Fiber happy

January project done!

2011-01-24T10:17:00.000-05:00

I finished Saroyan on the 16th, and I have worn it under my coat when I have gone out. It is nice and warm though the top garter edge keeps folding over. I might try to block it again, but I think it is because of the St st in the main body.

Saroyan Check-in

2011-01-15T16:55:00.001-05:00

Well it is half way into January and the first self imposed project is one ball away from possible being done. I only say possibly because I added two leaves to the pattern and I am almost certain I have enough yarn, almost. Even after I have done the math I always tend to feel as maybe I didn't plug in the numbers right and there for will be horribly short on yarn. Then again I have that feeling when ever I do math.

The first night was for getting a gauge swatch done, and by the second I had two leaves done.

As of this afternoon I have nineteen leaves finished and only five more to go. I think this is a lovely beginner's lace project and can be adjusted for width or length with no trouble.
In case you are wondering the yellow string in the above picture is where I will need to rip back if I don't have enough yarn for the extra leaves.

New Year, another go.

2010-12-29T13:21:00.000-05:00

OK I did not reach my New Years Resolution by a long shot. Mainly I kept thinking I have plenty of time no need to rush. Then all of a sudden it was October... sigh. Also why there has been no blog post for almost a year. I am most shammed in this.

This year I will be following Yarn Harlot's example by doing a self imposed monthly knitting project club. (Yes I know she did just socks, but I don't knit socks that fast)

I have already picked out the patterns and the yarns to go with them.

In no particular order:

(p.s. pattern links are Ravelry links unless I can find one elsewhere on the web)

Tilting Tardis - Knit Picks Gloss in Dusk
Jaywalkers - Berroco Comfort Sock in Beachhouse
Veyla - Knit Picks Palette in Forest Heather
Grown-Up Booties - Knit Picks Shamrock in Quinn
Damson - Malabrigo in Archangel
Earl Grey - Knit Picks Bare Superwash Fingerweight
Anastasia Socks - Miss BabsWindsor Hand Painted Sock Yarn in Nell
Lavalette - Knit Picks Shadow in Oregon Coast
Saroyan - Karabella Aurora 8 in Denim Blue (don't know the color name)
Citron - Malabrigo Lace in Blue Surf
Snuggly Neck Warmer - Jojoland Superwash Melody in MS16 (non Ravelry picturelink)
Knitter's Handy Carry All Kit - Knit Picks Wool of Andes Bulky in Oregano and Emerald
*Reserve*Simple Sock in Three Sizes - Knit Picks Felici in Schooner

I have a pattern in reserve because I don't know how long the Carry all Bag is going to take me to finish as I am about half done on it. I promised my husband that it would get on the list as the kit was a birthday present from him. That he gave me in 2009... :) oops.

To break it down: 4 pairs of socks, 4 shawls, 2 cowls, 1 pair of gloves, and 1 bag.

I have two days to figure out if it will be a mystery grab bag or a scheduled list. I am leaning towards mystery grab bag, but I know I want to work on Saroyan first.

I know what I'll do. I will bag all the patterns with appropriate yarn and then:

The rotation will be : shawl, sock, then misc. My husband agreed to pick the next projects so I don't look and cheat as to which shawl, sock, or misc. project I pick.

All but one fit into the basket and I figured since I wanted to start with the Saroyan Shawl I would just leave that one on top. It also is the biggest bag as it has four balls of yarn in it.

So here is to the New Year 2011!!!

The New Year Resolution

2010-01-03T11:14:00.000-05:00

This year my resolution is going to be knitting orientated.

Knit five pairs of socks, one pair being for hubby.
Knit at least two lace scarves.

So those are my goals. I can knit other projects of course, but the socks and scarves must be done by the end of the year.

Should be.

2009-12-19T14:09:00.000-05:00

I should be knitting, I know that. The scarves are done and there are several projects awaiting me.
The problem is I am in the middle of a blizzard. I have never been in a real blizzard before. They just don't really have in Virginia, or I should say the part of Virginia I grew up in.

That picture above is of my neighbors steps....you CAN"T SEE THEM ANYMORE!!
I'm a little nervous about this. That was taken around noon, and now there is about 14 inches of snow.

The snow is still falling so I am going to start knitting, in hopes that it will calm my growing nervousness. Fiber will help, fiber wil help, fiber will help, fiber will help.

Charity scarves

2009-11-16T19:22:00.000-05:00

Well here they are right to left: First we have Lion Brand Wool Ease in Blue Heather- done in a simple garter stitch, Red Heart Super Saver in ??,- done in Double Cable Scarf from One Skein, unknown mystery yarn in Hunter Green- done in Garter stitch with fringe, Lion Brand Wool Ease in Camel?- done in Basket Weave with Seed stitch border, Lion Brand Jiffy in Heather Blue-done in Garter Stitch.

The only scarf that I used a whole skein for was the Jiffy. The others (not the red one) used a bit less than a skein, as that was all that was left.

Here is number 6: Lion Brand Wool Ease in Grey Heather- using the One Row Handspun Scarf pattern from Yarn Harlot.

I have knit about half way, maybe.

Here is a closer look at the design.

6

2009-11-13T17:46:00.000-05:00

I am now on scarf #6. I will post some picture of the ones I have done so far probably tomorrow, when there is better lighting. I hope anyway.

For the #6 scarf I dug through the scarf patterns I already had on my computer. The winner was a pattern from Yarn Harlot. It can be found in her archives with this date: October 12, 2006. Not really sure what the name is, but the blog title is One Row Handspun Scarf. The pattern is the same on both sides and as the title indicates it is a one row pattern. Very easy to remember, and to adjust width. Both important factors for scarf possibility.

I really do hope there is some sunlight tomorrow, or at least the rain stops long enough for me to go outside to get some post worthy pictures.

A lotion with knitters in mind

2009-10-27T22:58:00.000-04:00

I was over at Darcys Knotty Knitter blog reading her latest blog. It happens to be about a giveaway she is doing. I like her giveaways.
Anyway the product happens to be a mini lotion sampler bag from Local Gringo.
Her lotion are called happy hands, well here I will let her tell you about them.

How "Happy Hands" Happened

I originally formulated Happy Hands for myself, after I tried -- and failed! -- to find a commercial product that worked for me.

Up here in the high mountain desert, dry hands are a year-round problem. I needed a creamy lotion that would deeply moisturize & soften my hands, but absorb quickly and NOT leave a greasy residue on my hands that would transfer to my knitting. And of course, it had to smell wonderful!

It took me a year to work out this formula: a lotion that is so very thick and creamy so you only need a small dollop, quickly absorbed, nourishing and moisturizing with NO greasy residue; and glossy pure white, because I don't want to add any artificial colors to my products.

Once I got the exact formula & feel that I wanted, I discovered that all my friends wanted Happy Hands, too ... So I've decided to try it out in my Etsy store.

I thought since I have heard quite a few knitters mutter now and then about dry hands, this might be a good thing to post here.

So check out and enter the *Giveaway* . Also check out the esty shop because she has other great things on there too.

Project list time

2009-10-17T13:10:00.000-04:00

It is time to list my WorkInProgress. OK it is more like Work(s)InProgress.

Corkscrew Scarf (for Christmas present)
Hearts and Flowers Socks (taking a slight snooze)
Tea top (on hold for charity knitting)
Charity scarves (trying to finish 10 before December rolls around)
Market Monteagle Bag (Hibernating)

I had two other sock projects that I have frogged. One because the yarn is just not working for me as socks. As for the other one, the "On-Hold" pattern would look better with another yarn I have in my stash.

The Monteagle Bag will not be frogged or forgotten. The yarn is fine, the pattern is not that complicated , everything about it is a "thumbs up" for me. I just have to pay attention to which stitch gets knitted through back and front, and which gets dropped on the next round.

I will do the pattern up to the point where I have to drop stitches, then I count and I am off by a stitch or two, which means something went wonky. So that will have to be knitted when there is no wee one around that needs to be watched, and there is nothing pressing that needs my attention.

The charity scarf assembly line is chugging right along. As I am using stash to make all ten, I have all the yarn for this project lined up already to go. There are two finished at this point, and the third is half done. I am sticking with a simple garter stitch, but slipping the first stitch of every row. Great travel project for me to take along where ever I go.

My daughters Tea top WILL be finished in time for her to wear it next year. I mean all I have to do is knit back and sew the sides together. Plus I even have enough of the yarn to make two tops. It will get done in time. I am not pushing it back to the last minute. It is just on hold until I get the aforementioned scarves done.

Hearts and Flowers socks are taking a snooze until I can determine if I am happy with the pattern turning out smaller with the Malabrigo sock yarn I am using. That may not happen until I take it to the LYS and have some other knitters look at it and give me there opinion on the matter. I have no problem with ripped out every stitch if I find out that the pattern will not open more, no matter what I do.

Now the Corkscrew scarf, well that is just a breeze to do. In fact I had to stop myself from starting another pattern repeat to write this. The actual twist of this scarf is achieved by working on half the stitches doing short row repeats. If you are wary of short rows this scarf is good practice for the Wrap & Turn you have to do.

OK that is all for this project update post. You all have a good week end.

New Contest

2009-08-19T20:19:00.000-04:00

I found a new contest and the prizes are....BOOKS!!!
Yeah books, love it.

THE MEGA PALOOZA CONTEST!
Celebrating 200 followers, more than half a year of blogging, and countless tears & blood generated by all the writing, editing, and reading.

20 books---3 winners.

The list of prizes:

- Signed copy of Dreaming Anastasia + Goodies

- Hardback Another Faust

- Hardback Prophecy of the Sisters

- ARC Eyes Like Stars + Backstage Pass Bracelet and some Theater-Theme Swag.

- ARC The Dark Divine

- ARC Hush Hush

- ARC Give Up The Ghost

- ARC Ash

- ARC Behind Every Illusion

- ARC Shiver

- ARC The Demon's Lexicon

- ARC Betraying Season

- ARC Any Given Doomsday

- Dead Until Dark

- Gossip Girl 1st Book

- The Black Tatto + poster

- Vampire Academy

- Frost Bite, a Vampire Academy Novel.

- Shadow Kiss, a Vampire Academy Novel.

- Blood Promise, a Vampire Academy Novel.

Please tell her I referred you if you chose to place an entry.

Lynn's Top

2009-07-06T16:07:00.000-04:00

I finished the back!
Now onto the front.

I held it up to my little model, but then she grabbed and ran away. Well I did tell her it was for her. I have to be careful how I say things.
Sigh

Out of my ever lovin mind

2009-06-29T18:16:00.001-04:00

OK this Tea Party Top is easy, a piece of cake. Everything in the instructions I have done before hundreds of times. Cast ons, knit , purl, decreases, bind offs, slip sts on to holder, etc.

I CAN'T GET PAST THE 9 INCHES OF STOCKINETTE OF THE BACK FOR SOME UNGODLY REASON!!!!! I HAVEN'T EVEN STARTED THE FRONT!!

OK sorry about that, but I feel better. The mistakes have been of the "not paying attention" verity. I have also needed to put it down to keep a particular little girl from doing various things that she should not be doing.

(playing with cords, poking laptop screens, petting the cat to eagerly, putting wipes in mouth, running away with the yarn mommy is knitting with, etc)

You begin with 4 rows of Garter st, well on the last 10 sts of the 4th row I decided to purl. ???? huh???

Rip back, OK got that straightened out, now onto the St st. Good 75 sts, good...

Finished another 2 inches and noticed that a few stitches an inch down don't look like lovely V's with their base open. No their bases are crossed. Damn.

Tink back those sts and fix them so they are proper knit V's.

Count sts, still have 75 sts :)

Got through about an inch, then was forced by my daughter to put it down mid-row to chase her down and pull carpet fuzzies out of her mouth.

(an inch later)

Wait a minute..what is that funny hole??? AHHH!!!

Ripped back to find out that when I picked up my knitting, after fishing around Lynn's mouth, that I never finished the row. I just turned it around and knitted back across the aforementioned unfinished row.

I knitted a few rows last night and so far (searching for wood to knock on) can't see any problems. I even still have 75 sts.

I have measured it and it is just 6 inches, so if I can keep going without any more mistakes for another 3 inches then I can start to shape the yoke.

Fingers crossed :)

Oh I love free things!

2009-06-22T09:19:00.000-04:00

I love finding new knitters blogs. Darcy's Knotty Knitter is one that I found from a fellow twitter knitter, and there is a free giveaway going on right now here. There are little sock stitch markers and a "socks rule" gauge keyring. All made from bamboo, just so cute. Maybe I can win them humm. It would be nice.

Projects so far:

I am getting farther along on the Tea Party Top by Lion Brand. I have had to rip it out a few times too many. Pictures later when I start to do the decreases for the yoke. Thankfully I am making it larger so it will fit my little one next summer.
Monteagle Bag is not going anywhere until I can get the right size needles. I still like holding the yarn though, is that weird...to bad.
Have to start the second "plain vanilla" sock before I start my next sock project. It is really hard now not to start more socks since I bought 'Socks from the Toe Up' by Wendy D. Johnson. Pretty lace designs, no must finish second sock first. (I need to learn to do two at once)

The Barn Raising Quilt is rambling right along.

Well I better get back to knitting.

An Easter gift

2009-04-14T14:51:00.000-04:00

The family packed up and headed down to my parents this Easter Sunday. Traffic was good so it didn't take to long, and thankfully Lynn slept almost the whole way.
We stopped at Colonial Williamsburg to see my mother since she was working that day. Lynn got a behind the scene look at a spinning wheel, which she had great fun turning.

Am I trying to get her addicted to fiber crafts at an early age? Not really, but she does tend to think the tools are fun to play with.

We head to my parents house for dinner, which was yummy. My mom gave Reed and I the usual bag of candy. Lynn won't get any until next year, she gets hyper and then really cranky after eating sugar.

My mother and I got to talking and before you know it she was telling me she had some of grandma's needles. Oh and would I like some. I restrained myself from yelling "Hell ya!".
So on top of some yummy chocolate I got needles for Easter.

The green and blue ones are US size 2 (2.75mm)
And these are elusive size US 1 (2.25mm). I have been eyeing needles of this size online for a while now. For some reason I could find plenty of 2.50mm, but not many 2.25mm. Go figure.

So I am jumping for joy. My husband said if he didn't understand the reason behind my excitement he would be telling to "shut up already". I take that to mean that I need to calm down soon because if I carry on much longer he will.

Dpn's length

2009-04-06T14:29:00.000-04:00

OK so I have been looking at diffrent dpn's. I think metal would be better when going that small a diameter.

Now what length? I have no idea. I thought 6 or 7 inches would be good for making socks. I do own a set of US 2 that are 4 inches long. I have made a pair of socks with them, my first pair, so I know it can be done. Yes I know I previously posted that I knew what length, but now I am reconsidering.

Anyone have any ideas, that is if anyone is reading this that is a knitter.

UFO's

2009-03-20T09:23:00.000-04:00

The haunting question:
I have knitting on the needles, so why am I not knitting?

My husband does not have to ask that question, I am already asking it myself. The only reason I can come up with is the needles I am using are not the size I want to be using. Not the yarn, not the pattern, not the objects their selves, just the needle size.

The projects in question are socks, and I feel they will come out better on size 1 needles. Which mm size 1 needles I haven't figured out yet. The previous knitted socks that have come off my needles are fine, but there is just a nagging feeling that these socks over all would feel a little better if done to a smaller knit. So the urge to rush down to a LYS and by some is strong. I would need dpn's and two circulars. I did after all make goal to get more projects done this year.

Sigh.

I know what lengths, what material they should be. Of course there is a slight brand preference.
What knitter does not have needle preference. Get a group of us together and we can debate, knitting style, needles, yarns, etc, like no body's business. Granted I like this, as long as people don't get to defensive over "their" way, that is after all how I have stumbled up new ways to do things.

So those socks are going to stay on their current needles until I get some time, with out the little one, to go and peruse the yarn shop with the time and enthusiasm that one should. (Besides I haven't gotten that far along on the sock anyway)

Break

2009-01-27T22:11:00.000-05:00

Well today I opened the front door to this marvelous sight.

The snow started around 6:30am and continued until sometime after 12:30pm. The weatherman predicted somewhere between 3-5 inches of snow. So I had a little bit of a snow day for myself.

The was Lynn's first real snow day. There was a day back in December when we got some flurries that didn't last, but she was asleep during that 15 minute fall. So around noon I bundled Lynn and myself up for a trip out to the snow.
As you can see from the picture she was not sure what to make of the white things falling from the sky.
Our neighbor let us borrow a sled, and his daughter Charlotte pulled Lynn around on the snow covered sidewalk.
We ended up going in when Lynn's hands started to turn pink, before anybody gets any ideas I did have mitts for my lovely daughter. She, as I found out recently, has outgrown them. I am now digging up a mitt pattern for me to knit up for next time we go out.

Mulit-colored Bamboo Socks Update

2009-01-20T19:50:00.000-05:00

THEY ARE DONE!!!!!

About time too. Ok they were actually finished on Jan 8th, but it took me a few days to get pictures and then there was an issue with the internet..well they are done.
I have learned a thing or two from this pair. I should have used size 1 needles, toe first seems to leave boxy toes, when doing picot edging don't do 4 rows of Stockinette Stitch then the picot edging.
(it tends to roll downwards)
For some reason it seems that cuff down seems to go faster than toe up. Granted that is was only my second pair of socks. I am now on to the third pair and the first sock is half way done (cuff down).
OK time to go back to knitting.

Finish line in sight

2009-01-05T23:06:00.000-05:00

OK I have only 4 1/2 " left on the second sock then I do the picot edging and I am all done. I have been busting my fingers to get it done ever since my husband mentioned "hey didn't you start the
other one this past summer". He was right, I looked up my start date and I began this pair in June.

There is a joke between us because I promised him the next pair would be his. I will be making them from scratch rather than a pattern per say, because well his feet are longer than mine. I just hope I have enough yarn. My math made sense at the time but I have not double checked it since I bought the yarn. They will be made from KnitPicks Essential Sock Yarn in colorway# 24028 Carbon Twist.
I will be using the Basic Sock Recipe from Knitting Rules by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. I don't think that would be technically a pattern. If I am wrong then Stephanie please forgive my knitting impudence. Just don't take away my sock yarn, please just not that.

Back in the groove

2008-12-10T12:57:00.000-05:00

So I am now back to knitting happily away after a ~~freak~~ garlic chopping accident last Friday. I cut the tip of my left pointer finger and wanted to make sure no stitches were needed. So off to the doctor I went with my eight month old in tow. No stitches. The nurse did give me a tetanus vaccine shot though in the same arm. I was so sore this past weekend that hardly anything got done. Needless to say I will be going back to only grating garlic from now on.

Don't get me wrong my finger is still sore, but not enough to prevent me from knitting. Since I saw a video on youtube of the YarnHarlot speed knitting I realized I really need to finish this pair of socks I have been working on. OK Stephanie is only knitting the way she normally does, but it is still alot faster than me none the less. So back to getting those socks finished, I mean I only have like 7 other pairs of socks to get done. Fortunatly they are gifts so no real deadline pressure. Whew!

A new pattern

2008-11-18T13:21:00.000-05:00

I now have a new project the I am longing to do, thanks to the always wonderful Yarn Harlot I now want to make a scarf....just a simple pattern. My oh my what makes this a project I long to do is the yarn and color possibilities. The Noro striped scarf . Here is a link to pictures.

Plus it's a project I could knit while watching my daughter. I have limited myself to smallish projects, how sad.

My husband would like it, I think. (If he would wear a scarf)

There of course is a snag, I have to buy the yarn.... oh dear yarn store = temptation.

Time well spent relaxing

2008-10-19T22:31:00.000-04:00

So I did think that having a baby would to some degree inhibit my knitting. At least at for the first year or so.
Nope.

Granted the time I spend knitting has shortened, but I am still able to get projects finished.
So I have reserved my knitting time from about 8 pm till when I decide to go to bed.
That means I get to enjoy a project longer...yeah...no really. OK projects, plural... I mean there is nothing wrong with having multiple projects on the needles. Every knitter does it. I don't care if they do deny it.

Somewhere there is a project that was put down for some reason. You know, hidden in a box, or in the back of your closet. Even in the garage, or storage, etc. (there can be many ~~excuses~~ valid points for this)
Maybe something went horrible wrong with the pattern, the gauge, the fiber, your sanity. I mean there is nothing wrong with that. Or that is what I keep telling myself.

Cuffs

2008-07-10T13:54:00.000-04:00

OK cuffs on socks suck, I mean really. Other than for when wearing them during winter.
Needless to say I will need to do some sort of pattern when it comes to the cuffs on my next pair. Anybody know a good pattern that isn't a lace pattern. Doesn't have to be simple, if push comes to shove I'm sure I can find something in the Stitchionary books.

2008-07-02T13:36:00.000-04:00

So I am still working on the ribbing for the cuff of the first sock, but the yarn I bought for my husbands socks is looking so appealing....no I will not start another project...nope.
OK yeah keeping the yarn out doesn't help, well neither does stroking it.
This has nothing to do with the color though..my husband likes gray.
But that doesn't really matter, he said if I made them he will wear them....actually wear them.
Yes I know I could be creating a hand knit addicted sock man, but he said he would wear them.

I just have to finish my socks first.....yup.

Mulit-colored Bamboo

2008-06-12T10:58:00.001-04:00

So I started my second pair of socks. I am using Schachenmayr nomotta Regia Bamboo colorway 1062 Clown.
The technique is one sock on two circular needles, toe down.

So far I like this better than using DPNs.
I know of no way to make row after row of stockinette stitch to feel less tedious. If anybody reading this does please, please leave a comment. No really please.

Yes I know I could just do a pattern instead, but I don't like doing so with a color scheme like this one.

I will say it took me a total of four times to get the heel right. It involved me rereading the directions several times. You see the way the directions are written there are two parts to the heel. So reading ahead got me a little confused, and that might be a first for me. Normally reading ahead gives you a better idea of how things are going to progress. But when a hole mysteriously appears its time to do it one step at a time, or one part at a time.

If you look at the picture to the left of this, you will notice a yellow/green stripe snaking its way around the foot of the sock. Never having using the yarn before I don't know if this is a fluke or a normal progression. There has not been any other color striping that is noticable. Oh well.

Warm toes in June

2008-06-08T13:39:00.000-04:00

Well I finished the socks and they feel great.
Now on to the next pair. Yup they are addictive.
This pair was on DPNs, and the first sock of the next pair are already on two circular needles. I plan on doing the third pair (yup a third) at the same time on one circular needle.

So now I am trying to figure out why I was intimidated by socks. Now I wonder why I should be intimidated by sweaters.

New Yarn

2008-04-20T23:38:00.000-04:00

My hubby asked me what I would like for my very first Mother's Day. Of course there were things I wanted, like audiobooks, appliances, etc.. but when would I get to enjoy them. Having a one month old keeps me busy and I am having trouble finishing the audiobook I started just before she was born.
I kinda forgot about looking for a gift.
I was checking e-mail and had a new one from Knit Picks. They have three new yarn samplers for spring. I was drooling over the pretty colors. I mentioned to hubby that I would love to get two of the samplers, and could I order them. (we have a rule any purchase, other than things like gas, over $20 and we have to talk to the other person about it)
He thought about it and sure, then as I was punching in my order he said "Happy Mother's Day"

The samplers come with 6 different yarns, one skein each. So I picked the Renaissance and the Victorian colorways, they both come with patterns to use with those yarns, which for me is a good thing. I pretty much never know what to do with one skein. (even though I do have the book One Skein)

Here's Lynn

2008-04-03T16:56:00.000-04:00

Ok my other sock is not going to get done anytime soon.

Yup I had my baby. On March 22nd at 1:46am. She is so cute, my husband is holding her right now and giving me a chance to get online and check up on things. So I just wanted to post something of an update :)

Half way there

2008-03-17T20:51:00.000-04:00

One sock down and one more to go :)

Soaring Sock

2008-03-10T20:36:00.000-04:00

Ok this is easier than I thought. Granted I'm not even finished with the first sock.

I also want to start the petal bib from OneSkein by Leigh Radford. I haven't done a project yet where I need to put several pieces on to stitch holders to join later.
Yup I get the too scared to jump in the pool feeling, and I normally end up felling like an idiot later. So you would think I would learn.

Quick update

2008-03-06T14:59:00.000-05:00

OK as far as we know we have all the main preparations ready for our new addition. Yay.

I have finished several knitting projects from last year. I have started my first pair of socks. I got the pattern online (www.cometosilver.com) and I am using Berroco Comfort Sock in colorway: 1813
So I am trailing forward and about to start the heel. I will see how far I get before Lynn decides to come.

Yeah I know

2007-11-19T23:30:00.000-05:00

Well I have been very busy as of late. My husband got a new job in Sept., and we knew it would involve a move to somewhere at least 2 hours away from where we were living . Not a problem.
A week after he accepted this job I found out I was pregnant. So we have moved and the wee one is due April 2nd. This is our first so it is going to be interesting.

If that is not enough of an excuse as to why I have not posted well tough.
I have been stressed out and have cried for no reason, and I really don't like the cry part.
I know there is nothing to cry about at the time, but I can't make myself stop anyway. My poor husband would come home and I would give him a hug and about five minutes later would be blubbering like a baby. Ah what fun this is going to be. I am really happy to be pregnant even if it may seem other wise.

2007-03-12T15:08:00.000-04:00

OK I am about to go back to work for the season (some of my fellow coworkers and I go on unemployment because of a visitation slump during the winter) and I am almost done with my afghan. I now have 11 stripes in it, I doubt at this time I will add anymore stripes. Yeah we will see.
I have started yet again another shawl, and I am a little scared that I may not have enough yarn to finish. The pattern is a very odd pattern to me. It is not because it is in another language, or because I have decided to be inventive and change the pattern. No you see there was no gauge given, and under the heading materials only three things were listed: size 11 knitting needles, 8 ounces knitting worsted, large-eyed tapestry needle. Keeping mind that there is fringe involved and I could forgo that if need be to finish the shawl. The other thing is I can not just go out and by more yarn.... the yarn being used is the gifted yarn I talked about in a previous post(5/06).
I had promised myself that I would start new projects out of the knitting magazines I have. The problem is right now my husband and I are saving for a moving trip. Most of the yarn I want for the projects are nice but not necessarily priced for my budget. So I need to get my butt down to my local yarn shop and see what substitutes can be made. Yes I have been putting off going to buy yarn, mainly because there are always things I just gotta have. So it is very easy for me to go over budget. So I will probably wait until I go back to work. But it is not like I don't have any yarn that I can use for other things.
Oh yeah I keep forgetting to post pictures of my projects. I will have to see what I do and do not have pictures for. Oh well.

Oh Look at the date.......oops!

2007-02-07T08:11:00.000-05:00

Ok, This is sad, I have not posted for a long time. But I have finished projects:)
The last knitting project I talked about is not done.....it has nothing to do with me not working on it. I finished all the original color stripes, but I decided that it was not long enough. So I will be adding on at most 4 more colors (I think anyway).
I have started a Draft Blocker for our front door. It will have to be felted after I finish knitting it, and that will be a first for me. So I will be keeping my fingers crossed during that process.

2006-07-10T21:34:00.000-04:00

OK I got to the fourth stripe before I started muttering to my self "it will work I can make it fit"
So I ripped out all eight stripes, went out and got some Addi Turbo circular needles the right length and have restarted the afghan....... yes I have learned my leason.
I am half way done with it so it will be finished before it gets cold again.

Yippeee!!!

2006-05-21T18:57:00.000-04:00

I got free fiber today. :):):):):):):):):):):):)
Where I work does a employee craft sale twice? a year. This weekend was the spring craft sale. I always like going even if I don't have any money, though I feel down about not being able to buy some of the lovely things I see.
Well one of the booths I love to go and admire is a lady the spins some of the yarn from our sheep. She normally weaves shawls, or spins while she is there. She spins for therapy as I do believe she has rheumatory arthritis. She does not knit or crochet. She gave me some her spun yarn to make something out of it since I knit. So know I am trying to think of what to knit, the first thing that comes to mind is a hat and maybe some mitts. I will have to make sure I have enough yarn, I might even end up using a bit of accent color to make the yarn last. Oh the color... well it is a simple brown.....now that I think of it I think I will use a different color for the cuffs and brim.

2006-05-09T16:18:00.000-04:00

I need to get out and take some pics of my ufo's.
Maybe I will do that when my hubby gets home.
The one I am working on today is a shawl that when finished the back will go done to almost mid-calf.
I am using Lamb's Pride worsted and just winging the pattern.

2006-04-30T21:44:00.000-04:00

So I have started to stitch my Stripe afghan together.
Each stripe being one skein of Lion Brand Jiffy yarn 24 sts wide and ? rows long.
Yup that's right I did not count my rows. Yup the stripes don't match and that is fine.
I will just alternate which side should stick out.

2006-04-08T22:37:00.000-04:00

Well I still have not gone out and gotten the yarn needed to start the simple sweater.

I have gone out and bought yarn don't get me wrong.... just dragging my feet a little on this one, like I normally do.
I guess it has to all do with gauge, I don't like doing gauge, but I know that if make something that you want to fit a normal human form you better do a gauge swatch first.

I like taking a pattern and casting on and slowly something takes shape out of just yarn and two sticks.
I love the whole creation process, I will almost always knit something according to the pattern at least once so I know how it is suppose to come out and look. After that well then I "tweak" away until I like what I see.

Since I have not been knitting long I don't always know when things are a necessary part of the the design and what is flexible.
I will say it does not take me long to figure out when I have done something very wrong.

Maybe after the sweater I will do a pair of socks...... I will admit that I told my husband that I could only end up doing one sock and not getting to the next one especially if I do not like the process...... I hope that won't be the case.

Perfect Timing

2006-03-12T20:20:00.000-05:00

Well on Friday I went to go workout ....... and well there is a favorite yarn shop of mine couple doors down (Knitting Sisters) ..... honest I really went to go workout. I just decided to stop by before they closed for the day, and when I walked in the ladies were in the process of opening a new order they had just received. In this particular order there happen to be some yarn that those lovely ladies back ordered for me. So I had to pick that up .... plus a few other things of course.
I can't help it I love fiber, the more fiber, the more I can knit.
I love knitting Moebuius. The next one will be one called Sage Rhythm Wrap, and it is a lacey pattern.
So I guess I will be going back to the yarn shop soon.

Just rambling

2006-02-20T16:15:00.000-05:00

Well I finished my scarf. It is not as wide as I would like, but it is my first attempt.
I am always happy to finish a project that is new and different than anything else I have done so far.
But at the same time I am sad especially when I was having so much fun during the project.
I just love knitting, the whole process. I love 'playing' with all the colors and textures of yarn, the feel and sound of the needles.

Well, I will be getting some more circular needles for the Gunnister Cap. I can't seem to get the stitches tight enough on the double pointed needles so there are no gaps. I'm not upset I just think I should try doing this project on circular needles.

Jumping for joy

2006-02-20T00:18:00.000-05:00

I recently decided to get one of Cat Bordhi books, "A Treasury of Magical Knitting". It is all about knitting all kinds of Moebius patterns. From scarves, shawls, hats, felted boots, and capes. :)

I loved the projects that she has inside, and couldn't wait to try one for myself. So in search of the right lenght circular needles... almost all of the projects can be done with circular needles at 60" in length.
I found Addi Turbo needles and I love them.

For my first project I ended up doing the Snuggler Scarf pattern. Now keep in mind this is the first time I have used circular needles, and yeah I thought that maybe this woud not be the ideal project for me to start on.
So for the past week I have been practicing the casting on techniqe, because in is not your normal cast on. So tonight I decided to stop practicing and cast on (100 sts) and then keep going.... so I did... and two and a half hours later I am only four rows away form finishing, but it will have to wait for tomorrow. Tired hands ya know. Can't wait though. :) :)

Always a joy

2006-01-24T21:35:00.000-05:00

I have finished my shrug..... good thing it didn't get too cold down here this winter.
But I can still use it indoors.
I will see if I can't post a good pic of it.
I will probably have to go outside to get a good visable one. Mainly because the yarn I used is Lion Brand Homespun in Edwardian, which is black with streaks of gray.
I like it though. ;) :)

Another new project

2006-01-03T15:23:00.000-05:00

I had a co-worker give me a pattern for a hat called a gunnister cap, colonial cap for men.
It requires #4 double pointed, or circular needles. I plan on using double pointed needles, but I might end up switching to circular before to long. I have had to restart 3 times already.
I am just having issues keeping the stitches tight at each joining needle.
Ah the joys of knitting...hehehe.

Just thinking

2006-01-01T17:05:00.000-05:00

Right now I am just sitting at home thinking on the previous year and all the things I have gained and lost...
I found out mom forgot to give me something for Christmas, she lost it.
It being a nice looking wine gift box, you know the long tubular cardboard ones that comes with a lid.
Well she made a hole in the top that I could pull yarn through while I knit.
She also packed with three different yarns and a pair of needles....So I could make her three different scarves.
And I will once she finds it again.

Maybe this time...

2005-12-16T10:55:00.000-05:00

With winter here and all this talking of sweaters I am really tempted to try my hand at one.
Most of the patterns I have looked at (even the beginners) look....well complicated.
Here comes the doubts... maybe I just hsve not been knitting long enough or have just not learned enough?
AHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Ok I feel somewhat better now.
Time to go back and look at those patterns again. Well the pics anyway.

Staring at a blinking bar

2005-12-13T22:04:00.001-05:00

Well I have retaught myself how to knit. My mother tried to teach me several times, but was so use to the motions of needle and yarn that when she would slow down to show me she herself had to remember how she did what she did. So now armed with a grandmother's collection of needles I embark to learn more than just knit and purl.

I have at this point already finished several beginners projects: scarves, 2 hats, shawl, 2 hip scarves, shrug.
I also have a few(smiles) projects in the works.