleveland area...go to one. There are 4 that are candy shops AND soda shops...the old fashioned kind. I've had 2 birthdays there, 6 and 19. I loves it). The boy didn't quite know how to adjust to doing nothing. My paternal grandparents like to sit and chat and take naps and not really do much of anything, which can be REALLY nice, but hard to adjust to. So the boy was getting antsy. We went and played mini-golf, and went to the Sugar Shack where they make their own syrups and butter (like strawberry-rhubarb). They provide tastings of everything...and they have close to 20 different flavors of syrup. The tastings are AWESOME though...they give you a little cup of vanilla ice cream, you take a little spoonful and they pour syrup on your spoon. Yum. And we went to a local winery...the oldest in NY. It was pretty laid back.

Then we drove to Wheeling, WV for my cousin's wedding, the reason behind the trip. Catholic ceremony...not quite high mass, but still over an hour. And then the reception, which I hate to say gave me lots of what not to do ideas. And the DJ sucked. Funky Cold Medina isn't really an appropriate wedding reception song...and any DJ that things 'Your mama don't dance and your daddy don't rock and roll' is a country song (keep in mind this is West Virginia), ought to be taken out and shot. But we danced and watched my great aunts drink and after the wedding ended (at 10pm) we sat on the deck with my newly met cousins and BSed...which was great fun. Then we all went to breakfast at the Cracker Barrel (closest is in CO). The boy had eaten something that did not agree with him at the hotel breakfast and like the good sport he is, sat in the car with the AC on trying to sleep while we all ate breakfast...he left for home that night.

Drove back up to Cleveland to spend another 2 days with my maternal grandparents. And my mom and grandma and I went wedding dress shopping...David's Bridal and a little store called Dora's something or rather. And I found THE dress...and there's a shop nearby my house that was on the list to look that carries that designer. So now I just need to go order it. And find a ceremony site, something my mom was harping on about last night.

In non-wedding/vacation news, the bear (riley the wonder dog) went swimming in my parents lake. And by swimming I mean my dad picked him up and carefully put him in the water and he bashed about to shore. We did, by the end of the attempt, lure him onto the rock steps, so his feet were wet, but couldn't get him any farther. Sissy dog.

Vacation

2008-06-15T09:49:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to drop a quick note that I will be out of town and likely computer free for the next week and a half. My cousin is getting married and so I will be hitting 3 states in the next 9 days, Ohio, New York (upstate) and West Virginia. Weather is promising to be in the 70's, which will be a lovely change from the Junuary we've been having here...although today doesn't seem too bad.

Got am email from my assassin. Sock wars is officially over, but she is in the process of finishing my socks...and she lives in Tacoma, so they'll be hand delivered when I get home, which rocks a little. I'm just glad I'm going to be getting a pair. I don't think I'll be participating in this again...seemed really disorganized and a lot of people didn't play by the rules and blah blah blah. Neat idea though.

I'm currently working on a pair of socks that are nearing the ankle. Trying to decide
what to take on the trip with me. Got a Lucky Lurker shipment in the mail...woolen underpants anyone? Cute pattern...but wool underpants? Really? So they will probably be turned into something else...now to go drink coffee, read the paper, and make the packing list...all on the back deck in the sunshine.

See you in a 10 days!

Knitting Mojo

2008-06-08T11:25:00.000-07:00

Losing my mojo wasn't something I thought I'd lose...especially knitting mojo. But I did. And it slowly feels that it's coming back. I think I was knitting too much to a deadline, birthday presents, mother's day presents (although I got off the hook with that one). So I stopped, frogged the gift I was working on, and took a break. Watched tv without having knitting in my hands was kind of a relief. And then I slowly starting up again, something for me, something that had no due date. And so the yoga mat bag. I'm taking a yoga class, and I'm planning on walking there, so I needed some way to easily carry the mat. I finished last night.
I think it turned out pretty well. Should make it easier to walk to yoga. And I'm about to start a new hat. I'm trying not to run overboard and start a million things or go gung ho on the cardigan that's currently sitting and collecting dust. Baby steps..right?

Sweet Monkey Love

2008-06-02T10:49:00.000-07:00

but I'm a slacker. I'm currently sitting in a class for work that will allow me to make more kickass websites (more kickass...not more websites, just to clarify). So I thought I'd steal a few minutes for an update.

I'm still mostly on a knitting hiatus. I'm working slowly on the yoga mat bag, and am close to half done, i think. It'd probably be helpful to actually measure the width of said yoga mat and see how tall I need to make the bag...you'd think I would've already done that but no, I live on the bloody edge. It's almost father's day, and in my spare time I should start the project I was planning for that...althought given my current knitterly sloth, it's doubtful that'll get done.

Took a pencil knitting class at So Much Yarn yesterday, with my dear friend Jen. We had a quick cuppa joe beforehand (yay coffee) and caught up a little before intently staring at our hands for 2 hours. I did like it...it's definitely difficult to get the hands re-coordinated to knit a different way, but I do think it's quicker...and definitely seems nicer from an ergonomic standpoint. And my gauge matches for knit and purl...which is always a plus.

I successfully finished my 10 day fast. Almost broke down on day 7, but remained strong. I don't know that it gave me any more energy than I had before, but I did lose 7lbs, and I am very encouraged to eat healthier (more greens, less white squishy breadstuff). Even the fiancee said he might be able to get used to healthy meals...apparently healthy = bad tasting to him. Silly boy.

On the wedding front, we had it narrowed down to 2 venues, but we've decided that one, the Lake Union Cafe, is probably too small for our guest list, which is a bummer because it's a wicked cool facility, and the Edgewater hotel cost made my mother choke on her tea. So we're back to square one and I'll be calling more places this week. Keep your fingers crossed for me. The goal is to have the venue squared away before we leave for my cousin's wedding on the 16th. It might be dicey.

LYS Tour

2008-05-23T19:20:00.000-07:00

As promised, although later than I wished...this week flew by for no particular reason. Anywho, a report on the LYS tour. Me and my buddy Genypher went on a roadtrip with the aim to hit ALL the stores on the tour...win the $500 jackpot and split it down the middle...I drove. 80 degree weather called for some time with the top down. Genypher got a little burnt...silly girl snubbed sunscreen. At any rate, Thursday evening, post work, we met at Renaissance Yarns in Kent, with the plan to hit the stores in the southend before heading north on Friday. Mission was definitely accomplished. We ended up hitting 6 stores thursday night...Ren Yarns, the Knittery, the Yarn Stash in Burien. I don't remember the three in Seattle we hit, I know one was So Much Yarn downtown, and then Hilltop Yarn (west, not east), where we stopped for Thai food next door after Hilltop closed, but I can't for the life of me remember the other one we hit...maybe Seattle Yarn Gallery in West Seattle?

Friday we got up early, and headed up to Bellingham . We went to the 2 shops on the list, and then hit Apple Yarns, which wasn't on the list but wanted to be. They are fairly new. I highly recommend them. The shop feels great and there's a coffee shop RIGHT next door. And an outdoor seating area. From there we headed south, having a late lunch in Mt. Vernon and ending up with 15 new stamps in our passports...leaving only 3 shops left for Saturday, Churchmouse Yarns & Tea, Tricoter, and Hilltop Yarns East. We also took a break on Friday at Village Yarn & Tea, which was good, as I was getting brain dead. Had good tea, Gen bought yarn for a sweater, and I bought stitch markers. By Saturday, the passport was completely signed off and we went home for naps. You can find the details and names of all the stores here: LYS Tour 2008.I was a good kid too. Came home with one (1) skein of yarn, 1 pattern that wasn't free for the Wallaby Sweater, knitting needles (as I now dislike my bamboo needles), and buttons for my cardigan. Had money leftover. Feeling a mite proud of myself.

As for the rest of my week...I stopped knitting for awhile. I feel like I lost my knitting mojo and i was knitting out of obligation...had to finish the fiance's socks for his birthday, had to start something that didn't require a pattern for the commute...had to start xyz. Notice the had tos and not the get tos. So I laid off for a few days, and then started, for the 3rd time, the yoga bag. Knitting it out a linen/cotton blend in a grassy green color. I'm about 7 inches into it and am liking it a great deal. Only knitting when I'm watching tv or not doing anything else.

I'm also on the 5th day of a 10-day fast. I've been doing pretty good, but today is the first day where I really really want to eat food. So far so good though. I'm definitely going to stick it out for all 10 days. I'm really looking forward to next Thursday though.

Oh, and I bought these shoes: Serena. Super cute and SUPER comfy. Yes, I know I'm bad. I can't help it.

There is death by pointy stick...

2008-05-17T19:39:00.000-07:00

and it's name is Sock Wars. That is simply one of the reasons I have been invisible for the past week. I am ninja. Sock Wars started last friday. There were some, let's say, mishaps getting the dossier. The supreme commander said that dossiers would be sent out starting 12GMT, or 5AM PST. I didn't get my dossier until about 2pm. I'm glad I wasn't one of the crazy people who got up and waited. I would've been SUPER frustrated. I spent a great majority of the weekend knitting a pair of socks out of Tofutsies and neglecting both dog and fiancee. I did get these put into the mailbox on Monday.
They now live in San Francisco with Atipo. I received mostly knitted socks today and have just finished them while catching up on TV. I will sending them off to the UK on Monday. Trans-atlantic socks. Lucky devils.

I have also frogged my dad's father's day gifts...again. At the rate I'm going, he won't be getting them by June. I think I need to take a knitting break. I've noticed that I seem to knit out of obligation...lots of deadline knitting, instead of knitting for the joy of knitting. So I think my knitting mojo has left the building. I started a yoga mat bag, that I had to frog twice, once because it was looking like yarn vomit (darn bamboo needles) and the second time because I lack the ability to do addition. I think I left it with a cast on and no further. It was looking good, just small. Mini yoga mat anyone?

I spent the last 36 hours (approx) going to 25 yarn stores from Kent to Bellingham. Yes, boys and girls, it was the annual LYS Crawl. More on that later. I will say, I only bought one skein of yarn. I think I should get a gold star. Luckily my Lucky Lurker came on Thursday and I got to meet Angie whilst at Renaissance Yarns. She was excited to see a Lurker open their package. I'll post a picture tomorrow, but the colors are gorgeous. Two of the colors I'm thinking of using for my wedding are in it. I heart it.

Hello again...

2008-05-07T21:00:00.000-07:00

So I'm pretending I've been on vacation. It's been quite awhile since my last post, where I dropped quite a big piece of news and then vanished. That was rude. I apologize. I was traveling for work and knitting as quick as I could to finish the now FH (future husbands) birthday socks. Which I did. Two pairs of mens socks in 3 weeks. I'm a little proud. Yes, I know I had plane time, but there were a few visits to the frog pond. Anyhow...

The one on the left is the Gentlemanly Socks pattern in Haida from Blue Moon Fiber Arts. Both of these are Socks that Rock Mediumweight. The socks on the right are Manly Socks in Corbie. I love Corbie. Both of these are really subtle colorways. Black base with blues and blue/greens respectively. I want to make a sweater out of Corbie. That's how much I love it.

I'm currently working on a project for my dad's b-day/father's day. Which happen a day apart. So no pictures of that until after the middle of June. I'm trying to be good and get stuff done early.

I'm also working on the Tangled Yoke Cardigan from Interweave Knits. I'm not doing the tangled part, as it won't show up well in the yarn I'm using. But I really liked the structure.

Not too far yet, as I'm focusing on birthday presents. But I'm really liking it so far.

In non-knitting news, the wedding planning has begun. We're looking at next March, date-wise, and we're going to look at a venue this weekend. I'm overwhelmed by the list of things to do, the catering the music the flowers etc. etc. But thinking about the details? Designing the invitations and seating chart is exciting. Apparently we have to decide on a theme...and not a superhero theme, which is what FH will probably want. Should be interesting to plan.

Not Much to Report

2008-04-22T08:10:00.000-07:00

I'm traveling...again...on business...to St. Louis...for a WHOLE WEEK. I'm thrilled. Absolutely thrilled. It'll be a good meeting, for the team and for my career, but I'm can't knit and I missed the Yarn Harlot book signing at 3rd Street Books last night...which makes me very sad. My great friend Jen took my copy of the her new book with her to get signed. It would've been nice to be there though.

I finished the BF's 1st pair of birthday socks. I LOVE the colorway (corbie from the raven series, mediumweight STR), and the socks turned out well, i think. I started the next pair (in haida) on the plane and will hopefully have them finished by the time I get home...we'll see how much knitting time I actually get.

Saw the Gateway Arch last night...it was a clear night and the lighting was perfect for some cool pictures, which I will post when I get home and can transfer images off my camera. My coworker, who scrapbooks, and I are planning a scrapbooking/yarn shop mission one of these evenings...although I'm trying to be good in anticipation of the yarn crawl next month. We'll see if that happens. I also brought my cardigan, so I won't lack for things to knit.

Oh, and I got engaged on Sunday. So the BF is now the fiancee. This is my ring. Ain't it purty?
So I'm a liar...there is stuff to report :-)

I haven't been slacking...

2008-04-12T18:46:00.000-07:00

I've been flat on my back in bed. The dear boyfriend brought some sort of disease that he got from his parents who got in in Arizona...so it's an imported disease. DBF went to the doctor who told him it was either whooping cough or bronchitis, but was betting it was bronchitis. I started feeling nasty on tuesday, while I was sitting in a business meeting in St. Louis. DBF promised not to get me sick for my business trip but he was a filthy filthy liar.

I made forward progress on DBF's birthday socks and made him GIANT socks while on my business trip. 11.5" in circumference. So it got ripped out and made much smaller. I haven't been working on them much, as I have yet to figure out how to knit in my sleep. No photos as of yet. But they seem a much more normal size.

I got my Offhand Designs clutch in the mail today...it's super pretty. I'll post pictures soon.

Back to my NCIS marathon. There's been lots of sleeping, tv, and orange juice over the last few days...Hopefully life will get healthier soon. I'm trying not to share.

New Bag...and silly mistakes

2008-04-04T11:01:00.000-07:00

I realized, tuesday morning, that I've been happily knitting the fair isle pattern on my feral gloves...and that I knew I was going to be putting a thumb hole in at some time...and that I had definitely done so too late. Actually, I hadn't yet done so at all. So I either need to rip back (ew) or cut a thumb hole. The plan is to cut the thumb hole, but I'm scared to do it all by myself, so it'll wait until the next Feral group I can go to...which won't be for a month because of my business trips to St. Louis. Here's where I currently am on the glove.In more happy news, my Offhand Designs bag came. Well, one of them. The Nina clutch hasn't shipped yet. Anyhow, pictures. The fabric is gorgeous. It was a little smaller than I had imagined it being, but it is surprisingly spacious, and the more I use it, the more I love it. You can leave it on your shoulder and it will stay open while you dig about inside.

Here's a pile of the stuff I am currently traveling with, including a IK magazine, knitting handbook, a skein of sock yarn, my Offhand Designs Travelers Clutch filled with stuff. Plus my wallet, calendar, and notebook.

So far I love it. It's roomy, doesn't look awkwardly large, and is super great quality. I can't wait to get my Nina clutch.

Isn't April Fools Day next week?

2008-03-28T13:47:00.000-07:00

So I realize it's chilly outside. But I also realize that technically, it's spring and it's also the end of March. So imagine my surprise at the ability to take a picture like this:
This is the view from my office window about an hour ago. Yes, that would be snow on the ground, and yes, that would be snow you see falling. It's almost April for goodness sake. Riley did get the opportunity to find out what hail feels like on our walk on Wednesday. He didn't enjoy it. He did, however, enjoy snuffling about in the slush on the back deck instead of going to do his business. He liked chasing snowballs when it snowed earlier this year...in January, when it's bloody supposed to snow. Itty bitty flakes are coming down now, and it never stuck to the roads. I'm going to go join the dog in front of the fireplace and drink my hot cocoa and peppermint schnapps...maybe put on some Goonies for old times sake (my father, random question man, asked me if I knew who Chester Copperpot was without looking it up online. Please. Amateur. Took about 2 seconds to answer. I wanted to be a Goonie. I am a child of the 80's).

I know...I'm a slacker

2008-03-25T20:08:00.000-07:00

I finished the Bellatrix sockies. I took Monday night and sat and knit and listened to an audiobook. It was a lovely evening with the dog and a fire. They turned out well. I like the pattern. I used size 0 on the foot, and I wish I had used it on the rest of the sock too. I cast on 6 fewer stitches than the pattern called for which helped, but it was still a little loose. Maybe knitting on US 1 but taking out an entire repeat. But I love the colorway and in fact, ordered more of it today. I heart blue moon.The progress on the feral gloves. I'm only knitting on them on feral mondays, which I missed last week. This coming Monday there will be more progress.

And the Tapestry vest. The back is done, I'm planning on starting the front tonight. It's pretty soft, but fairly fluffy. It keeps getting caught on itself. It is striping fantastically though.
and yes, that's Riley's nose on the left. He's so curious.

OOH, got the March Rockin Sock Club shipment...it's gorgeous. I wanted to knit it right away. But I'm being good. For awhile anyhow :-)

I haven't forgotten...

2008-03-20T14:33:00.000-07:00

I meant to post over the weekend, but the weekend got away from me. It was rather harried, and while it was greatly productive, I didn't get any pictures of anything, so that will have to wait. I also went on a business trip to So. Cal. Monday and Tuesday and was expected to work (honestly). We did get to the beach and 70 degree weather after a day of meetings on tuesday. Margaritas just taste better by the beach...why is that?

In productivity news, the business trip allowed me to finish the legs of the Bellatrix sockies, and most of the back of the Tapestry vest. I'm hoping to finish the instructions for the back on the train ride home this afternoon. I met up with Jen on saturday, as we needed to buy yarn for our now canceled Bohus class, and so went to the Weaving Works, where I bought 2 skeins of baby bootie yarn (no, i don't recall what type, but i'm betting it's debbie bliss cashmerino) in yummy kerry green and denim blue. I also, and i'm rather excited about this, bought a CONE of 100% tencel (~3600 yds) that i'm going to make into this shawl from the knew knitty (yes, i know i'm punny). It's a gorgeous azure blue color that I kept picking up and putting down. Pictures to come, I promise.

In non-knitting productive news, I finally finished the kitchen cabinets. When I bought the house, the kitchen cabinets were normal, but POs (previous owners) had put in slidey balsa wood ugly things above them for storage, which I promptly ripped out and left the hidden area exposed and in need of paint and spackle. I'm proud to say i finally got to it. The entire kitchen ceiling got 2 coats of paint and now matches the living room and dining room ceilings and is much brighter. and the counters are clear of the empty wine bottles that are no on top of the cabinets. The kitchen looks larger. I wasn't going to allow myself to start a new house project (painting the bathroom) until the two I had started about a year ago were complete (kitchen and guest room). Both are done now, so the bathroom is gonna get it. It'll be turned bright apple green sometime in the near future.

I'll post progress pictures hopefully tomorrow, no guarantees though...I'm off to Lynden for a baby shower and to deliver the BB surprise jacket. Definitely saturday.

I also want to wish everyone a happy sweater day, in honor of the late Mr. Rogers...man knew how to wear a cardigan.

You may have noticed...

2008-03-14T15:31:00.001-07:00

A project has dropped off the list. That's right, I finished the purple socks.I'm rather please with them. I like the look of the stockinette short-row heel (as opposed to the garter stitch i usually do). They need a hot vinegar bath. But they fit rather well and are snuggly warm.

I've started the Bellatrix socks...again. The first attempt had me casting on 60st. and the pattern is a little loose and it felt too big, so it got frogged and restarted with 6 less st. The pattern repeat is 10 st so I just took a st. away. Fits much better now. Although I'm not that far on it. I will probably try a different toe than the one the pattern calls for (which is a normal toe, nothing special, with kitchener at the end...we doesn't like kitchener, although we've gotten much better at it). It has become my traveling sock.

On Wednesday I went to the nearby starbucks where a bunch of tacoma ladies meet to knit. Had a grand time. Planning on making that a regular thing for me. Hurray, a local knitting group i feel i fit in. There was a wide range of skill levels, from scarves to fair isle sweaters, so I think it'll be a good fit for me. They're also planning on having a booth in the Proctor Art Fest walk in August.

In non-knitting news, I finally finished my lightbox. I did a sketch on it, and there are some changes I would make, like having more lights or having the two lights at the bottom and the single at the top, but overall, I'm quite pleased.

How I felt...

2008-03-11T10:26:00.001-07:00

getting out of bed this morning:

Blocking Wires Rock

2008-03-09T12:26:00.000-07:00

Friday came along at the end of what seemed a very long week. I had completely forgotten the DHL man would be coming by with package from Joanns containing my blocking wire kit. I was excited. It came in a long square box, that when stood on end scared the dog (he's skiddish around things that can fall over, like the vacuum, or a box with a golf club in it).
Inside the big box was a skinny tube, which sounded like one of those rain sticks. Riley was less frightened of that.
And inside were blocking wires, a yard stick, and t-pins. It's a beautiful thing.
I finished the work day and then soaked my Backyard Leaves scarf and then blocked it.
I have to say, I love blocking wires. They made life so much easier for blocking. No scalloped edges, no need to use a bajillion pins. Awesome. I think i'm in love. And the finished result, as modeled by a less than thrilled Riley:
I am pleased as punch. Yesterday morning, while the boys (BF and his brother) slept off a night of Halo debauchery, I finished both the scarf and the baby surprise jacket, getting the buttons sewn on last night. I only used 3 buttons, and just sewed up the other two holes. I think it's super cute. Haven't started anything else. I'm still struggling the heel on the purple socks. I finished one heel, but I'm always paranoid about the ankle being too tight, so I'll knit on that one for awhile before starting the other heel. I'm also planning on picking up some Tapestry tonight on the way to my folks for dinner so I can swatch some more for the vest. And there's still Bellatrix I wanted to start. And the BF brought home a new video game...and there's a kitchen project I'm in the middle of and...and...I need to win the lotto so I don't have to work anymore.

BSJ

2008-03-06T20:12:00.000-08:00

The BSJ (baby surprise jacket) is mostly finished. All that is left to do is buy/sew on buttons and sew up the shoulder seams. I was rather surprised at how quickly it went. I think it helped that I had no idea where I was in the project. Anywho, pictures, before magic and after.

I really like it. I think it will be my de facto baby present. Super cute. I will post another picture when it's 100% complete.

I'm going to work on the Bellatrix socks instead of picking a new sweater project to work on. I swatched the Tapestry, and found it way off from what the pattern recommended...and then i decided not to knit the Cherie Amour sweater out of the Wool of the Andes as the weight wasn't bulky enough and I'm not letting myself buy more yarn. So I began hunting for a project to use the Manos Cotton Stria on...and haven't found anything that blows my mind. So i'm procrastinating. I did organize the stash...labeled boxes and everything. Super dorky. It is no longer exploding into the room and trying to run away. Silly yarn. Doesn't it know the dog likes it too?

Weekend Update

2008-03-03T14:09:00.000-08:00

without Tina Fey.

I recovered from Saturday's insanity by finishing off the Backyard Leaves project. And by finished I mean completed knitting. It still needs to be blocked and sewn together. For which I am patiently (no really) awaiting my blocking kit from Joanns. Blocking is not my favorite thing in the world, although I did start to like the project again. And I have oodles of yarn left over. I will keep you in suspense and post before and after pictures together, so you can see the difference...actually it's just to torture you.

I've started the Baby Surprise jacket for my friend's bun. The pattern is not very detailed...apparently Ms. Zimmerman wants you as a knitter to think or something. My friend is due in April with a shower at the end of March, so I needs to get a-knitting. Rumor has it it knits up rather quick. This is what I have so far:

Not too far, but it's forward progress.

The travelling socks:

have apparently been traveling a lot. I'm almost ready to do the heel. I also swatched for a vest made of Tapestry (pattern actually out of the tapestry book). The yarn says it gets 22 st over 4 inches on US 6 needles...and it's a filthy liar. Since I only have a small amount of the yarn, I'm going to buy another ball in a different color (my favorite) and swatch from that. This will also tell me if I'd ever wear something out of that colorway. I've seen pictures, I wasn't impressed. So I don't know what my next big project will be. I have the yarn for this (cherie amour from knitty.com) so I might start that...or a pair of socks that I at least initially need the pattern for. So many options.

Insanity

2008-03-01T17:07:00.000-08:00

What do you get when you have a shop fire, a 50% discount, and a large mailing list?

Insanity.

I wish I had remembered to take my camera, as it was absolutely insane. Hilltop Yarn in Seattle had an electrical fire that closed the shop. Due to insurance, they couldn't sell for profit any of the "damaged" yarns, or anything else in the shop. So they decided to have a 50% off EVERYTHING IN THE STORE fire sale. Somehow, they didn't realize the turnout would be as great as it was. They had 2 cash registers. I'm sure fire codes were broken. It was a madhouse. J and I showed up at 10 and there was already a line. It ended up stretching down most of the block to the corner before the store opened. People actually brought their children. It was difficult to move let alone once in the store and find a particular type of yarn. The only yarn I ended up getting I had picked up while waiting to checkout. I did stock up on needles and a couple books (including Cat Bordhi's "New Pathways for Sock Knitters").
I was hoping they'd have more bags, as I have had my eye on one of Amy Butler's Sweet Life bags, but no luck. I'll hold out for an Offhand Designs bag instead.

Weekend Update

2008-02-25T11:36:00.000-08:00

It was a surprisingly productive weekend. 3 things got finished (although one of them only need it's ends woven in), the kitchen ceiling finally got spackled and needs to now be sanded (gotta love the taste of spackle), had dinner with the folks, and went to watch a tae kwon do class. Something I'm going to start doing as I need to do SOMETHING active.

Anyhow, finished projects.

Pap's b-day scarf. Horizontal herringbone stitch pattern. 1 skein of Cascade 220 (yeah, i was surprised too). 6' long and ~5" wide (width varies...blocking wires on order from joanns)

Rockin' Sock Club January colorway and pattern. Dragon Dance and Serendipity, respectively. Pattern calls for a 60% short row heel, which means no gusseting for me :-)

And finally (and I really mean finally) the Bambuzzled scarf from Cookie A. for BMFA. I bought the yarn at Madrona last year and hassled Blue Moon until they had the pattern available...knit it up on the roadtrip to AZ, and then didn't weave in the ends. I think the lacy pattern confused me. Anyhow, it's done now. I can definitely tell there were things I hadn't learned yet when I knit this...like casting off loosely or remembering to cable all the stuff I was supposed to cable.

I really like the way it drapes (thank you bamboo). The yarn is Bambu from BMFA...which I can't find on their site, so maybe it was a limited time thing. We'll see if it gets worn.

I have the January Lucky Lurker yarn on the needles to make a simple pair of socks. Didn't need purple mittens, which is the pattern that came with the yarn. Bright, rich purple. Need to start a big project, like a vest or a sweater or something. My mom is under the impression that I shouldn't buy yarn until I finish a project...like I shouldn't have a stash or something. She doesn't understand :-)

Yarn Yarn Yarn

2008-02-20T14:39:00.001-08:00

So I've discovered lately that I have not had much knit time...lots or projects (4 on the needles) yet less time to knit. I've also admitted that I do indeed have a stash, and it has (especially after Madrona) turned into a respectable stash. I'm gonna work on that. The problem, I feel, is that I only have 2 hands, and I have a job. Although if I had more than 2 hands I don't think I could make them do different knitting projects, given that one time I tried to play a drumset and whichever set of limbs I wasn't focused on seemed to hit the drums together, regardless of what they were doing when I was paying attention to them.

Anyhow, I have a stash. According to Ravelry (and i'm a little embarrassed to admit this), I have 10 miles of yarn. 10....MILES. And i want to knit it all now. Right now. All of it. Which of course is impossible. As promised, some photos.

The Geisha in Thraven (995 yds...didn't help the mileage).

I do love this colorway. In the baby boucle it's very very subtle, it looks mostly grey. The photos i took of that didn't come out well. The Ms LaRock turned out better, but still kind of looks like yarn vomit...vomit I won't mind cleaning up.

Given that I bought a total of 2000yds of this fiber, it's no wonder the mileage is so high. I need to knit a swatch to see what it looks like. I'm excited.

And the latest finished socks

I really like the twisted ribbing and I think I will be using it again. And the colorway is everything I had hoped for. I've currently got the January Rockin Sock Club socks on the needles and have a couple inches of leg. I need to finish up my grandfather's scarf (pictures to follow) before I play with other projects, as I need to block it by Friday and send it off by Sunday. I'm wishing I had put a border on it, but I'm 20" in and unwilling to rip back. Such is life.

Madrona Winter Festival

2008-02-18T09:16:00.000-08:00

The Madrona Winter Fiber Arts Festival occurred over the weekend. I had made the decision not to take any classes as there weren't any that completely jumped out at me, and I wanted another year of knitting under my belt (I know, not rational, but it makes sense in my head), but next year, I will definitely be taking classes.

I did, however, attend both the talk by Lucy Neatby and the banquet saturday with Judith MacKenzie McCuin and of course the marketplace (curse the marketplace). I saw the Yarn Harlot and was mesmerized by her knitting technique. She's wicked fast. I suggested she hold a class next year to teach us slow-pokes how to knit quick. Her fingers were a bit of a blur.

Lucy's talk was interesting. She spoke about her design process, influences, what got her started. She lurves intarsia. Seriously loves it. Some of her work is, incredible...insane, but incredible. She has piles of patience that I know I don't have. Very impressive.

Judith spoke about the bison. I now know more that I ever thought I wanted to about buffaloes. Pretty cool animals...and their down spins up SUPER soft. Apparently babies are cuddly. It was a really interesting session.

Onto the marketplace. I walked through Friday morning with Jen (who i'm trying to convince to guest blog as she took classes EVERY DAY). I had a budget, and a goal...1 skein of heavyweight STR for a baby surprise sweater, size 4 circs for socks, and yarn for a scarf for my grandfather's b-day. I achieved those goals, and also picked up a ballwinder (hurrah) and 2 skeins of Raven STR in lightweight. The Raven series, is...gorgeous. I'm actually amazed that I didn't just grab all the colorways, but I was good. Came in $10 under my budget. Jen went off to class, I fondled some Casbah and Sea Wool but was a good kid and went home. Then when I came back to pick her up for dinner, she casually suggested another stroll through. The willpower broke, and I bought 4 skeins of baby boucle (2 sweaters) from Blue Moon, and a skein of Geisha, in one of the Raven colors (thraven to be exact). One of the baby boucle sweaters is Thraven as well (I told you it was gorgeous). Seriously blew out the budget though. And the funny part (funny to me) was that I felt I had to hide it from the BF when I got home...like I was an addict or something (totally not). I made him pet it all instead. He pretends to be interesting.

I'll be posting pictures of the new yarn...and the FOs from last week. The sweater is dry and got compliments from Tina at Blue Moon and others (I was called an over achiever...i'm ok with that). And the Sock-ra-tease are done as well, and I loves them. The colorway is everything I had hoped it would be.

And so we wait...

2008-02-10T11:31:00.000-08:00

and wait...and wait...

What are we waiting for you ask? Well, on Friday I did something I had been putting off for a few days (why, i'm not entirely sure).

The sweater got blocked. It started off looking like this:

And then it got a nice bath in the sink, and placed on a large garbage bag on the bed in the guest room. And now it's Sunday, and it's still not completely dry. Granted, that room doesn't get super warm, but I did open the heat vent to let air blow a little. So I was waiting to post until i could try the thing on and show it off...but that appears to be a few days from now.

In other news, my mother has decided she wants to learn how to knit, and so I am teaching her. First thing she has to do is unlearn throwing, and practice picking. And then there shall be socks (her first project is a sock...thought I'd toss her into the deeper end, and she loves socks).

The sock-ra-tease socks are going ok. I'm at a point where i think i'm going to rip out the waste yarn and do the heel, just so i don't get all the way done with the leg and have to frog the darn thing again. The next project, I think, is going to be a scarf (Backyard Leaves from IK Holiday 2006, a picture of which i can't find anywhere). It will be knit from the Painted Skeins green sparkly yarn I have. It'll look smashing against my black coat.

Hopefully tomorrow I'll have more to report on the sweater...I want to wear it sometime soon.

As promised...

2008-02-01T16:04:00.000-08:00

PICTURES!!

Sweater in progress...I ripped out the neck last night, as I decided I didn't like the turtleneck and it fit weird...so that'll hopefully get resolved tonight (the bf is at class and the house & TV are mine...ALL MINE).

Yes, that's Riley's nose...he wouldn't move. Ooh, sweater, he said.

And the sockies...it's hard to tell, but I'm doing a rotating rib...6 rows and then over one. I'm about an inch from the heel, which is an afterthought, which is my new skill with these socks.

And the pair...they look a little phallic to me, but I have a dirty mind.

Decreasing evenly

2008-01-31T08:48:00.000-08:00

I have 5 inches left to go on the sweater before I get to spend quality time weaving in ends and soaking/blocking (which will make it smell not so great). I should finish up tonight, I'm a little excited. My first sweater. Hopefully it will fit.

The instructions are written for 5 different sizes, so it has a list of decreases based on the size you are making...and you are supposed to 'decrease evenly' around the row.

Now, I was a math major in college. I have a bachelor's degree that says I is smart in math. And I can not for the life of me figure out how to decrease evenly. Granted it was getting late and I was tired and just wanted to get one more row in and therefore did not have the patience to make an algorithm, but still. I felt frustrated that my mad math skillz were failing me. So I did a google search, and found this site:

http://www.thedietdiary.com/knittingfiend/tools/EvenlySpace.html

This site has you enter the number of stitches you start with and the number you need to decrease by and then magically tells you how to do it in two different ways. Brilliant I say. There are also links to other calculators, like increasing evenly. Very handy. It's been bookmarked.

I need to take more in progress pictures. Turns out the yarn crisis was blown a bit out of proportion, and now i have more yarn that i need (at least one full skein). But I've been told it felts well, so I'll make something out of it.

My sockratease socks are going well. I am please with them, although now that they are striping they look a little patriotic (granted they're orange instead of red, but it looks more coral when it's just a striped). Regardless, I'm liking the duet sock yarn.

Pictures tomorrow...I promise.

Burn baby burn

2008-01-26T10:24:00.000-08:00

I'm feeling a little on fire. I finished the Casbah socks...AND I LOVE THEM. Seriously, if they weren't smelly, I'd sleep with them. The way they stripe, the pooling of the color, the softness, they are everything I could ever hope for. I'm totally sold on Handmaidens yarns. And their customer service is great. I emailed them asking if I should give the socks a vinegar bath and they got back to me the next day with some tips. I will DEFINITELY be buying from them again. I'm itching to try their Sea Silk or Great Big Sea (both with seacell).

In other news, I finished a scarf for my grandmother's birthday (and it's not even until next thursday). She really liked the scarf I made for my uncle for christmas, and so I used the same colors (but more muted), and made a lengthwise scarf with fringe. I like it better than the one I made my uncle, I think because you couldn't wave down a 747 with it. Behold...

Scarf in Falcons colors. The yarn is Cascade 220, which I also used to make the Matrix mittens and I really like them. And I have leftovers.

The sweater is progressing. I joined the sleeves to the body yesterday and now just need to finish up the yoke. Ran out of yarn (stupid gauge) and had to buy more in a different dyelot. Three more skeins. I'm hoping to finish it up this weekend and wash it up, as it will bloom and magically be the right size. My first sweater.

My next commuter project will be the Sock-ra-tease (pdf) socks from Renaissance Yarns that they handed out during last year's LYS crawl. Hurray for socks. So far I'm on target to reach my knitting goals (but it's only January, so I have plenty of time to frack that up).

What's important?

2008-01-22T13:35:00.000-08:00

No photos today, as I will be relaying a dream i had, and I allow no photos of me while I sleep (talk about boring).

I awoke from a dream at 4am this morning realizing what, at least in my subconscious, the most important thing in my life is. In the dream, I was with 3 of my college friends, and we were at my townhouse (which I sold a little over a year ago), having just come back from event in an outdoor amphitheatre (where i sat with my high school physics and math teachers) and left due to some natural catastrophe (like a tsunami). Cut to the house, and River from Firefly (and the new Terminator series) informed us that we had 10 minutes to pack up and get out of the house before we were killed or the house was demolished or something. So what do I spend my 10 minutes getting? Chocolate and yarn. Apparently that's all I need from the house and my pile of stuff, at least in my dreams. In real life I'd grab my passport too.

So my question...what's important to you? what would you grab if you only had 10 minutes in your house?

Late...but eventually

2008-01-20T12:31:00.001-08:00

I promised photos of the Jamieson yarn when it came in...well, it came in a week ago...and I was too lazy to photograph it. You'll remember the gloves it's going to be turned into and see if you can picture the colors:

I haven't cast on yet, or done a swatch. I'm busily trying to finish the socks, so I can have more socks to wear. Silly dryer.

My parents brought over my lurker sock yarn package on friday...the colorway is gorgeous, very interesting. Not at all colors I would pick out. And the pattern is not a sock pattern, which dismayed my mother a bit. I haven't decided if I'm going to make socks or the pattern. Thoughts?

The dryer ate it

2008-01-17T09:33:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a bad day for laundry. The BF left an atomic fireball in his jeans pocket (with, luckily for him, not damage done), and I shrunk one of my socks...Hedera in Socks that Rock lightweight. It fits the dog now.

There's video of him attempting to take it off (thus becoming a three legged dog) and then running away from me when he finally does. Pretty hilarious...there were tears of laughter.

The socks mate is happily drying on the clothes rack, having been washed on delicate and not dried at all. Sadly, it does not know that it's twin has left it to join the circus and become a sock monster...raaaar.

They said she had two left feet...

2008-01-08T08:37:00.000-08:00

but they didn't mention anything about two left hands.

I realized this morning as I was feeding the mutt that I was, in fact, making a second left handed mitten. Now, I was born with the normal hands, one left, one right, so I had two decisions...continue on the current path and wear a mitten palm side up on my right hand, or rip back to the start of the thumb gusset and put the thumb in the correct location. I chose the latter option and ripped out about an inch and a half of mitten directly after getting my morning coffee. There was traffic on the commute, so I'm almost back to where I was, about 2 rows short in fact. There went the pipe dream of finishing the mitten and starting on socks.

I ordered the yarn to make my feral glove. Jamieson's Spindrift in some fun colors. Hopefully they'll go together as well in real life as they did on the internet. I'll post pictures when they come in.

2008 Goals and the latest yarn

2008-01-07T11:01:00.000-08:00

The foothills are getting snow, heavy snowfall is predicted in the mountains (30 inches+) and the roads in the morning are icy...all this leads this monkey to think that warm hands are a VERY good idea (as are heads and feets and torsos, but I only have 2 hands to knit with. my feets have yet to be that coordinated).

My cohort in knitting crime, Jen and I have decided to engage in a 2-woman knit along. The gloves come from a book titled Knitting Fair Isle Mittens & Gloves, which is sadly out of print. I'm knitting in Jamieson's Spindrift, as is Jen, in completely and totally different colors. I'm looking forward to it, although I'm totally jonesing for a pair of socks. Alas, that must wait a bit longer.

As for 2008 knitting goals, mine are such:
1) Knit one pair of socks each month (as I have tons of sock yarn lazing about)
2) Knit four sweaters (hopefully one a quarter, but we shall see. TopSecret needs to be cast back on)
3) Knit one other small project each month (mittens, gloves, hats, etc). this is in addition to the socks.
4) Finish all christmas knitting by Dec. 1 (this is for my sanity and to hopefully avoid staying up until 1:30AM on xmas eve...for knitting reasons).

I've created a handy little spreadsheet (with pretty colors) to keep track of all this. Ambiguity is my enemy.

The stop at Renaissance Yarns yesterday was successful. Instead of buying yarn for the mittens (which I did online this morning at Nestucca Bay Yarns) I bought some silk lace by Claudia's Hand Painted. It's beautiful and so soft. I will post a photo after I've taken one. I've stopped short at carrying it around with me, but it's tempting.

Saturday at the monkey house

2008-01-05T19:06:00.000-08:00

So I've been working on the Matrix mitten from this issue of Knitty for the second time this morning (gauge is in fact, the devil, i made a complete hand condom the first time, cute, but a little constricting) and got this far.

Before I realized that my thumb didn't play well with the rest of my fingers and I should make something to separate it from it's fingermates. This was my expression upon realizing that the pattern said 7 rounds in pattern, not 7 repeats of the chart (which is what my brain read).

So here's the finished mitten minus the thumb. I must say I like it quite a lot, now that I'm getting gauge, but I had to go up three needle sizes from the patterns recommendation. THREE. That seems like an awful lot to me, although I've been assured it's normal.

In other news, before the new year, my good friend Jen and I took a trip to Bainbridge Island to go to Churchmouse Yarns as they were having a get rid of yarn for the spring stock sale. I made out pretty well. It was 40% off sale yarns and books and 50% if you bought 10 skeins of the same yarn. What you see is my loot.

On the left is the only not on sale item, a skein of HandMaiden Casbah sock yarn. I made the mistake of touching it and ogling it's colors as I walked by and I was sunk...and the BF told me to splurge. You know it's bad when you text him to define splurge. Next up is Rowan Tapestry. I bought 5 skeins, as that's all they had in this colorway, and while it's not the colorway I've been lusting after but not allowing myself to buy (as the sweater will be close to $100 worth of yarn), 40% off and in a nice go with lots of things color will make a lovely vest. I also (not pictured) purchased the Rowan Tapestry Collection book, which has said vest and calls for exactly 5 skeins. Moving along to the lovely orange colored skein. This is Manos Cotton Stria from Manos del Uruguay. I snagged 10 skeins (for 50% off) and will be making a sweater (pattern unknown) from it. Last, but certainly not least, is another impulse by...but on sale. 10 skeins of Kimona Angora from Louisa Harding. Divine to pet (and i'd be doing it now were I not typing). I've been taking it with me and making people touch it. It too will become a sweater. I have a couple pattern ideas, but nothing solid as of yet. I've been told that angora is warmer than wool, so it'll be something loosely knit.

In other news, after finishing the mitten and having the BF make sure we got the Seachickens game in the basement somehow, destruction began.

This was the start of the rest of my saturday. Most of the room's sheetrock has been torn down and we discovered just how lame and lazy the people who finished the basement were. It was, well, astounding to say the least. I've always been of the, if you're going to bother doing it, you should do it right, camp, and I realize that not everyone else is, but crimany.

Anywho, more on this year's goals and the knit-along I'll be starting on Monday later. Will be going to the yarn store (yay) tomorrow and spending the gift card (yay) on new yarn. I was hoping to save it for some laceweight to make a shawl/scarf thingie, but it might go to the new project, we shall see.

Christmas Roundup

2007-12-27T10:33:00.000-08:00

A posting about presents given and received.

As I said before, everyone loved their gifts. I already showed the two scarfs for my aunt and uncle (see auntie scarf posted several days ago). My mom's gift:

was well received..she put it on like she was a pirate (back on her head with her bangs showing...rather amusing). My dad put his socks on immediately and wore them all day.

Those are on my feet, hence the baggy-ness.
The aunt and uncle also wore their scarves...The uncle was excited to have a scarf for when he rakes the baseball field at 5am in March in Cleveland. He'll be toasty now at least.

As for me, I got several books, Stitch 'n bitch and Stitch 'n Bitch Nation, a knitter's answer book, a 365 pattern 2008 calendar, stupid sock monsters (hurray), giftcards to bookstores (yay) and a gift card to Ren. Yarns from the bf's parents (again, hurray).

So merry slightly belated christmas to all...we had a bit of snow, but it vanished before we had to drive anywhere, thankfully. was very pretty to open presents by though.

On the needles...new hat with sparkles...in the queue...sweater socks, scarf socks

OH, and most importantly...i am not a lurker. hurray!

Top 10 Reasons not to wait until the last minute

2007-12-26T17:52:00.000-08:00

So, being the genius that I am, I realized on Saturday ( 3 days before Christmas) I decide that everyone except my uncle was getting a handknit present, he needed one as well. So I decided to make him a scarf of his college colors (he's head baseball coach at Notre Dame College). Anyhow, it turned out well, and he likes it a lot, I just need to plan ahead a little better...so, the top 10 reasons not to decide to knit something 3 days before christmas, even if it's just a scarf and it's just garter stitch.

1. your boyfriend goes to bed before you because he's too tired to stay up
2. the dog chooses bed over a movie on the couch
3. the jammies you get every year on christmas eve from santa gets opened too late for anyone to see them.
4. 1:30 comes around and you are still vertical with your eyes open
5. you're so keyed up from getting everything done, the knitting, the label making, that it takes another hour for you to fall asleep
6. you wonder what would happen if zombies would attack the house, where would you hide, how would you fight back...would they really eat your brains?
7. you begin to hate the garter stitch. it is the devil and you wish it would die
8. you were forced to go with an acrylic yarn, because your LYS doesn't have a) the right colors (bright blue, yellow, and white) in anything that's b) not outrageously priced. I'm not a fan of the local LYS...i'm still partial to renaissance yarns. and the people weren't super helpful. and their return policy sucks a little.
9. i don't like acrylic yarn. at least this particular acrylic...and i went to joanns to see what they had...wasn't impressed.
10. you make mistakes like this.

Do ya see what's wrong with it? look at the top...little backwards no? i was doing really well on making the new yarn join only show up on one side until the clock hit about 1am. hopefully, he won't notice. The scarf, other than my little mishap, turned out pretty well.

More on the christmas fun later...it was a very yarn related holiday...and everyone lurved their gifts.

Christmas Present Update

2007-12-21T16:47:00.001-08:00

I finished my dad's xmas gift...pictures posted on ravelry. They turned out really well. I tried a new bind-off, which i also like, and was super easy.

In other news, I finally got around to doing the Wool Monkey labels. I really like the way they turned out. A lot. And they make me feel clever.

I still need to buy yarn for one more gift...which will hopefully happen tomorrow, and finish up my stalker's present...or start it, actually. I'm also teaching a class in procrastination. I'll put the time schedule up later.

Another one almost bites the dust

2007-12-19T17:59:00.000-08:00

I am less than an inch from finishing my father's xmas present. When I do, I will post the finished product on ravelry, and will show all the presents after the recipients have received them. So i should only have 1 gift left to make, and it's not knitted, but oh no, i decided that since everyone except my uncle (he and his wife will be in town, i'm a little excited) was getting something handknit...he should too. Which means a trip to the yarn store (oh boo) and a mad rush to get things finished. I'm picking something pretty easy, but it has a couple colors, just to keep things exciting.

In non-knitting news, this is the first christmas for my puppy. He's the one wearing the eyeball scarf. and helping me wind yarn. He's about 9 months (pound puppy) and while he weighs 60lbs and seems full grown, definitely still gets into mischief. I came home after being gone a mere 1.5 hours, and found the house smelling particularly tree-like...yet from the kitchen the tree didn't look like it had moved or lost anything. The dining room rug, on the other hand, had been redecorated with santa parts. Because nothing says christmas like regurgitated santa. And i discovered that, while the tree had not been knocked over, it had been dragged across the living room in what i'm sure was a flavorful game of tug of war, where the tree won. I'm just glad i decided to just put lights on it...all the ornaments are tucked away in boxes where the mutt can't get to them. We had words. He'll now look at me innocently while taking a sidelong bite of branch. Rascally Riley.

Another one down

2007-12-11T21:57:00.000-08:00

Another christmas present down. Mom's gift will be posted after christmas and can currently be seen on ravelry. So there's only two fabric projects left. and i was reminded that i need to make a stained glass suncatcher by christmas for the BF's brother. Shouldn't take long, I just need to make sure i have the glass to do it.

13 days left. plenty of time.

Fun with a Nostepinne

2007-12-09T14:41:00.000-08:00

So i practice with my nostepinne using a not too large ball of scrap yarn. and this is what i got on my first try.

Now, it may look good, but it took me about 25 minutes to ball it. which isn't exactly an efficient use of time, although it passed the time spent in a boring work meeting. snooze-ville. in an hour, i only made 2 balls (using the same yarn). i would let it fall to the floor while i worked, and the dog became interested.

Mom, it's moving. Don't let it get away.

Don't worry, I caught it for you.

Such a good boy, helping his mother out.

In other news, I have finished both the boyfriend scarf and the auntie scarf.

Two projects down, three to go. I've restarted mom's present...and still need to wind the yarn on dad's. 15 days til christmas.