Knitting! and some other stuff.

2008-11-26T08:28:00.000-05:00

NaBloPoMo?
No.

2008-11-10T10:20:00.002-05:00

And on the upside

A completely different adoption experience yesterday with another foster, a cat one might think would be a tough sell has gone to what I expect to be the most fantastic home with a thoroughly lovely young woman who is just thrilled to have her.

And I'm out of fostercats. Strange just to take care of my own pets for a change. I keep heading for the fridge to get canned food or medication for one of the guests before remembering they've gone.

2008-11-08T15:58:00.002-05:00

As for those cats...

I'm involved in rehoming/rescue otherwise are otherwise unwanted, and that rowcounter-hider I mentioned a few days ago was a foster. She's a great little cat, very loveable, very playful and I'd gotten very attached. She was adopted today by a fellow volunteer from the organization I'm involved with. I'm riding an emotional rollercoaster, I'm slightly embarassed to admit. I hope I made the right decision. I hope it works out. I hope it doesn't work out and she has to come back to me.

2008-11-07T10:23:00.003-05:00

Racism

I've been kicking around and chewing on some ideas about the causes of racism. Projection of one's own hatred of and ill-will towards The Others? "I hate and want to hurt The Other because of the color of his skin, making it reasonable to assume The Other feels the same way."
Guilt or Distotion and fear of having the status quo upset? "My Kind have unfairly held the upper hand for so long that it is reasonable to assume The Others would (justifiably?) take it away at any price."
Plain old selfishness, ignorance and lack of exposure?

Why do we do it and How do we stop it?

2008-11-05T13:17:00.000-05:00

There are no words

Only hope, and faith.

2008-11-04T12:36:00.000-05:00

Gobama!

2008-11-03T07:39:00.003-05:00

What did the cat* do with the rowcounter?

I think I unknitted more than I knitted yesterday. Feather and fan is only a four row repeat but somehow I managed to knit way too many rows after the last interesting row.

I do think it'll be a nice cozy, homey blanket when it's done.

*Of course, like all good knitters I have a bunch of cats. A whole bunch.

2008-11-02T08:43:00.004-05:00

An extra hour of knitting time

Change of plans. Feather and Fan blanket for BF's Christmas gift out of Cascade Eco. I have three skeins in a nice darkish brown. I'll see how far the first goes and decide if I should buy a few skeins of another shade (white?) to alternate with.

That ball isn't a complete hank, but a hank minus a little cardigan I made and am not happy with, and which will become blanket soon enough.

2008-11-01T15:55:00.002-04:00

NoKniSweMo Day 1

November is birthday month, as well as the month in which I'll blog every day about knitting a sweater.

I have lots of WIPs, but decided to start something fresh today - Licorice Whip in Morehouse Merino Sliver in vetiver.

Good luck to all of us bloggers and knitters alike, this month.

2008-11-01T09:34:00.002-04:00

Day 31

We went downtown to the Phillies parade yesterday, by car, thank goodness, and came straight home, so a fairly austere day.

I'm going to try to continue the spirit of nongrasping throughout November. Its been nice.

2008-10-30T12:55:00.000-04:00

Day 29

Spent a fortune yesterday!

2008-10-29T12:01:00.001-04:00

Day 28
No spending meant no errands yesterday and that is happy-making!

Grocery store, petstore and hardware store tonight, and the dog is at daycare, so dollars will be spent today.

2008-10-28T10:54:00.000-04:00

Day 27
No spending yesterday. I might have to grocery today, but should be on plan.

2008-10-27T10:31:00.001-04:00

Just the workweek to go...

Did a lot of cooking for the freezer this weekend, so some money was spent but everything was on plan.

I'm quite excited to realize that Fresh Step cat litter has a rewards program - Paw Points - that can save me some money on cat litter. I love saving money on cat litter.

2008-10-24T11:09:00.001-04:00

Day 23

Went to the store for milk and garlic and spent $45. TP and halloween candy, but I feel like I overspent and was offplan.

2008-10-23T12:55:00.000-04:00

22

Paid for the dog's day at school yesterday. That's on the plan!

2008-10-22T11:14:00.001-04:00

Day 21

I bought a pair of martini glasses (not really necessary, but $6 and we have broken a few recently) and a stockpot, which was necessary and at a discount.

2008-10-21T13:05:00.000-04:00

Day 21

I need a new stockpot.

2008-10-20T14:45:00.000-04:00

Fail

I bought coworker and I lunch today.

2008-10-17T09:56:00.002-04:00

Day Sixteen

Did fine yesterday.

2008-10-16T13:13:00.001-04:00

Day 15

Good yesterday. Bought eggs and a day at school for the dog.

Coworker bought bagels and sandwiches today. I think it is cheating to partake, but I will anyway.

2008-10-15T10:19:00.001-04:00

Day Fourteen
Bought apples (and made 12 quarts of applesauce!) gas and vodka. The only inaustere aspect was that I used credit for the gas and paid 20¢ extra per gallon. The apples were about half the price of the ones I bought Saturday. Live and learn.

2008-10-14T10:07:00.003-04:00

Where were we?

No terrible transgressions. I was taken out to dinner Friday night and last night, by family. Saturday we went apple picking and had some snacks and bought doughnuts at the orchard, Sunday we picked up takeout sandwiches. Nothing outlandish nor particularly austere.

Back on the program today!

2008-10-10T10:32:00.001-04:00

Day Nine

BF bought us new numbers for the front of the house. I didn't pick out the most expensive ones, if that means anything.

2008-10-09T13:59:00.002-04:00

Day Eight

I earned five dollhairs for taking a praying mantis off of BF's car. Otherwise an unremarkable day.

2008-10-08T10:18:00.001-04:00

Day Seven

Another quite austere day yesterday. I was saved at lunch by my coworker who generously chicken caesar salad with me. Today should be equally austere.

2008-10-07T10:34:00.001-04:00

Day Six

Quite austere yesterday, thank you for asking. Canned soup for lunch, leftovers for dinner.

Today I've forgotten my lunch and I'm not sure that I'll be able to tolerate canned soup again, so I might make a trip to the grocery store for soup and possibly a small salad.

2008-10-06T11:09:00.002-04:00

Day Five

Catlitter from Target, bought with coupons.

Day six should be free of any spending and I think we'll have leftovers for dinner.

2008-10-05T09:56:00.002-04:00

Day Four

More spending - the mac and cheese supplies were expensive. I went with the store brand when I could. So goes it.

2008-10-04T08:45:00.003-04:00

Day Three

Like I said yesterday, for someone following an austerity program, I certainly spend a lot of money...

Last night was a premeditated and allowable haircut (Tried a new place, loved it. Great cut and the stylist is a tad cheaper than my last person, so its a win-win.) and once-a-week allowable take-out dinner (pizza!)

Today there's a big neighborhood block party to which I'll bring mac and cheese so I'll be buying supplies for that as well as food for the pets today.

2008-10-03T10:10:00.002-04:00

Day Two
Bought an onion and a chicken (Whole - I easily cut it up for parts with my kitchen shears in about two minutes, saved 50¢ per pound and I have the back and innards for broth. Buying parts is not a good value.) as well as adult beverages. All allowable purchases. It was interesting to walk through the store knowing I wasn't buying anything that wasn't on my list. I happened to walk down the softdrink aisle. I rarely buy soft drinks, but they certainly looked tempting.

For someone on an austerity program, I sure spend a lot of dough - hair cut tonight. I'm desperate, so it's an allowable exception. Not looking hideous is a requirement for me.

2008-10-02T10:18:00.003-04:00

Day One

I paid my October dance class tuition, which was an allowable expense, and otherwise survived day one, so I'm pleased.

The man of the house's back is hurting and I think a heating pad would help him, so I'll be picking up one of those and a chicken to cook for dinner, I suspect.

My coworker wants to get breakfast, and even though an bagel, egg and cheese sounds fantastic it is not in the program, so I'm resisting.

2008-10-01T10:04:00.002-04:00

October Austerity

This month I endeavor to consume mindfully. My initial thought was to eliminate non-essential spending, but defining essential gets a little hairy. It isn't as though I want to torture myself - I still want to engage in my hobbies and eat food that I enjoy, have my evening cocktail (drinking probably qualifies as a hobby!) Just a little belt-tightening.

It'll be good for me, right?

2007-11-03T10:37:00.000-04:00

Project Monogamy

Why is it such a challenge to stick with one thing until it's done?

I'm working on Ariann and realized I needed new needles for the sleeves. Since I couldn't get to the yarn store that day, I cast on for some Grass and finished a front and about half a back while watching The Shining on Wednesday night. Then Thursday I got the new needles and some yarn* for that Drops jacket that I saw here. Thursday night I didn't knit a bit, since I didn't want to cheat on my project but wanted to cast on with that new yarn for a new project.

I'm back to Ariann as of last night, a couple rows into the first sleeve, but its hard to be good.

*I had a really hard time choosing between "spice" and "oregano." I loved the oregano but decided a I need a red sweater more than I need a new green one, and that I didn't want to copy Pamela's so much, even though its gorgeous and if mine turns out half as lovely I'll die of joy and be buried in it.

2007-02-25T01:11:00.000-05:00

FO!

An hour shy of a one day project.

I have less than half of each of the three balls of GGH left. I can't decide if I should try to get another hat out of it or use it for something else. Maybe the mohair pillow from One Skein, or a cute little baby blanket for my kitty.

2007-02-24T19:46:00.000-05:00

FO!

That's the Assymentrical Cable Hat from One Skein by Leigh Radford in Lamb's Pride Bulky, color M-10 Creme

I made the Women's size and its a bit large. Of course, I didn't check my gauge, so ymmv. It would be good for a man's head. My man doesn't like the color, so it won't be on *his* head.

I cast on for the Single Cable scarf from the Rib and cable Quartet in the same book in Cascade 220 (color 9325, not accurately represented here. Its a softer shade with a bit more grey than this, really.)

Its too skimpy for what I had imagined, although I like the pattern and I think I'll try it again in a bulkier yarn, like Crystal Palace Iceland of which I have one skein of Claret, color 9719. Its a bit of a shorter skein than the yarn called for in the book but it'll knit up quickly and I can see what I end up with.

In the meantime, I've got almost three inches of 3x3 rib for a Feeling Fuzzy from the Yarn Girls guide to Simple Knits, in GGH Soft Kid in color 055, a pale-ish pink with a bit more lavendar than cotton candy would have. I'd love to finish it tomorrow.

2007-02-20T16:22:00.000-05:00

Cowlblob

is looking particularly blobbish up top because it is set up on the needles for the three-needle bind off called for to close the shoulders. After that, I'll pick up the neck stitches and rib myself a cowl.

Then, I'll swatch for the Nora Gaughan minisweater. I have enough Morehouse Merino Sliver in Vetiver but I'm not certain how the cables will look with a thick/thin yarn. We shall soon see. Looking back over my previous posts I notice that yarn has a lot of potential uses.

I took lots of knitting photos this morning of WIPs and former FOs, so I have lots of blogfodder stored up.

This is the first post I've done in the new Blogger. I'm realy excited about the ability to label. I may go back to old posts and add some labels.

2007-02-02T15:34:00.000-05:00

My(silent) poetry reading

by Richard Brautigan

Courtesy Red House Books

2007-01-04T12:00:00.000-05:00

Stash Reduction should be easy
since I have such a good pattern collection

That one calls for 1575 m, but doesn't specify what size that's for. I wonder if my three skeins of Eco wool (1434 yards - I think that's a bit over 1300 meters) would do it? If not, I'm sure I have plenty of Morehouse Merino in Vetiver

I'm not sure if I'll make that VK sweater (sweater?) but it might be fun to try. Modular knitting is supposed to be fun, and I've never tried it.

2007-01-03T22:06:00.000-05:00

:wipes drool:
Yum!

2007-01-02T20:00:00.000-05:00

Day Two

I just realizd I need two skein of each Cascade 220 and mohair for the Last Minute legwaermers, but I bought one of each on Friday. Guess who's going yarn shopping.

2007-01-02T10:38:00.000-05:00

I resolve

I know its cliche, but I have some resoluations this year.

Inspired by Wendy's plan I decided to put a dent in my stash this year. I can buy yarn, but I must have a net decrease at this time next year. For instance, I'll complete two projects before buying yarn for another. I'll document my stash at some point and post, probably this weekend when I have daylight for picture-taking.

I'm hoping this will inspire me to finish projects, the ultimate goal on that front being one "good" project completed per month, with a side-effect goal being more posts here.

Happy new year. :)

2006-11-27T08:46:00.000-05:00

Overheard Just Now

"Ahhhh, Sundays. I love Sundays."

2006-11-20T23:24:00.000-05:00

Happy Holidays

Eight hours of work followed by five hours of running around to grocery and housewares stores.

How festive.

2006-11-19T19:08:00.000-05:00

Quitters never win

I'm thinking about giving up on the everyday bit. At the very least I've had a lost weekend.

2006-11-18T01:18:00.000-05:00

Day* Late
Dollar Short

-cats fighting

-family drama

-friend visiting

-wine gone

Goodnight.

*hour, hour and a half

2006-11-16T22:17:00.000-05:00

Its

not lunch.

...

With the rotten weather I decided to skip the knitting group tonight. I'm disapointed because I was anxious to talk to one of the members - she RSVPed in the negative for the holiday get-together because of I have cats and she's allergic. I'm taking the rejection surprisingly hard. I'm not upset with her (that would be ridiculous of me) and I can recognize on some level that its better she doesn't come than that she have a bad reaction (and probably ruin the party for everyone, quite frankly,) but on some level (the basest one, I suppose) it feels like criticism, like my home and I are contaminated, like my pets are rejects.

Crazy cat lady indeed.

2006-11-15T21:46:00.000-05:00

WoW

I'm a Warcraft Widow.

I complain about it, but I suppose I should be pleased. My SO is that much lower maintenance for it.

But I'm still high maintenance.

2006-11-14T20:28:00.000-05:00

Was she right?
Teamwork chili dogs - I made the chili and my buddy at work made the dogs and buns.

Was she?

2006-11-13T20:36:00.000-05:00

I need
Hellen Buttigieg
or at least a glass of wine the size of my head, asap.

We moved into this house in the spring. I have a room of my own just for dressing and hobbies. I have typical bedroom furniture in which to store all my dressing and hobby supplies.

Most of these supplies are still in boxes either in my room or in a spare room down the hall.

Its so overwhelming. I don't have a plan or know where to begin.

2006-11-12T17:24:00.000-05:00

Circular Needles
They're a knitter's biggest storage issue, don't you think?

Since I didn't get a case at Stitches for them last week I picked up an expandable coupon file at Target.

Its a little small, but I'll give it a few weeks and see how it works out.

2006-11-11T09:43:00.000-05:00

Books etc.

I've been starting and restarting The Satanic Verses for years now. Its not that I don't like it. I don't know what happens to me. As of this morning I'm the farthest in I've ever been - 21 pages.

The last book that I really liked was The Crimson Petal and the White.

My favorite book ever was probably Chronicle of a Death Foretold or Love in the Time of Cholera.

A bagel with cream cheese, red onion, green olves and smoked salmon would be really good right now.

I divided for the neck of Cowlblob and am not confident that I've followed directions correctly. I counted and recounted and didn't think I had the right number of stitches (90) and that I'd somehow have to fudge to work it out with the number I had (93) but when I worked the neckline-splitting row according to the directions it worked out fine.

I really like the feeling of jojoba on my skin. I hope I have some body oil for after my shower today.

2006-11-10T11:12:00.000-05:00

This may be the bestworst thing I've ever read while
this is the bestbest.

2006-11-09T12:58:00.000-05:00

Mwahahaha
Does this mean we all get a pass?

2006-11-09T07:53:00.000-05:00

Noooooo!

I just remembered that I forgot to blog yesterday. I think I'll try to stick with the rest of the month though.

Today is either the birthday of my very good friend, my ex-boyfriend* or that ex-boyfriend's now-deceased dog. Funny how I can't tell them apart, isn't it.

*I'm fairly certain its this one.

2006-11-07T20:29:00.000-05:00

Can't blog
Must bite nails.

I had an interesting experience at the "gourmet" grocery store today when I asked the bakerman for some day-old bread tha tI could buy for stuffing. He looked at me like I had two heads and directed me to the prepackaged croutons.

I love hearing about the Philadelphia subrubs being major in these elections.

2006-11-06T21:35:00.000-05:00

What's the opposite of buyer's remorse?

I saw alot of nice needles at the show yesterday (the ones that stick out in my head most were little dpns that must have been three or four inches long) and I'm sorry I left them there. Whenever I'm faced with actually spending yarn $$$ on the fancy Lantern Moons or Brittanys I always balk. Then I get home without them and regret it.

And, because I'm hurting for content...
Chili!
Brown ground beef, add chopped green bell pepper, onion and (tons of) garlic, a can each of diced tomatos and pinto beans, tons of cumin, tons of chili powder (the better the better!) and some cayenne, plus some salt and pepper and a splash of V8. Simmer down and keep seasoning and reseasoning.

Should've gotten a circular jobbie, too...

And it looks like I need more needles!

2006-11-05T21:06:00.000-05:00

Stitches East

My friend and I met up at the Baltimore Convention Center for the last hour of the Stitches Maket. (Go us, no entrance fee so late in the weekend.)

It's no MDS&W but we had a good time and there was alot to look at.

As always, Brooks Farm had gorgeous yarn that I didn't buy.

I came home with a copy of One Skein which I think will come in handy for holiday gifts (BF already requested a pair of cable footies) and a pair of needle cases. I would have gotten a case for my circular needles too, but I had my heart set on the fabric pictured and there wasn't one available.

I didn't get nearly as much knitting accomplished as I planned this weekend, but since I drank a large latte a few hours ago I still have hope.

2006-11-04T13:13:00.000-05:00

I don't think this was supposed to happen...

A sprout!

There are about six of them. The bulbs I planted last month must be alive, at least.

2006-11-03T08:02:00.000-05:00

The hardest part of blogging?

My vote goes to coming up with a title.

I like strikker's goal of posting one new FO a month. In October I had Fetching, Ragamittens and a Kitty Pi. All little projects, but FOs nonetheless.

This month will be the Cowltop. Its now a Cowlblob, see?

Arthur says, "My blob!"

Tonight is unadulterated knitting and tv-watching (and martini drinking) night, so hopefully I'll lhave lots of good progress to show tomorrow. I'm only working on about 80 stitches, so it should go quickly once I get rolling.

2006-11-02T07:55:00.000-05:00

J is an absolute natural at knitting. I showed her how to cast on a few times and then relaxed and drank my wine while she filled her needle with stitches. Then I showed her how to knit a few times and she did fine with that too. I'll link her to Knitting help to keep her going until we get together again. My only concernis that I knit English and feel badly for teaching the slow way. I think its so hard to switch that maybe people should learn Continental off the bat.

AND my shyest cat really liked her. He has good taste.

2006-11-01T10:49:00.000-05:00

Uh oh

The pressure's on.

SO! uhm... what's new?

I'm looking forward to my potato-leek soup for lunch.

Maybe I should have bought the book after all.

I've slowed down alot on my cowltop since dividing for the armholes. I think I'll get back in the groove easily. The body was worked in the round and now the back is still on the needles while I work the front straight. How clever is that?

I'm having a friend over for a knitting lesson tonight and suggested a gaiter as a first project. It'll be as simple as a scarf but so much quicker to complete. I know I never finished my first scarf. Plus she's a runner, so it might come in handy this winter. Oh! or feline dim sum for her buddy. I even have fresh catnip she can stuff it with.

2006-10-19T15:20:00.000-04:00

45 Things You Could Care Less About

1. FIRST NAME? Patricia

2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? No.

3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? Tuesday night.

4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Sometimes it has character and sometimes its just messy. Ilike when its not too messy.

5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT? Corned beef I guess.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Yeah. I'm a good time.

7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? Do this blog and another online one count?

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? No!

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? I guess shredded wheat. I'm not a big eat of breakfast.

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Not until I want to put them back on, usually.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Smelling? Yes.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Peach.

14. SHOE SIZE? six and a half

15. RED OR PINK? Red is my very favoritest color.

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? I wish I were more of an on-the-go accomplisher of things. I love my downtime a little too much.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My friend who lives in Spain

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? I wouldn't read it anyway.

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS, SHIRT AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Black, blue and black

20. LAST THING YOU ATE? Hamd and swiss with mustard on rye

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? I'm trying to tune out my coworker's phone conversation.

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? I guess the black one. Or red.

23. FAVORITE SMELL? Something citrusy

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

25. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? Their smiles I guess. Or sense of humor.

26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON you stole THIS from? I forget where I got it.

27. FAVORITE DRINK? Chopin martini up with a twist

28. FAVORITE SPORT? I guess baseball. I'm not a big sports fan.

29. EYE COLOR? Hazel

30. HAT SIZE? Average. I forget exactly.

31. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No, just glasses. :)

32. FAVORITE FOOD? Pasta

33. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? I love to be scared.

35. SUMMER OR WINTER? Winter

36. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs rule. Kissing is overrated.

37. FAVORITE DESSERT? Cheese

38. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? The Historian just took over for Everything is Illuminated, which I found unreadable.

39. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? I don't have one. :(

40. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? I didn't watch tv.

41. FAVORITE SOUNDS? The noises my cats make playing, talking and padding around on the hardwood floors

42. ROLLING STONE OR BEATLES? Beatles!

43. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME? The Canary Islands

44. WHAT'S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? Lounging

45. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Pennsylvania

2006-10-18T20:46:00.000-04:00

Ragamittens

Lamb's Pride Worsted, color M145 "Spice" to match Fuzzy Feet
(pardon the lint)

2006-10-15T23:03:00.000-04:00

VIII

I know how to intentionally drop stitches and "reravel" them when I find a mistake in a previous row - a stitch that should have been a knit but is a purl, or vice versa. I'm always impressed with myself when I get to use that trick.

IX

I love my ballwinder and swift.

X

I constantly commit (sometimes just internally) to knitting things for people, and while I like the idea, I don't like the actuality.

2006-10-10T10:34:00.000-04:00

To be knitted

Cowltop from Morehouse Merino

I've been thining about this sweater for a few weeks, but the fact that Theory is selling a version just put me over the edge.

2006-10-08T21:10:00.000-04:00

More cat pies and half an FO

Anther cat tried the bed:

and then modeled the left ragamitten. Its a fun and quick knit but I have seconditis right now.

2006-10-08T14:50:00.000-04:00

Kitty Pi

from blob

to bed*

Almost like magic. Using the washer was never so much fun.

*or at least plaything.

2006-10-07T10:57:00.000-04:00

Some photos

Happy Saturday. Its reasonably sunny today so I got a few good (relatively, considering the photographer's skills) pictures of Fetching

Those are in Morehouse Merino that I bought at MD Sheep and Wool in 2005.

and Kitty Pi just before the decrease rounds - hopefully it will get finished today.

I'm nervous about fulling it. My washer is a frontloader. I have a choloate mohair boucle and a teeny bit of beige mohair that I think I'll carry along with the Big Kureyon for a few rounds when I get to that point. Stashbusting!

Update
Three spins through the whole washer cycle and the kitty pi is blocking nicely on the front porch. I didn't bother to weave in ends. I figure I can cut them now that they're felted.

2006-10-06T11:13:00.000-04:00

VII
I like to knit while I drink my coffee in the mornings before work, but I often forget that I enjoy that so much.

Its a nice little treat to start the day.

Current Knitting

I started Licorice Whip five more times at Sit and Knit at the shop and took it out all the times. I'm getting mixed up somewhere early on. I'm going to let it rest a bit more and then next time if I'm still mixed up I think I'll keep going. Maybe I just *think* I'm mixed up?

I have Kitty Pi as a backup project going too. I think I have a bit of mohair boucle that will coordinate, and if I do I'll add that around the top in place of the fun fur. My cats and I aren't really fun fur types. I'd like to finish it tonight and felt it this weekend.

Future Plans

Ragamuffins and Jo Sharp Mount Olive socks are going to be backup projects while I finish
Salina,
and then Ariann from Chicknits which I plan to knit in
Cascade 220 in a nice deep brown (number 7822 I believe.)

2006-10-03T10:25:00.000-04:00

"But aren't your fingers the part that gets coldest?"

Now that my Fetching are fixed and finished* (pics to come - they're on the camera) I saw these lovelies. I promised a friend a pair of fingerless mitts (we think they'll be great for dog walking) so maybe she'll get these instead of the Fetchings.

*I know I said I wasn't going to fix them but it seemed silly not to. It only took an hour or so and I got a nice FO out of it.

2006-10-01T18:49:00.000-04:00

VI

I have no faith in my own craft. I wanted to donate something to a charity auction, but I'm too afraid there'll be a problem with it. I wouldn't want anyone to pay for something I knit.

I'm not sure if this is quality control or paranoia on my part.

On a more upbeat note I have to make this! Utilitarian Cascade 220 or something more treaty? Rowan Kid Classic is on the recommended list...

2006-10-01T09:39:00.000-04:00

Knittery Thing the Fifth

Fusing my obsessions - knitting and beauty products - is easy thanks to Neiman Marcus's (annual or twice annual, I can never remember) Beauty Event, when they give little bags full of product samples as a gift with purchase. My bag always ends up holding knitting. This year's is a tacky red vinyl thing - the juxtaposition of something a hooker would carry with a stereotypically matronly hobby like knitting really amuses me.

2006-09-29T23:13:00.000-04:00

I have a new favorite knitshop

My sister has a new parttime job, which I'm completely thrilled about - http://yknotknit.com/

Its a really sweet shop and she's a really sweet sister so I'm just tickled.

2006-09-29T10:31:00.000-04:00

From elsewhere on the net

Here's a cute video that's making the rounds
and a story on Tracey Ullman and love for knitting. I wonder if that Baltimore yarn shop was A Good Yarn? They have great curb appeal.

2006-09-28T22:45:00.000-04:00

A Fetching Pair?

One of these things is not like the other...

These were intended for a charity auction, but I don't think I can bring myself to redo them. They were a fun easy knit but there are others things I want to accomplish.

2006-09-28T10:12:00.000-04:00

#4

I've had a pair of Fetching 98% finished since last weekend. I haven't been particularly busy, I just haven't been willing to finish them.

I think it goes back to the root of my fear of finishing. Once a project is completed my knitting is out there, waiting for final judgement to be passed.

2006-09-27T16:58:00.000-04:00

#3

I hoard patterns and my dream To Do list is miles long, but try not to buy yarn without a project in mind.

2006-09-27T10:17:00.000-04:00

#2

You might already know this one. I'm terrified of seaming and finishing. I feel like that's the make-or-break moment and it really intimidates me.

2006-09-26T17:24:00.000-04:00

10 Knittery Things you didn't know about me, a meme

courtesy Grumperina

#1 I don't knit as much as I could and am really impressed by and envious of knitters who knock projects out like crazy.

2006-03-06T15:25:00.000-05:00

IOU

pictures and posts. Soon.

2006-01-12T09:56:00.000-05:00

It's been a while.

Not a lot of knitting going on. The red shrug turned out too small by about three inches (one size, sure) so I started that pink one and I'll go back to that eventually. I also promised the kitties some dim sum.

For now, work work.

2005-12-31T17:49:00.000-05:00

A Finished Knit for a Finished Year

A little something for mom.

If I play my cards right there might be another FO tomorrow. That would be a hell of a way to start the new year.

2005-12-28T22:34:00.000-05:00

One last FO

for 2005? A silk garden beanie if all goes as planned.

I plan to finish out the year with some yarn shopping, also.

2005-12-24T22:56:00.000-05:00

mmmhmmm

yeeeah

2005-12-19T22:49:00.000-05:00

World's Funnest Knit

I have a fuzzy foot. Two evenings to complete. I hope to gift them on Friday night or Saturday morning. Seems doable. I guess.

The blue socks were agita inducing, and never going to be done in time.

From knitty with free internet help.

2005-12-11T17:29:00.000-05:00

Toe Up socks

Sooo gratifying. These are for mom, for Christmas, in Lang Bebe superwash:

My plan to knit for the youngest ones first and go up changed. Now I'm knitting for who I like best. Or want to win over. (SO's SIL's slippers are next in the queue. She's in the "win over" category.)

And since I deserve somehing lovely after all this generous gift knitting, so Cascade Magnum for my scarf:

And Pastaza for a cardigan/shrug from Suss Designs:

The color is called olde rose. Its not *quite* as hot pink as it seems with the flash.

2005-12-04T14:02:00.000-05:00

Snow Day!*

Seems like a waste on a Sunday, anyway, but I'll take it.

Trying to read Crazy Aunt Purl while knitting is ambitious, no? And giving me a stiff neck.

*its like an inch of slush, but still...

2005-12-03T17:21:00.000-05:00

Classic Knitters' Dilemma

In Frog tree Alpaca. But what colors?

2005-12-02T16:17:00.000-05:00

Knot* much knitting

But lots of listening.

All my yarn is wound. Weee! Birthdays!

*Sorry.

2005-11-22T21:27:00.000-05:00

The only knitting mag you can enjoy while knitting.

I haven't listened yet, but I'm excited to. Knitcast is kinda stuffy.

2005-11-20T18:35:00.000-05:00

So slow
that it feels like going backwards.

So much for Christmas knitting. I need some needles and didn't manage to get out for them this weekend.

One more row to tink and I can get back to moving in the right direction.

2005-11-19T15:31:00.000-05:00

How does that saying go?

"There's an old...saying in Tennessee...I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee that says Fool me once...(3 second pause)... Shame on...(4 second pause)...Shame on you....(6 second pause)...Fool me...Can't get fooled again."

No, not that one, although that is a good one. The one about eggs and hatching and counting chickens...

I asked for a ball winder and swift for my birthday, which is this week. I wouldn't mind starting my kitty bed today, but my Noro is in hanks, so I'll wait until after opening the gifts. I hope I'm not overconfident.

2005-11-17T09:52:00.000-05:00

No pictures, please.

The second bootie is even more hideous than the first. My grand goal to knit for all the females on my gift list it a worse idea every minute. I'm going to scrrap the booties for now, and try the bonnet. Hopefully I'll have better luck with that.

I'm really tempted to start a project for myself but I will be strong.

2005-11-13T14:15:00.001-05:00

Threads of an hourglass...

The finishing is terrifying. Hems? Sewing down live stitches? Kitchener stitch? I'm going to put that off as long as possible. Oh, and I think it's going to be too small.

And so, on to Christmas gift knitting: Angora Booties from Last Minute Knitted Gifts

After the doubleknit toe, which such a cool technique, I didn't have fun with this. Too small and awkward, not enough stitches on the DPNs. As I finished I thought, "I am not looking forward to making the mater." Then I finished. I'm at square one. This thing is not gift worthy.