The sock war is on! Target info hasn't been sent out yet since YarnMonkey is having some hurricane related technical difficulties, but she did get the International Sock of Doom pattern posted. I wish I could start but we're going on the yarn shop outing tomorrow so I don't have ammo yet. I am amusing the crap out of myself right now though. Polishing my weapons. *dies*
Conveniently, I got the package of swap needles today (and the Brittany replacements as well, coincidentally). They're semi-unfinished bamboo so thay're grabbier than I usually use. The boy and I ran some errands today and picked up some fine sandpaper, polishing cloths and wax paper. I'm sitting here sanding and buffing the needles in the range I might need. I find this funnier than I probably should.
On a much more somber note, there's been a medical emergency in the immediate family. My brother was ill with a tummy thing yesterday. I got a call from my dad this morning letting me know my bro was being taken in for emergency exploratory surgery! Mom took him in to the hospital for the abdominal pain this morning when she went to work (she works at the hospital), thinking he'd get pain meds and more Nexium or something. A few minutes later they're having a surgical consult! They were afraid it was his appendix at first but soon discovered it was likely an intestinal blockage of some sort. They had to open him up to see what it was. Turns out his intestines were twisted around and close to rupturing! Everything went well and actually it's best that we found this out finally because it's likely the source of much of his digestive problems that have been going on for years and years.
It's a lot to take in all of a sudden. He looks so pitiful right now but he's recovering well. I'm on hospital duty to sit with him Sunday night through release on Tues or Wed. Mom's staying the rest of the weekend. He'll probably be recovering for about 3 months or so.
Wow.
I think he'll be ok though.
Oh, and I just stabbed the end of my index finger hard enough to almost draw blood... with a US4! Yowie! War wound and I haven't even really started yet.
Looks like I'll be knitting the crap out of the socks of doom on a cot on the 4th floor of the hospital now. :(
Friday, September 22, 2006
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Blah
Mmm... nasty noodle-y crap for lunch. I'm starving so I guess it'll do. Too tired to fix anything else.
Yesterday was torture, for the most part. Well, for the early part. Couldn't sleep Sunday night then came down with some ungodly stomach bug in the wee hours of the morning. This led to much head-in-toilet time. Not fun. Couldn't eat and couldn't lay down. Saved what little sanity I have left by knitting the toe and half the foot of the second crayon sock and watching the Firefly marathon on SciFi.
I did get a visit from the lovely postman though. My hoodie from the Craft What You Can swap arrived! Yay! It's awesome! Rainbow sleeve panels, rainbow lined pockets, Grumpy Bear patch, and ears that stand up better than the Torrid ones ever did! I'm thrilled. Can't wait for it to get cool enough to wear it! I'll definitely have some pictures soon. I still look like I had the plague recently and haven't messed around with the camera at all yet so it'll have to wait. Maybe I'll finish the sock so I can take all the pics at once.
I'm one chapter away from being done with my Computerized Accounting class. I don't have to go to that 8am class anymore once that's turned in. Hopefully I can fill that time with a PT job soon. Still no word from the firm. I'm disappointed but not surprised. At least it's not me. I'd put money on that office manager not agreeing to any help. She was pretty resistent to the idea, apparently. I jsut wanted to work with the firm on teh island anyway. Oh well, something else will come along. I haven't even looked recently since I want to finish this course first.
KnitPicks says my order should be here tomorrow. I'm annoyed because according to tracking it's been sitting across town since yesterday afternoon. I don't see why it should be delivered today. :P *pout*
Hmm... my Fearless Fibers order should be arriving soon as well. I'm trying to convince myself not to peek at that one though.
Well, I have homework for tomorrow so I think I'll try to take a nap and then do that. There's so much that needs to be done around here but I just don't have the energy for any of it! So frustrating. :(
Yesterday was torture, for the most part. Well, for the early part. Couldn't sleep Sunday night then came down with some ungodly stomach bug in the wee hours of the morning. This led to much head-in-toilet time. Not fun. Couldn't eat and couldn't lay down. Saved what little sanity I have left by knitting the toe and half the foot of the second crayon sock and watching the Firefly marathon on SciFi.
I did get a visit from the lovely postman though. My hoodie from the Craft What You Can swap arrived! Yay! It's awesome! Rainbow sleeve panels, rainbow lined pockets, Grumpy Bear patch, and ears that stand up better than the Torrid ones ever did! I'm thrilled. Can't wait for it to get cool enough to wear it! I'll definitely have some pictures soon. I still look like I had the plague recently and haven't messed around with the camera at all yet so it'll have to wait. Maybe I'll finish the sock so I can take all the pics at once.
I'm one chapter away from being done with my Computerized Accounting class. I don't have to go to that 8am class anymore once that's turned in. Hopefully I can fill that time with a PT job soon. Still no word from the firm. I'm disappointed but not surprised. At least it's not me. I'd put money on that office manager not agreeing to any help. She was pretty resistent to the idea, apparently. I jsut wanted to work with the firm on teh island anyway. Oh well, something else will come along. I haven't even looked recently since I want to finish this course first.
KnitPicks says my order should be here tomorrow. I'm annoyed because according to tracking it's been sitting across town since yesterday afternoon. I don't see why it should be delivered today. :P *pout*
Hmm... my Fearless Fibers order should be arriving soon as well. I'm trying to convince myself not to peek at that one though.
Well, I have homework for tomorrow so I think I'll try to take a nap and then do that. There's so much that needs to be done around here but I just don't have the energy for any of it! So frustrating. :(
Friday, September 15, 2006
Today? Not so good...
I'm extremely thankful that the bad days have been have been in teh vast minority lately. Extremely. But I'm having one.
Not one of those universe-is-out-to-spite-me bad days, just a personal one. More internal (emotionally/physically) than anything else.
I feel like crap. I'm frustrated and unhappy about somethings I shouldn't really go into very deeply in a such public forum until I've worked them out with involved parties. I feel terrible about being so disappointed. I feel guilty about becoming resentful even though I have just cause. I don't know where to go from here yet and the appropriate time/situation to talk about it has not yet presented itself. I'm pretty sure I shuold feel so guilty for my honest and well thought out opinions on this. It's starting to take up more and more of my free thinking time though.
I think that's the largest part. Other things are ok. School is going well. I'm not too ill for the most part. (That's saying a lot lately.) My knitting is going pretty well. I don't have much to complain about. I'm not complaining. I'm... crying and lashing out inappropriately. But I'm trying.
I'm not feelin' the current projects this afternoon so I think I'll go sketch on out the plan for my brother's sock. Maybe a couple more washrags as well. I think I need to pick up something to function as a design notebook and maybe some knitting graph paper software.
Hopefully I'll be up to working on some swatches and starting some socks later. I got the boy to bring some of my movies over. He's working tonight so think I'll watch some old favorites and knit a bit later.
Maybe I'll do a bit of schoolwork first. I find accounting surprisingly relaxing, for the most part. The old school do-it-by-hand stuff at least. Honestly, I could do with much of the software work. For taxes it's great but I prefer doing much of the bookkeeping by hand. Of course this is only a reasonable option for small company and personal finance applications but whatever. :P
Anyway, I guess I'll step away from the computer and try to get some other things done. Even if that ends up being a nap. Resless sleep last night. Very odd and somewhat disturbing dreams.
*sigh*
More positivity later, I promise. :)
Not one of those universe-is-out-to-spite-me bad days, just a personal one. More internal (emotionally/physically) than anything else.
I feel like crap. I'm frustrated and unhappy about somethings I shouldn't really go into very deeply in a such public forum until I've worked them out with involved parties. I feel terrible about being so disappointed. I feel guilty about becoming resentful even though I have just cause. I don't know where to go from here yet and the appropriate time/situation to talk about it has not yet presented itself. I'm pretty sure I shuold feel so guilty for my honest and well thought out opinions on this. It's starting to take up more and more of my free thinking time though.
I think that's the largest part. Other things are ok. School is going well. I'm not too ill for the most part. (That's saying a lot lately.) My knitting is going pretty well. I don't have much to complain about. I'm not complaining. I'm... crying and lashing out inappropriately. But I'm trying.
I'm not feelin' the current projects this afternoon so I think I'll go sketch on out the plan for my brother's sock. Maybe a couple more washrags as well. I think I need to pick up something to function as a design notebook and maybe some knitting graph paper software.
Hopefully I'll be up to working on some swatches and starting some socks later. I got the boy to bring some of my movies over. He's working tonight so think I'll watch some old favorites and knit a bit later.
Maybe I'll do a bit of schoolwork first. I find accounting surprisingly relaxing, for the most part. The old school do-it-by-hand stuff at least. Honestly, I could do with much of the software work. For taxes it's great but I prefer doing much of the bookkeeping by hand. Of course this is only a reasonable option for small company and personal finance applications but whatever. :P
Anyway, I guess I'll step away from the computer and try to get some other things done. Even if that ends up being a nap. Resless sleep last night. Very odd and somewhat disturbing dreams.
*sigh*
More positivity later, I promise. :)
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Yay, that was only semi-disasterous
Deciding to be cautious, I located the toe of a practice sock on needles, did a few rows of ribbing and started casting off with the regular bind off variation. That wasn't giving me the desired result so the plan was to finish going across the top of the toe then try the sewn cast-off for the bottom. Brittany had a whole other idea though. I'd been using the 2.25mm needles because they were holding that WIP (or UFO, really). That wet noodle one seemed to be working as well as could be expected until the effin' thing snapped. I've never snapped a needle before. Kinda freaked me out. I would have had a shit-fit if it happened on something important!
Instead of being discouraged, I took it as the opposite sign and jumped right into the EZ cast off on the crayon sock. That work fabulously. There's a bit of rolling but all in all, not bad. I love the look of the k3,p1 rib and enjoy knitting it but I'm not sure I like the functionality of it. *sigh* back to 2x2 I suppose. :P
I need a lot more practice with this toe-up method. John wants his done that way so hopefully I'll get a lot better on the second sock of this pair.
I'm so disappointed about my KP shipment right now. I've heard good things about their shipping. My Elann order got here in no time. I expected a few more days for the free shipping but I was saddened when I logged in to track my order and while it shipped on the 12th, it's not scheduled to be delivered until the 21st WTF? *sigh* I know it says 5 to 14 days but I was hoping for 7 to 10 like I've hear from most people.
It's not like I even have all the needles I need for the projects but I didn't really want to do my brother's socks first and I want my yarn, damnit!
Patience is not one of my strong points.
In other mail difficulty news...
My hoodie from the craft what you can swap was sent out almost a month ago and I haven't seen hide nor hair of it. :( This upsets me greatly! If customs had my jacket sitting around and never passes it on to me, I think I might actually cry.
Also, I sent out the Lamb's Pride Bulky last Thursday and emailed the recipient. I got no response. She had said she'd send out or at least update me by this Wednesday. Nothing. So I emailed her. Still nothing.
I'm sad.
Broken DPN, slow yarn, missing jacket, swap communication problems... and a neck knot and mysterious hand pain (unlikely craftly related since I haven't really knit much the past few days)
This calls for the application of a muscle relaxer and/or a beer. (It's a teensy Coronita... I think I'll live.)
Instead of being discouraged, I took it as the opposite sign and jumped right into the EZ cast off on the crayon sock. That work fabulously. There's a bit of rolling but all in all, not bad. I love the look of the k3,p1 rib and enjoy knitting it but I'm not sure I like the functionality of it. *sigh* back to 2x2 I suppose. :P
I need a lot more practice with this toe-up method. John wants his done that way so hopefully I'll get a lot better on the second sock of this pair.
I'm so disappointed about my KP shipment right now. I've heard good things about their shipping. My Elann order got here in no time. I expected a few more days for the free shipping but I was saddened when I logged in to track my order and while it shipped on the 12th, it's not scheduled to be delivered until the 21st WTF? *sigh* I know it says 5 to 14 days but I was hoping for 7 to 10 like I've hear from most people.
It's not like I even have all the needles I need for the projects but I didn't really want to do my brother's socks first and I want my yarn, damnit!
Patience is not one of my strong points.
In other mail difficulty news...
My hoodie from the craft what you can swap was sent out almost a month ago and I haven't seen hide nor hair of it. :( This upsets me greatly! If customs had my jacket sitting around and never passes it on to me, I think I might actually cry.
Also, I sent out the Lamb's Pride Bulky last Thursday and emailed the recipient. I got no response. She had said she'd send out or at least update me by this Wednesday. Nothing. So I emailed her. Still nothing.
I'm sad.
Broken DPN, slow yarn, missing jacket, swap communication problems... and a neck knot and mysterious hand pain (unlikely craftly related since I haven't really knit much the past few days)
This calls for the application of a muscle relaxer and/or a beer. (It's a teensy Coronita... I think I'll live.)
*cue impression of Beavis jacked up on caffeine*
Yeeeeah... I'm on my second cup of coffee. Anyone who knows me knows I'm not a regular coffee drinker. My coffe tolerance level is ~1 normal sized cup. I can drink full grown men under the table but can't handle my coffee.
So far, so good. No reports of nausea or trembling to speak of.
I'm jacking myself up in preparation for binding off this damn sock again. I bound off hte crayon sock yesterday. Used a larger needle and light tension. No good. Foot no fitty. :( The rest of the sock? Lovely. So I ripped out the ribbing and started again.
I should note that I loathe ribbing. 1x1 ribbing makes me want to kill people. Particularly in the round. 2x2 I can handle without a meltdown but I don't like it.
I went for 3x1 reibbing this time and I rather like it. Not as annoying to knit and pretty snappy looking. Soon er'll see how it looks on a foot... hopefully. :P
I have a few stretchy bind off options printed out. I'm debating between EZ's sewn cast off and one where you k2, pass first over second, place the remaining stitch back on the right needle and repeat.
I should probably swatch. I don't wanna swatch. But if I have to rip it out again I may never finish it and I'll certainly never get to sock 2. :P The sock must be finished.
Against better judgement, I think I'm going to finish this coffee and go for the EZ sewn bind off without a trial run. Oooh, life on the edge. LOL.
Started swatching for the Esprit socks last night. Not much progress since it was late and I was afraid that lying in bed might be affecting my tension.
Nothing much has been accomplished today. My butt has been in this chair for 99& of it. Redid the ribbing, downloaded podcasts, started a list of things I like and things I think I'd like for swapp-y purposes.
Ok, I'm a wuss... 1.5 is my limit. Coffee consumption much be terminated immediately.
Is it odd that I now feel like I need a nap?
Well, not really since it *is* naptime. It's sad that I have a naptime now. I just get so damn tired anymore that around 3pm I *need* a lay down. :( Pity me. Send sugar-free Red Bull. Lol.
And is it odd that I can handle Red Bull and the like but not coffee? Short of a little heartburn from too regular use, energy drinks sit well with me and give me the needed boost to get moving in the morning or pick me up later in the day. Coffee? More nervous energy than productive boosting. Poo.
Add liquor to the equation and it's all reversed. Irish coffee? Happy me. Not too jacked up and certainly not buzzin'. Jager Bombs? Yeah, that's always an interesting evening. Vodka and Red Bull? Nothing productinve about that energy. Lol.
Anyway, less substances, more knitting!
PS - I just noticed I finished that cup anyway while I was typing this. Hmm... and I have a weird compulsion to go in there and polish off that last cup. WTF?
So far, so good. No reports of nausea or trembling to speak of.
I'm jacking myself up in preparation for binding off this damn sock again. I bound off hte crayon sock yesterday. Used a larger needle and light tension. No good. Foot no fitty. :( The rest of the sock? Lovely. So I ripped out the ribbing and started again.
I should note that I loathe ribbing. 1x1 ribbing makes me want to kill people. Particularly in the round. 2x2 I can handle without a meltdown but I don't like it.
I went for 3x1 reibbing this time and I rather like it. Not as annoying to knit and pretty snappy looking. Soon er'll see how it looks on a foot... hopefully. :P
I have a few stretchy bind off options printed out. I'm debating between EZ's sewn cast off and one where you k2, pass first over second, place the remaining stitch back on the right needle and repeat.
I should probably swatch. I don't wanna swatch. But if I have to rip it out again I may never finish it and I'll certainly never get to sock 2. :P The sock must be finished.
Against better judgement, I think I'm going to finish this coffee and go for the EZ sewn bind off without a trial run. Oooh, life on the edge. LOL.
Started swatching for the Esprit socks last night. Not much progress since it was late and I was afraid that lying in bed might be affecting my tension.
Nothing much has been accomplished today. My butt has been in this chair for 99& of it. Redid the ribbing, downloaded podcasts, started a list of things I like and things I think I'd like for swapp-y purposes.
Ok, I'm a wuss... 1.5 is my limit. Coffee consumption much be terminated immediately.
Is it odd that I now feel like I need a nap?
Well, not really since it *is* naptime. It's sad that I have a naptime now. I just get so damn tired anymore that around 3pm I *need* a lay down. :( Pity me. Send sugar-free Red Bull. Lol.
And is it odd that I can handle Red Bull and the like but not coffee? Short of a little heartburn from too regular use, energy drinks sit well with me and give me the needed boost to get moving in the morning or pick me up later in the day. Coffee? More nervous energy than productive boosting. Poo.
Add liquor to the equation and it's all reversed. Irish coffee? Happy me. Not too jacked up and certainly not buzzin'. Jager Bombs? Yeah, that's always an interesting evening. Vodka and Red Bull? Nothing productinve about that energy. Lol.
Anyway, less substances, more knitting!
PS - I just noticed I finished that cup anyway while I was typing this. Hmm... and I have a weird compulsion to go in there and polish off that last cup. WTF?
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Oh mailman, how I love thee!
Yay, my Elann shipment got here while I was having lunch. A box full of Esprit the Elann version of Cascade Fixation. I got the charcoal and french navy colors for my brother's socks. The charcoal is a bit darker than I expected but that's ok. There won't be as much contrast between the colors as I had planned but my brother's not really a 'contrast-y' kinda guy so it'll work just fine. :)
I also got a couple balls of the Esprit Print in Berry Garden to make the Broad Ripple socks for Mom. This is the only project meant for her that she doesn't know about.
Hopefully I'll be able to get gauge with my 2.75mm DPNs so I can get started immediately. Otherwise I'm stuck until the 23rd. :P Well, I do still have the crayon socks to finish. A little swatching isn't *really* cheating though, is it? ;) Heh.
Must make myself go study now. I think I'll go measure my bro's foot after my test.
I also got a couple balls of the Esprit Print in Berry Garden to make the Broad Ripple socks for Mom. This is the only project meant for her that she doesn't know about.
Hopefully I'll be able to get gauge with my 2.75mm DPNs so I can get started immediately. Otherwise I'm stuck until the 23rd. :P Well, I do still have the crayon socks to finish. A little swatching isn't *really* cheating though, is it? ;) Heh.
Must make myself go study now. I think I'll go measure my bro's foot after my test.
Ah, it's a nice rainy day. Not much rain anymore but it was nice to sleep through this morning.
Yesterday was awesome, weather-wise. I walked out the door to go to class inthe morning and stopped dead in my tracks out of shock... it was...COOL!! Not less-than-100-degrees cool, the real kind. Fabulous. Of course it's humid and pretty warm again today but it was certainly nice while it lasted.
It's a damn good thing too since the AC froze up and had to be turned off early in the monring. :P Note to self: do not leave blankets piled up in front of the AC. Ooops.
I'm really looking forward to Fall/Winter this year. I used to dread it because I have a bit of Seasonal Affective Disorder and would get (sometimes pretty severely) depressed once it cooled off and there was less light. I still have to careful not to get into a big slump or anything but it's much much better. I also used to hate the holidays. Probably something siding along with the depression. I'm not sure exactly what changed there. I'm still not a big holiday person but anything's less dreary when it brings a ton of great knitting opportunities, right? ;) Ask me again a couple weeks before Christmas when I'm terribly behind... I'm sure I'll be singing a different tune. Lol.
But I can't wait for it to cool off! I'm quite ready for that.
Wow, in about a month I'll have been home for a year. It's been an amazingly short and amazingly long year at the same time. I'm in a much better place than I was a year ago and that's good because I feel like I'm following through on the stuff I wanted to change and get going. Doing much better. :)
Oooh, I got an emai from Deb at Fearless Fibers letting me know my special request is ready! SO gorgeous! Hopefully I can go ahead and order it by the end of the week or so. 'Course, it's part of my Christmas from Daddy so I don't get it yet. I'm sure I could have it if I wanted but I've instructed Mom to keep it until Christmas. I won't be able to play with it until after my Christmas knitting is done anyway and that way I have more cool stuff at Christmas and it'll still be brand new to me. :) It'll also be nicely complimented by my KP Options set and Barbara Walker treasuries. (And I wonder why I'm looking forward to Christmas this year. LOL)
My orders shipped too. Elann shipped Monday and KnitPicks shipped yesterday. I can't wait to get started. I have a couple more rows of ribbing and the first toe-up sock will be done. The second shouldn't take too long either so I'll be rarin' to go by this weekend.
Is it just me or do toe-up socks seem to go faster? I cranked that puppy out compared to my other top-down ones. Maybe I'm just picking up speed. Maybe it's having the toe and heel (the identifiable parts) show up first. Maybe it's because I hate ribbing so starting there holds me up a bit. And maybe it's because I have only been knitting on that one sock this week. That's amazing. Haha. I never work on *one* project at a time. That's pretty much the plan for the holiday knitting though. Since they're small projects I'm thinking it might actually work.
There *will* be pictues again soon too!! :D I'm not going to be able to get a camera like I wanted but Daddy got a really nice one for work that I'll be able to use a little. Yay.
I've dropped not-so-subtle hints that the boy should get me a camera for Christmas but I'm sure as hell not counting on it. Boys can remain oblivious to even the most obvious things and he's certainly no exception to that rule. :P
And of course he has to be one of those "I wanna surprise you" gift givers. That's all well and good but really I'd rather just pick stuff out for myself this year. Ask me what I want, take me shopping, give me gift cards, whatever. Eh, we'll see how he does, I guess. He won't listen to reason so it better be impressive. I know what the ex he wasn't even with got last year and mine better be even better. ;) Then again, looks like he's counting on a Christmas bonus to do the shopping with. Personally, I'm not sure that's the best plan the way things have been going around there but again, you can't reason with him on certain things. He likes it in his bubble. :P
Anyway, it's time to go eat and get on with the day. I have an accounting test this evening so I need to study and what not.
Yesterday was awesome, weather-wise. I walked out the door to go to class inthe morning and stopped dead in my tracks out of shock... it was...COOL!! Not less-than-100-degrees cool, the real kind. Fabulous. Of course it's humid and pretty warm again today but it was certainly nice while it lasted.
It's a damn good thing too since the AC froze up and had to be turned off early in the monring. :P Note to self: do not leave blankets piled up in front of the AC. Ooops.
I'm really looking forward to Fall/Winter this year. I used to dread it because I have a bit of Seasonal Affective Disorder and would get (sometimes pretty severely) depressed once it cooled off and there was less light. I still have to careful not to get into a big slump or anything but it's much much better. I also used to hate the holidays. Probably something siding along with the depression. I'm not sure exactly what changed there. I'm still not a big holiday person but anything's less dreary when it brings a ton of great knitting opportunities, right? ;) Ask me again a couple weeks before Christmas when I'm terribly behind... I'm sure I'll be singing a different tune. Lol.
But I can't wait for it to cool off! I'm quite ready for that.
Wow, in about a month I'll have been home for a year. It's been an amazingly short and amazingly long year at the same time. I'm in a much better place than I was a year ago and that's good because I feel like I'm following through on the stuff I wanted to change and get going. Doing much better. :)
Oooh, I got an emai from Deb at Fearless Fibers letting me know my special request is ready! SO gorgeous! Hopefully I can go ahead and order it by the end of the week or so. 'Course, it's part of my Christmas from Daddy so I don't get it yet. I'm sure I could have it if I wanted but I've instructed Mom to keep it until Christmas. I won't be able to play with it until after my Christmas knitting is done anyway and that way I have more cool stuff at Christmas and it'll still be brand new to me. :) It'll also be nicely complimented by my KP Options set and Barbara Walker treasuries. (And I wonder why I'm looking forward to Christmas this year. LOL)
My orders shipped too. Elann shipped Monday and KnitPicks shipped yesterday. I can't wait to get started. I have a couple more rows of ribbing and the first toe-up sock will be done. The second shouldn't take too long either so I'll be rarin' to go by this weekend.
Is it just me or do toe-up socks seem to go faster? I cranked that puppy out compared to my other top-down ones. Maybe I'm just picking up speed. Maybe it's having the toe and heel (the identifiable parts) show up first. Maybe it's because I hate ribbing so starting there holds me up a bit. And maybe it's because I have only been knitting on that one sock this week. That's amazing. Haha. I never work on *one* project at a time. That's pretty much the plan for the holiday knitting though. Since they're small projects I'm thinking it might actually work.
There *will* be pictues again soon too!! :D I'm not going to be able to get a camera like I wanted but Daddy got a really nice one for work that I'll be able to use a little. Yay.
I've dropped not-so-subtle hints that the boy should get me a camera for Christmas but I'm sure as hell not counting on it. Boys can remain oblivious to even the most obvious things and he's certainly no exception to that rule. :P
And of course he has to be one of those "I wanna surprise you" gift givers. That's all well and good but really I'd rather just pick stuff out for myself this year. Ask me what I want, take me shopping, give me gift cards, whatever. Eh, we'll see how he does, I guess. He won't listen to reason so it better be impressive. I know what the ex he wasn't even with got last year and mine better be even better. ;) Then again, looks like he's counting on a Christmas bonus to do the shopping with. Personally, I'm not sure that's the best plan the way things have been going around there but again, you can't reason with him on certain things. He likes it in his bubble. :P
Anyway, it's time to go eat and get on with the day. I have an accounting test this evening so I need to study and what not.
Monday, September 11, 2006
How do I *know* it's the gnomes?
Well, how else do you explain such a thing? I cleaned the whole room and searched everywhere. This was no half assed search either. This search involved and Maglite, a broom, a lot of crawling around, taking everything out of the room and putting it all back in. Nothing. Finished cleaning and started trying to organize the stash. When I was just about done there *POOF* it appeared. It appeared somewhere I'd looked no less than four times last night and twice today. Somewhere I'd never put it. Somewhere it just wasn't!
I'm just glad it's back! The gnomes are forgiving. Manipulative, but forgiving. I guess even ones who live with someone as messy as me have their limits. Constantly saying I'm going to tidy up and not following through probably just pisses them off even more.
The gremlins, on the other hand, well, they're just mean. Those are the ones who sneak up, steal something as soon as I put it down and it's never to be seen or heard from again. Seriously.
I hear you snickering and it's not nice. ;)
Room's reasonably clean, I'm freshly clean, cats/fish/hamsters/dogs fed, and the needle has returned. I guess now I can work on that sock until my sheets finish washing and drying.
Now if only whoever took my purple size 6 DPN and my 10 1/2 bamboo straight would return them... Those have both disappeared in the past couple of weeks and didn't turn up in the search. :( I don't really use the metal DPNs unless I have to but I would like to be able to finish the scarf that's on the other 10 1/2.
I'm just glad it's back! The gnomes are forgiving. Manipulative, but forgiving. I guess even ones who live with someone as messy as me have their limits. Constantly saying I'm going to tidy up and not following through probably just pisses them off even more.
The gremlins, on the other hand, well, they're just mean. Those are the ones who sneak up, steal something as soon as I put it down and it's never to be seen or heard from again. Seriously.
I hear you snickering and it's not nice. ;)
Room's reasonably clean, I'm freshly clean, cats/fish/hamsters/dogs fed, and the needle has returned. I guess now I can work on that sock until my sheets finish washing and drying.
Now if only whoever took my purple size 6 DPN and my 10 1/2 bamboo straight would return them... Those have both disappeared in the past couple of weeks and didn't turn up in the search. :( I don't really use the metal DPNs unless I have to but I would like to be able to finish the scarf that's on the other 10 1/2.
%^$&$%^#$@@#%!!!!!
Why must the gnomes steal important things like one of my favorite DPNs from the only project I'm currently working on?! I try to be good and actually follow through on a single project in preparation for the arrival of the Christmas haul, and this is what I get for it?
I do have a bit of an inkling that the gnomes may have a larger plan with this one though. I'm now in the middle of a well overdue room cleaning. I suppose they knew that the loss of that particular needle would spark immediate action on my part. Well, an evening of pouting and grumbling then a morning and afternoon extreme action.
I do hope I find it so I can stop being slightly aggrivated with the boy since he was the only one at the scene of the crime and he did move a couple things around.
Anyway, yes Mighty Gnomes I get the hint. Please be appeased by my cleaning efforts and kindly return my needle. My first short row sock would thanks you. I'm sure my boyfriend would as well.
Ok, sammich break is over... back to it. :P
I do have a bit of an inkling that the gnomes may have a larger plan with this one though. I'm now in the middle of a well overdue room cleaning. I suppose they knew that the loss of that particular needle would spark immediate action on my part. Well, an evening of pouting and grumbling then a morning and afternoon extreme action.
I do hope I find it so I can stop being slightly aggrivated with the boy since he was the only one at the scene of the crime and he did move a couple things around.
Anyway, yes Mighty Gnomes I get the hint. Please be appeased by my cleaning efforts and kindly return my needle. My first short row sock would thanks you. I'm sure my boyfriend would as well.
Ok, sammich break is over... back to it. :P
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Oh, I forgot...
I received a nifty little tube in the mail yesterday. Since it was from Brittany and said 5" 2.25m on the label, I assumed it was my replacement size 1 DPN I requested a couple weeks ago. I assumed wrong. Inside the tube there were four 5" DPNs. I was excited about getting extras until I checked the imprints... They sent me four 2mm needles! WTF? So I now have a set of 4 useable 2.25mm and 4 useable 2.0mm. That would be lovely if I didn't need 5 to work with, especially with such short length. *sigh* I felt kinda bad having to send them another email thanking them for the speedy service but could I please have another. :P
If they'd send me one more of each they'd be my favoritest needle company of all. I love my Crystal Palace DPNs but I have to give higher ranking to anyone who sends me extra needles. ;)
I've discovered that I have a different fiber issue than most knitters seem to. Everyone goes on and on about wool this and wool that... I love me some nice wool but it seems that everytime I buy yarn I feel it necessary to include something with alpaca, silk, or (ideally) both. Actually, almost all of my yarn contains alpaca, silk, cotton, or some mix of those.
I'm not complaining, I just find it odd...
If they'd send me one more of each they'd be my favoritest needle company of all. I love my Crystal Palace DPNs but I have to give higher ranking to anyone who sends me extra needles. ;)
I've discovered that I have a different fiber issue than most knitters seem to. Everyone goes on and on about wool this and wool that... I love me some nice wool but it seems that everytime I buy yarn I feel it necessary to include something with alpaca, silk, or (ideally) both. Actually, almost all of my yarn contains alpaca, silk, cotton, or some mix of those.
I'm not complaining, I just find it odd...
Christmas
Well, I got to place my Christmas yarn orders today. Well, the yarn for Christmas presents, not the yarn I want for Christmas. I can't wait for two boxes of yarn to show up on the doorstep! :D Of course this excitement is (barely) tempered by the knowledge that I must knit (most of) said yarn in the next few months. :P
Hopefully I'm not getting myself in too deep this year.
- 3-4 pairs of socks
- 1 pair of fingerless gloves
- some dish/washcloths and crocheted potholders.
I've started the cloths already. I have two done. I'd like to end up with 5 or 6 I guess. 2-4 potholders. I can make two potholders in one day though.
It can't be as bad as last year. I didn't even learn to knit until November! Then everyone wanted scarves. :P I had three done by Christmas and the other two a few months later (I hated the yarn and the needles). That makes the socks sound less intimidating. Besides, I got the jump on it this year, right? Of course there's still the Haloween costume I want to make and the various other projects I have going and school and... yeah...
Ok, I admit it... Christmas is just an excuse to order a bunch of yarn. ;)
Hopefully I'm not getting myself in too deep this year.
- 3-4 pairs of socks
- 1 pair of fingerless gloves
- some dish/washcloths and crocheted potholders.
I've started the cloths already. I have two done. I'd like to end up with 5 or 6 I guess. 2-4 potholders. I can make two potholders in one day though.
It can't be as bad as last year. I didn't even learn to knit until November! Then everyone wanted scarves. :P I had three done by Christmas and the other two a few months later (I hated the yarn and the needles). That makes the socks sound less intimidating. Besides, I got the jump on it this year, right? Of course there's still the Haloween costume I want to make and the various other projects I have going and school and... yeah...
Ok, I admit it... Christmas is just an excuse to order a bunch of yarn. ;)
Thursday, September 07, 2006
No, swaps are *awesome*
Oooh, excitement. I have bunches of fun mail to look out for. Still waiting for my hoodie from the Craft What You Can swap but it's coming from British Columbia (I think) so I'm trying to be patient.
I'm swapping off a skein of bulky Lamb's Pride too. It's is going for a whole butt load of DPNs. Sizes US 0 thru 11! I'm thrilled.
And of course the Sockotta from yesterday's set up.
I've also signed up for Secret Pal 9. I can't wait. I've wanted to get in on once of these secret pal things for a while now but I never caught the when and wheres before they closed. Well, I'm on it this time so, yeah. I hope I get good pals. :)
Oooh, Sock Wars starts soon too. I'm so dead already. That's ok though, I just wanna play. :)
I had that interview with the accounting firm today. It went quite well. I'm supposed to hear back tomorrow about meeting with the office closer to me sometime next week. If that goes over well there's a background check so I could start in a couple weeks. Hopefully the my idiot ex's financial circus didn't end up attached to me in any way. :P I suppose there might be some medical bills that show up because of the insurance rigamarole but I should be able to explain that. Oh and the arrest 6yrs ago for "underage drinking" that was dropped. That should really need no explaination. Heh.
I'm hopeful about the job. I'd be an administrative assistant, basicly, but they're willing to let me do some more accounting tech level work too! I can't wait to get some experience in the field. I think it'll make the school stuff a lot more helpful if I get to apply it as I learn it. Being able to pass tests is one thing, being able to do the work efficiently is another.
Apparently the office manager here in town took offense to the idea of hiring a student to help her out. Feeling threatened or something. Ugh, what *is* it with office managers anyway?? I've never had a sane/reasonable one. I guess she's afraid I'd be looking to replace her or something. Haha, fuck that. The last thing I want is her job. I just want some experience and some money. I wanted to tell the partners, hell I'm after *your* job not hers! Lol. Well, maybe not quite. I'm not sold on the CPA thing yet. I'd be happy just to be a well paid senior at a firm or a private accountant in the long run. We'll see though.
Oh! I also discovered that this is a regional company, not jsut a local firm. They even have offices near where I'm interested in moving next. That could be super handy!
So the HH firm's office is within a mile of a yarn shop. Hehehe. Well, I'm not thrilled with the shop in general but any shop is better than none so I stopped in hoping for the best. Eh. :P I was looking for some small gauge DPNs. I wanted 0s, 1s, or 3s in bamboo. Preferably 5 or 6 inch but I wasn't looking to be too picky. Well, they don't even carry 0s! And of course the only ones they had in the other sizes were Quicksilvers or Clovers. Poo. I'm not into metal DPNs and I'm not paying 'yarn shop' prices for freakin' Clovers. I can get those on sale at ACMoore. I'm extra glad I didn't get any now though! :)
Of course I didn't leave empty handed though. ;) I came home with three skeins of Indiecita Alpaca Sport in a nice cranberry-ish color. I was intending to see if I could get some of my Christmas present yarn there but they didn't have anything I was looking for. I like a couple of the sock yarns but they only had one skein of most of the colors! WTF?? It wasn't even on sale! Ridiculous. They're pretty snotty too. Screw it, I'm probably going to Charleston this weekend anyway.
Anyway, the alpaca is for me so I'll have to put it aside for a few months. Funny, I never knit anything for myself really but all my alpaca is "for me." Wait, I *did* finish something for myself... a chunky cabled baby alpaca hat. Hehe. Of course.
Is it really odd/bad that the correct pronunciation of the work "skein" irks the hell out of me? I don't care if I sound like a total moron saying "skeen" I just can't make myself say "skane." *shrug* I guess that kills my shot at being a well known knitting podcaster. LOL
(The way it's spelled suggests a long E though so *nyah*)
I'm swapping off a skein of bulky Lamb's Pride too. It's is going for a whole butt load of DPNs. Sizes US 0 thru 11! I'm thrilled.
And of course the Sockotta from yesterday's set up.
I've also signed up for Secret Pal 9. I can't wait. I've wanted to get in on once of these secret pal things for a while now but I never caught the when and wheres before they closed. Well, I'm on it this time so, yeah. I hope I get good pals. :)
Oooh, Sock Wars starts soon too. I'm so dead already. That's ok though, I just wanna play. :)
I had that interview with the accounting firm today. It went quite well. I'm supposed to hear back tomorrow about meeting with the office closer to me sometime next week. If that goes over well there's a background check so I could start in a couple weeks. Hopefully the my idiot ex's financial circus didn't end up attached to me in any way. :P I suppose there might be some medical bills that show up because of the insurance rigamarole but I should be able to explain that. Oh and the arrest 6yrs ago for "underage drinking" that was dropped. That should really need no explaination. Heh.
I'm hopeful about the job. I'd be an administrative assistant, basicly, but they're willing to let me do some more accounting tech level work too! I can't wait to get some experience in the field. I think it'll make the school stuff a lot more helpful if I get to apply it as I learn it. Being able to pass tests is one thing, being able to do the work efficiently is another.
Apparently the office manager here in town took offense to the idea of hiring a student to help her out. Feeling threatened or something. Ugh, what *is* it with office managers anyway?? I've never had a sane/reasonable one. I guess she's afraid I'd be looking to replace her or something. Haha, fuck that. The last thing I want is her job. I just want some experience and some money. I wanted to tell the partners, hell I'm after *your* job not hers! Lol. Well, maybe not quite. I'm not sold on the CPA thing yet. I'd be happy just to be a well paid senior at a firm or a private accountant in the long run. We'll see though.
Oh! I also discovered that this is a regional company, not jsut a local firm. They even have offices near where I'm interested in moving next. That could be super handy!
So the HH firm's office is within a mile of a yarn shop. Hehehe. Well, I'm not thrilled with the shop in general but any shop is better than none so I stopped in hoping for the best. Eh. :P I was looking for some small gauge DPNs. I wanted 0s, 1s, or 3s in bamboo. Preferably 5 or 6 inch but I wasn't looking to be too picky. Well, they don't even carry 0s! And of course the only ones they had in the other sizes were Quicksilvers or Clovers. Poo. I'm not into metal DPNs and I'm not paying 'yarn shop' prices for freakin' Clovers. I can get those on sale at ACMoore. I'm extra glad I didn't get any now though! :)
Of course I didn't leave empty handed though. ;) I came home with three skeins of Indiecita Alpaca Sport in a nice cranberry-ish color. I was intending to see if I could get some of my Christmas present yarn there but they didn't have anything I was looking for. I like a couple of the sock yarns but they only had one skein of most of the colors! WTF?? It wasn't even on sale! Ridiculous. They're pretty snotty too. Screw it, I'm probably going to Charleston this weekend anyway.
Anyway, the alpaca is for me so I'll have to put it aside for a few months. Funny, I never knit anything for myself really but all my alpaca is "for me." Wait, I *did* finish something for myself... a chunky cabled baby alpaca hat. Hehe. Of course.
Is it really odd/bad that the correct pronunciation of the work "skein" irks the hell out of me? I don't care if I sound like a total moron saying "skeen" I just can't make myself say "skane." *shrug* I guess that kills my shot at being a well known knitting podcaster. LOL
(The way it's spelled suggests a long E though so *nyah*)
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Swaps rock!
Yay, I've found a happy new home for my Lamb's Pride worsted. And I'm getting sock yarn. I've warned my dad that everything might need to be nailed down and the critters hidden to keep me from trading it all for sock yarn. ;) I'm happy about the swap though. That's a perfectly nice skien of yarn and I've wanted to use it for a while but I just can't make my skin forget about the damn mohair! I still have some LP Bulky that I want to try to felt with but we'll see how that goes. I successfully worked with it last year but my skin seems to have gotten more sensitive as of late.
On the mohair thing... I really don't get it. Why do people love mohair so? It's a pain in the rear to knit with, particularly anything you might have to rip back. It itches. I know I'm not alone there. Even people who like it seem to have to plan to keep it out of direct contact with much skin. Yes, it has a pretty halo of fluff, but I prefer my fluff to be *soft* and itch free. But really... could someone explain the appeal to me? Eh, maybe it's just my not being able to touch the stuff that makes me unable to understand the love of mohair. Poor me. I'll console myself with alpaca. ;)
Speaking of alpacas (oh yes, I am the segue queen :P )... I recently stumbled across some information on alpaca farming. I had no idea alpacas were so friendly, easy to care for, adaptable and snuggly! I'm in love. So now I've decided that it's not totally impractical to want to have an alpaca farm. You don't even need a whole lot of land! Since I want to get a place with a bit of land once I'm out of school and settled a bit, and the area (western NC) would be suitable, I'm totally on my alpaca farming kick now. :) I'm just thrilled to find out that it's actually a reasonable and attainable goal! Now I can be the crazy alpaca and cat lady. It'll set me apart from all the other crazy cat ladies.
Since I can't order my Christmas gifts yarn yet I've been working on various kitchen cotton items. Peaches & Creme is my friend. It's the only non-acrylic yarn I can get without driving an hour or more, comes in fun colors, and can make useful stuff. It's more a habit of opportunity than anything else but it's keeping me entertained this week. I'm trying out new designs and what not on facecloths 'n stuff. I've been winging the patterns mostly and I kinda enjoy that.
Well, I have much to do tomorrow and less time to do it in so I better start thinking about bed.
On the mohair thing... I really don't get it. Why do people love mohair so? It's a pain in the rear to knit with, particularly anything you might have to rip back. It itches. I know I'm not alone there. Even people who like it seem to have to plan to keep it out of direct contact with much skin. Yes, it has a pretty halo of fluff, but I prefer my fluff to be *soft* and itch free. But really... could someone explain the appeal to me? Eh, maybe it's just my not being able to touch the stuff that makes me unable to understand the love of mohair. Poor me. I'll console myself with alpaca. ;)
Speaking of alpacas (oh yes, I am the segue queen :P )... I recently stumbled across some information on alpaca farming. I had no idea alpacas were so friendly, easy to care for, adaptable and snuggly! I'm in love. So now I've decided that it's not totally impractical to want to have an alpaca farm. You don't even need a whole lot of land! Since I want to get a place with a bit of land once I'm out of school and settled a bit, and the area (western NC) would be suitable, I'm totally on my alpaca farming kick now. :) I'm just thrilled to find out that it's actually a reasonable and attainable goal! Now I can be the crazy alpaca and cat lady. It'll set me apart from all the other crazy cat ladies.
Since I can't order my Christmas gifts yarn yet I've been working on various kitchen cotton items. Peaches & Creme is my friend. It's the only non-acrylic yarn I can get without driving an hour or more, comes in fun colors, and can make useful stuff. It's more a habit of opportunity than anything else but it's keeping me entertained this week. I'm trying out new designs and what not on facecloths 'n stuff. I've been winging the patterns mostly and I kinda enjoy that.
Well, I have much to do tomorrow and less time to do it in so I better start thinking about bed.
Friday, September 01, 2006
Christmas lists
Is it bad that pretty much all I want for Christmas is sock yarn? Truck loads of sock yarn. Lol.
I made a Knit Picks list for Mom which pretty much includes sock yarn, lace weight, the bulky for her hat and the Options set. Plus a pair of black Crocs.
Went on Amazon to mark the Barbara Walker books for Dad. I'd also like some Cascade Fixation and Opal Rainforest.
Most of my Christmas gift list is socks as well.
Knitting crack, I tell ya!
I made a Knit Picks list for Mom which pretty much includes sock yarn, lace weight, the bulky for her hat and the Options set. Plus a pair of black Crocs.
Went on Amazon to mark the Barbara Walker books for Dad. I'd also like some Cascade Fixation and Opal Rainforest.
Most of my Christmas gift list is socks as well.
Knitting crack, I tell ya!
OUCH!
I've been getting some sort of back cramps the past couple days. This morning I woke in serious pain. :( It's right across my upper back, between my arms. I certainly hope it's not knitting related or hindering! Getting a chiropractor and massage appt today. I'm well overdue anyway.
My football team kicked off the season well last night. I'm thrilled about that since it's been a rough ride for us for a while. Wooohooo football season! :) (Panthers won in preseason last night as well.)
I've started experimenting with toe-up socks. I'm having a little gauge issue with the short row toe though. Since it's knit back and forth it ends up significantly looser. I've dropped down to a 2.0mm but I'm still not quite getting what I want. :P I'm also wondering if I'm picking up the wraps correctly. I'll have to do a little more research there.
Started thyroid meds yesterday. I hope this helps with my hair, energy level, etc. Especially energy level... I have an interview next week with an accounting firm in Hilton Head! How exciting! :)
Ugh, back hurty... might have to lay back down.
My football team kicked off the season well last night. I'm thrilled about that since it's been a rough ride for us for a while. Wooohooo football season! :) (Panthers won in preseason last night as well.)
I've started experimenting with toe-up socks. I'm having a little gauge issue with the short row toe though. Since it's knit back and forth it ends up significantly looser. I've dropped down to a 2.0mm but I'm still not quite getting what I want. :P I'm also wondering if I'm picking up the wraps correctly. I'll have to do a little more research there.
Started thyroid meds yesterday. I hope this helps with my hair, energy level, etc. Especially energy level... I have an interview next week with an accounting firm in Hilton Head! How exciting! :)
Ugh, back hurty... might have to lay back down.
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
No holes barred
This sock just keeps getting better and better! I turned the heel this afternoon. I think I managed to match it up to the first one... can't seem to find part of my notes. :P I had a much easier time picking up stitches from the flap this go 'round. Used my new 2.5mm Crystal Palace needles. The point on them is fabulous and made it so much easier! The smaller size didn't hurt either. With a little experimental fiddling in the gusset area I was able to complete my first heel with NO HOLES! No gaps, no holes. I'm thrilled. I've had a bit of trouble with that on all the previous socks.
I've also discovered why the feet of my socks are tighter than expected and I tend to get hand and arm pain more frequently once I get well into a sock. I've been starting out on 5 DPNs but going down to 4 once all the heel stitches are picked up. Apparently that has been altering my gauge and stressing my hands. I think that going back up to 5 will solve the problem.
Another great thing that happened today was my trip to the bookstore. I took my brother over to Hilton Head to pick up a book he ordered. I hadn't expected to be able to get anything myself. Just before we left it occurred to me that I had a book to return. I got this book on thyroid imbalances a few weeks back and while it's loaded with useful information, I simple cannot read it. The writing style just makes me go crosseyed. Can't hold my interest at all. It's not overly technical or even dry. I'm not sure why but I just can't get through it so I took it with me.
Once we got there I realized it was a more expensive book than I thought so I had a little more money to play with. Since I no longer have the receipt, I had to exchange it for something else. Of course I was hoping for a good knitting book of some sort. The selection there isn't the best though. It's a small Barnes & Noble and not very well stocked in most areas. Plus it's always so much easier to find beginner how-to books and fast, easy patterns but it can be difficult to find good intermediate or advanced books around here at all.
I've been wanting to get a stitch dictionary pretty badly. I'm hoping for a couple of the Barbara Walker treasuries for Christmas. So I considered the vogue Stitchonary but it's more than I wanted to spend and I the first green yarn they use burns my retinas. :P Can't bear it.
Considered Sensational Knitted Socks but again, it was more than my other book and while I really liked the content, it should at least be spiral-bound for $25! Geez.
Found the Big Book of Knitting Stitch Patterns. I dug back past the first two bent up copies and happened across a lone copy with a 30% off sticker! That's 40% with my card. Seeing as the book is only $15 to begin with, I had enough left over for a magazine. :)
That plus the fact that our trip took only about half the time I expected and included Backyard Burger made me a pretty happy camper.
I've also discovered why the feet of my socks are tighter than expected and I tend to get hand and arm pain more frequently once I get well into a sock. I've been starting out on 5 DPNs but going down to 4 once all the heel stitches are picked up. Apparently that has been altering my gauge and stressing my hands. I think that going back up to 5 will solve the problem.
Another great thing that happened today was my trip to the bookstore. I took my brother over to Hilton Head to pick up a book he ordered. I hadn't expected to be able to get anything myself. Just before we left it occurred to me that I had a book to return. I got this book on thyroid imbalances a few weeks back and while it's loaded with useful information, I simple cannot read it. The writing style just makes me go crosseyed. Can't hold my interest at all. It's not overly technical or even dry. I'm not sure why but I just can't get through it so I took it with me.
Once we got there I realized it was a more expensive book than I thought so I had a little more money to play with. Since I no longer have the receipt, I had to exchange it for something else. Of course I was hoping for a good knitting book of some sort. The selection there isn't the best though. It's a small Barnes & Noble and not very well stocked in most areas. Plus it's always so much easier to find beginner how-to books and fast, easy patterns but it can be difficult to find good intermediate or advanced books around here at all.
I've been wanting to get a stitch dictionary pretty badly. I'm hoping for a couple of the Barbara Walker treasuries for Christmas. So I considered the vogue Stitchonary but it's more than I wanted to spend and I the first green yarn they use burns my retinas. :P Can't bear it.
Considered Sensational Knitted Socks but again, it was more than my other book and while I really liked the content, it should at least be spiral-bound for $25! Geez.
Found the Big Book of Knitting Stitch Patterns. I dug back past the first two bent up copies and happened across a lone copy with a 30% off sticker! That's 40% with my card. Seeing as the book is only $15 to begin with, I had enough left over for a magazine. :)
That plus the fact that our trip took only about half the time I expected and included Backyard Burger made me a pretty happy camper.
Ah, freedom...
I ought to be snoozin' now since I have my early class tomorrow but that's been even more difficult than normal lately so here I am. :P
I'm thrilled to say I ripped *partway* back without fear for the first time tonight! Thanks Knit Fix I got the nerve (and the know-how) up to grab the stitches up correctly the very first time and yank out the tainted work. Now that I've taught myself to tink properly, figured out how to rip back, and I'm armed with clear instructions for dealing with dropped stitches, I can knit without fear of having to start over if I mess up at all. With the help of the occasional lifeline, of course.
I'm very pleased with the way the second yoga bag turned out. Wish I could take pictures! I suppose I could hunt down some film for the regular camera tomorrow while I'm out but then I still have to wait to finish the roll and develop them. :P Digital caters to my complete lack of patience.
Anyway, back to the bag... I did it in Peaches & Cream Fiesta Ombre. I'm in love with this colorway now. I was looking originally looking for pink (to break away form my knee-jerk everything-blue thing) but they were all out. The Fiesta looked quite interesting so I decided to go with it. It knit up into a great sorta tie-dyed look. I added a triple crochet border to the top of the bag and laced that with a bright pink beaded silk scarf to function as a drawstring. The whole thing is very 'hippie' and it works. It *is* a yoga bag after all. The colors length of the yarn color sections turned out to be the absolute perfect fit for the triple crochet, changing at just the fight time. I should think of something interesting to do with the remainder of the last ball. Actually, I think I'll pick up a couple more balls and crochet something neat.
I realized the bag is quite vibrant with the rainbow colors and hot pink scarf and all so I'm giving my swap partner a choice of the hippie bag or the blue one before I send out. I'd hate for her not to use it because it was too loud or something. Mom loves them both so she'll use the crap out of whichever one doesn't get sent off.
Well, this halfway done (for the second time) heel flap and I are going to lay down now.
I'm thrilled to say I ripped *partway* back without fear for the first time tonight! Thanks Knit Fix I got the nerve (and the know-how) up to grab the stitches up correctly the very first time and yank out the tainted work. Now that I've taught myself to tink properly, figured out how to rip back, and I'm armed with clear instructions for dealing with dropped stitches, I can knit without fear of having to start over if I mess up at all. With the help of the occasional lifeline, of course.
I'm very pleased with the way the second yoga bag turned out. Wish I could take pictures! I suppose I could hunt down some film for the regular camera tomorrow while I'm out but then I still have to wait to finish the roll and develop them. :P Digital caters to my complete lack of patience.
Anyway, back to the bag... I did it in Peaches & Cream Fiesta Ombre. I'm in love with this colorway now. I was looking originally looking for pink (to break away form my knee-jerk everything-blue thing) but they were all out. The Fiesta looked quite interesting so I decided to go with it. It knit up into a great sorta tie-dyed look. I added a triple crochet border to the top of the bag and laced that with a bright pink beaded silk scarf to function as a drawstring. The whole thing is very 'hippie' and it works. It *is* a yoga bag after all. The colors length of the yarn color sections turned out to be the absolute perfect fit for the triple crochet, changing at just the fight time. I should think of something interesting to do with the remainder of the last ball. Actually, I think I'll pick up a couple more balls and crochet something neat.
I realized the bag is quite vibrant with the rainbow colors and hot pink scarf and all so I'm giving my swap partner a choice of the hippie bag or the blue one before I send out. I'd hate for her not to use it because it was too loud or something. Mom loves them both so she'll use the crap out of whichever one doesn't get sent off.
Well, this halfway done (for the second time) heel flap and I are going to lay down now.
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Overhaulin'
Well, in an effort to correct the format of my poor blog a bit, I've changed most of the photos into links. I think this also kept all the links from being broken when I reorganized my photobucket earlier. I could be wrong. Let me know if all the links are broken or anything. :P
Hopefully I'll get around to some other formatting stuff I've been wanting to do soon. Until then, at least my sidebar has returned to it's indended position. It's a start.
I'm a terrible person... didn't get the handle attached to the yoga bag in time to mail it yesterday. :( It'll have to go out tomorrow.
Today is the boy's mom's birthday. They're grilling so my dad and I will be heading over there in a bit. I suppose a shower would be a good idea. :P
Hopefully I'll get around to some other formatting stuff I've been wanting to do soon. Until then, at least my sidebar has returned to it's indended position. It's a start.
I'm a terrible person... didn't get the handle attached to the yoga bag in time to mail it yesterday. :( It'll have to go out tomorrow.
Today is the boy's mom's birthday. They're grilling so my dad and I will be heading over there in a bit. I suppose a shower would be a good idea. :P
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
It's that time again...
Started classes yesterday. I'm taking another light load this semester with just two classes again. Computerized Accounting started yesterday morning. I'm feelin' good about that one because the work appears pretty basic and if I turn it all in early I get to stay home. *yay* ACC102 starts tonight. The great news on that class is 1) it's the same book we used for 101 and 2) I was informed that the second workbook the bookstore sold me is unnecessary so I got to take it back. I'm elated. This means I'll actually be getting a couple hundred bucks from my grants in a month or two. Last semester they only covered about half of my books. I'm hoping to be able to pick up a camera with the extra this time.
I had considered picking up another class or two but now I'm glad I didn't. Apparently my thyroid has chosen now to start acting up again. Or, more accurately, underacting. :P Hello fatigue, weight gain and hair loss. :( I'm hopeful that I'll finally be able to get treatment now though. I should be seeing the doc next week and I had the lab work done today. I've been having on and off trouble like this for 10 years now so it'd be fabulous to finally get it taken care of.
So that's the un-fun stuff...
Asheville was awesome. I'm ready to move now. I was spoiled by my no-humidity time. The weather's great, the scenery is gorgeous, the people are nice and yarn is everywhere!! I hit up three yarn shops I'd found online before the trip and happened across yarn in two other completely unexpected stores. *swoon* Around here I have to drive an hour to even hit a Michael's!
I managed to restrain myself in the spending department. The first places I just bought needles and waited until the last place to buy yarn. I'm so glad I did though. At Yarn Paradise I got two skiens of Blue Sky Alpaca's Alpaca-Silk and seven balls of Classic Elite's Patina (cotton/silk blend) which was 40% off. Oh yes.
Downtown I picked up a set of #1 (2.25mm) 5" Brittany Birch DPNs. I've been dying to try those since I started even thinking about knitting socks. I also got a set of #1.5 (2.5mm) 6" Crystal Palace bamboo DPNs. I haven't gotten to test drive the Brittanys yet but I've fallen madly in love with the CPs after using them to whip up a little freehanded extra thingy for my Craft What You Can swap buddy. I should be sending out tomorrow. I just have to attach the strap and sash to the bag and pack it up. I hope she likes it. The hoodie I'm getting from the swap is due anyday now. I'm super excited.
Oh! I forgot... I also got a skien of Lamb's Pride Bulky in a nice pink to go with the leftovers from my blue hat. I think I might try felting a hat. I haven't attempted felting yet.
I'm thinking Green Gable for the Patina. Either that or I have a design sketched out for a tank that I might design. I'm decent at designing simple patterns (hats, socks, scarves, toys, etc) but I haven't *made* a top yet, much less designed one so I might just go with the Green Gable pattern for now and pick up more yarn for the tank idea later.
The Blue Sky Alpaca will be waiting patiently for me to get around to knitting for myself for once. That means it'll likely be hanging out until after Christmas.
Christmas knitting will begin as soon as I get the swap bag shipped out. I'm going to attempt a Claptois for mom. Might make Dad some socks if I can get the yarn. I was going to make the bro soem socks but I think I'll have to aim for his birthday for those. I should still pick up the yarn ASAP so I can get going on them. Freak'o wears a 15 and will only wear really tall socks so I've got my work cut out for me there. :P
Anyhoo... there's an update. Now I'm off to finish up the bag while trying to resist the xbox. Oddworld awaits.
I had considered picking up another class or two but now I'm glad I didn't. Apparently my thyroid has chosen now to start acting up again. Or, more accurately, underacting. :P Hello fatigue, weight gain and hair loss. :( I'm hopeful that I'll finally be able to get treatment now though. I should be seeing the doc next week and I had the lab work done today. I've been having on and off trouble like this for 10 years now so it'd be fabulous to finally get it taken care of.
So that's the un-fun stuff...
Asheville was awesome. I'm ready to move now. I was spoiled by my no-humidity time. The weather's great, the scenery is gorgeous, the people are nice and yarn is everywhere!! I hit up three yarn shops I'd found online before the trip and happened across yarn in two other completely unexpected stores. *swoon* Around here I have to drive an hour to even hit a Michael's!
I managed to restrain myself in the spending department. The first places I just bought needles and waited until the last place to buy yarn. I'm so glad I did though. At Yarn Paradise I got two skiens of Blue Sky Alpaca's Alpaca-Silk and seven balls of Classic Elite's Patina (cotton/silk blend) which was 40% off. Oh yes.
Downtown I picked up a set of #1 (2.25mm) 5" Brittany Birch DPNs. I've been dying to try those since I started even thinking about knitting socks. I also got a set of #1.5 (2.5mm) 6" Crystal Palace bamboo DPNs. I haven't gotten to test drive the Brittanys yet but I've fallen madly in love with the CPs after using them to whip up a little freehanded extra thingy for my Craft What You Can swap buddy. I should be sending out tomorrow. I just have to attach the strap and sash to the bag and pack it up. I hope she likes it. The hoodie I'm getting from the swap is due anyday now. I'm super excited.
Oh! I forgot... I also got a skien of Lamb's Pride Bulky in a nice pink to go with the leftovers from my blue hat. I think I might try felting a hat. I haven't attempted felting yet.
I'm thinking Green Gable for the Patina. Either that or I have a design sketched out for a tank that I might design. I'm decent at designing simple patterns (hats, socks, scarves, toys, etc) but I haven't *made* a top yet, much less designed one so I might just go with the Green Gable pattern for now and pick up more yarn for the tank idea later.
The Blue Sky Alpaca will be waiting patiently for me to get around to knitting for myself for once. That means it'll likely be hanging out until after Christmas.
Christmas knitting will begin as soon as I get the swap bag shipped out. I'm going to attempt a Claptois for mom. Might make Dad some socks if I can get the yarn. I was going to make the bro soem socks but I think I'll have to aim for his birthday for those. I should still pick up the yarn ASAP so I can get going on them. Freak'o wears a 15 and will only wear really tall socks so I've got my work cut out for me there. :P
Anyhoo... there's an update. Now I'm off to finish up the bag while trying to resist the xbox. Oddworld awaits.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
I devoted yesterday to the persuit of a less devistatingly expensive phone bill. A fun filled day of the wonders of Sprint. :P It was reasonably successful even though it didn't go anywhere close to my original plan. In the end I shaved $30-40 off my bill and got a new phone number. It was really the only option to get my account down to one phone (since I wasn't allowed to add a third like I wanted) and not have to buy out of the contract on the second phone. :P I've been contimplating changing my phone for a bit now though. It seemed like it might be time to do so. I've had that number for 5 years or so now. Through the exhusband, the crazy guy, the other crazy guy and all of FL. It's time for a fresh start. Kinda weird though.
Anyway, another bit of getting my bill down was to cancel my Vision service. This is what allowed me to use the piddly web browser on my phone and upload pictures *sob* I finally decided that my phone's little camera simply isn't good enough to pay that much to upload the photos. :( On the upside, I should be able to get a real digital camera in a few months. Yay! I haven't had one since I fried my beloved Nikon by losing it in my car in the FL heat for a couple months. Don't ask how you can lose soemthing in a Miata, I assure you it's entirely possible. I can lose anything, anytime, anywhere. It's a gift. :P
So until I can afford a sparkly new camera, I'm stuck with no way to take pictures and get said pictures onto the computer. I'm deeply saddened by this.
I'm 98% done with my third sock and can't take pictures! Not even crappy ones! *weep*
Yeah, I have a problem. I'm completely addicted to documenting everything with photographic evidence. I loooove pictures.
Anyway, the sock is almost done and that excites me because I get to try my hand at grafting again.
The yoga bag for the Craft-What-You-Can swap is coming along but I have to admit I've neglected it this past week to spend more time with my socks. There's still time though. Once I finish this sock and cast on the second I'll devote the week to the bag.
Started the third incarnation of Mom's hat this week as well. I started a flat knit ribbed beanie for her a good 6-8 months ago. Made a couple mistakes I couldn't live with and frogged it. Started again not long after that and finally decided I was completely over that patter and loathed the needles I was using. Frogged again, rolled the yarn into a pretty egplant colored ball and tucked it away. I've thought about starting a new hat pattern, carried it around to do to, lost it twice... you get the idea. Saturday I cleaned up at a nice JoAnne sale (40% off coupons and 50% off items. *wheeee*) and picked up some yarn to make a swap hat for a friend of my dad. Found Mom's yarn again and decided to knit one up for her first.
This it the pattern : http://stitchcafe.com/freepatterns.html
Same as the alpaca hat of a few months ago.
I also picked up some cheap acrylic/nylon baby yarn to try out a toe-up short row heel sock pattern. I've signed up for Sock Wars and want to make sure I have a little more practice in before the start next month.
In other news...
Not this coming weekend but the next I'm going on a trip. Woohoo! Should be lots of fun. Mom, the boy, my brother and I are headin' up to Asheville for a couple days, with a couple stops on the way. I haven't been up that way in at least a decade. and haven't seen my uncle in at least that long. I also haven't been on a recreational trip since that fateful trip to Orlando three years ago.
So in short:
- no more photos for a few months
- third sock almost done
- going on vacation soon
:)
Anyway, another bit of getting my bill down was to cancel my Vision service. This is what allowed me to use the piddly web browser on my phone and upload pictures *sob* I finally decided that my phone's little camera simply isn't good enough to pay that much to upload the photos. :( On the upside, I should be able to get a real digital camera in a few months. Yay! I haven't had one since I fried my beloved Nikon by losing it in my car in the FL heat for a couple months. Don't ask how you can lose soemthing in a Miata, I assure you it's entirely possible. I can lose anything, anytime, anywhere. It's a gift. :P
So until I can afford a sparkly new camera, I'm stuck with no way to take pictures and get said pictures onto the computer. I'm deeply saddened by this.
I'm 98% done with my third sock and can't take pictures! Not even crappy ones! *weep*
Yeah, I have a problem. I'm completely addicted to documenting everything with photographic evidence. I loooove pictures.
Anyway, the sock is almost done and that excites me because I get to try my hand at grafting again.
The yoga bag for the Craft-What-You-Can swap is coming along but I have to admit I've neglected it this past week to spend more time with my socks. There's still time though. Once I finish this sock and cast on the second I'll devote the week to the bag.
Started the third incarnation of Mom's hat this week as well. I started a flat knit ribbed beanie for her a good 6-8 months ago. Made a couple mistakes I couldn't live with and frogged it. Started again not long after that and finally decided I was completely over that patter and loathed the needles I was using. Frogged again, rolled the yarn into a pretty egplant colored ball and tucked it away. I've thought about starting a new hat pattern, carried it around to do to, lost it twice... you get the idea. Saturday I cleaned up at a nice JoAnne sale (40% off coupons and 50% off items. *wheeee*) and picked up some yarn to make a swap hat for a friend of my dad. Found Mom's yarn again and decided to knit one up for her first.
This it the pattern : http://stitchcafe.com/freepatterns.html
Same as the alpaca hat of a few months ago.
I also picked up some cheap acrylic/nylon baby yarn to try out a toe-up short row heel sock pattern. I've signed up for Sock Wars and want to make sure I have a little more practice in before the start next month.
In other news...
Not this coming weekend but the next I'm going on a trip. Woohoo! Should be lots of fun. Mom, the boy, my brother and I are headin' up to Asheville for a couple days, with a couple stops on the way. I haven't been up that way in at least a decade. and haven't seen my uncle in at least that long. I also haven't been on a recreational trip since that fateful trip to Orlando three years ago.
So in short:
- no more photos for a few months
- third sock almost done
- going on vacation soon
:)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
