Monday, June 27, 2005

11 Things I have learned so far from Crumpets

1) The Vogue Knitting picot cast on is a b****, but it stays intact if you have to frog the part you have knit so far.

2) It is best not to work on a complicated project at 1 AM.

3) When working on a complicated project at 1AM ALWAYS, ALWAYS check off the rows on your pattern after you knit them.

4) When working on a complicated project before 1AM check off the rows of your pattern after you knit them.

5) If knitting after 1AM refer to rules 3 and 4.

6) Knitting is a way to learn patience.

7) Be careful what you ask for - you just might get it.

8) If you aren't' a patient person but you think you should work on becoming more patient you will encounter something that really tests your patience (like knitting).

9) If you care about the person you are knitting the object for that tests your patience when you mess it up you will frog it and learn patience instead of just going on with it looking all messed up.

10) Start projects WAY WAY in advance of when you need to finish them.

11) Don't forget to keep track of what row you are on when you are knitting (Check it off!!!!)

My poor pathetic Crumpets before frogging. Posted by Hello

Where did I go wrong???? Posted by Hello

Crumpets now Posted by Hello

Saturday, June 25, 2005

Workout Knitting?

I never would have thought to compare knitting to a work out - until today. I think I finally finished the picot cast on and that thing was like going to the gym! When I got to the end or close to the end I just kept thinking

Four more... (Almost there)
Three more... (This is hard)
Two more... (I can do it!)
One more.....

Phew! The last one is done! I can breathe easily again!

Now maybe I should go to the real gym! :)

Friday, June 24, 2005





You Know You're From Seattle When...


You have a very strong opinion about where your coffee beans are grown, and you can taste the difference between Sumatran and Ethiopian

You feel guilty throwing an aluminum can in the trash.

You use the words "sun break" and know what it means.

You know more than 10 words to describe a cup of coffee.

You know what a dry cappachino is.

You obey all traffic laws EXCEPT "keep right except to pass."

You know at least eight people who work for either Microsoft or Boeing.

You invite twice as many people as you really want to a party since only half will actually show up.

You know what Lutefiske is.

You personally know someone from Alaska.

You consider floating bridges a pain in the butt, not an engineering marvel.

You know how to pronounce "Sequim", "Puyallup" and "Issaquah."

You have roots in Oregon, Idaho or Montana, but wanted a high paying job.

You've tried to get a job in Alaska, especially a summer job only.

You think skiing always means being covered from head to toe, on snow or water.

You know at least three Microsoft burnouts, of which two are millionaires.

You use more than 5 words to order a cup of coffee. "I want to order an unleaded, double, short, skinny, wet cappuccino with a shot of Amaretto please."

A "designer" wardrobe comes from REI, Eddie Bauer, Lands End, and Birkenstock.

You consider it a sunny day if the sun is visible at some point of the day.

You've been "snow" skiing in the RAIN more than in the snow.

When you're discussing rainforests and volcanoes, you're NOT talking about Hawaii.

You Remember the Kingdome

You have tried to forget about WTO

You know how BLUE the skies are here compared to Eastern Washington

The guy at 8:30 am at Starbucks wearing the baseball cap and sunglasses who looks like Phyllis Diller is really a trans named Eva Destruction that used to play with Hole.

Your car insurance costs more because your neighbors don't have any!

Your mayor is straight, 1/2 your friends are gay, the man who delivers your mail has a bumper sticker that reads "when they pry it from my cold dead fingers....", and your Burger World drive thru order taker was a computer millionaire last week.

You actually get these jokes and pass them on to other friends from Seattle.




Thursday, June 23, 2005

Cast On... and on and on....

The Crumpets cast on is KILLING me! The cheap yarn is splitting and the picot cast on itself is such a nightmare. I think the child I am making it for is going to be grown before I finish the cast on! Hmmm, maybe I could pay someone to do it for me, or clean their house... or.... I am getting close to getting ready to sell my soul to have this cast on finished. Let's just hope it is the worst part of the project!

Back to casting on........

Friday, June 17, 2005

Crumpets Here We Come!

Ok, Crumpets it is! I headed over to my local Tuesday Morning and picked up six skeins of Cotton Ease in Candy Blue! I downloaded the pattern and am excited to hunt for my needles and begin! I still am wanting to do something for myself... and using KnitPicks yarn but I guess that is on hold for the moment. However I am still wondering... do I choose Clapotis, Cozy or Frill??? Any opinions??????

Wednesday, June 15, 2005

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

I am still working on that darned cable scarf... not working very hard I guess. Meanwhile I have decided I must pick something else to knit. One of the things I am thinking of doing is Clapotis in one of the Shimmer yarns from KnitPicks. The other is Crumpets although this seems a little more complicated to me... and I would have to give it away! :(

I am loving participating in Secret Pal 5! It is a blast to have someone to be surprising and to have someone surprising me! I am currently being challenged though because I would just love to buy her everything she wants but there is no way I can afford that! This makes it more fun to be creative however and to figure out how to really get the most bang for my knitting buck! :)

So many decisions! :)

Saturday, June 11, 2005


One shoe down, one to go! Posted by Hello

Cider in my first Finished Object. Posted by Hello

Unbiased Bag that is no longer. Posted by Hello

Wavy Scarf Gift Posted by Hello

Sophie Bag for Mom Posted by Hello

Tamzin's Sweater Posted by Hello

Dishcloth Posted by Hello

Friday, June 10, 2005

The Memories that Objects Hold

I woke up this morning to my cell phone ringing from some number I didn't know and the person left no message... I hate that! And what business did they have calling so early anyway! Grrr! As I was laying in bed I started to think about the memories that knitting can hold. This purple cable scarf that I have been working on (or not working on) for months now. I was remembering when I bought the yarn for it in January. I took it on a trip with me so that I would have something to do on the plane and in any down time. The trip was to visit my Grandmother for her birthday. She had recently been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and there was a feeling this would be the last one she had a chance to celebrate. Well, she was not doing great but still able to be with the family and get out and do some stuff. She was interested in my knitting and kept telling everyone who saw it how good I was at it. (Thanks Grandma!) Somehow there is this bittersweet feeling in the fact that I shared it with her, that she saw me working on it and commented on it. That we shared the creation of that object. But now I can't finish it. I started to wonder if my struggling to finish it had to do partially with saying goodbye to her. She did pass away about a month later. So now I have this incomplete project that somehow reminds me of that time that I want to finish and yet don't want to finish..... Go figure.

Wednesday, June 08, 2005

Secret Pal 5 Questions and Answers

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?

Although a bit embarrassed to admit it I am a yarn snob. I definitely prefer high quality and natural fibers and wouldn't touch Red Heart or Lion Brand. I am not opposed to novelty yarns though - it's not like I would ONLY let my precious hands touch cotton or wool.


2. Do you spin? Crochet?

Just started learning to crochet.... still working on it! I go back and forth between liking it and hating it because it seems frustrating.


3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)

I didn't think so until I ended up in the ER for a severe allergic reaction on Monday.... I am now trying to stay away from things that could cause any kind of allergy. :(


4. How long have you been knitting?

About two years.


5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Froogle


6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)

Hmm that is a hard one. I have a lot of scented stuff but I am always willing to try something new. I like lavender, almond, vanilla, and other assorted herb-y stuff! I really like scents like they have at L'Occitane.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?

Yup! I like all sorts of sweet stuff... lately I have been having a hankering for gummy candies and red licorice (but I HATE black licorice). Chocolate is ok but for some reason I just LOVE marzipan!


8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?

Not to many really... I was pretty craft-less until I took up knitting. I do like fixing things around the house but I wouldn't say I am a pro at it!


9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I love music! All kinds! Folk, Bluegrass, World Music, some Country, Hip Hop, Classical, Jazz.... you name it I probably like some of it. Currently I have been listening to Jill Scott, Joss Stone, Mark Bursard, Jack Johnson, Madeline Peyroux, Alison Krauss and Union Station, and Carbon Leaf but who knows when you will catch me throwing on the Indigo Girls, Lauryn Hill, Dixie Chicks, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Diggable Planets, Bob Marley, Ani Difranco or.....


10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?

I tend to like Blues and Purples. I think I am a more of a bright color person than pastels. I love pink lately but really am not sure.... what does one make out of pink yarn????


11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I recently ended a seven year relationship and am living alone with my two cats, Cider and Dickens. I am enjoying the single life as I haven't really had a chance to do that as an adult. I live near both of my parents and live in the city in which I grew up.


12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)

My dreams include having a successful career, expanding my private practice, having a partner I love and enjoy coming home to, traveling to new and exciting places, having a family and living a long and happy life.


13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?

Anything soft! There are so many things I have not tried yet. I have knit with a lot of Cascade 220 and I enjoy that but feel like there is more I should be trying. I made an alpaca scarf for a friend of mine and really enjoyed the softness. Making my first cotton dishcloth was an experience and I was surprised how much that yarn was almost like string.


14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

Anything with too much man made stuff in it!


15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?

Trying to find patterns I like, wanting to try new yarns especially something from knitpicks.com. I am also interested in trying bamboo and cashmere. I haven't tried any Debbie Bliss yarns, Manos del Uruguay or Rowan but I really want to. I am obsessed with finding new things I could knit! I am also obsessed by trying to find a circular knitting needle case to keep my needles in that won't break the bank!


16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

Felted stuff - especially bags. I would like to knit more sweaters and stuff but finding patters for plus size chicks that are cute is challenging!


17. What are you knitting right now?

One cabled scarf, a shawl from a kit (that I don't like very much) and a tea cosy that is half finished.


18. What do you think about ponchos?

Won't the trend ever end?!?


19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?

Circular all the way!


20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Bamboo!


21. Are you a sock knitter?

I have tried but I didn't really love it. Would it be easier on a circular needle???


22. How did you learn to knit?

My grandmother taught me when I was very young but then I relearned again when I took a class at my LYS and was hooked. Funny thing was I had gone to a psychic (I never go to those things) who said she pictured me taking a class in something and I decided that she meant I should go take a knitting class!


23. How old is your oldest UFO?

Hmm lets see... so old I can't remember! I think it must be the chenille flower wash cloth I can't seem to get to work right. :(


24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?

I don't know that I really have one... I guess I would have to say cats.


25. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas!


26. Is there anything that you collect?

Cookbooks maybe... I also have a little seashell collection I hope to do something with some day!


27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

None.


28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?

Maybe 200 Crochet Blocks or Cozy Crochet (I wish I could tell if the patterns in here are cute!)

Tuesday, June 07, 2005

Yippee!

The dishcloth is finished and I am a part of Secret Pal 5!!!! Yeah! I will try to post a photo of the dishcloth sometime soon. I am also working on getting my secret pal info up but things are going slowly as I had a little bit of an incident yesterday that involved a allergy to dayquil, an ambulance ride and some time in the ER. I am still pretty freaked about it all but trying to remain calm. Ok... Now back to trying to finish that secret pal info....

Saturday, June 04, 2005

It's been a long time

Since I've been on here. At some point I became frustrated with trying to set this thing up because it didn't look as good as I wanted it to. But now I figure - hey, if the thing works ok, I'll use it! My main motivation for getting this going again is because I want to be a part of Secret Pal 5! I am not sure if I am in yet but I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Currently I am working on crocheting a lime green dishcloth. It is my first crochet project and I am about to do the edging and I have to admit I am a bit confused, but tonight I am going to try to muddle through. I also have a purple scarf on my kneedles which was my attempt at learning to do cables and now that I pretty much figured that out I am having difficulty motivating myself to finish it - oh and I was working on crocheting on pair of thongs but haven't gotten to the second one. I need help getting back to being a motivated knitter! :)