Monday, February 12, 2007

Magic Loop and Duet Sock Yarn!

I am LOVING my latest purchase! My duet sock yarn arrived a bit ago from a swell yarn shop and I wanted to save it to knit on my trip but I figured I HAD to cast on and try to figure out the pattern so I wouldn't run into problems on the plane.....

So anyway.... I picked up a copy of The Magic Loop at my LYS and knit a little to get the hang of the technique (It was a snap! Why didn't I try this earlier!?!) Then after a few tries I figured Knitty's Magic Cast On for toe up socks (I hated it at first but when I realized it really is.that.simple I liked it a lot). The socks are going great (ok yah somewhere I dropped a stitch and kind of made up the fix) and are a blast to knit so far!

I'll update you on my progress as I continue - and if you haven't tried the Magic Loop - JUST DO IT!

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Note To Self -

Get a flu shot next year.

At least I seem to get getting back to the land of the living a little bit.....

Sunday, February 04, 2007

It's coming soon.....




Yippee! I am so excited! We have all the reservations and I can't wait to go!

What the Book Says....

So I was checking out Tasha's blog and she inspired me to play this little game:

The Instructions:
1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the next four sentences on your blog, along with these instructions.
5. No cheating by going for a "cool" book...it has to be the nearest one.

My Results:
1. It is validating for someone to have thoughts and feelings identical to our own.
2. It feels wonderful.
3. Eventually, though, perceptions will differ.
4. How this is handled is critical for the relationship.

~Stop Walking on Eggshells, Paul Mason and Randi Kreger

I find this somewhat ironic given who I got the idea for this post from... ;)

Monday, January 29, 2007

Finished and Bought!

Finished: Baby Hat from One Skein - hoping the pictures aren't lost as the hat has already been given to my friend's sweet new baby boy! The pattern was pretty easy and fun to do!

Bought: Duet Sock Yarn in Candy Hearts - This yarn was SO cute I couldn't resist ---- I don't really like to make socks but now I MUST. I wanted to try to make two socks at once but I tried it last summer and it just ended in a tangled mess!

I am off to google how to knit these socks - the whole pair at once... and maybe to look for deals on a yarn swift! I REALLY need one!

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Found!!!




Photos of the Jumping dress!

Sunday, December 31, 2006

Happy New Year's Eve!

Happy almost 2007!

For 2007 I hope to get more knitting done than I did in 2006. Over at the Big Girl Knits list they are starting a new KAL - Cherry Bomb! I am very tempted to join in but haven't gotten around to getting any yarn yet for this project. I may surf the net tomorrow in attempt to get some - or one of my favorite LYS is having a BIG sale next week and I may just have to go! Or maybe to the big sale tomorrow at another of my favorites. Or maybe I will just relax in front of the football game with you know who and work on my cabled hat... :)

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Christmas Goodness!

Hi Everyone!

I have been suffering somewhat from the holiday blahs - long story that is - but I did want to write and tell you some about the holiday goodness I received. :)

I am excited to be in the market for a new TV! Yippee! Courtesy of the parents I am planning to buy a lovely flat screen 37 inch tv! I've never had one that big and am excited to watch some netflix movies on it!

I also received the cutest Italian Charm bracelet from the Studly Boyfriend. It has removable charms including two that look like my kitties and one that says "I'd rather be knitting" - Too cute! Also a cool fleur de lis which is very sparkly! Now we can get charms for it on our different travels and adventures.

I also was given a subscription to Interweave knits that I am VERY excited about! And the giver included a copy of this month's magazine so I am happy to be enjoying it already!

Ok that's all for now.... the knitting has come to a virtual halt for the moment... I think I need to just do another scarf or something to get me in the mood!

Saturday, December 16, 2006

Ten Things

That I've been doing lately-
*Working too much as I have four different locations and two businesses I am trying to manage!
*Staring at my naked Christmas tree - we haven't had time to decorate it even though it has been in the house for a week!
*Preparing for The Studly Boyfriend to move into my condo completely!
*Trying to keep my cat medicated/on hypoallergenic food enough that he doesn't pull all of his fur out.
*Shopping for my secret pal (This was REALLY fun!!!)
*Celebrating the Studly Boyfriend's birthday with a trip to Downtown Seattle and a night at the Westin (we saw AWESOME gingerbread houses displayed there and went on the carousel! It was a great time!)
*Finishing my Christmas shopping (I am trying to do more gifts that people can REALLY use - things to do or practical presents so that they will get used and not just hidden in a closet somewhere)
*LAUNDRY, LAUNDRY, LAUNDRY!
*Working bit by bit on a cabled hat out of the oh-so-soft yarn that my secret pal gave me. (I want to find more time to knit but it has been REALLY hard lately)
*Trying to stay warm, dry and patient! Our power was out for at least 24 hours and I am VERY thankful and lucky that it came back on as soon as it did! The area is a bit of a disaster zone and I have realized how difficult it really would be if we had a huge natural disaster - kinda scary!

Monday, December 04, 2006

Pictures at LAST!

What I did Saturday:
Sunday's Events:
The Cutest Craft Project my Aunt made me!

My Knit Unto Others Hat:

Other finished Hats that will go to others:

Monday, November 27, 2006

Pictures, Pictures, I need pictures!

But I don't have them! :(

Over the weekend I started and finished a hat for the Knit Unto Others knit along. I also realize that I have two other hats that are finished that I need to get around to donating. There is something just so rewarding about knitting up a hat with chunky yarn that you can complete super quickly.

I don't remember if I posted about this but I also recently finished a 2x2 rib scarf. So far it is for me but it may go to someone else....

The Jumping Dress is now COMPLETELY finished...

And on the needles - a cabled hat... with some lovely soft yarn from my secret pal!

(I will post pictures soon of my FO's as well as the lovely package my SP sent!)

Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving!

PS! It's been SNOWING in Seattle! :) :) :)

Sunday, November 12, 2006

What I've been up to....

Two great concerts! What more could you ask for from the weekend!?! Ok I am counting my weekend to have kind of started on Thursday - but that works!

Thursday was Girlyman at the Tractor Tavern. They were GREAT! They are always great! I love their music and they also put on a very entertaining performance. It's so fun to hear them tell stories and talk with one another while they play. If you don't know who they are CHECK THEM OUT!!!











Then Saturday.... the Dixie Chicks! I'd been so looking forward to this show since the whole president bush debacle.... and it was great! These girls are high energy performers! Lots of fun to see a group I have been liking for years!



















On the knitting front... the purple yarn - well one skein of the purple woolpak nightmare - is wound and waiting to get on the needles....

The condo is also waiting to be cleaned....

not sure who will win....

PS the size of the photos do NOT reflect the size of my love for these bands!

Friday, November 10, 2006

I NEED A SWIFT!

Although I still have that one end to sew in on the jumping dress and I have maybe three more WIP's I have decided that I need to start the holiday gift I am planning to make for my friend. The problem - the YARN. The woolpak yarn. I found it - it was hiding in a plastic bin somewhere. Now I am trying to get it into usable form. The HUGE 525 yard skein is quite a challenge. I do have a ball winder - but no swift. I have been too cheap to buy one for myself. And now this is the fifth - maybe sixth- time that I have tried to wind yarn at home without a swift. I HATE DOING IT! Right now I have it hung on a lamp and the ball winder attached to my desk.... it isn't working well...

ok back to the yarn....

wish me luck.

Sunday, October 22, 2006

My weekend...

I ALMOST have the Jumping dress finished- Just need to sew in one more end!

I worked a bit on the ribbed scarf made out of the neat super chunky variegated yarn my last intern got me. I am using lantern moon straight needles. They are so pretty to knit with but I still love my circulars!

Speaking of circulars- I organized all of mine in a neat-o needle organizer I got months ago from my LYS! I even used my labeler to mark the needle sizes and lengths! I now know what I have - and don't! ;)

I made a teeny bit more progress at organizing my house. I am trying to get rid of lots of magazines, books and other random stuff that is just hanging around. I did organize all of my makeup! Yippee!

Saw an interesting film - Jesus Camp

Ate yummy healthy Indian food with my cooking club!

Did TONS of laundry- Oh why won't it just fold itself!!!

Overall a good weekend!

I promise pictures soon of said knitting content!

Saturday, October 14, 2006

Help Still Needed

Although it's not in the news as much New Orleans is still struggling greatly from hurricane Katrina.

This article was interesting to me and made me wish I could take some more time off work to go help again. Unfortunately I can't but I thought maybe someone else out there would be looking for a volunteer opportunity and I might as well pass the info along. The holidays are coming up and you just might have some vacation time you are itching to use for a good cause!

There is no way you can comprehend this disaster unless you have seen it for yourself. It would mean so much to the people of New Orleans if you can take any time to help... a month, a week or a few days...

Check out some of the ways you can get involved:
New Orleans Home for the Holidays
Acorn.org

Friday, October 13, 2006

How Could I?

Lose an ENTIRE SKEIN of DARK PURPLE Wool Pak yarn? The thing is HUGE!!!!

Where I have put it is beyond me!

Grrrrr!!!!

Thursday, October 12, 2006

What to knit???

I am basically finished with my Jumping dress (need to attach the button and the loop) and have been lamenting for quite some time over what to knit next. Awhile ago I had this great idea that I would knit things for people for Christmas... Now I'm not so sure if that is a good one! I have a friend who wants socks - but really I think that would take me UNTIL Christmas to finish... hmmm what to make next????

Thursday, October 05, 2006

Planning begins....

So this post won't be so knitting related - I realized that I am wanting to ramble about something else for a bit and have a space where I can keep track of my --- Trip Planning!!!! I am really really hoping to go to Mardi Gras this year and thought that I would keep you all up to date with those plans - and who knows maybe someone will even give me some good lodging suggestions or Mardi Gras hints!

I've never done Mardi Gras before - and I have great excitement but also some fears about it I guess. I am not sure that I can even imagine what the crowds are like.... but I've been to many crowded events in DC and NYC before so I suppose if I could survive them I will be fine!

On the other hand - I am just SO excited to experience the whole thing! The people, the parades and floats, yummy drinks, beads beads and more beads and just to be back to the New Orleans culture in general. I really miss Nola and hope that some day I actually have the chance to live there or at least stay for an extended time.

The first task at the moment for this trip is finding a place to stay.... It is INSANE to me how much rooms are costing! Looking on Orbitz right now even staying at the Holiday Inn (not my favorite) is $204 a night.... the Ramada is $299 - based on those quotes - and the fact that it would be more fun - I'll be looking into B&B's! Anyone have any suggestions? :)

Sunday, October 01, 2006

SP 9 Questions and Answers!

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

Colorful and soft! I really really am a natural fiber girl! I enjoy wool (mmm alpaca especially) and cotton - I have some bamboo in my stash but I haven't tried it yet. I like blends with natural fibers (ie silk garden) and am interested in trying more natural fibers (soy, corn, hemp...) that I haven't yet experimented with. I REALLY REALLY DON'T like synthetic fibers and even hesitate if a fiber such as wool is blended with it. I am not big on novelty yarns lately and also seem to be preferring dk weight to things that are more chunky. I would love to try something that has cashmere in it.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

I am still developing a system. Now I have a variety of things including some tins, a plastic bin and a soft binder with plastic pouches to store the circulars.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I think that I have been knitting for about five years although somehow I have kind of lost track. My paternal grandmother taught me long ago but I really picked up the skill when I took a class at my LYS. I would consider myself an intermediate knitter but working toward advanced.

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

I had both but have not updated forever.... I will try to do that soon and let you know when/if I do!

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

This might sound silly but I have to say I have been not big on scents lately. Lots of things seem to give me headaches so I really prefer things that are mild and made with natural products. That said - I prefer vanilla and citrus scents.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

hehe - I wish I didn't but I do! I love marzipan and tend to be a person who likes gummy and fruity things (jelly belly's) but not big on chocolate.

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

I want to spin! Just took up scrap-booking!

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

Folk, bluegrass, jazz, world music, country.... I like quite a variety... I can play MP3's

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

I like purples the most- also blues and pink! Not a big orange fan!

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

Two cats - Cider and Dickens. Single but in a relationship.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

Yes to scarves, hats and mittens. NO to ponchos!

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

hmmm this is a hard one... I think I am still searching. I have to say I loved clapotis and have been enjoying some of the little kid clothes I made recently. I also like felted items.

13. What are you knitting right now?

Sort of in between projects- I am working on a dishcolth from Mason Dixon knitting - I have at least one pair of socks that the first sock needs it's mate. Just finished a project and looking for a new one to start - likely it will be a Christmas gift of some sort.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Yes!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Circular. Addi turbos or bamboo. Not so into plastic but curious about these new ones with the light up tips!

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

I have a yarn winder - but can you please influence someone close to me to buy me that nice wooden swift! ;)

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
Mmmmm maybe three or four years!

18. What is your favorite holiday?

I like Christmas. I am also now looking VERY forward to Mardi Gras as I am planning a trip to Nola for it this year!

19. Is there anything that you collect?

This is a funny question as I am trying to NOT collect so much stuff. I am trying to declutter and purge!

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

Hmm now I can use this as a place for friends and family to know what I am dying for too! My high price item would be those new needles that knitpicks is selling (I think they are called Options). I also really want to try something with Cashmere - maybe "Pure Cashmere" by Debbie Bliss. I like Rowan yarns but haven't tried many of them. Cash Iroha, Cashmere Island and Iro (all new from Noro I think) look very interesting. I'd also love to try something from Briar Rose Fibers. I'd also like to have the books Knit Fix and Knitting Without Tears. I don't have any knitting magazine subscriptions.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

I wish I could refresh my brain on the crochet... it seems hard for me to remember most of it. I am interested in learning to spin.. but a bit hesitant that it is super complicated!

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

I wear a size 10 or 11 shoe and can't seem to knit a sock to save my life that fits me! I also don't seem to have the patience to finish a whole pair!

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)

4/28

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Why is it...

That when things aren't going the best in your romantic life you go into a restaurant for dinner with your special someone and EVERY song that plays is a love song?

Can anyone tell me?