Come fold the rest of this god-forsaken butt-load of laundry for me and I'll clean you bathroom!! :D C'mon, you know you wanna.
Or, explain the freaky dream I had last night and I'll give you some really tasty chocolate muffin-y things. Started off that I somehow ended up making out with John C. McGinley. Well, actually that part almost makes sense. I have an unexplainable fascination with him. Heh. Didn't think it was quite *like that* though!
It's the second part I don't get. It involved hooking up with an ex, who in reality, I would strangle with my bare hands if I knew I would never ever get in trouble for it. To do the world a favor. Then it got really weird. Some psychotic social services dude comes busting in the apartment (my last one in FL), ranting and raving about me being under age (??). He runs in the kitchen, grabs a HUGE spoon and proceeds to start smacking me in the head with it! I grab the phone and run out of the apartment. As soon as I get 911 on the phone, I get out of range and psycho SS dude is hot on my tail, but suddenly, he's a chick! Still wielding the giant spoon of doom, though. There was a chase around the complex until I found my car and took off. Then I woke up pretty darn freaked out.
Strangeness.
The weirdest thing is that certain parts of it were *way* more realistic than almost any dreams I've had. Like all 5 senses were into it. Usually there's some sort of detatched feeling to it. Like I can't really smell or taste things correctly and I sure don't halfway jolt myself awake because I'm absolutely certain I can feel someone touching me. I could actually taste stuff too. Freaked me the hell out.
The night before, I kept waking up and swaering someone else was in the room. Once, standing by the bed, and once actually laying in the bed next to me. Saw it 'bout plain as day. Wasn't nearly as scary as it sounds either. Just odd.
Folding too much laundry must me doing weird things to my brain! Or maybe it's a side effect from the cat litter contact! Lol.
Ok, not that I've shared entirely too much information you never needed to know, I think I'll go eat lunch.
PS- I know the mini-clap will be unhappy but I think I'll actually start the sock-clap tonight. I'm too excited about it to wait any longer. :)
Friday, October 27, 2006
Thursday, October 26, 2006
*whew*
Got a good bit done again today. As much as I've done these past few days I still have a ton to do tomorrow. I've washed a *ton* of clothes, packed a few, fixed up the cats and hamsters (only fish tanks left), organized meds/vitamins (except could only find one week organizer so I'm still short), reorganized the stash, selected most of the projects and yarn to take, organized and selected patterns (still have books to go), etc
Still have the fish tanks to do, trunk to clean out, CDs to burn, clothes to wash and pack, toiletries to pack, school stuff to sort, etc.
I really wish they would have confirmed this trip a few days earlier so I'd have had more time. Aw, who am I kidding? I would be in teh same position because I would have said "oh, I have time." It's amazing I'm this far into things, actually. I'm a notorious 12 - 3am stuff everything but the kitchen sink in bags and go.
Anyway, I'm going to do tanks, fold the clothes on my bed, and call it a day. The boy is bringing me dinner in a bit. :) He's good like that. He's also going to help with my trunk tomorrow after work. Hopefully I'll have most things ready for him to help stuff in the car as well. I am incapable of traveling "light." The one time I did was my trip to FL. Packed one bag for two weeks. Stayed two years. No, three, actually.
Knitting hasn't helped lighten the load at all. Luckily my hair and make-up are much lower maintenence now though.
But seriously, two weeks?! Who knows what knitting stuff I could need in TWO WEEKS! :P But I also must consider the yarn stores I have to hit. Gotta leave room for that!
Anyway, that's the update on the pre-trip.
Ok, how 'bout some knitting related pictures to go with my pissin' and moanin'? :D
Here we have Mom's Knucks. Unfortunately I hadn't discovered the wonders of the cable cast on yet so I used the long-tail and the fingers look a tad bulky/sloppy. Oh well, I still have another pair for her and hopefully one for me to go. I'll get better. These are done in KnitPicks Merino Style. Nice to work with. We'll see how it wears. I have some beautiful and super soft RYC Cashsoft for her next pair. I wound the second ball today and was HORRIFIED to find THREE knots from two pieces being tied together, one weak spot so bad it had to be cut out and two non-spicing tight knots!!! WTF? If I pay nine effing dollars for a ball of yarn I should get a ball of crap I have to mutilate! As much as I despise weaving ends I'm super duper pissed. I sent them an email about it but I really don't expect that a company that large will give two shits. I'm very unhappy. I loves me some Cashsoft but thatis just unacceptable! *sigh*
Anyway, here's the picture... lol
Next up is the washrag/dishrag from hell. I like the colors even though you can't see the design very well but the heart chart + the gauge = very large rag which ran out of yarn two rows from the end. I tried to crochet cast off (desperation makes you do retarded things) and of course it looked like crap. Bought another ball (Peaches & Cream, gotta love it), picked out the cast off and now I'm slowly going backward to fix the shortened st st part and make it look less craptastic. I kow I should just kill the whole thing and redo it as two rags with one heart in the middle of each but I'm stubborn. I'll make this one the way it should have been, hate it, frog it, and be too mad at the yarn to use it for a while. Good plan? Yeah, that's what I thought. ;P
This is the crayon kit thingy I made into a DPN case. Perfect fit. As you can see, I loves me some DPNs. Actually, this is only about 2/3 of em. I need more. No, seriously, I need more. I don't have enough 6"ers.
Behold the super cool bag I got for $1.99! It's the perfect size for my mini-clap in progress, which makes sure I take it everywhere I go. Fear the mini-clap. Obey the mini-clap. Ignore the messy sheets.
Last but certainly not least we have my trusty crap-holder. I got this puppy at WalMart on sale for a buck and a half.
And a shot of the guts. The camel tin is stitch markers. The bigger altoids tin is needle cap-y thingies whose name I am drawing a blank on right now. :P The smaller one is crochet stitch markers and a couple yarn needles. Then we have the retractable tape measure, gauge wizars, US0 DPNS, crochet hooks, scrap yarn, post-its, and emboridery scissors (can't see those).
Still have the fish tanks to do, trunk to clean out, CDs to burn, clothes to wash and pack, toiletries to pack, school stuff to sort, etc.
I really wish they would have confirmed this trip a few days earlier so I'd have had more time. Aw, who am I kidding? I would be in teh same position because I would have said "oh, I have time." It's amazing I'm this far into things, actually. I'm a notorious 12 - 3am stuff everything but the kitchen sink in bags and go.
Anyway, I'm going to do tanks, fold the clothes on my bed, and call it a day. The boy is bringing me dinner in a bit. :) He's good like that. He's also going to help with my trunk tomorrow after work. Hopefully I'll have most things ready for him to help stuff in the car as well. I am incapable of traveling "light." The one time I did was my trip to FL. Packed one bag for two weeks. Stayed two years. No, three, actually.
Knitting hasn't helped lighten the load at all. Luckily my hair and make-up are much lower maintenence now though.
But seriously, two weeks?! Who knows what knitting stuff I could need in TWO WEEKS! :P But I also must consider the yarn stores I have to hit. Gotta leave room for that!
Anyway, that's the update on the pre-trip.
Ok, how 'bout some knitting related pictures to go with my pissin' and moanin'? :D
Here we have Mom's Knucks. Unfortunately I hadn't discovered the wonders of the cable cast on yet so I used the long-tail and the fingers look a tad bulky/sloppy. Oh well, I still have another pair for her and hopefully one for me to go. I'll get better. These are done in KnitPicks Merino Style. Nice to work with. We'll see how it wears. I have some beautiful and super soft RYC Cashsoft for her next pair. I wound the second ball today and was HORRIFIED to find THREE knots from two pieces being tied together, one weak spot so bad it had to be cut out and two non-spicing tight knots!!! WTF? If I pay nine effing dollars for a ball of yarn I should get a ball of crap I have to mutilate! As much as I despise weaving ends I'm super duper pissed. I sent them an email about it but I really don't expect that a company that large will give two shits. I'm very unhappy. I loves me some Cashsoft but thatis just unacceptable! *sigh*
Anyway, here's the picture... lol
Next up is the washrag/dishrag from hell. I like the colors even though you can't see the design very well but the heart chart + the gauge = very large rag which ran out of yarn two rows from the end. I tried to crochet cast off (desperation makes you do retarded things) and of course it looked like crap. Bought another ball (Peaches & Cream, gotta love it), picked out the cast off and now I'm slowly going backward to fix the shortened st st part and make it look less craptastic. I kow I should just kill the whole thing and redo it as two rags with one heart in the middle of each but I'm stubborn. I'll make this one the way it should have been, hate it, frog it, and be too mad at the yarn to use it for a while. Good plan? Yeah, that's what I thought. ;P
This is the crayon kit thingy I made into a DPN case. Perfect fit. As you can see, I loves me some DPNs. Actually, this is only about 2/3 of em. I need more. No, seriously, I need more. I don't have enough 6"ers.
Behold the super cool bag I got for $1.99! It's the perfect size for my mini-clap in progress, which makes sure I take it everywhere I go. Fear the mini-clap. Obey the mini-clap. Ignore the messy sheets.
Last but certainly not least we have my trusty crap-holder. I got this puppy at WalMart on sale for a buck and a half.
And a shot of the guts. The camel tin is stitch markers. The bigger altoids tin is needle cap-y thingies whose name I am drawing a blank on right now. :P The smaller one is crochet stitch markers and a couple yarn needles. Then we have the retractable tape measure, gauge wizars, US0 DPNS, crochet hooks, scrap yarn, post-its, and emboridery scissors (can't see those).
I've gotten so much use out of this puppy, I picked up a green-ish one yesterday.
Ok, that's all I have.
Eh, the fish can wait a few more minutes. It's time to have a beer and watch Scrubs.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
WIPs
Took a few WIP pictures today. Here's the first batch. I'm planning to edit a few more after I tend to my fish and hamsters and do some laundry. Hopefully I can keep today incident-free.
This is the first silver-toed, doom-free sock of doom. The yarn is "Cashmere Luxury Aran" or something like that. It's basicly a Cashmerino/Csshsoft type knock off. Super soft. Bonus points for being on sale.
This is the first silver-toed, doom-free sock of doom. The yarn is "Cashmere Luxury Aran" or something like that. It's basicly a Cashmerino/Csshsoft type knock off. Super soft. Bonus points for being on sale.
This is Broadripple ver2.0
This puppy better work out to be the right size or it may be doomed. It'll at least go on the back burner since the next size needles will be occupied by a long line of house socks.
Here's a full length shot of the Clap of Questionable Intent. The color quility of this photo is atrocious. Hopefully it won't get mad about me posting unflattering pictures on the internet. ;)
Here we have a really bad shot of the Swatch of Ill-Repute. It's much nicer looking in person. Apparently not overly photogenic. Then again, this wasn't the best batch of pictures in general. :P
The rolled up bottom part was done on US5 Addis and it's best that you can't really see it since it looked all sloppy. I'm a fairly loose knitter, particulary with flat knitting, and can't imagine how people have made such lovely fingering weight Claps on size US7s and such. Funny thing is I *feel* like a tight knitter. Weird.
Anyway, I love the colorway. Can't wait to work with the tone-on-tone green as well. Very striking.
I'm not crazy about how loose and wonky the twisted stitches look though, particularly the left ones. I've entertained the idea of twisting them on the purl side as well and while I think it'd be more asthetically pleasing, I also think it could be the death of the Clapotis because I'd get annoyed with it. Since I'm making this one pretty large and that's a US3 circ you see in the photo, I think I'm better off just sucking it up. I think it'll look fine once it's all said and done.
Oh, and the weird poochy dropped stitches are from the purl line I put in when I changed needles.
Dagnabbit! I just remembered I have class at 5! Here I was thinking I'd just work on cleaning and what not a little later to make up for the late start, but now I only have two and a half hours until class. I better get going! Damn my crappy short-term memory!
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Ok, one more because this just begs to be shared :P
Everything was going smoothly. Feelin' good, end in sight, all that jazz. I go to clean the "cat corner" (litter box and such) and discover that someone has decided there's just not enough box and the informed my by missing over the back corder and tossing some litter back there for good measure. Nice. I debated over the best way to handle this particularly distasteful, and set-in (read: dried up all gross like) mess. Suddenly I had a great idea. I'd just use the stiff brush I bought to clean around the edge of the tub but ended up not needing to use. It'd fix around wall edges perfectly. And so it did. First swipe proved what a great plan this was. It was taking it right out of the nooks and crannys. Awesome. I scrubbed in the other direction and the fun began. A little chunk of not-so-clean litter shot directly into my left eye! Nothing got anywhere else just cat litter straight in my damn EYE!!! I jumped up, yanked off the gloves, ran to the bathroom and started flushing my eye out with water. I loathe having to put anything near my eye, much less *in* it but I had no trouble keeping my eye open for this. I did discover that the bathroom faucet is much too low and the sink much too shallow (and a bit overly grimy once we got up close and personal) to make this work well. What to do? I run to the kitchen thinking I could do better. If anything, that angle was worse. Tried the spray nozzle on really low. Pain in the butt but it was slightly easier to aim. I alternated sinks and methods until I had the bright idea to the the shower. Why doesn't the showerhead have an "eye rinse" setting?! After all of this I finally felt I had the offending substance out of my poor poor eye. Of course it still felt scratchy as all get out. I had put allergy drops in that eye not a half hour before the incident because it was itching a little so I grabbed them and added a little more. Had to do something after all that blasted water! Mom brought me some different OTC drops and I used those too. Finally it dawned on me that I should probably consult an expert. Called the opthalmolagist (the heavy duty fella, not the corner store optomitrist) and he said to come on in to have a look since it obviously felt a bit scratched. I changed into a slightly less raggedy ensemble (well, cleaner at least), grabbed the mini-clap bag and my purse and headed out. I guess the knitting found a way to get its attention after all. :P I ended up being there for a good hour and a half so I made some progress. Thankfully I was feeling much better by the time the doc got to me. I apparently did a good job and only suffered minor scratches. Got some drops and instructions not to mess with it. Only cost me $12.50, which was a blessing considering how my insurance loooooves to jerk me around.
Got home about 45min ago. Called Dad to give him an update and what does he remember by the end of the conversation? Oh, there's an eye wash do-hickey under the sink!!!!
*dies*
I have threatened the physical well-being of the next animal to piss in the effing corner.
I'm ok now, save for the headache I have brewing. I'm keeping an, uh, eye on that eye for the next few days though. The last thing I need is some cruddy cat-piss-y eye infection (*shudder*) to ruin my NC plans.
I now have a sneaking suspicion that the mini-clap will go to some dirty extremes to get attention. Good thing those Addis aren't too pointy! Maybe the insomnia was a blessing in disguise... I might have been attacked in my sleep for ho'in around with that tarty sock yarn swatch last night.
Got home about 45min ago. Called Dad to give him an update and what does he remember by the end of the conversation? Oh, there's an eye wash do-hickey under the sink!!!!
*dies*
I have threatened the physical well-being of the next animal to piss in the effing corner.
I'm ok now, save for the headache I have brewing. I'm keeping an, uh, eye on that eye for the next few days though. The last thing I need is some cruddy cat-piss-y eye infection (*shudder*) to ruin my NC plans.
I now have a sneaking suspicion that the mini-clap will go to some dirty extremes to get attention. Good thing those Addis aren't too pointy! Maybe the insomnia was a blessing in disguise... I might have been attacked in my sleep for ho'in around with that tarty sock yarn swatch last night.
Great mysteries of the universe
Ok, I really just can't comprehend how two cats can shed so much and not be totally bald! It's insane!
I've managed to gather up all the dirty clothes (and the clean ones that got lost in the shuffle at some point), throw out a bunch of boxes and what-not, pile all the crafty goodness on the bed and I'm 'bout ready to hit the floor. It hasn't really been that long since I cleaned, I just live in a closet. (Sadly, I'm not really exaggerating there.) Every time I get down to the sweeping and vacuuming and such I am simply baffled by the accumulation of fur! I could build a herd of cats here! As soon as I clean it up, there it is again. Everywhere. Some sort of kitty-cat voodoo or some such supernaturalness. The why part is beyone me as well.
I made a fabulous discovery while cleaning. Came across a little clear plastic zip-up baggie that was part of a kiddie art set. Said baggie is the *perfect* size for DPNs! Finally, something to get me through until I can get or make a proper roll up case. My DPN storage situation has been horrible and involved random plastic baggies, a cardboard box, and stuffing some in the binder that's already too small for my other needles. Not idea by any means. It's a miracle they've survived.
Ok, time to get my money's worth out of that shop-vac and Swiffer thingy. :) I may not be the most alert today but I'm getting plenty accomplished. Productivity makes me feel so much better. Especially when it results in a significantly less cluttered living space. Key word being "less"... it's still cluttered as all get out but that's just me and my closet sized room. No, actually it's just me in general. At least I'm trying. ;)
In case you're wondering, the absurd amount of blogging today is just some sort of odd little break time reward system thing. It's less likely I'll end up getting sucked into Craftster or something if I just yap here for a minute then get back to it. One can't very well just sit there on a break whilst all jacked up on caffeine. And there can be no knitting until I'm done for the day.
I've managed to gather up all the dirty clothes (and the clean ones that got lost in the shuffle at some point), throw out a bunch of boxes and what-not, pile all the crafty goodness on the bed and I'm 'bout ready to hit the floor. It hasn't really been that long since I cleaned, I just live in a closet. (Sadly, I'm not really exaggerating there.) Every time I get down to the sweeping and vacuuming and such I am simply baffled by the accumulation of fur! I could build a herd of cats here! As soon as I clean it up, there it is again. Everywhere. Some sort of kitty-cat voodoo or some such supernaturalness. The why part is beyone me as well.
I made a fabulous discovery while cleaning. Came across a little clear plastic zip-up baggie that was part of a kiddie art set. Said baggie is the *perfect* size for DPNs! Finally, something to get me through until I can get or make a proper roll up case. My DPN storage situation has been horrible and involved random plastic baggies, a cardboard box, and stuffing some in the binder that's already too small for my other needles. Not idea by any means. It's a miracle they've survived.
Ok, time to get my money's worth out of that shop-vac and Swiffer thingy. :) I may not be the most alert today but I'm getting plenty accomplished. Productivity makes me feel so much better. Especially when it results in a significantly less cluttered living space. Key word being "less"... it's still cluttered as all get out but that's just me and my closet sized room. No, actually it's just me in general. At least I'm trying. ;)
In case you're wondering, the absurd amount of blogging today is just some sort of odd little break time reward system thing. It's less likely I'll end up getting sucked into Craftster or something if I just yap here for a minute then get back to it. One can't very well just sit there on a break whilst all jacked up on caffeine. And there can be no knitting until I'm done for the day.
*yawn*
My teacher happily agreed to let me make the test up when I get back. *yay* I also got my shopping done. *yay again*
Now I'm tired of being up and about but it's just ridiculous to even consider lying down now.
I keep starting to organize the yarn that is consuming my room bet each time I do, I start dilly-dallying and trying to justify knitting instead. ;P It's totally the yarn's fault though. I take no responsibility!
Now I'm tired of being up and about but it's just ridiculous to even consider lying down now.
I keep starting to organize the yarn that is consuming my room bet each time I do, I start dilly-dallying and trying to justify knitting instead. ;P It's totally the yarn's fault though. I take no responsibility!
Never a good frying pan around when you need one!
I was in the shower at 12:30 so there wasn't one accessible. The shower seems like a bad place to knock oneself upside the head anyway. Well, looks like I needed that knocking-out worse than I though. That's right, I'm still awake and it's pushing 7am. This simply cannot be, yet somehow it is. :(
I'd like to just take a pass on Tuesday and try again tomorrow but I don't have that kind of time to spare. One option would be to go to sleep now, try to get up in 2-3hrs to catch my teacher after class then hit WalMart w/ the boy, have lunch and try to get something useful done after that. But in all reality, if I go to sleep now there'll be no moving me until afternoon and then it'll be too late to go by school. I've decided the only reasonable solution is to stay up for another hour, catch my teacher before class (rather than after), consume large amounts of caffeine, do shopping, eat lunch, start laundry, take nap, change laundry, more caffeine, more laundry, clean the kitty corner (and maybe the fish tanks) and call it a day. If I can get by school, make it to WalMart, get two or three loads of laundry done, and switch out the litter boxes, I'll take that. I can do the hamster cages/room cleaning/trunk purging tomorrow. I'm taking an f-in' sleeping pill tonight, dammit. This is just getting ridiculous. I *hate* all nighters. I am not a nice or reasonable person when I haven't slept recently. It doesn't help that I have an unreasonable amount of crap I want to get done in the next few days.
Later I will have to cover: the insane demands house socks, the faaaaaabulous new yarn, my newfound desire to knit for myself, and my recently discovered long lost twin I didn't know was lost. I'll spare you those details until I am in a position to make more sense. No sleepy makes me loopy. :P
I'd like to just take a pass on Tuesday and try again tomorrow but I don't have that kind of time to spare. One option would be to go to sleep now, try to get up in 2-3hrs to catch my teacher after class then hit WalMart w/ the boy, have lunch and try to get something useful done after that. But in all reality, if I go to sleep now there'll be no moving me until afternoon and then it'll be too late to go by school. I've decided the only reasonable solution is to stay up for another hour, catch my teacher before class (rather than after), consume large amounts of caffeine, do shopping, eat lunch, start laundry, take nap, change laundry, more caffeine, more laundry, clean the kitty corner (and maybe the fish tanks) and call it a day. If I can get by school, make it to WalMart, get two or three loads of laundry done, and switch out the litter boxes, I'll take that. I can do the hamster cages/room cleaning/trunk purging tomorrow. I'm taking an f-in' sleeping pill tonight, dammit. This is just getting ridiculous. I *hate* all nighters. I am not a nice or reasonable person when I haven't slept recently. It doesn't help that I have an unreasonable amount of crap I want to get done in the next few days.
Later I will have to cover: the insane demands house socks, the faaaaaabulous new yarn, my newfound desire to knit for myself, and my recently discovered long lost twin I didn't know was lost. I'll spare you those details until I am in a position to make more sense. No sleepy makes me loopy. :P
Monday, October 23, 2006
Ahoy, Busy week ahead!
Ok, I really have to start sleeping during reasonable hours if I expect to meet my goals for this week. I've still been on that 3/4am-1/2pm schedule. Not because I want to... just can't seem to swing anything better. Have to do better than that though. I'll be asleep by 12:30 tonight if I have to knock myself out with a frying pan!
Since my temp 'assignment' in Asheville came through, I have butt-loads of stuff to do to get ready for 2 weeks away. First, I have to get my school stuff straight. I've done this week's work and I'll be doing next week's as soon as I finish this entry and the lunch I'm having simultaneously. Tomorrow I need to go in during Comp ACC and talk to my instructor about the ACC102 test on the 8th. I won't be back until the following weekend so I either need to get it out of the way before I leave Saturday or schedule a make-up after I get back. I'm going to be up there for two weeks and making $400 a week so I can't pass that up. Getting paid to spend two weeks in Asheville? Yes, please!
I also have to do things like clean my room, locate and wash 2 weeks worth of clothes, change my hamster cages (and add the new wheel that just came in), locate my travel bags, hit the WalMart (ugh) for some things I need to re-up on, Mapquest directions to all the yarn shops/thrift shops/health food shops I wanna hit on the weekends, and pack.
And of course I must carefully select the knitting projects and supplies to take with me. I drive a Miata so the clothing/bath products/knitting selection process could take longer than you'd think. I do have to leave room for stash expansion acquisitions as well. ;)
On the knitting front, this weekend was quite productive but not as productive as I expected, in certain ways.
I started, and finished, the first SOD sock for my SP. Only problem is, it's not for my SP anymore. :P I got most of the way down the foot and realized I didn't have enough in that first ball to complete the toe. Logically, if the first sock takes more than one ball and I only have two, I won't have enough to make it through the second sock. :( I weighed my options...
I could:
* keep going and hope, against better judgement, that there'd be enough yarn for the sock then knit the second on in fear of not having enough as well. I went with this option until I could no longer deny how tiny that ball had gotten.
* finish the sock then make a desperate trip to ACMoore (over an hour away) in hopes of finding a third ball. This seemed like a bad idea.
* rip it all out and make the top shorter. This would look silly seeing as how it wasn't a tall sock to begin with. And even though I knit the thing all in one day, I wasn't keen on having to do it all over again.
* rip back to the start of the heel, then knit the heel and toe in a silver/grey I bought for my friend's Christmas hat. Again, this involved ripping out a lot of work I didn't want to lose. I also wasn't sure how successful I'd be considering the stitch pattern.
* do the toe in silver and repeat on second sock. This seemed like the best idea. Mom thought so as well. Actually she loved the idea of silver toes. She also loved the lilac color of the yarn.
So, I went with door number four. Apparently door number four leads to Mom claiming the silver-toed sock as her own and offering to pay for more yarn for another pair for my SP. Ripping it out would have actually saved me time on the SP socks, it seems. LOL
So now I have a second silver-toed sock to finish, more yarn to buy, and a third pair of SODs to knit. :P It's a good thing they go quickly!
Speaking of SODs... I've been wearing my killer socks all weekend. They're fabulous. As I've mentioned, I love this pattern. It makes for wonderful house socks! I want another pair for myself. I think I might scrap the hat idea for my friend and make him a pair as well. He lives in FL but who doesn't get cold toes at some point? This idea also stems from me being a little stuck on the designing of his hat pattern and the fact that I've already used part of his yarn so I'll need to buy more anyway. I think I remember what size shoes he wears. I think. I suppose I should ask though.
Anyway, there will be a silver-toed SOD photo soon. Maybe not until I get back though since I think i'll wait until I have the pair done and I'm not sure I'll have time this week.
I also re-started the Broadripple socks last night. Went up a needles size and can't quite tell if it's enough yet. If not, this pair will have to go on hold until I get the SODs done. Actually, if this doesn't work, the Broadripples may never come to be since they're pissing me off. :P
The mini-clap didn't get as much time as I expected. I thought I'd be through the second ball by now.
The swatch for the boy's Go-Team socks didn't get finished like I expected. I got distracted. I'll probably work on them in NC. Should have plenty of time since you can work on a plain sock anytime, anywhere. Here's what I'm thinking now though... I originally bought a charcoal grey as a base and purple and orange for the heel, toe, and gym sock-esque stripes. I wanted to buy an ash grey but he liked the darker one on the screen. Of course once the yarn arrived he realized he'd prefer the lighter grey. So I ordered the ash. The plan was to use the ash in leau of the charcoal and be done with it. Now I'm thinking maybe I should do the foot in charcoal and the top in ash. The ash would be visible (it goes better with the orange and purple) but the charcoal would be there to keep them from looking dirty. This is a boy who will wander outside in his socks. This is also a boy known for wearing things more than once and since these are handwash socks, I'm sure they'll be no exception. Plus he's moving back to the parents' place for a few months and they don't have the world's cleanest floor, but that won't keep him from running about in said socks. Anyway, I can't decide yet. Any opinions?
So there's a nice long-winded text-y entry. I have to go do work now. ;P
Since my temp 'assignment' in Asheville came through, I have butt-loads of stuff to do to get ready for 2 weeks away. First, I have to get my school stuff straight. I've done this week's work and I'll be doing next week's as soon as I finish this entry and the lunch I'm having simultaneously. Tomorrow I need to go in during Comp ACC and talk to my instructor about the ACC102 test on the 8th. I won't be back until the following weekend so I either need to get it out of the way before I leave Saturday or schedule a make-up after I get back. I'm going to be up there for two weeks and making $400 a week so I can't pass that up. Getting paid to spend two weeks in Asheville? Yes, please!
I also have to do things like clean my room, locate and wash 2 weeks worth of clothes, change my hamster cages (and add the new wheel that just came in), locate my travel bags, hit the WalMart (ugh) for some things I need to re-up on, Mapquest directions to all the yarn shops/thrift shops/health food shops I wanna hit on the weekends, and pack.
And of course I must carefully select the knitting projects and supplies to take with me. I drive a Miata so the clothing/bath products/knitting selection process could take longer than you'd think. I do have to leave room for stash expansion acquisitions as well. ;)
On the knitting front, this weekend was quite productive but not as productive as I expected, in certain ways.
I started, and finished, the first SOD sock for my SP. Only problem is, it's not for my SP anymore. :P I got most of the way down the foot and realized I didn't have enough in that first ball to complete the toe. Logically, if the first sock takes more than one ball and I only have two, I won't have enough to make it through the second sock. :( I weighed my options...
I could:
* keep going and hope, against better judgement, that there'd be enough yarn for the sock then knit the second on in fear of not having enough as well. I went with this option until I could no longer deny how tiny that ball had gotten.
* finish the sock then make a desperate trip to ACMoore (over an hour away) in hopes of finding a third ball. This seemed like a bad idea.
* rip it all out and make the top shorter. This would look silly seeing as how it wasn't a tall sock to begin with. And even though I knit the thing all in one day, I wasn't keen on having to do it all over again.
* rip back to the start of the heel, then knit the heel and toe in a silver/grey I bought for my friend's Christmas hat. Again, this involved ripping out a lot of work I didn't want to lose. I also wasn't sure how successful I'd be considering the stitch pattern.
* do the toe in silver and repeat on second sock. This seemed like the best idea. Mom thought so as well. Actually she loved the idea of silver toes. She also loved the lilac color of the yarn.
So, I went with door number four. Apparently door number four leads to Mom claiming the silver-toed sock as her own and offering to pay for more yarn for another pair for my SP. Ripping it out would have actually saved me time on the SP socks, it seems. LOL
So now I have a second silver-toed sock to finish, more yarn to buy, and a third pair of SODs to knit. :P It's a good thing they go quickly!
Speaking of SODs... I've been wearing my killer socks all weekend. They're fabulous. As I've mentioned, I love this pattern. It makes for wonderful house socks! I want another pair for myself. I think I might scrap the hat idea for my friend and make him a pair as well. He lives in FL but who doesn't get cold toes at some point? This idea also stems from me being a little stuck on the designing of his hat pattern and the fact that I've already used part of his yarn so I'll need to buy more anyway. I think I remember what size shoes he wears. I think. I suppose I should ask though.
Anyway, there will be a silver-toed SOD photo soon. Maybe not until I get back though since I think i'll wait until I have the pair done and I'm not sure I'll have time this week.
I also re-started the Broadripple socks last night. Went up a needles size and can't quite tell if it's enough yet. If not, this pair will have to go on hold until I get the SODs done. Actually, if this doesn't work, the Broadripples may never come to be since they're pissing me off. :P
The mini-clap didn't get as much time as I expected. I thought I'd be through the second ball by now.
The swatch for the boy's Go-Team socks didn't get finished like I expected. I got distracted. I'll probably work on them in NC. Should have plenty of time since you can work on a plain sock anytime, anywhere. Here's what I'm thinking now though... I originally bought a charcoal grey as a base and purple and orange for the heel, toe, and gym sock-esque stripes. I wanted to buy an ash grey but he liked the darker one on the screen. Of course once the yarn arrived he realized he'd prefer the lighter grey. So I ordered the ash. The plan was to use the ash in leau of the charcoal and be done with it. Now I'm thinking maybe I should do the foot in charcoal and the top in ash. The ash would be visible (it goes better with the orange and purple) but the charcoal would be there to keep them from looking dirty. This is a boy who will wander outside in his socks. This is also a boy known for wearing things more than once and since these are handwash socks, I'm sure they'll be no exception. Plus he's moving back to the parents' place for a few months and they don't have the world's cleanest floor, but that won't keep him from running about in said socks. Anyway, I can't decide yet. Any opinions?
So there's a nice long-winded text-y entry. I have to go do work now. ;P
Friday, October 20, 2006
Blogger ate my post
My long post. Way too pissed and short on time to rewrite it though. PISSED! Rawr! I even copied the damn thing but apparently copied something else afterward and before hitting post because all I have left when I pasted was a freakin URL.
Poo... poo, I say!
Ah well... maybe later.
Poo... poo, I say!
Ah well... maybe later.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
kicks ass SP9 sock yarn
How nifty is THIS?? Waltz is jsut wild enough to be something I'd pick myself but the Foxtrot is really really something! It's not something I'd come up with in a million years or usually choose but I LOVE it. Check out the closeup. Beautiful.
Come to find out, this is brought to us by an Etsy seller whose gorgeous merino/silk laceweight I was drooling heavily over a couple days ago. This rainbow colorway is stunning.
On a mostly unrelated notw (well, they *are* from a seller offering a SP discount but that's about the only relation)... Aren't these the cutest?!
Come to find out, this is brought to us by an Etsy seller whose gorgeous merino/silk laceweight I was drooling heavily over a couple days ago. This rainbow colorway is stunning.
On a mostly unrelated notw (well, they *are* from a seller offering a SP discount but that's about the only relation)... Aren't these the cutest?!
Balls
I love winding yarn into balls by hand. I like the excuse to spend extra time with the yarn. I like being able to take care of any knots beforehand.
I've always been fascinated by center-pull balls of yarn so I still feel clever everytime I wind one. :) Well, now I feel even more clever because I've figured out another way to add to the looseness of the ball. My first ones were terribly tight because I didn't know any better. Then I figured out the winding around the thumb method. This works well but I don't want to wint too far in advance since I'm not sure if it's loose enough or not. A swift would eliminate my tension problems but don't have one of those so I make do. I just rolled my first really loose yarn ball! Finally I was able to wind the yarn over my fingers without compromising my ability to keep the darn thing in my hand. I wasn't even thinking about doing anything different.
That's one of the funny things with knitting... I'll be chuggin' along and suddenly *poof* something will click and I'll be a gazillion times better at it. Good stuff. :)
Looks like I'll be heading up to Asheville not this weekend, but the following one. I'm going to help a family friend out for a week or so. She broke her leg and had to have surgery. (WTF is with all the surgery lately?!!?) She runs a small in-home child care business (in a multi-level home, no less) so she'll be needing a bit of help. I have some time between tests in ACC102 and I finished my other course early so I can swing it.
I'm still totally under the weather but I'm looking forward to this. I think my sinuses will shape up a bit in the different climate. :) I can use a little extra money as well. And, of course, I'm always up for a trip to Western NC!
I haven't gone on a solo road trip in a couple years so it should be nice. I love driving up that way. The coming back is pretty anti-climactic but the getting there is great fun. The scenery gets better, the air more crisp, the road starts to wind and hills appear, followed by mountains. Lovely. The fall foliage should be setting in by now as well. I haven't seen that in many a year. *sigh*
Today is sock swatch day. I'm going to wash 'em tonight then get started on a pair or two tomorrow. I'm trying not to get too many things going at once so I can actually finish stuff at a decent rate but I can't decide which ones to work on next so I'll probably cast on a couple.
Ugh... little sleep + benadryl & sudafed + one bowl of soup being the whole day's food tally = blaaaaaaaaaah
I can't seem to pursuade the clean launrdy to remove itself from the dryer and stack neatly somewhere. Lazy ass laundry! ;P
I've always been fascinated by center-pull balls of yarn so I still feel clever everytime I wind one. :) Well, now I feel even more clever because I've figured out another way to add to the looseness of the ball. My first ones were terribly tight because I didn't know any better. Then I figured out the winding around the thumb method. This works well but I don't want to wint too far in advance since I'm not sure if it's loose enough or not. A swift would eliminate my tension problems but don't have one of those so I make do. I just rolled my first really loose yarn ball! Finally I was able to wind the yarn over my fingers without compromising my ability to keep the darn thing in my hand. I wasn't even thinking about doing anything different.
That's one of the funny things with knitting... I'll be chuggin' along and suddenly *poof* something will click and I'll be a gazillion times better at it. Good stuff. :)
Looks like I'll be heading up to Asheville not this weekend, but the following one. I'm going to help a family friend out for a week or so. She broke her leg and had to have surgery. (WTF is with all the surgery lately?!!?) She runs a small in-home child care business (in a multi-level home, no less) so she'll be needing a bit of help. I have some time between tests in ACC102 and I finished my other course early so I can swing it.
I'm still totally under the weather but I'm looking forward to this. I think my sinuses will shape up a bit in the different climate. :) I can use a little extra money as well. And, of course, I'm always up for a trip to Western NC!
I haven't gone on a solo road trip in a couple years so it should be nice. I love driving up that way. The coming back is pretty anti-climactic but the getting there is great fun. The scenery gets better, the air more crisp, the road starts to wind and hills appear, followed by mountains. Lovely. The fall foliage should be setting in by now as well. I haven't seen that in many a year. *sigh*
Today is sock swatch day. I'm going to wash 'em tonight then get started on a pair or two tomorrow. I'm trying not to get too many things going at once so I can actually finish stuff at a decent rate but I can't decide which ones to work on next so I'll probably cast on a couple.
Ugh... little sleep + benadryl & sudafed + one bowl of soup being the whole day's food tally = blaaaaaaaaaah
I can't seem to pursuade the clean launrdy to remove itself from the dryer and stack neatly somewhere. Lazy ass laundry! ;P
*drool*
Sleep is just not my friend right now. :( For a couple months it's been bad quality. Not that the quality seems to be improving, I'm having more trouble with the quantity portion. *sigh*
So while not sleeping I came across handpaintedyarn.com Exactly how have I missed out on this? Awesomely priced laceweight in neat colors. Too bad I can't do any more shopping for a while. :(
I'm particularly fond of these:
http://handpaintedyarn.com/product_info.php?cPath=65&products_id=1138 <-- reminds me of caramel apples http://handpaintedyarn.com/product_info.php?cPath=65&products_id=1279 http://handpaintedyarn.com/product_info.php?cPath=65&products_id=1127 http://handpaintedyarn.com/product_info.php?cPath=47&products_id=521 <-- apples again http://handpaintedyarn.com/product_info.php?cPath=47&products_id=500
This is beautiful stuff too but not nearly as affordable.
I really want enough handpainted laceweight to make the Pi Are Squared shawl. I'm really intrigued by the shape of that shawl. Can't wait to read the book. Should be arriving next week. :)
Craftster is my my favorite insomnia outlet. Find all kinds of neat stuff!
But once you realize you've gone through the better part of an 83 page thread, it's time to go to bed. I think I can probably get to sleep now. Of course I'll not be seeing clapotis and fabulous handpainted yarn in my sleep, no doubt. ;P
**edited to add**
Oh lordy, I think I'm going to be ill! The trackpad on my iBook is going out! Seriously. It's all jumpy and crazy with a mind of its own. It's not that much of a shock considering she's almost 6 years old. There's a crack in the handrest now and a chip on two corners. Now the trackpad. *wah* :( There's no way I can afford a new laptop anytime soon. I love this laptop! I know it has to go sometime but I just don't want to admit it. It's not allowed to dessert me until I can afford to replace it!!!
*sniffle*
So while not sleeping I came across handpaintedyarn.com Exactly how have I missed out on this? Awesomely priced laceweight in neat colors. Too bad I can't do any more shopping for a while. :(
I'm particularly fond of these:
http://handpaintedyarn.com/product_info.php?cPath=65&products_id=1138 <-- reminds me of caramel apples http://handpaintedyarn.com/product_info.php?cPath=65&products_id=1279 http://handpaintedyarn.com/product_info.php?cPath=65&products_id=1127 http://handpaintedyarn.com/product_info.php?cPath=47&products_id=521 <-- apples again http://handpaintedyarn.com/product_info.php?cPath=47&products_id=500
This is beautiful stuff too but not nearly as affordable.
I really want enough handpainted laceweight to make the Pi Are Squared shawl. I'm really intrigued by the shape of that shawl. Can't wait to read the book. Should be arriving next week. :)
Craftster is my my favorite insomnia outlet. Find all kinds of neat stuff!
But once you realize you've gone through the better part of an 83 page thread, it's time to go to bed. I think I can probably get to sleep now. Of course I'll not be seeing clapotis and fabulous handpainted yarn in my sleep, no doubt. ;P
**edited to add**
Oh lordy, I think I'm going to be ill! The trackpad on my iBook is going out! Seriously. It's all jumpy and crazy with a mind of its own. It's not that much of a shock considering she's almost 6 years old. There's a crack in the handrest now and a chip on two corners. Now the trackpad. *wah* :( There's no way I can afford a new laptop anytime soon. I love this laptop! I know it has to go sometime but I just don't want to admit it. It's not allowed to dessert me until I can afford to replace it!!!
*sniffle*
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Death by Cashmerino
Rough, ain't it? ;) The killer socks arrived yesterday. As you can see, they are lovely teal Debbie Bliss Cashmerino. War is hell.
Here's an action shot. This is my first pair of handknit socks of my very own!! So cool. :) Even cooler that they were knit by two people!
I really love this pattern for house socks because it's so squishy. Combined with the Cashmerino or Ultra Alpaca, it's just fabulous. My secret pal will soon be the proud owner of a pair as well. I won't divulge any details yet just to be on the safe side.
I snatched this next shot from my target's blog because it's just too funny not to share. XD (I love her carpet too.)
And here's a shot of the mini-clapotis in progress. I love the way the colors are turning out. Really neat. :) I started the second ball yesterday but didn't get to work on it a lot. I'll be taking it to class with me today and working more on it tonight.
On Friday I'll be ordering 3 skeins of this for my shawl version. While I'm at it I have to have this and this as well. (*best* customer service EVER... really a lovely lady to deal with)
If it weren't for my kittys, I'd have to start decorating with her yarn. I think you can see why:
If you pull the Mermaid skein apart a bit you can see all the neat color variations in there. It's really nifty. Can't wait to work it up!
Okie dokie, there's the photo update. :) Now I must go get ready for class.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Welcome to the Procrastination Station!
Yeah, I'm still gonna do that other stuff... in a minute. I did get the lunch part completed. ;)
I've decided to get on the Socktoberfest bandwagon since that's really what I need to be focusing on this month.
When did you start making socks? Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class?
I started sock knitting this past June. I taught myself using a couple books (not devoted to sock knitting) and an online tutorial.
What was your first pair? How have they "held up" over time?
This is my first pair:
I've decided to get on the Socktoberfest bandwagon since that's really what I need to be focusing on this month.
When did you start making socks? Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class?
I started sock knitting this past June. I taught myself using a couple books (not devoted to sock knitting) and an online tutorial.
What was your first pair? How have they "held up" over time?
This is my first pair:
Lion Brand Magic Stripes on 2.75mm Clover bamboo DPNs. Top down, slip stitch heel flap.
They came out too big for me but they're good house socks for the boy. He wears them a lot. He even runs around outside in them. :P They seem to be holding up well. I'm amazed how soft they've gotten! The first one is pretty baggy but that was knitter's error, not wear.
What would you have done differently?
Nothing, really. They were a great practice pair. I made the second pair by formula rather than pattern so they actually fit but I wouldn't change the way I did the first ones because I liked having the numbers set out for me so I didn't have to worry about it.
What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?
I'm still figuring that out. So far I've completed 4 pairs. 2 Magic Stripes, one Knit Picks Simple Stripes, and one Berrocco Ultra Alpaca. I loved working with the Ultra Alpaca but it's not a sock yarn. I've started and practiced with some Bernat Sox and some other Bernat acrylic (decent practice, not for wear), Elann Esprit (still working out the best gauge for this), Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece (not loving it but I'm about to experiment with some carry-along elastic), KP Gloss (very silky with a great sheen)... I think that's it right now. I have some KP Palette that's about to be swatched. I also have some KP Dancing and Fearless Fibers superwash merino in the stash. I think the Dancing will make nice socks and I can't wait to work with the FF. It's soooo soft and pretty!! Oh, and I have some KP Bare merino as well. I'm going to try Kool Aid dyeing after the holidays.
Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?
I'm a 4 or 5 DPN gal, depending on the sock and which section I'm on. I haven't tried any circ methods yet. I might experiment later but I seriously doubt I'll switch from DPNs as my main method.
Crocheted socks sounds like some sort of torture device to me. :P
Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?)
How many pairs have you made?
As I mentioned above, I've made 4 complete pairs with some in progress and some practice.
I like both flap and short-row heels. I'm fond of short-row toes because of my foot shape but the decrease toe is better when knitting for some others I know. I haven't tried any increase toes yet.
I think each variation has its place and the variety is wonderful! :)
Yay! I'm completely finished with my Computerized Accounting class!! No more 8am on Tuesdays! That's really good because I seem to be incapable of waking up on time these past couple weeks. Last week I was 45 minutes late and this week it was 15. :P Luckily it doesn't matter much in that class. That's why I stayed in bed last week but today I don't know what came over me. One minute I'm getting out of bed, the next minute I'm waking up again and it's 8:00! WTF? My sleep is all jacked up. At least the weirdo dreams are winding down so hopefully it's just a matter of schedule now. And cleaning up my room. It's so tiny that when it's cluttered you just can't function correctly in there.
It's overcast again today. I actually like it because it makes it cooler but I think it's f-in' with my seasonal-affective thing. I thought I'd be pretty home-free this year since things are going better and I'm not in a general funk but I guess it really is more than that. Sucky. It's not too bad though, just a general *blah* I have to try to control at certain times.
Despite the bad lighting, I was about to try getting soe WIP shots only to find that the camera isn't here today. Poo. Dad said he'll bring it home tonight though.
Might have a temp job up in Asheville for a couple weeks. That would be awesome. Details when/if it pans out.
That's about it for the moment. I'm about to have some lunch, do some ACC102 work and start on the second skein of my Clapotis. That puppy's just flyin' off the needles! Of course, I really should be working on other things (like Christmas socks) but I'll justify it by making it a Christmas present.
It's overcast again today. I actually like it because it makes it cooler but I think it's f-in' with my seasonal-affective thing. I thought I'd be pretty home-free this year since things are going better and I'm not in a general funk but I guess it really is more than that. Sucky. It's not too bad though, just a general *blah* I have to try to control at certain times.
Despite the bad lighting, I was about to try getting soe WIP shots only to find that the camera isn't here today. Poo. Dad said he'll bring it home tonight though.
Might have a temp job up in Asheville for a couple weeks. That would be awesome. Details when/if it pans out.
That's about it for the moment. I'm about to have some lunch, do some ACC102 work and start on the second skein of my Clapotis. That puppy's just flyin' off the needles! Of course, I really should be working on other things (like Christmas socks) but I'll justify it by making it a Christmas present.
Monday, October 16, 2006
It was bound to happen...
Yep, I finally got around to atarting a Clapotis. They're mandantory, right? ;) This one will be smaller than the pattern because I only have 450yrds of the Simply Soft Shadows I'm using. (It's the green one which is much nicer looking than the photo.) Hopefully I'll have enough to make it a decent length. I did 3 increase reps and I'm on my third straight rep. It's coming out nicely. I can see now why everyone is so crazy about this pattern. It's almost mindless with just enough entertainment and it works up really quickly. This is my practice run (and an excuse to get this nifty cheap yarn). I'm planning to order some of the new tone-on-tone yarn from Fearless Fibers to make a big shawl sized one. I just loooove her yarn! The colors make me hungry. You ahould go buy everything she has to save me from doing it. ;)
Of course I'll have to take some pics of my Clapotis in progress. I planned to do that today but Dad's in last-minute-tax-mode so I got the hell out of there. :P It's overcast anyway. I'll probably need some good sunlight to get a decent representation of the colors in the yarn.
Well, my bro is out of the shower and eyeballing me menacingly for holding up his computer so I better run.
Of course I'll have to take some pics of my Clapotis in progress. I planned to do that today but Dad's in last-minute-tax-mode so I got the hell out of there. :P It's overcast anyway. I'll probably need some good sunlight to get a decent representation of the colors in the yarn.
Well, my bro is out of the shower and eyeballing me menacingly for holding up his computer so I better run.
Friday, October 13, 2006
must.buy.yarn.
Uh oh... I've entered the world of yarn-buying on Ebay. Burn the credit cards! ;)
I was innocently poking around for a good deal on some Cashsoft and happened across this.
10 skeins for $19.99 and free shipping?!? Yes, please! Hey, I was gonna spend that much on a lot less at the LYS tomorrow so it's all the same in the end, right?
Mmm... tingly toed yarn purchases. Hehe. From what I hear it's a great seller too and the shipping really is fast.
I've never actually bought that much of one yarn.
Tomorrow we're going to Charleston to pick up the Summer edition of Interweve Knits they're holding for me. :) Maybe a little Secret Pal shopping as well. I have big plans and I'm excited to get started. :)
I was innocently poking around for a good deal on some Cashsoft and happened across this.
10 skeins for $19.99 and free shipping?!? Yes, please! Hey, I was gonna spend that much on a lot less at the LYS tomorrow so it's all the same in the end, right?
Mmm... tingly toed yarn purchases. Hehe. From what I hear it's a great seller too and the shipping really is fast.
I've never actually bought that much of one yarn.
Tomorrow we're going to Charleston to pick up the Summer edition of Interweve Knits they're holding for me. :) Maybe a little Secret Pal shopping as well. I have big plans and I'm excited to get started. :)
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Secret Pal
Ok, here's my questionnaire, finally. I'm super excited about SP9! :)
1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I'm really fond of alpaca, merino, and nice soft cotton blends.
I love sock yarn and would love to try new ones. I've only actually used Magic Stripes and some Knit Picks thus far. I really like varigated and self striping yarns but I'm not crazy about the ones with the faux-fair isle/ jaquard patterning in between the stripes.
The only thing I really can't stand is mohair. It irritates me in more ways than one. :P
100% acrylic is usually not my friend either.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have a zippered binder case but it's not really appropriate for my needles and I've outgrown it.
I *really* want a roll-up DPN organizer.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I taught myself to knit last November. I consider myself an intermediate knitter and I love learning new things.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/registry.html/002-3029433-3432820?ie=UTF8&type=wishlist&id=2Q0D5E3II6VB3
5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)
Almond, gardenia, green tea, blueberry, cherry
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I have a mouth full of sweet teeth! My favorite candy is whatever I'm in the mood for at the moment! ;) I love sour jelly beans and chocolate with nuts, caramel, and/or peanut butter. Dark chocolate is a plus too.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I crochet a little. I want to get into sewing. I don't like doing it by hand because I suck at it, so I'm holding out for a sewing machine.
I don't spin yet but I'd love to learn.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I like a pretty eclectic mix of music. I'm still really fond of mid 90's alternative-type stuff. I love The Shins. I like old (mostly 80's and before) country. I also like some classic rock and 60's-70's folk-y stuff. I listen to a lot of different stuff.
I can play MP3s.
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
My boyfriend says I have "a blue problem." Lol. So, yeah, blues are probably my favorite. I gravitate toward them without thinking much about it. I also like red a lot. I've been into bright color mixes and pinks lately.
I can't wear light beige or "nude" colors because they make me look ill.
Other than that, I am up for anything. I love color. Everything has its place and I love to work with different colors and color combinations.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I moved back in with my dad this time last year. We have a veritable zoo. It's been described as my 'menagerie.' Heh. I have two cats, three hamsters, and three freshwater fish tanks (two 55gals at Dad's, one 20gal at the boy's place). We also have four dogs and half a dozen other cats. I'm close with my mom and younger brother (19), who live just across town.
Relationship-wise, I'm divorced (got married young :P) and have been with my current fella for the better part of a year. Early next year we're looking at moving me into his place, partially, and getting a puppy (he has one super-sweetie already).
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
It's pretty darn warm here year-round so there's not a lot of opportunities for scarves, hats, or mittens.
I like light, decorative, lacy scarves. Anything that goes around my neck has to be super soft because I itch easily.
I'm not a big hat person because I'm pretty warm-blooded. I do love to make hats though.
I like fingerless gloves and can't stand mittens. Something about not having free use of my fingers. I'm clumsy enough as it is. ;P
I'm not a big poncho fan but I loooooove wraps/shawls/etc and wish I had one to go with each and everything I own. Sadly, I can't even find the one I have (had?) and since I rarely (read: never) knit for myself, I can't seem to get around to making one for myself. I'd like to though.
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I love sock knitting. Hats are nice little projects that I do frequently. I usually knit accessory stuff because I can't afford to get enough yarn at one time for larger projects. I also like small projects because they're portable and practical in such a warm area.
I'm always looking for more favorites.
13. What are you knitting right now?
Currently I'm working on my Christmas projects... mostly socks. Lots of socks.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Of course! :D
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I love knitting in the round. I'm hoping for the KP Options set for Christmas. I wish they had a 16" option too though.
I loooooove DPNs. I can never have enough small gauge, 5"-6" wood or bamboo needles. Or 16" circs, any gauge, preferably metal or hardwood.
I like trying new materials, especially wood. So far I have a few different brands of bamboo, some birch (a little soft for my taste), and just got some rosewood DPNs. I'd love to try any other hardwoods or casein.
The only material I'm not too keen on is plastic. I also don't like really long straights, especially metal.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
I don't have a ball winder and actually kinda enjoy winding by hand. I would love to have a swift though.
17. How old is your oldest UFO?
Almost a year.
18. What is your favorite holiday?
I like birthdays better than holidays for the most part
19. Is there anything that you collect?
Yarn, critters, Care Bears stuff (Grumpy and Bedtime Bear), more yarn, knitting books, other books...
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I really want some more advanced books. Especially lace or sock knitting. I'm also interested in books about writing your own patterns and stitch libraries.
I'm really intrigued by the last book on this page - Creating Original Handknitted Lace.
As far as magazines go, I only have the last two Interweave Knits and the next to the latest Vogue Knitting. I'd like to have others, especially summer editions or ones with articles on lace or socks.
I only have an IWK subscription.
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Lace. Well, I've done a bit of simple lace here and there but I haven't worked with laceweight yarn or more complex patterns yet.
I'd also like to make a top. I haven't made an actual garment yet, just socks and accessories.
And maybe felting. I haven't gone anywhere near felting yet.
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes!!
I wear a size 8. My foot is about 9.25" long, 8.5-8.75" around at the ball/arch, 9.5" at the ankle, 11.5" at the base of the calf. I like shorter socks. Not anklets, just not 7" long, like so many patterns suggest.
23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
March 6th
1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I'm really fond of alpaca, merino, and nice soft cotton blends.
I love sock yarn and would love to try new ones. I've only actually used Magic Stripes and some Knit Picks thus far. I really like varigated and self striping yarns but I'm not crazy about the ones with the faux-fair isle/ jaquard patterning in between the stripes.
The only thing I really can't stand is mohair. It irritates me in more ways than one. :P
100% acrylic is usually not my friend either.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have a zippered binder case but it's not really appropriate for my needles and I've outgrown it.
I *really* want a roll-up DPN organizer.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I taught myself to knit last November. I consider myself an intermediate knitter and I love learning new things.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/registry.html/002-3029433-3432820?ie=UTF8&type=wishlist&id=2Q0D5E3II6VB3
5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)
Almond, gardenia, green tea, blueberry, cherry
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I have a mouth full of sweet teeth! My favorite candy is whatever I'm in the mood for at the moment! ;) I love sour jelly beans and chocolate with nuts, caramel, and/or peanut butter. Dark chocolate is a plus too.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I crochet a little. I want to get into sewing. I don't like doing it by hand because I suck at it, so I'm holding out for a sewing machine.
I don't spin yet but I'd love to learn.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I like a pretty eclectic mix of music. I'm still really fond of mid 90's alternative-type stuff. I love The Shins. I like old (mostly 80's and before) country. I also like some classic rock and 60's-70's folk-y stuff. I listen to a lot of different stuff.
I can play MP3s.
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
My boyfriend says I have "a blue problem." Lol. So, yeah, blues are probably my favorite. I gravitate toward them without thinking much about it. I also like red a lot. I've been into bright color mixes and pinks lately.
I can't wear light beige or "nude" colors because they make me look ill.
Other than that, I am up for anything. I love color. Everything has its place and I love to work with different colors and color combinations.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I moved back in with my dad this time last year. We have a veritable zoo. It's been described as my 'menagerie.' Heh. I have two cats, three hamsters, and three freshwater fish tanks (two 55gals at Dad's, one 20gal at the boy's place). We also have four dogs and half a dozen other cats. I'm close with my mom and younger brother (19), who live just across town.
Relationship-wise, I'm divorced (got married young :P) and have been with my current fella for the better part of a year. Early next year we're looking at moving me into his place, partially, and getting a puppy (he has one super-sweetie already).
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
It's pretty darn warm here year-round so there's not a lot of opportunities for scarves, hats, or mittens.
I like light, decorative, lacy scarves. Anything that goes around my neck has to be super soft because I itch easily.
I'm not a big hat person because I'm pretty warm-blooded. I do love to make hats though.
I like fingerless gloves and can't stand mittens. Something about not having free use of my fingers. I'm clumsy enough as it is. ;P
I'm not a big poncho fan but I loooooove wraps/shawls/etc and wish I had one to go with each and everything I own. Sadly, I can't even find the one I have (had?) and since I rarely (read: never) knit for myself, I can't seem to get around to making one for myself. I'd like to though.
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I love sock knitting. Hats are nice little projects that I do frequently. I usually knit accessory stuff because I can't afford to get enough yarn at one time for larger projects. I also like small projects because they're portable and practical in such a warm area.
I'm always looking for more favorites.
13. What are you knitting right now?
Currently I'm working on my Christmas projects... mostly socks. Lots of socks.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Of course! :D
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I love knitting in the round. I'm hoping for the KP Options set for Christmas. I wish they had a 16" option too though.
I loooooove DPNs. I can never have enough small gauge, 5"-6" wood or bamboo needles. Or 16" circs, any gauge, preferably metal or hardwood.
I like trying new materials, especially wood. So far I have a few different brands of bamboo, some birch (a little soft for my taste), and just got some rosewood DPNs. I'd love to try any other hardwoods or casein.
The only material I'm not too keen on is plastic. I also don't like really long straights, especially metal.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
I don't have a ball winder and actually kinda enjoy winding by hand. I would love to have a swift though.
17. How old is your oldest UFO?
Almost a year.
18. What is your favorite holiday?
I like birthdays better than holidays for the most part
19. Is there anything that you collect?
Yarn, critters, Care Bears stuff (Grumpy and Bedtime Bear), more yarn, knitting books, other books...
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I really want some more advanced books. Especially lace or sock knitting. I'm also interested in books about writing your own patterns and stitch libraries.
I'm really intrigued by the last book on this page - Creating Original Handknitted Lace.
As far as magazines go, I only have the last two Interweave Knits and the next to the latest Vogue Knitting. I'd like to have others, especially summer editions or ones with articles on lace or socks.
I only have an IWK subscription.
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Lace. Well, I've done a bit of simple lace here and there but I haven't worked with laceweight yarn or more complex patterns yet.
I'd also like to make a top. I haven't made an actual garment yet, just socks and accessories.
And maybe felting. I haven't gone anywhere near felting yet.
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes!!
I wear a size 8. My foot is about 9.25" long, 8.5-8.75" around at the ball/arch, 9.5" at the ankle, 11.5" at the base of the calf. I like shorter socks. Not anklets, just not 7" long, like so many patterns suggest.
23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
March 6th
Ah, it's been a decent day. Treated myself to sushi for lunch before getting my hair trimmed. Mmm... problem is, sushi is like crack (or sock yarn) to me... whenever I get it, I just want more. ;)
Does anyone else think that salons have just gotten way out of hand? There's this little place downtown where my dad and brother go. I had my dad's stylist spruce mine up earlier in the year to knock off the splits and the very last bit of old color. She did a nice job so I planned to go back. Usually I put it off until I'm an inch deep in unhappy ends but I decided to get the jump on time-damage by actually getting a trim before it got out of hand. (Figured I might as well take good care of it now that it's finally started growing again and isn't falling out as much.) I have my own hair routine that doesn't mesh well with most salon routines, since most salons aren't on board with the no sulfates/silicones/dryers/brushes thing. Because of this, and because I just needed a *teeeeeeeeeensy* trim, I don't need the full wash-cut-style deal. But they still wanted to charge me 30 bucks! WTF? My brother had ringlets halfway down his back and paid 20-something because he's a dude but a <15min trim-only would cost me 30 + tip? Uh, no thanks. I called around and got quotes of $27 - $40 from about a half dozen other places. INSANITY! What happened to being able to get a freakin' trim?! It's nuts. Finally remembered a place I'd gone to a few years back and called them. $14. $16 w/ wash and style. At least someone's still reasonable! So I was able to have a nice lunch, get my hair cut, tip at both places and still come out a couple bucks shy of what the other trim would have cost me! She did exactly what I wanted too. .. another rarity.
Anyway, there's my rant.
My bro is doing well. He's been home since Fri and he's at a doc appt now.
My cousin is coming along and will be shipping out to Atlanta for rehab within the week. He'll have a 10 person team working exclusively with him and my aunt and uncle will have a temp apartment there and will be trained to care for him as well. Sounds good. We're hopeful. Got to see him Monday. His body may be a mess right now but his mind is not hampered at all. I'm really thankful for that.
The stress of all of this has started getting to me. I don't know how to handle being the healthiest, most well-adjusted one. I'm used to being the problem. Not I'm trying to hold it together, hold everyone else together as best I can and not get run down. It's exausting and there's not a lot of time to process it all. Mini-breakdown at 3am. The boy is tired today from staying up with me. I feel better though.
I haven't knit in 3 or 4 days. I tried once but just couldn't concentrate, especially through the mini-migraines. I'm feeling better today though and after my test at 5, I'm planning to go tend the dogs I'm dog-sitting, grab a movie, have the boy over, partake in uh... herbal refreshment, and work on some socks. :) Gotta get back in the swing since I have some more cool stuff on the way. More on that later.
Better go glance over the chapters again before class.
I have the Secret Pal questionnaire mostly filled otu so I'll be posting that in the nest day or two.
Does anyone else think that salons have just gotten way out of hand? There's this little place downtown where my dad and brother go. I had my dad's stylist spruce mine up earlier in the year to knock off the splits and the very last bit of old color. She did a nice job so I planned to go back. Usually I put it off until I'm an inch deep in unhappy ends but I decided to get the jump on time-damage by actually getting a trim before it got out of hand. (Figured I might as well take good care of it now that it's finally started growing again and isn't falling out as much.) I have my own hair routine that doesn't mesh well with most salon routines, since most salons aren't on board with the no sulfates/silicones/dryers/brushes thing. Because of this, and because I just needed a *teeeeeeeeeensy* trim, I don't need the full wash-cut-style deal. But they still wanted to charge me 30 bucks! WTF? My brother had ringlets halfway down his back and paid 20-something because he's a dude but a <15min trim-only would cost me 30 + tip? Uh, no thanks. I called around and got quotes of $27 - $40 from about a half dozen other places. INSANITY! What happened to being able to get a freakin' trim?! It's nuts. Finally remembered a place I'd gone to a few years back and called them. $14. $16 w/ wash and style. At least someone's still reasonable! So I was able to have a nice lunch, get my hair cut, tip at both places and still come out a couple bucks shy of what the other trim would have cost me! She did exactly what I wanted too. .. another rarity.
Anyway, there's my rant.
My bro is doing well. He's been home since Fri and he's at a doc appt now.
My cousin is coming along and will be shipping out to Atlanta for rehab within the week. He'll have a 10 person team working exclusively with him and my aunt and uncle will have a temp apartment there and will be trained to care for him as well. Sounds good. We're hopeful. Got to see him Monday. His body may be a mess right now but his mind is not hampered at all. I'm really thankful for that.
The stress of all of this has started getting to me. I don't know how to handle being the healthiest, most well-adjusted one. I'm used to being the problem. Not I'm trying to hold it together, hold everyone else together as best I can and not get run down. It's exausting and there's not a lot of time to process it all. Mini-breakdown at 3am. The boy is tired today from staying up with me. I feel better though.
I haven't knit in 3 or 4 days. I tried once but just couldn't concentrate, especially through the mini-migraines. I'm feeling better today though and after my test at 5, I'm planning to go tend the dogs I'm dog-sitting, grab a movie, have the boy over, partake in uh... herbal refreshment, and work on some socks. :) Gotta get back in the swing since I have some more cool stuff on the way. More on that later.
Better go glance over the chapters again before class.
I have the Secret Pal questionnaire mostly filled otu so I'll be posting that in the nest day or two.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Soooo tired...
I'm about worn out. :P My brother was readmitted to the hospital Monday because his wound was developing some infection. Hopefully they'll be releasing him again tomorrow. Poor little fella!
No new word on my cousin yet.
I've been at the hospital as much as possible this week. On the upside, I've gotten a good bit of knitting done. I'd probably be (more) nuts by now if not for my knitting. I'll post some WIP photos soon, hopefully. This is the first time I've been on the computer in a few days.
I finished my mom's fingerless gloves today. I still have to sew in most of the ends but that's all I lack on them. They're cute and I'll definitely be making a few more of those.
I started a brainless sock. KP Simply Stripes in an interesting melon/lime/grape colorway on my favorite 2.5mm CP DPNs.
Ok, I'll have to cut this a bit short because I'm a little dizzy. I've been workin' on a migraine all week so that might be part of it. Anyway, I'm gonna go lay down. :P
No new word on my cousin yet.
I've been at the hospital as much as possible this week. On the upside, I've gotten a good bit of knitting done. I'd probably be (more) nuts by now if not for my knitting. I'll post some WIP photos soon, hopefully. This is the first time I've been on the computer in a few days.
I finished my mom's fingerless gloves today. I still have to sew in most of the ends but that's all I lack on them. They're cute and I'll definitely be making a few more of those.
I started a brainless sock. KP Simply Stripes in an interesting melon/lime/grape colorway on my favorite 2.5mm CP DPNs.
Ok, I'll have to cut this a bit short because I'm a little dizzy. I've been workin' on a migraine all week so that might be part of it. Anyway, I'm gonna go lay down. :P
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