beezie's blog

penguin-a-long

2011-11-11T00:53:00.001-05:00

happy veterans day

2011-11-07T23:08:00.000-05:00

My Hat

2011-08-21T18:34:00.003-05:00

let me show you it

it's got a cool tie in the back and is uber warm, since it's two strands of wool held together. I am secretly hoping it will not be cold enough to wear it, LOL

Jay Bruce resigns with the Reds

2011-01-09T00:41:00.001-05:00

see more Sports Pictures

merry christmas

2010-12-17T17:49:00.000-05:00

see more Epic Win FTW

hi!

2010-12-08T23:53:00.001-05:00

see more Memebase

not much new to post

2010-10-27T21:00:00.003-05:00

My wrists hurt a lot these days so I'm not knitting or crocheting as much as I like. Just pluggin' away at some projects here and there. I'm making another hat for Margo; I made her one last month while I was off work, and it just went missing. So I'm making the exact same one, in the exact same yarn. Take that, fate!

2010-08-26T22:01:00.000-05:00

see more Sports Pictures

ZOMG they posted it!

2010-07-24T23:31:00.002-05:00

they posted my owl tattoo on the owl tattoo website!

linky

i'm "famous" LOL

I love doilies

2010-07-14T18:56:00.003-05:00

check out my latest doily. If I ever get around to blocking this puppy, it will look awesome! It took nearly a whole skein of no. 10 thread, and it's the first one I've ever hooked that had pieces (the three middle motifs are done separately and joined as you go.) It's rough on my hands but I like working with thread.

my tattoo, let me show you it

2010-03-31T22:30:00.001-05:00

hey check me out

2009-10-31T21:20:00.001-05:00

I made myself a kickass beret, with Mmmmmmalabrigo yarn in the Lettuce colorway.

so soft and comfy, I'm on the verge of looking cool.

OK enough knitting for me, it's on to gifts for others for Xmas!

Just knittin' away

2009-05-17T00:22:00.003-05:00

I finally finished the back of my Inverness sweater. It's really helped that I'm only keeping this project only in the living room, so I can't get distracted.

pretty purple! so far, despite how long it's taking, I am enjoying knitting for me. I used to make sweaters all the time & I forgot how much fun (albeit slow) it is.

I also started on some random sox, mostly because we were going to see Wolverine at the movies a couple of weeks ago, and I needed a project for in the theater. I'm sooooo tired of random dishcloths, so I grabbed this Patons Kroy Sock that I'd picked up on clearance.

I'm really hoping sock #2 looks as good. I bought my 2 balls on separate occasions-- I had thought I would do a small pair with just one ball, and changed my mind when I found it clearanced-- so I have a legit concern. Just as well I didn't go for the one-ball pair, because the yardage wouldn't have allowed for even a pair of anklets.

They're working up quickly and looks good, though you probably can't tell from the picture because it's blurry. I blame the camera for this one!

hellloooo!

2009-03-15T19:25:00.001-05:00

still alive, after all! doing doilies like a grandma, yo! (this one's actually done, i've got to block it, if i can find enough pins.)

things going semi-swimmingly at work; vurry bizzy, but everyone is. i'm doing extra work, which may or may not work against me come eval/raise time. since i'm not getting as much regular work done, i look worse than everyone statistically, but i'm also doing a vital function that if i DIDN'T do, the place would fall apart. i'm prepared to defend myself!

kids are great, and i'm crocheting my ass off. i'm hanging out with some peeps from work and they're all croceters, so i'm concentrating on that for now. i've almost got a blanket for afghans for afghans done. i'd post pix of my progress but my camera is ded, und we've got no batteriez in the house. suxxors

last post for 2008

2008-12-28T14:58:00.001-05:00

and what a craptastic year it was! i had surgery on my wrist, suffered through a shitty job, LOST said job, turned 40, and gave up librarianship.

on the plus side, i got 2 decent jobs over the fall, and may have embarked on a new career in the banking industry. i'll never make the kind of $$ i was as a professional, but nobody is, thanks to the economy and THANKS GEORGE BUSH don't let the door hit your butt on the way out.

i'm choosing to see the job loss/40 turning NOT as a door closing, but as a new opportunity. i've been in libraries for 18-20 years, and the profession is moving in new directions, and frankly, I don't give a crap.

i was tired of it, and I SWEAR I AM NOT JUST SAYING THAT because i was forced out. i had wondered, over the years, is this what i'm going to do for the rest of my life? thanks to shortsighted money-grubbing evil bosses, and a stunning lack of jobs in the industry, the answer is NO. and it's a good thing.

so here's to 2009! and here's how i know it will be better. see my inauguration scarf-- made as part of a swap, to celebrate the soon-to-be Obama presidency.

his election has made me hopeful, for the first time in a year. not just that we might get out of the economic mess we find ourselves in, but also that we can get past stoopid racial shit and elect the best person for the job. yes we can, indeed!

2008-11-12T22:44:00.002-05:00

oh yeh know, not up to much. made a carrot for the kid's halloween costume, just made up a patternless doohickey

finally finished that blanket i've been workin' on since july, yay me

bought a pompom maker. it makes AWESOME pompoms, i will have to get more sizes, like the little ones and the great big one. this is the medium. or was it large? it's like 3".

new Sox

2008-10-21T20:08:00.003-05:00

Ooops, has it been a month since I've posted?

Ain't it pretty? It's Berroco Sox, 1477 Kingston colorway. I just fell in love with the greens and blues in the skein, but it's even better knit up. There are so many other things I've got in progress/should be working on, but these little beauties jumped the queue.

Only 2 weeks until the election. I want to vote early, so as not to have to wait in line for hours. Turnout is predicted to be HEAVY. I don't want to miss my chance to make history. Oh Yes We Can! LOLlerskates.

swappy goodness

2008-09-20T21:03:00.002-05:00

check out the cool stuff i got from my swap partner from Australia!

so many x-rated goodies, and some freakin' awesome silk yarn. I'm going to make a shawl (there's a pattern included... Icarus shawl, that I've wanted to make for like a year and a half.) Ellbell is an awesome twatweasel!

Finished the test hat

2008-08-12T14:09:00.002-05:00

Really cute! I have to put the pompom on yet.
I really like the Amherst Valley yarn.

And I started my first lace project ever, Branching Out, from Knitty:
fuzztastic! I'm actually about 13" in to it now. I had to get some new needles, because working with laceweight mohair presents some challenges that my old needles couldn't cope with. I think I could get addicted to making lace, though... dangerous!

I used to be a better blogger

2008-07-23T13:13:00.003-05:00

I was looking over some old posts, trying to clean things up (just for you, Mom! ha, ha!) and gosh, I used to be a lot better at keeping track of my projects here. I think Ravelry has really snarfed up all that time and energy.

So in the interest of keeping this a knit/crochet blog, here's a picture of yarn!
that will (hopefully) soon become a cute hat. I've agreed to test-knit a pattern for a Rav person. I let Nick pick the yarn; I was gonna go with Paton's Classic Merino, but he picked this swankier Amherst Valley. The kid has expensive tastes. Good thing I got it as a freebie!

Anyways, I think I'd better use this space for to keep better track of my knitting/crochet. Rav lets me keep track of my WIPs and FOs, but not my nebulous future plans. So here's some of the things I've got yarn for but haven't started:

Chunky hat from some homespun I got in a trade
Crochet squares for a blanket for a Rav friend
Crocheted sweater for Afghans for Afghans
Another BYOB, in an orange color
Amigurumi animals/creatures for Dennis and the kids
Tunisian crochet scarf from some pricey bamboo
Honest to god sweater, once again repurposing my Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece
Baby blanket for Mindy's future kid (due... October? maybe?)
Ornaments from crochet thread

ugh, I'm going to stop there. The list is so long I'm getting anxious! I will concentrate instead on stuff I've actually started, if I can get a couple of things done I'll feel better:

Nick's blanket
Purple/green socks
Barney in a blender socks
Yosemite sweater

so many. must buckle down.

kermit was wrong, it's real easy being green!

2008-07-18T22:25:00.004-05:00

It all started with a desire to get something my LSG swap partner would like. I went to the yarnmarket.com warehouse and acquired:

(hmmm, that looks a little fuzzy. well good! don't want swappy partner figuring out what she's getting!) She likes green. Cool. It inspired me to make my next project, a Tunisian crochet scarf, in a greeny colorway. I found some SWTC Bamboo in the Midori colorway:

And as long as I was all the way out to Pickerington, I figured I'd pick up a color of Cashmerino Aran I hadn't seen before:

OK, OK I'll admit it, I was swept up in GREEN FEVER. I mean, dammit, I buy so much purple stuff, surely I should branch out?

So I started planning a Branching Out. Which meant I needed more yarn.

In green.

all done bringin' my own bag

2008-07-05T22:15:00.002-05:00

My BYOB turned out purty. I think I effed up the bottom tho... the curved edge of the bottom is under the handles, and all the other pictures i've seen have the curved edge, you know, under the edges. What-EVAR. It will still hold stuff so who cares? Plus I finished it, unlike many other things I'm working on, LOL

happy b-day dennis

2008-07-01T23:08:00.002-05:00

hubster's b-day was today. Actually, yesterday since it's after midnight here and all. He joins me in the 40's, muahhahhah.

And is this not the cutest thing evar?

my new kitten Miley models my BYOB. She's a sweetie, but I forgot how obnoxious kittens can be. For example, she's attacking my leg this minute, and the curtains, and my ice cream dish. It's the Kittening Hour, aka the Hour of Scampering.

what i'm up to

2008-06-27T16:42:00.003-05:00

applyin' for unemployment next monday, suck

gettin' (maybe) a temp job thru OCLC, which makes me sad, because i wanted to work there permanently, but any port in a storm

gettin' a phat check from old employer, covering my vacay days (woot)

missin' my kids, they're at my mom's for a few days

goin' out to supper wit' da hubbs, to our fave italian place i think

workin' on the BYOB bag from Summer Knitty:

colors so purty, we lovez it. i like working with cottonease, i think it would make a great sweater. it sez it's worsted but it's a thin worsted, so subbing it into a pattern will be a bear.

next week will be better. I have a phone interview for a part-time gig, and the OCLC interview. just a bit sad right now, i lost out on a pretty cool job today. wish i had mad excel skilz, i mighta coulda done it! whatevs.

going stash crazy

2008-06-14T14:03:00.003-05:00

Yeah. I may have a bit of a problem.

I may be slightly addicted to cotton yarn.

But I can quit any time I want to.

Oh fergitaboutit, I give in. Hey, I need these buttloads of yarn! I've got market bags to make, and a Tardis bag for Dennis, and towels and washcloths, and, uh, geez I could probably crochet a bridge across the Olentangy River with all this cotton. I'm hoping this sees me through my unemployment phase, 'cuz I knit and crochet fast, yo.

LSG bracelet swap

2008-05-28T13:36:00.003-05:00

Behold my awesome friendship bracelets! I have embraced my inner 12 year old! Yes, the upper one says "TWAT". It's an LSG thang, yo. It's kinda subtle in case my swap partner wants to wear in in public or something...

The bottom one is a chevron style in electric blue, teal, plum and dark grey. I'm tempted to make one for myself in these colors.

Also, I enclosed a little sumpthin' sumpthin' in the envelope-- a cute kitty bookmark, in keeping with the theme of "things that will fit in a small padded mailer":

I hope my swap partner likes it-- I had very few clues to go on-- she's only got a few projects listed on Ravelry and no blog GASP!

These bracelets are fun. I've promised one to Miss Margo in her favorite colors of purple and pink. Think I'll leave off the dirty words tho ;P ;P

Not much new to report

2008-05-21T11:42:00.004-05:00

except I lost my job (no big deal, right?) I would rant on about it, but I'm pretty much over it. I'm getting 2 more paychecks and actively looking for something else. The best prospect is a part time cataloger, and I hope for my kids' sakes, I get it. I can work while they're at school. Crossing fingers, toes, and all dangling extremities that it works out!

I've finally gotten around to updating my stash also. One of these is a pretty purple sock yarn I got in my Purple Swap, the other is an LSG exclusive from an indie dyer on Rav:

Love 'em muchly. I am SO going to have to get a swift or ballwinder. Or, an office chair and my own hands might work (price is right.)

Also I'm finally knitting/crocheting after a month since my wrist surgery. I'm working on a Waving Lace sock, and starting a dishtowel in P&C Key Lime colorway. I've made a metric buttload of dishrags, I thought I might try something towel sized for a change. Now that I'm UNemplOYED I've got LOADS of time to craft.

Probably the ONLY good thing about being a slacker...Margo is very happy to have me home. She told me today that she doesn't want me to get another job. Mostly 'cuz she hates to be babysat by her aunt (and her boy cousins drive her crazy) but I have to say it's an ego boost to be so loved. I don't deserve such a wonderful daughter ::sniff, sniff::

my latest swap

2008-04-16T14:39:00.003-05:00

I'm kind of a slacker; I'm in the purple swap on Ravelry and we were supposed to send the package by April 15th. I mailed this on April 14th... not late, but I wish I'd sent it earlier.

My sent package includes Rowan Kidsilk Haze, which I found on my partner's queue that she wanted to make a cowl from this yarn. Hopefully she has beads to make it...
Also, I made the stitch markers myself! They turned out cute if ah doosayso meself.

I got my package last wednesday (i think that's why I feel like a slacker, my partner sent hers nice & early)

GORGEOUS purple yarn, can't wait to make soxie woxies. just gotta wait for my arm to heal first! Tendonitis suxoxes!

Clowny socks is done

2008-03-29T21:00:00.003-05:00

and I had plenty of yarn leftover to make Miss Margo a matching pair. Mine took 2 months, hers took 2 days.

They're cotton so I'm a little afraid they'll be a bit uncomfortable to wear all day, but they do fit like they're supposed to.

Also, lotsa progress on Yosemite:

I've finished the shaping, I'm at 13" and when I get to 15" is when I start the neck shaping. I feel like I'm racing against the clock. Well, I am, surgery is in 17 days. HURRY HURRY HURRY!!

I'm not just lounging around

2008-03-19T21:12:00.002-05:00

I got this dishrag about half done during "Alvin and the Chipmunks", finished when I got home:

I. Love. It. Soooooo easy to do in the dark theatre! Looks great with varigated yarn! Mindless!! LOVE! Gonna try to see if I can get another one off of the same ball of Sugar'n'Cream. I could make it a bit smaller to accomplish this.

And my Yosemite is chugging along. I am somewhat worried that I will run out of yarn, but if my estimations are correct (and they usually are, i r awesum @ estimation) it will be ok.

It's @ 3.5", right at the end of yarnball #3. The piece is 27". mmmmm.... the upper chest won't take a ball an inch, and the shaped waist rows won't take as much, but there are the sleeves and collar to consider. Oh well, I'll just hope that KnitPicks still has my dyelot in 3 weeks (!?) when I get closer to the end.

peeps rule

2008-03-18T06:54:00.000-05:00

see more crazy cat pics

done

2008-03-14T21:16:00.003-05:00

Whew! Here it is in all its 5'X9' glory:

Some closeups of my favorite row sets. I call this one "Slytherin into Buckeye", for the green/grey/scarlett transistion:

And I love the white/purple/blue/copper/burgundy combo here:

This one was repeated 4 or 5 times in the afghan. I love this sequence so much, I'm going to make a vertical stripe scarf with this sequence. I'll do as much as I can with Vanna's Choice... the copper is from her line... but I'll have to get RH supersaver for the blue, Vanna doesn't have one like that. And it's on sale @ Michaels this week.

I've got to go to michaels to pick up some sz 7 circs anyway. I'm going to make Yosemite from Knitty, the yarn is on order, but I don't have the right size circs to start.

I'm debating though... I have the yarn to start a crocheted sweater, but I really want to start Yosemite... but! with my surgery scheduled for a month from now, I've really got to get any crochet I wanna do out of the way. Sooooo, start the crochet sweater? or wait to start the knit sweater??? I dunno.

Snow, snow, snowsnowsnowaaaaa!

2008-03-08T16:24:00.002-05:00

The view from Margo's window, into the back yard, as of 9:30 this morning

Yipes. Just, yipes. We did manage to shovel a bit of a path down to the curb from the house, so we can probably get out if we have to get somewhere, but MAN ALIVE this much snow sucks. At least it's Saturday, and I can knit all day, yay. Not that I have ;) but I will tonight.

Also, I'm worn out from shoveling. There's a foot on the ground, and it's still coming. It was supposed to stop at 4:00 pm today, and it hasn't yet... WAH!

What I've been up to

2008-03-02T00:39:00.004-05:00

Cruising to a finish on the Vintage Vertical Stripe afghan:

I'm kinda in a hurry with this one, since I'm going in for surgery in 1.5 months and I want to get this done beforehand.

My Waving Lace Socks:

Slow going, but working a little every day.

Sock on the go:

I recently frogged this entirely, and redid it because it was turning out way too loose. Loose socks = uncomfortable.

Wow, not a lot of progress to report. I'm just picking away at stuff. Maybe I should just finish something, for the sake of having something done? Having lots of WIPs has never bothered me before... maybe I should stop lollygagging so much on Ravelry.

On second thought...FO's are overrated!

vote for me on lolcats

2008-02-20T12:21:00.001-05:00

yay swap items arrived

2008-02-17T22:44:00.003-05:00

Yay my swap partner's box arrived yesterday! Chock full o'goodness. I've already "tried out" the chocolate covered fruit (yummo)!

I have some serious plans for the yarn I got... I'm thinking socks, for the black yarn, and I dunno what for the alpaca... I'll be searching very carefully for a worthy pattern, to properly utilize such an amazing yarn! Goes without saying, whatever I make with it will be for me (no gifting away that FO, LOL!!!)

Thanks CoggieTM... swapping is fun... it's like my birthday came early.

hubby's big honkin mittens

2008-02-13T22:35:00.002-05:00

He wanted some red mittens like mine. Is there anything more iconic than a red handknit mitten? I think not.

Yeah, they're a little big for me... he has meathooks, what can I say.

I will be adding a pocket to the back on one, like mine, using the same skull button. Woot!

February Crabby Swap away!!!

2008-02-12T12:54:00.001-05:00

If you're CoggieTM, don't look! your Crabby February Swap swag is posted here...

I'll post the pix like a spoiler

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not on the first screen
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keep scrolling
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(listening to too much Abbott & Costello on iTunes)

Yarny goodness!

Merino sock yarn from Yarn Chef (although she doesn't have anything in her shop at the moment, her yarn is gorgeous)

And some goodies:

Chocolate, tea, and a Februarily-themed mug.

And some notions:

A little black bag with stitch holders, yarn cutter, Chibi needles, and stitch markers I made myself. They're blue pearls, in keeping with the Cancerian/June baby theme. Also I made a pair of earrings... I think they're on the lower left of the picture. They have a little crablike decoration on the main bead. And, some kitchen cotton in a cool patriotic colorway.

Sure hope she likes everything... it's on the way to Michigan this minute!

crap i should be in bed

2008-02-11T00:08:00.001-05:00

Like it? I whipped it up at the Blue Jackets game tonight:

I like it, but I doubt I'll ever wear it. It's too small for warmth, and too fashionable for sad old me to pull off. Oh well, it kept me busy at Sticks n Stitches, which was awesome, BTW. Margo and I went, and both got goodie bags. I'm letting her keep some of the yarn, the needles, the tape measure, the pens, and the bag. I'm taking the merino. (period!)

how I spent my weekend

2008-02-04T18:36:00.000-05:00

Makin' mittens for the Mitten of the Beast KAL on the Rav:

Made out of JoAnn brand Sensations "Splendor", on 8 and 9 dpns. I did a basic mitten with a pocket sewn on the back. One of these days, I'll finish the second... Oh, who am I kidding, I'll cast on the 2nd tonight cuz they're so easy. And sparkly!! I only wish I'da made the cuffs a little longer, I certainly had enough yarn for it.

Also I made another brain slug for Nick, in yellow, at his request:

I got the yarn at this weird little yarn store on Cleveland Ave., I'd never been in it before. It was run by a little old lady, and packed to the rafters with nothing but acrylic yarn. None of it had labels, it was totally weird. I bought the skein of yellow for .90 and got the flock outta there... I don't think I'll go back.

enjoy it before it goes!

2008-01-31T21:21:00.000-05:00

I love the yarn-- Lorna's Laces Shepherd Socks, Funky Stripe colorway-- but the pattern ain't cutting it.

So into the frog pond it goes. Oh well, this will make attempt three for this yarn. I will get it to work someday!

quick updates

2008-01-25T15:16:00.000-05:00

and I'm experimenting with teh photoes from flickr, since it seems to be quicker than loading them onto this site directly from the computer. Plus I have to load everything to flickr because of Ravelry, so why take two steps, I guess?

My Wisdon Yarns Boston socks, complete. I. Love. Them. Soft and comfy, and warm. I'm terrified to wash them, even though they're supposed to be superwash. I should just buck up and do it, so if they're ruined I can get over the heartbreak quicker. Oh, and I must have the scrawniest legs and feet ever, because I cast on the stereotypical 64 sts and my feet are rattling around in them. Of course, they might not, after the washing!

ETA: they washed up great! I put them on gentle cycle, cold water, and air dried. I. Love. Them. MORE!!!!!!

Also finished, rather quickly:

a quickie hat out of the leftover Filatura di Crosa 501, that I used to make my Road Scarf. With the recent cold snap, I hurried to finish the scarf, which left me 2 balls of yarn. Of course, the hat only took one. So... I still have a ball... maybe I'll do charity socks with it. Whatevs!

experimentings

2008-01-23T11:57:00.001-05:00

moar funny pictures

not much new to report

2008-01-13T10:49:00.001-05:00

When you only work on one or two projects, it sure makes for boring progress reports! I've done about 30 more stripes on my Vintage Vertical Stripe afghan, so it's like a quarter? or third? done. It's about 20" across so far, so if I want it to be 60" across that's a third, right? It's challenging, tho, cause it's 6.5 feet long. That's right, one row involves six n a half feet 'o work. Sooooooooo, it takes a while. But the weird thing is, it's addicting... you finish a row, and you can't wait to get the next one started. It has 20 different colors, and I'm going to add more later in. I am so seriously not going to have a stash left by the time this sucker is done. Liberating, and scary, at the same time...

Much progress

2008-01-07T18:11:00.001-05:00

So much for taking it easy in the new year. I whipped out this dishrag:

because I wanted to see if crocheted dishrags work as well as knitted ones. I think it's a little stiff, which may change after a washing, and a little too rough-textured. It will probably do for wiping down counters, but not as a face cloth. I like the colors, anyways. I'm going to use the leftovers to do a tiny "grandma's favorite dishcloth" which is some kinda garter-on-the-bias dealie.

And in one short weekend, this:

becomes this:

Vintage Vertical Stripe afghan, done in every color under the rainbow. This one is a load of fun so far; it's cool revisiting all that yarn I've used over the years for various projects. I only cheated on 2 colors, ie, bought 2 skeins of yarns for this (the lighter purple and light yellow... I was afeared that my 'ghan would be too dark otherwise!)

This picture shows all 20 colors I used. That was my goal for the weekend, to make it through each color once. Now I have to decide... repeat the sequence exactly? or mix it up? because there's no way ALL the colors can be repeated equally. I think... (no really, I'm just now thinking) I will pull out the colors with the least amounts, then do 2-3 repeats of just the colors I have lots of. Then in the last go-round, I can repeat these 20 rows again. I just can't go totally random, my mind doesn't work that way.

end o'the year ramblings

2007-12-31T19:35:00.001-05:00

Well, here's hoping 2008 is less sucktastic than 2007. Workwise, I mean; the family is fine. They're getting me through everything and we loves them.

I've been whipping out the projects right and left. I was seized by a sudden freak and did up this bad boy right before xmas:

so cute on the tree.

My socks for me continue apace:

I'm actually farther along than this, I'm almost ready to finish the 1st one. I can't wait to wear them. I've tried them on a few times for fitting purposes and they are TEH COMFURTUBLZ.

And my latest goofiness:

Poor thing looks like an angry bumblebee, but really, the new Daleks are gold, so I was going for authenticity. Had a helluva time knitting the bottom of this, since I stuffed it first. Also I used the provisional cast on method, which scairt me silly, but it worked out fine. Maybe I should try toe up socks, then, since that's how you cast them on...

As for what's ahead in the new year...I dunno? More knitting! And cross stitching. I've got to branch out a little. Maybe I'll get wordy and do some kind of new year's resolution post. Or not!

fishie wishes

2007-12-26T17:18:00.000-05:00

I worked up a few quick catnip fishies, to give to my friend's kitties for a late xmas pressie. Here they are, pre-felted:

And after 2 trips through a hot washer, with my dirty towels:

I still have to stuff n sew, but that's easy peasy. They are too cute & I think I'll make some for Miss Pringle, too.

Whew, Christmas knitting is over. I finished hubby's Jayne hat (it only took a few days, it was done by xmas day) and he loves it, hooray. So I cast on for the knitted Dalek... it has a provisional cast on, which I've never done before. It's either going to be supercool, when I pull the crochet chain off and there's my live stitches, OR it's going to be a clusterfudge as I wrassle the crochet chain off, snagging and tearing my precious work. Time will tell!

Christmas is coming

2007-12-22T22:58:00.001-05:00

the goose is getting fat...LOL

Hmm, not a lot of pictures to show, but I am essentially done with christmas knitting, w00t for me. All 7 washrags for teacher presents have been given; ends have been woven, buttons sewn. I should probably wash my nephew's acrylic hat, to soften it, but if I don't get to it I won't worry.

Princess Kitty amigurumi picture, for my niece, as promised a few days ago:

it's a little bigger than I meant to make, because I added a few extra rows to all the pieces, but she's cute. She now has a purple halter dress, too. She's made out of kitchen cotton, which I think I like for dolls, because it's pretty tough.

I've started a new Jayne hat for my hubby. He requested a new one, because the old acrylic one isn't warm enough. It's not because of the acrylic, it's because it's too loose. In an effort to make it authentic, I only put 2 rows of ribbing on, so it won't stay on the poor guy's head, let alone keep out wind. His new one is in wool, with 1.5" of rib. Also, he says the colors are more his style. It's working up quickly, so I should have finished pix soon.

new camera goodness

2007-12-15T20:21:00.000-05:00

yaaaay I got a new camera! Takes awesome pictures. To wit:

My "two hour scarf" made out of Colonial Homespun. It's taking a little longer than two hours, though, in that it's reeeeeaaally boring to knit. Strands held double on sz 19 tree trunks. It's soft and pretty, though. It's for a xmas pressie for my step cousin, who's 12 (I think, I can't remember, I hardly ever see the kid.)

Also moving along is my nephew's watch cap. I had to rip back, since I cast on 96 originally, and it looked huge. I redid it with 80 sts which may be a smidge small, but 2x2 rib is very forgiving:

Not sure I like the stripe, but it's better than big patches of color. I'm pretty close to done on this one, thank criminy.

I whipped this White Sox dishrag out in a few days, after charting it up on graph paper:

Doesn't it look beeeyootiful, with the "SOX" running across the front? Yeah, it didn't turn out very well. Darn ombre, can't see anything on it. It was supposed to be for my coworker who is a raging White Sox fan, but it looks like crud. So I'm going to redo it with white yarn in the center, and use the leftover black/grey/white as a border or something.

Shh!! secretly posting from work

2007-12-12T11:45:00.001-05:00

My pretty harvest socks are coming along; I'm on the heel flap of sock #1. I will, however, be ripping back said heel flap, because I don't like how tight it is. I'm doing the s1, k1 then s1, p1 and it's too squunched. I do want some reinforcement in the heel area, though, so I'm going to do the Eye of Partridge which is s1, k1 then purl across.

This is all very dull without pix, but like I said, I'm at work!

Chrismas present progress. Finished to date:
7 washcloths for teacher gifts
1 caliometry for mom
1 caliometry for stepmom
1 fingerless gloves for stepmom
1 watch cap for stepdad
1 kittycat doll for niece

In progress:
2 scarves for stepcousins
1 watch cap for nephew

To start yet:
1 kittycat doll dress
1 washcloth for coworker

Hmm, seems like a lot to do yet, but all those should be quick knits. The washcloth will take a while because I had to design the pattern myself! If it turns out, I'll post it here. I'll even try sharing it with Ravelry, and linking it back here on a PDF or something. Gotta practice my mad blogging skillz.

Opposites attract

2007-12-06T23:31:00.000-05:00

Currently working on 2 completely opposite projects. First, a delicate fingering weight yarn, to be a sock (for MEMEMEME, so there)

It's Wisdom Yarns Boston, unnamed colorway. Delicate, wooly, soft.
AAAAaaaaand then? Red Heart scratch-tastic cammo hat!

Its' for my nephew for xmas.

Crud! I finished a kitty doll for my niece, and plumb fergot to take a picture of it! Oh well, you'll see it soon enough.

I lurve this yarn!

2007-11-29T21:43:00.000-05:00

Paton's SWS, natural plum coloray. It is rockin' my world! Behold some fingerless gloves for my stepmom:

I am going to make her a matching caliometry. Yes, yes I am. Because I am not going to steal the 2nd skein of SWS for my own use! totally!

I am trying to be good and just make myself some mini-warmers from the yarn scraps-- I had to make a mini-warmer to use up enough yarn for the stripe to repeat on her warmer #2, I can't stand it when a 2part thing doesn't match. I may get another mini-warmer from the end of the yarn, and I many not. It's OK, I only need one for myself! I DO NOT need to steal the 2nd SWS ball for my own. She needs a matching hat or caliometry. I DON'T NEED ajdjfo@#$%!!!!

maybe I can get christmas pressies done?

2007-11-20T20:37:00.000-05:00

enlarged? to show detail....

Well, the OSU dishrag was done a while ago... but the apple one (on the right) was started yesterday, finished today. So maybe I can get a couple-three done by next week? The purple one was started at "The Bee Movie" and finished during my interminable wait (2 hrs., no lie) at the doctors.

Oh, and the wad in the upper left is what was left of the skein after the 2 red cloths. I'm afraid the gauge on cloth #2 was a leeeetle tight, in order to ensure there was enough yarn to finish. Dunno what I'm being stingy for, I have 2 more red skeins in the stasheroonie.

Xmas freakout!

2007-11-19T23:19:00.001-05:00

I'm a-startin' to shop for the christmas. All the niece/nephs are getting books. Dunno what else I'm buying, I'll decide after the Black Friday ads come round. But the point of this post: as I was thinking about what to get people, I'm all like, "oh, I'll just knit that person a scarf/hat/dishrag." Then I realize AAAAAA xmas in 1 mo. 6 days AAAAA how will I get it all done???? So the scarf I'd started for me? SHOVE. My poor hubbie's Extermiknit (knitted Dalek?) SHOVE. It's all xmas knitting all the time up in this joint, my kittens.

To that end, I splurged on some Patons SWS for to make my mom a calorimetry. I floated the idea of a headband by her, and she seemed willing to accept one. I hear tell they knit up quick. Then I was thinking, some purple SWS would make a fine hat for my stepmom... or another calorimetry, can't decide. And of course, another ball of red cotton jumped into my bag, for teacher's dishrags. AAAaaaand I was thinking I might finish my former Red Scarf Project red scarf for gifting, and maybe another scarf in uber-chunky yarn (for time's sake) ooooooo! or some of that Homespun I've got left over!!!

With all those projects suddenly jumping to the fore, I'm beginning to think, holy crap. To prioritize, I will probably have to dog off Ravelry, because I find myself just trolling there, reading comments, making comments, playing with the pattern/yarn links. Gotta knit me brains out. I just hope my wrist holds out... just got another shot in it to "calm it down" (that's what my doc always calls it) and it's killing me tonight.

So the game plan: quit goofing around on the Rav; commit to serious progress on each project; have some backup plans just in case; go ahead and take some knitting to work; quit goofing around on the RAV, ALREADY!

Pix of the yarn later, it's very pretty!

I'm a slacker blogger

2007-11-17T22:29:00.000-05:00

thanks to Ravelry, and my projects keeping me busy. But let's face it, Ravelry is so much better at keeping track of my projects, with everything indexed and linked. The level of detail you can use is stunning, and far more complete and standardized than my random posts. It's a cataloger's dream. But I still want to maintain my 'blogger cred', and my pithy prose is worth transcribing (HAR DE HAR), so here's my latest project:

A hat for Mr. Nick, in the yarn he picked at the Knitter's Mercantile at their summer sale. It's GGH Bel Air, olive colorway, and it's not plied at all so this hat is going to fuzz to hell and back (esp. how he likes to pull and stretch it.) But, who cares? Yes, the yarn was kinda pricey for a kid's item, but I got it on sale, and he loved it, and loves the subsequent hat. He's worn it non-stop since yesterday, and I love him for it!

Specs: GGH Bel Air, olive, strands held double. It's the Yarn Harlot's Unoriginal Hat, done on 11 circs, modified with 4 extra stitches around and 3 extra rows long. If it lasts the season I'll be impressed; then I'll make another one next year!

bonus postie

2007-11-13T22:12:00.000-05:00

Just had to share my Brain Slug, inspired by Futurama. Cribbed the pattern from a gal on Ravelry. Hubby has thieved it & taken it to work, where it was a big hit. People offered him $$$ for me to make them one-- he declined on my behalf. Specs: Red Heart Super Saver, Spring Green colorway, with trace amounts white/black. Sz 6 dpns; antennae/legs are I-cord, picked up off the body & the ends are tunneled down in, to add bendability. Eye is fake intarsia; I put the white on, carried the green across the back, then picked it up again. At the next row, I would just stretch the white back to the beginning. It's why the eye is puckered! Black dot is duplicate stitch. Oh, and I stuffed him before I finished the head; the pattern calls for stuffing through his bum, but the hole was .5" so yeah, not.

more mittens

2007-11-12T20:03:00.000-05:00

Just finished these for Miss Margo, they match her coat. Specs: Wool Ease, azalea pink colorway. Sz 6 dpns, 32 sts for cuff, 36 sts total. 14 sts for thumb. Custom fit to her little mitts.

quickie piccie

2007-11-02T18:11:00.000-05:00

A quick roll brim hat, for A4A:

Made out of Licorice yarn, red colorway, 48 sts on sz 13 circs. Already gone out...

A roll brim hat for Margo-Ree, she picked the yarn:

It's done too, just no pix of that (plus isn't the picture of ms. Pringle adorable?) Specs= Lion Brand Boucle Wild Berries colorway, uhhhh... 48? sts on 10.5 circs.

Socks, big whoop, for a future A4A drive:

Specs: Patons Classic Merino, Good Earth colorway, on sz 5 dpns. 36 sts around. I was VERY disappointed in the yarn, because it had a full break in it, AND a frayed almost-break. I started sock 2 & had to stop near the heel because of the first break, then I started a 2nd sock 2 and had to stop in about the same place because of the fray. I started a 3rd sock 2 and FINALLY got a complete sock. Stoopid.

But, I used the partial socks to finish off my masterpiece:

See the handles? Good Earth, yay. This is a felted Candy Corn bag, from the Lion Brand website. I did it in Patons, natch, with White, Paprika, and Old Gold. And I actually felted it! My first felting project and it turned out pretty well. I washed it the hot/cold cycle 3 times, but there's still some stitch definition left. Next time I'll get it better, but for now it's awesome, and I'm no longer afraid of felted projects. woot for me!

Wow, it's been a while

2007-10-20T21:31:00.001-05:00

since I've blogged. I've been swept in to the timesuck that is Ravelry, and I've been spending most of my online knitting time there, so my sad little blog is getting nothing (or to quote Ms. Margo, don't got nuff-iiin.

To begin, pictures are right out. For once, it's not the camera. My stinkin' computer has decided that IE is not a program it cares to run anymore. According to my tech guru DH, somehow the (cracked) wireless card is still working, and the computer is "pinging" the internet (??) but IE claims it can't get to any sites. Such a liar. Anyhoo, this may be the last straw for the old thing. I think I got it before Margo was born, making it at least 5, which in computer years is like 187 or something. My credit with Dell is good, having paid off my stupid power cable (oh, they sent me a final bill in the mail? for $0.00? Al Gore weeps.) I was going to wait until after Christmas but fudge it, I'm probably going to order it next week. DH is excited because he gets to play around loading it and such, and my vital info is still accessible, since the computer isn't fried. woot.

Regarding knitting: it still goes on. Picturelessly, but chipping away. I sent 5 items to Afghans for Afghans; then they sent out a final appeal/last minute push, so I manged to get another pair of mittens out to them, before their extended deadline. They sent word that they had met their goal, which is great. So I'm knitting a pair of socks in PCM "Good Earth" colorway, which I like, it's blue/sage/pink/browns. Sock #1 is done, #2 is started to the cuff.

I've also knit an OSU dishcloth for a christmas pressie, and finished Nick's Harry Potter tie for his Halloween costume. Also, I picked up some Lion Boucle to make a hat for Margo, to match her new princess coat she got for her B-Day. I think I can make up a pattern; I'm just flummoxed on roll-brim v. ribbing. Or should I crochet? And Lion Brand offers only one pattern, and it stinks. Meh, I'll figure something out.

no pix, just yappin'

2007-10-01T22:05:00.000-05:00

Mailed off the box to Afghans for Afghans this afternoon, and was told it would arrive in 2 days (!) for a mere $7.50. Box weighed about 13 oz., and filled with: ubercool vest, roll brim hat x 2, and mittens x 2 for 5 items total.

Oh, I suppose I'll have a photo of the red roll brim hat later. I don't feel like messin' with the camera just now. It's such a pain, because I have to load it on the computer, then load it to flickr so I can then LOAD it to my Ravelry project list. By the time I even think about all that loading, I'm out of the notion.

Imagine it, if you will (Picture it! Sicily! 1905!) it's a chunky red yarn with yellow, taupe, and pink highlights. Looks remarkably like this here blue roll brim hat what with it being the same brand of yarn.

Hold up, here's a link to the yarn, it's the red colorway. ooo, i'm likin the "neutrals" colorway, i hope i see that at the local joann's soon....

Vest is done

2007-09-30T10:12:00.000-05:00

Hooray, an FO to show:

The only mod I made to the pattern was to make a crocheted neckline, because I was severely running out of yarn and I didn't want to bust into a new ball. I did this with just two balls of Patons Classic Merino! but it isn't a size eight, despite what the pattern says and me making it longer than what it calls for. Still it's pretty cute and warm, what with the "broken ribbing" and all.

Goin' out in the mail tomorrow! gots to get it to San Fran ASAP! woowoooT!

OK so I didn't stop much

2007-09-23T22:12:00.000-05:00

Looks like maybe I can get this vest done for Afghans for Afghans before the mid-October deadline

or at least by Oct 1st-ish, which is when I want to send things so they'll get there by that target date.

If all goes according to plan, I'll be sending 2 hats, 2 prs mittens, and this nice vest. Suhhh-weet!

work stoppages

2007-09-19T22:17:00.001-05:00

So I'm knitting along for the Red Scarf Project, busting my hump a little to get it done by Oct. 1st (well as much as I can with my wrist flareup), and I up and read that they're probably going to be innundated with scarves this year. They got more than they needed last year, and the project has gotten even more publicity, so they're going to be swamped

much like Pringle has been, in the photo. So I made the executive decision to suspend work on the scarf, and repurpose it for Christmas gift giving. It kinda sucks, because I love the idea of that charity, but they don't need my help.

To assuage my guilt, I immediately cast on a pair of mittens for Afghans for Afghans:

and finished them in two days. Oh yeah, I've got the mitten mojo. Except that the one thumb is a row shorter than the other. Magic!!!

And I treated myself to another knitting bag, cause sssheriousthly, can you EVAR have teeewww maneee? NOPE to the NOPES, people.

So pretty, and with a 50% coupon from Michaels, you can NOT go wrong.

not much to see here

2007-09-08T16:36:00.000-05:00

I have been having a really hard time at work lately. I won't go into detail, because I consider this a blog about knitting, not about work kvetching. I was sorta veering towards talking about work more, because I tried to join a librarians who knit webring, but I never got connected to it, so I'm not going to talk about work anymore. Plus, it's making me depressed. I mean, literally, I think. I haven't wanted to knit much, as a result. Almost all my WIPs are still IP, so I think I'll just concentrate on one or two until something's done.

I'm really concentrating on my Red Scarf Project scarf:

The pattern, which you can't really make out in the picture, is the Palldian Stitch from one of my pattern books. For some reason, I just can't get the pattern memorized, so I have to refer to the notes constantly & it's slowing down progress a bit. It's not hard, though, so I'm plugging away. I should be done in time to send it off by Oct 1st, I hope.

Mittenz done

2007-09-03T11:33:00.000-05:00

Mittens, for Afghans for Afghans:

Specs: Patons Classic Merino, in Royal Purple and Harvest. Size 6 dpns, modified pattern from the A for A site. I put the Harvest stripe in to stretch my purple, since I wasn't sure I would have enough to make a whole pair. If I were doing them again, I'd make the palm a skosh longer; I made them to fit me and they were a little unroomy at the top.

mittenz is done, mittenz is started

2007-08-30T21:28:00.000-05:00

Paging Ronald McDonald:

Made to match the Gryffindor beret for my friend. They be big!

After making those, I was seized by the spirit of mittenocity. I frogged my Magic 28 socks and cast on for a charity pair forthwith:

I forgot how much I like to make mittens. I made tons last year for my son's school's mitten tree, but those were all acrylic yarn. These are that leftover Paton's classic merino, from the baby blankie. I think I can get a pair off what's left, but I might cheat and put a wide stripe of some other color across the palm.

I really had to experiment around to get what looks like a medium child's size (the size I wear.) I settled on: sz6 dpns for a thicker fabric; cast on 36; 2x2 rib for almost 3 in.; inc. 6 sts on last row of rib. It's going to be like my usual mitten from there, adapting the pattern from Afghans for Afghans website. It's for them, so why not? They've got a call out for items for 7-14 age kids and I just know everyone else is going to do hats & there will be a need for not-hats.

hatsie oopsie

2007-08-26T10:49:00.001-05:00

All done with the Ravenclaw beanie. It's pretty cool, the colors are nice:

Specs: Vanna's Choice, in rust and colonial blue. Used the pattern from Charmed Knits, on sz 7 circs. The ribbing is on 6 straights, which I did for ease of joining plus also I realized afterwards I didn't have any 6 dpns to do the job anyways.

That was so easy, I immediately cast on for another in the colors i wanted in the first place:

THis one came out a little bigger, because guess which dumbbutt forgot to gauge swatch? At least its for someone with a big head. done in Caron Wintuk Jonquil colorway, and Caron one pounder left over from Nick's blankie. I am desperately trying to make matching mittens before wednesday but idon t feell very goodright now. it is tgaking forever to type this post cuz i goota keep going back to correct my spelling and stuff. ugm. so i'm going to forgo correcting because i just want to go lay down. stress and diabetes dont mix.

So Many WIPS

2007-08-19T20:36:00.000-05:00

So many things in progress! and so many things I want to get going on. Here's the state of Margo's blankie:

I'm just going to keep going until it looks long enough. Also going like gangbusters, my Harry Potter Ravenclaw hat:

I started the ribbing on straights, then moved to dpns but constantly feared it would slip off the ends (there's 144 sts, divided on 3 needles? too risky.) So after a quick trip to the LYS I now own some 16" sz 7 circs, so this will now go quick. I also plan a trip back to Joann or Michaels to get more of this yarn; I discovered on the Lion Brand website that this stinkin' Vanna's Choice supposedly has a Brick color, so I should be able to do a Gryffindor hat. If I can (and get it done soon,) I'll just keep this beret for myself and give the Gryff. one to my friend. These colors is purty & match my new coat!

Also, turned the heel on 2nd Pomatomus and gusset decreases are complete:

Also got a start on the Red Scarf Project (I'm only going to do one this year)

I have to look up the pattern stitch I'm using, it's out of that book I picked up in January during our trip to Evanston. Too lazy to go look now... must sleep... too much knitting.

I feel like I should finish at least one of these projects before I try to start my Socks for Soldiers BBS. I feel real guilty tho, because there's a call out for socks for some Ohio soldiers, and I sure wish I could help with that. But they need 'em by Sept. 1 and I couldn't finish them even if I dropped everything else. I may just send them money to help with postage, and submit the socks later. We'll see.

xperimentin wit da photoes

2007-08-13T18:53:00.000-05:00

oh noes, ma photoes dont be loadin

I was trying to use my brand new flickr account to load photos and I haven't figured out how to use it to link my photos here. So, you get to see them off my computer. BEHOLD! the Afghans for Afghans baby blankie, complete and ready to send:

A closer-up of the colors:

BBXCO of the corner and edging:

Wooty-woo00t!1!!1

Quick specs: used 8 balls Patons Classic Merino, in purple (2), teal, paprika, leaf green, deep olive, red, and "harvest" colorways. Made 25 6"x8" blocks (25 double crochets across, (?) rows tall.) Edged each block in purple, using hdc to show the color better; blocks were sewn/lashed together, then the whole thing edged with a simple hdc scallop. Took about 2 months, easy peasa.

Oh, and I joined flickr, because I got invited to join Ravelry like just 10 minutes ago, and I am totally stoked to start using it! Gots to go update my profile and get my fps and wips out there for everyone to marvel over (hah)

Shopping News

2007-08-11T14:18:00.000-05:00

Went shopping today, ostensibly to pick up another set of sz2 dpns for sockmaking, but shucky darn, didn't a few more things jump into my basket(s):

I went to Michaels first, which did not have the sz 2's, so I was "forced" to purchase the bamboo 8 dpns. I acutally sorta needed them, to compliment my 8 circs that I plan to whip out many hats with. (uhm, sorry grammar police...)

I headed to Joann's to acquire the 2's, which were hard to find as they moved their stuff around since last time I was there. I also picked up another Licorice yarn, because apparently they're discontinuing the blue so it was $2.97 (reg. $5.99!) And I decided to pick up a couple of the new Vanna yarns. Yes, I KNOW it's acrylic, and it's Vanna, but the colors are kinda pretty, and I need acrylic because it's for a hat for a friend who's allergic to wool. I'm making her a Harry Potter beret, and I really wanted Gryffindor colors, but Vanna failed to provide a burgundy color in her line. (there is a nice gold though.) So I got Rust and Colonial Blue, and Hufflepuff it is.

once again, with pictures

2007-08-10T19:32:00.001-05:00

Hooray for new camera batteries. If I'd have known I was going to buy them tonight, I'd have brought home the Afghans for Afghans blankie to photograph. As it is, there's a few works in progress to see:

Margo's blankie, with the pink rows just started. I had originally put in 168 stitches and hooked 3 rows, but it was way too wide so I ripped back to 150 stitches. After 3 rows, it was still too wide, so i reripped back to 129 sts. It's about 43" across, which is about right for a 4 year old, I think.

BBXCO:

Bushy stitch in action. Barbie color explosion!

My 2nd Pomatomous, heel flap started:

We went to the Ohio State Fair on Wednesday and I got a chance to check out the arts and crafts entries. Wouldn't you know it-- in the knitting sock category, sporting the 2nd place ribbon, was a pair of Pomatomous!! They were done in a nice varigated grey/beige. "I know that pattern!" I told my hubby. "Been lookin' at it for months now!" What a hoot.

Goofin' off at the Ref Desk

2007-08-07T07:57:00.000-05:00

My long awaited Ref Desk duty is here. And there's exactly NO patrons in the library. Good. I'm starting to get a little less anxious about the upcoming changes in the library, because we've gotten some hints that at least some are just cosmetic/physical space changes, which who cares? we can deal. I was relieved, though, that some of my co-workers share my anxiety about the management's strange secrecy. Seriously, the tighness in my chest is a lot less today, and no migraine.

Yarney stuff:
Still waiting for Afghans for Afghans blankie pictures;
Second Pomatomous sock progressing nicely, 5-6 rows from the heel flap;
Can start my Socks for Soldiers Big Black Socks once those are done;
Working on Toddler Socks in Purple Paton's, to send to A for A or maybe under seperate cover so I can get the blankie sent right away;
Started Margo's pink 'n' purple afghan. I worked up some gauge swatches with my "J" hook and she decided she liked the bushy stitch. After some trial and error about the width, I commenced to hook starting with the lilac (per her request also.) Got about 3 rows done during Barry Bonds' failed attempt to break Hank Aaron's record last night against the Nats. I think I'll go for at least 10 rows before I try the color change; we'll see how it looks!

Finished! With the Blankie!

2007-08-05T20:11:00.001-05:00

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand my camera craps out again. I have GOT to stop using those cheap Target batteries. I can't even coax a single photo out of it! I think I'll go to the Batteries Plus store and get a mess o' AAs; I've got to go there for button batteries for the kids' walkie talkies. Also, I'm going to start some Magic 28's to send with the blanket, because I have plenty of purple yarn left over.

So to kill time, behold my needle collection. 2-9 and 10.5 14" aluminiums, with 1-8 dpns:

Some of them, anyways. This is the "pretty" collection, neatly collected in a holder instead of a Popples glass or a storage box.

The first project I ever knit (when I taught myself back in 1987 or so) I bought some cheap ass plastic needles, but they were so bad, I upgraded to aluminium mid-project. Everything I did for YEARS was on aluminium 14" straights, because my technique was to stick the right needle in the crook of my leg at the hip. I was really fast that way, because my right hand was free to throw the yarn superfast. It's why I never knit with dpns or circs, you can't prop them up on your leg.

Behold the rest of the story, my 11-19's, my 10" collection, and all my bamboos. There's even a size 10 in there (but nobody uses 10's! they're vintage!)

Plus, all my extra regular sizes. A needle for every occasion! See the bit of yellow in the topmost pile? That's the one plastic sz 8 I have left from that first project lo those many years ago. I've apparently lost one other one, plus both sz 6's.

I love using 10" for making scarves. And bamboo is my prefered needle these days; it grips the wool just right, and they're lots lighter which is easier on the hands. I'm also starting to prefer bamboo for my dpns, too, so all those nice ones in the holder above don't get out much anymore.

Maybe, if I get that camera working again, I'll show off my circs and dpns. And all my other gadgets. It's not always about yarn around here!

Commencin' ta Sew

2007-08-03T19:35:00.000-05:00

So I've laid out all the squares, in the order I like them. I followed the Sudoku principle, so no color appears more than once in any row or column:

Some of the greens are clumped, but I didn't want to have to rearrange it, because shifting one meant shifting like all of them probably. I love the middle row with the solid blocks.

I've started the actual assembly, by rows. I figured it would be easiest to use the tails to attach the blocks down the long sides, then use extra yarn to sew across rather than down. It's reeeeeeeeeally hard to keep them even though! You can't fudge the edges much to make them match, and since they're geometric squares, you can really tell when they don't line up. Granny squares are a lot more forgiving. But uglier. So there's the tradeoff, I guess.

we are DEVO

2007-08-02T18:11:00.001-05:00

D-E-V-O!

Such a doll!

Here are some of the blankie blocks, edged in hdc:

I've done edging in single crochet before, which is fine for a finished edge, but since I'll be sewing the purple parts together I wanted a more substantial border. The half double crochet gives it a visible border after you sew the top loops. Can't wait to see it sewn up, probably by the weekend!

Plugging Along (and quick grouse about work)

2007-08-01T08:47:00.000-05:00

New reference desk schedule out-- we were promised to only have to work a 3 hr shift-- so naturally we're scheduled 8:00-10:00, 1:00-2:00. Am I going to have a problem with that? Not NOW, I said, because clearly we're going to be helping out the one poor ref librarian, covering all the desk hours, who would be stuck without a break otherwise (the other 2 are on vacation, as groused about before.) But I WILL have a problem with it in 2 weeks. Stay tuned.

In Re. knitting, I'm still pluggin' away at the 2nd Pomatomous sock. Wanna get that one done so I can a.)give it to its recipient and b.)free up the sz 2 dpns for my Socks for Soldiers "big black socks" as my next charity project.

Also, still working on the charity baby blankie. I've edged about 17-18 of the rectangles in a hdc in purple, and it looks fabulous. Will post pics before I start assembling, if only to get an idea of placement. Looks like I'll have plenty of purple yarn; I'm 2/3rds done with the edging and only just now starting to finish up the first purple ball.

Back to Yarney News

2007-07-29T08:47:00.000-05:00

Enough with the kvetching about work. I'm really not all that worried about doing reference; seriously, the shift I'll be working, from 8:00AM-12:00PM is the least busy time at the desk. Still po'd about not being consulted about doing it, though.

Anyhoo, behold my Afghans for Afghans baby blanket:

Well, OK, really it's pieces of a blanket. There are 25 6" X 8" double crochet rectangles, done in varying shades of Paton's Classic Merino. I especially love the turquoise (they call it teal?) and the Harvest varigated (it's the same colorway as the sock on my header picture, so naturally I loves it.) I snapped this pic right before I wove in all the trailing ends, which was time consuming but not nearly as obnoxious as I thought it would be.

My next step is to put a single, or more likely half-double crochet border around each rectangle. This will give me a matching something to use to sew the pieces together. Then I can use that same color to put a border around the outer edge and it will all be tres fabu. I'm using purple, natch.

I'm waiting until the borders are on before I try to decide on the placement of the colors in each row. My original plan was to have 5x5x5x5-- 5 colors, 5 rectangles of each, 5 columns, 5 rows. Symmetry! Beauty! Unfortunately, each Paton's skein only produced 4 rectangles. D'oh! So I added a 6th color, which makes 24 rectangles; luckily, the sage green made 5, so I've got 25 after all. It'll be kind of a crazy quilt looking thing, and I can't wait to see how it looks.

Ever Have a Cruddy Day at Work?

2007-07-26T11:09:00.000-05:00

My job is usually so boring. But today I got some annyoing excitement-- I'm being required to work the reference desk 3 hrs a week. I am a cataloger. I don't "do" reference. Training? Here's our manual. Difficult questions? Ask a reference librarian for help, except they're both going on vacation during our alleged training period. Are the Ref Staff going to be reciprocating and helping in Tech Services? No (unequivocal, it seems.) Rewrite my job description? Oh, of course, dear! least we can do. Temporary? (.......)

I am the arrow, shot from the bow. My purpose is clear.

I'm a professional. As they repeatedly pointed out, I have a professional degree in which I received reference training. You know, 13 effing years ago in library school, where I took my one required effing ref course, and have never worked a day of reference professionally since.

I am the arrow, shot from the bow. My purpose is clear.

This would have been a lot easier to take, if you'd tell me your thinking about it, then given me the chance to object, then argued against my objections logically, so I could come around to agreeing with you, eventually, or at least be numbed by argument to the point where I'll agree to it so we can stop talking about it. Unilateral decisions are incompatible with "collaborative relationships," after all.

I am the arrow, shot from the bow. My purpose is clear.

I am not going to cry at the staff meeting where they announce this to everyone else. I'm not! Got to practice my poker face during lunch. I'm not alone, at least; the Acquisitions Librarian is in the same doomed boat as me. We can roll our eyes at each other during the meeting.

I am the arrow, shot from the bow. My purpose is clear.

I know this is stupid to rant about. People argue all the time in librarianship about doing reference, it's no big deal, makes you a better cataloger, blah blah whatevs. If I wanted to point spoiled students to the bathroom I'd have effing volunteered. Well, I'm off to read the sad reference manual now, my only training. Maybe they will give me a small hat and tin cup, and an organ to grind, too.

Bears, Oh My!

2007-07-23T06:46:00.000-05:00

Finished Margo's crocheted Scott Bear, rechristened "Smacky" in honor of Get Fuzzy:

Too cute-- and the bear is nice too. Naturally, Nick wanted a bear made also, because one kid can't have something when the other doesn't. Bear detente must be maintained. Of course he wanted TWO bears (thus securing an advantage in the Bear Cold War, Reagan-style), but I think I can get out of doing the second. I think I'll try trilateral peace talks, and if that doesn't work, I'll just remind him that I didn't agree to do a second bear in the first place.

Nick wanted his bear to look like Koda from "Brother Bear" so I modified the pattern:

We're calling him "Koda Junior" for now.

And this is what kitties do with leftover yarn:

Finished a hat, anyways

2007-07-19T21:10:00.000-05:00

It's only a roll-brim hat in a super bulky yarn, but hey, it's a finished item! Here it is, modeled by my dad's heart surgery bear, which he gave to my daughter after he was done with it:

Specs: Joann house brand "Licorice", blue colorway, done on sz 13 circs and dpns. Cast on 44 sts and knit in stockinette until it's about 9" (it won't take long on these honkin' big needles) then start the decreases. I did K2tog every third stitch, next row K around, then every 2nd st, etc. until I had 6 sts left which I sewed through and fastened off. Here's a closeup of the pretty yarn:

The yarn is 100% wool and works up uber-quick, making it ideal for the charity knitting stuff. I've got another ball in red waiting to go.

Wips list and future projects

2007-07-17T12:08:00.000-05:00

Once again I'm compiling the projects fast and furious. I swear, I bounced between about 4 projects last night, because I couldn't decide which one to stick with. And it doesn't help that I've bought a bunch of new yarn. Or that I've got charity knitting to plan for. So I'm going to list things, because I'm a cataloger and that's how I roll:

Works In Progress:
Stuffed bear for M'go
Pomatomous socks for friend
Lorna's Laces socks for friend
Easy sweater for me
Bulky roll brim hat for charity
Baby blanket for charity
Dishcloth for funsies

Recently purchased yarns/projects, not started:
Black Jawoll for Socks for Soldiers
Red WoolEase for Red Scarf Project
Varigated Paton's Classic Merino for Dulaan/Afghans for Afghans
Pink'n'Purple Pounders for M'go blanket

Crap laying around, waiting for motivation, mostly for me:
Brown wool scarf (probably the Road Scarf)
Purple sock yarn (Monkey socks?)
4 or 5 bag projects (oh, I need more bags, dewd)

Future plans:
Harry Potter Charmed Knits for Christmas pressies

Well, there's my year, shaping up. The good news is, I've stockpiled enough stash that I could go without buying yarn for the whole time, except for the HP stuff. But that's in The Future.

Harry Potter Rawks!

2007-07-16T18:23:00.000-05:00

Oh, My, Gawd, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was freakin' AWESOME. I saw it in IMAX 3-D and the big fight scene at the Ministry of Magic was SO good. Of course it featured Lucius Malfoy prominently & I would have been happy just to watch him the whole time, mrorw!

I worked on my fave thing to do at the movies, a dishrag. Man, it's a wonder I didn't screw this up; the movie was so exciting I could barely concentrate:

It's a simple 5X5 basketweave, in Sugar 'n Cream "Beach Ball Blue." I could share the pattern, which I sorta just made up: using sz 7 needles, cast on 41 sts. Garter stitch for 4 rows, then on row 5, do the following: K8, P5, K5, P5, K5, P5, K8. Row 6: K3, P5, K5, P5, K5, P5, K5, P5, K3. Row 7: repeat row 5. Row 8: repeat row 6. Row 9: repeat row 5. Row 10: repeat row 5 (this is the basket stitch in action, baby.) Row 11: repeat row 6 ... so on & so on until it's about 9" long. Do 4 more garter rows and bind off in knit. I like to add a crochet loop at the corner, for hanging. Using an odd number of squares makes for a nice symmetrical work, and the 3 knit sts at the beginning of each row makes it look like a purposeful border, that you don't have to add later. Easy peasa.

I was watching the movie with an eye towards the knit items; all the Weaselys got scarves from their mom, and Luna Lovegood was wearing a nice crocheted purple poncho/cardigan. I'm so looking forward to my copy of Charmed Knits, which is on its way to me right this minute. Between watching movie 5, listening to book 6 on CD, and anxiously awaiting the arrival of book 7, I feel the need to Potterize my knitting wardrobe!

Adventures in Crocheting in the Dark

2007-07-15T20:02:00.000-05:00

My charity baby blankie continues apace. I'm at a bit of a crossroads. Some history: my original plan was to crochet up 25 6"X8" rectangles, using 5 colors beautifully distributed in each space. Alas, my chosen yarn would not cooperate, yielding only 4 squares per skein. Now it's all uneven, waah. Now I need 4 of 6 colors, plus a spare. Then, instead of a 6th color, I had the bright idea of using scraps from my original colors, which worked here (or will when it's done):

It probably won't work with all the scraps though, since there was only miniscule amounts left. Then I had the brilliant idea of using up the leftover from my varigateds, until:

uhm, yeah, not 6"X8". Dang, and it worked up purty, too. All done during the dollar theater's afternoon show of Spiderman 3. Which explains how I added a stitch, oops.

I should have better luck with this one:

also done during the show, and had to be redone during, because my usual amount of stitches for to make 6" was too many. I also didn't realize how pretty this was worked up until the movie was over. Dang, that theater was reeeaaally dark.

As a distraction from a day full of blanket squares, I started a stuffed teddy for Margo:

Watch as she dangles its widdle head!

Well, I'm a First Class Dunce

2007-07-10T16:21:00.000-05:00

Can you believe it? Turns out my camera just needed batteries. I bought those cheap $1.00/pack AA's at Target, and they lasted such a short time, I just assumed it was the camera that was to blame. Stoopid batteries! (I can still buy a new camera, right? It's just not as urgent now?) Anyways, here's the first Pomatomous, live and on my foot:

It's a bit big on me, but it's not for me, so whatever. The toe's a little pointy, too, but it'll look better on a bigger foot. And no cankle-- I've got slender ankles for being such a large gal (5'7", 225, hell yeah I could play in the NFL.) I should be a foot model like Fran Fine!

BBXCU (beezie's blog x-treme close up):

Blurry! Wow, are my YO's kinda big. I think I learned to do them wrong 20 yrs ago, but I'm an old dog now so it's too late.

Oh, I should have taken a picture of the "tons" of yarn I had left (not!) I had maybe 2-3 yards. Whew! I hope I can motivate myself to cast on for #2. It should go quicker since I know how to do this thing now.

Seven Things About Me

2007-07-09T12:06:00.000-05:00

I've seen this meme on other blogs. I think you're supposed to be "tagged" to do it, but no one reads this blog but me really, so no one's tagging me per se. I don't really blog things except as notes to myself, really, so I consider this a challenge to tell things about myself that doesn't tell that much about myself, if you know what I mean.

1. I've seen almost all of Ewan McGregor's movies. I just love him & I made our library buy his "READ" poster, and hang it back in my work area, so he's looking at me every day. Thanks to Netflix, I've just about run down every movie the guy has been in. Because of this I've seen some real crap movies (Nighthawks, A Life Less Ordinary, Serpent's Kiss) but also some real gems (Down With Love, Velvet Goldmine, Young Adam.) I just love it when he sings.

2. My right ring finger has a dent in the side. I got it slammed in a car door at age 2. Or maybe it got hit with a rock, I don't really remember. My two ring fingers don't match, mostly because of that but also the nails are different shapes. Kinda weird.

3. I hate wasabi. I ate some wasabi flavored trail mix when I was sick once, and I hurled it up, so I forever think wasabi=barf. Makes it challenging at the sushi bar, but you can get around it.

4. My favorite baseball players growing up were Johnny Bench, Ray Knight, and Ron Oester. And, anyone from the Big Red Machine. I always liked the cute players (see my profile in re. Scott Podsednik.)

5. I think certain letters are girl letters, and others are boy letters. Girl letters = A, Q, V, Y. Boy letters are everything else. Why? dunno. Maybe I saw an alphabet with girl characters acting out those letters. Also, my first name begins with A. Coinkidink?

6. People drinking directly from the community milk carton/juice bottle makes me angry. I mean, really angry. Homicidally angry. No one at my house does this, but when I see some teen on a commercial or t.v. program doing it, as a shorthand joke for their laziness and insensitivity to others, I have to change the channel I get so mad. I used to do it myself as a kid, so I don't know why it ticks me off so much now.

7. I'm a born cataloger. It's my job, because I truly believe it was destined to be my job. I used to sort my Halloween candy into desirability cagegories, and be annoyed when they wouldn't stay sorted in the bag. I organized my home library from an early age. I had a written catalog for my baseball cards, in spiral bound notebooks; everyone sorted by teams, each team ranked according to likability, each player card alphabetized, each "extra" card duly marked in pencil. I've long since lost the cards but still have the notebooks. When I started cataloging for a living, as my trainers taught me AACR2 and such, all those rules just fit into my brain, like Tetris blocks falling into place and being absorbed.

OK, all these things do tell a bit more about me than you probably wanted to know! I'll get back to yapping about knitting soon. If my camera cooperates!!!

(picture) document dump

2007-07-08T18:12:00.000-05:00

It's like Friday afternoon at the Bush Whitehouse-- all the bad news when no one's around to notice! My camera is barely functioning, but I managed to coax a few pictures out of it before it punked out again. I was snapping as many as I could! So of course when I needed it to take a picture of my finished pomatomous sox, yeah, fuggeddaboutit.

Here's a dishrag I did during "Ratatouille":

It's a simple basketweave of my own devising. Easy peasa to do in the dark theater.

Next up is the oh-so-easy sweater:

Not much progress, there.

Here's another dishrag, from my honkin big dishrag pattern book, made from leftovers from the big green bag I made last month:

It's for my friend's thank you package. She's the same one I'm making the pomatomous socks for (gee can you tell she likes green?) It's actually done now.

The last is my latest acquisitions to my stash:

There's some Paton's Twister, clearanced @ $.97 per ball; Jo-Anne house brand "Licorice" in both red and blue, destined to be roll-brim hats for charity; random Sugar 'n' Cream, for dishrags; and some bedspread weight cotton, in a nice rainbow coloway, also clearanced @ &.97. I also bought a steel crochet hook so I can try either a dishrag or an ornament. I shouldn't have bought so much but it was (mostly) clearanced??!!? Well, I've made so much recently, I actually did need to replenish my stash.

Darn this camera. I'll be shopping online this week, but being a notorious cheapskate, I don't want to pay more than $100 for a new one. My preliminary investigations reveal that $150 is more realistic... problems ahead, I'm thinking. If I can get this piece of crud working, I'll make a nice long post about my wool baby blankie. I'm pretty excited about it!

The Status of a few Items

2007-07-06T08:43:00.000-05:00

My camera is still acting wanky, and my network card on my laptop is completely fried. So I'm illicitly posting from work, picturelessly! (I do have some pictures of my WIPs, but didn't I forget to bring the camera here to download them. OOpsie!)

Works in progress:

Oh-So-Simple Cardigan, which is about 2.5" started. I've been working on that a row here, row there-- it's all garter st so it's kinda boring.

Pomantomus: I'm on the toe decreases for the first sock! woo! WOW am I cutting it close for having enough yarn. I really hope they're long enough for my friend's foot.

Generic Lorna's Laces sock: about to turn the heel for the 1st one. That one is waaaaay on the back burner.

Baby blankie for Afghans for Afghans: I'm making that one up as a go-- I want to do a whole post on that one. Stay tuned!

Quickie post for Sunday night

2007-07-01T21:45:00.000-05:00

Just kickin' back, enjoying the nice July weather. It's my hubby's birthday today so we had a low-key family grillout. I made a cake (Cinnamon Swirl) because I didn't get a cake on my b-day from my family, so I made the one I would want, tee hee. Hubby and I almost share a birthday-- I'm exactly one week older than he is.

It's not too unusual to be older than your husband, I suppose; the only problem is we have to share birthdays sometimes, like twins. When we turned 30 nine years ago (ack) our mothers each had one nice dinner for us, and his sister decorated our house, once. Man, when we turn 40 next year, we'll be lucky to get a single "geezer" party. Hmm, maybe I should throw us one.

Anyhoo. Fun fact about our birthdays: in 1968, in the week between our births, (ie. the only week where I was alive and he wasn't,) was when Elvis filmed his famous '68 Comeback Special. Ironic, since Elvis is the only artist we both like (but not the same Elvis-- I like 50's bouffanted Elvis and he likes 70's Vegas Elvis. I suppose that would be double irony, since "comeback Elvis" sort of exists between the two we like.)

WIPs, finally

2007-06-28T07:10:00.001-05:00

The baby blankie is scheduled for delivery this weekend! Hallelujah. On to projects for myself, with a small detour:

Behold my Pomatomus sock, in uhm, Brown Sheep Wildfoote, Pine Tree coloway? i think? It's a wool/nylon blend. I'm about to start the heel flap. I like the scaly look & the plain yarn really brings it out. I had taken this project with me to Baltimore, but I sure didn't get much work done on in. I mean, sure, I was busy touristing and all, but the semi-complicated pattern prevented my working on in much. Mostly in the car down to the Eastern Shore, and the plane flights there and back. I'm going to give them to the friend I visited there.

Also on the needles, my long-delayed Lion Brand Oh-So-Easy Cardigan

Oooo, 2 whole pockets! Step back! w00t!!1! I cast on for the body also, but my stoopid sad-assed camera is threatening to die on me, so I could only get off 2 pix of anything before it gave me the digital finger and crapped out.

Screw it, I'll get a new camera, that isn't so BULKY and tempermental. Seriously, for the cost of new memory, IF we could find it, I can get a swanky new camera that's twice as good/powerful as this old clunker.

As Promised

2007-06-19T06:53:00.000-05:00

The baby blankie, in progress:

Pringle, inspecting my tassel work (she approved)

Hanging on my shower curtain to dry

Whew!!!

2007-06-18T07:48:00.000-05:00

Almost done! The knitting is done, just the sewing in of the ends remains. I'd have posted pix but wouldn't you know it, I'm having MORE computer problems. This time, it's my wireless card. I'm not surprised, with as much as I kick the thing around on the floor-- it's external, and the plastic cover's been broken off for a year. My hubby thinks I should get a new computer, of course. Uh, No-oo-oo (singsong).

Anyhoo, I did take a picture right before I started the end rows, but forgot to bring the camera to load it here at work. So, picture it: a complete blankie with lots of trailing ends along one side, fringeless. Also, imagine a cat on top of it, if you want to be realistic. I finished it using the Lily Chin method of crocheting the stitches off the needle-- since I was binding off purlwise, it went a lot faster than the traditional 2-needle bindoff. Yarn in front=pain in butt to pick stitches off the right-hand needle. Plus, circulars with a heavy blanket on them don't help the speediness, either.

I should have it completely done before I leave for Baltimore Wednesday morning. Pix soon iswear!

pant, pant

2007-06-15T17:55:00.001-05:00

37...gasp...inches...! Whew! Off to knit more... Reporting in tomorrow.

More blankie, mule!

2007-06-12T17:12:00.001-05:00

I had started on my Lorna's laces socks a couple of weeks ago. I was debating what to do, to keep it as stockinette (not sure if I like the pooling) or put it in a pattern; and is it too wide? For me it is, maybe, but they're not for me. I dithered and knit, but it was all shoved by the wayside...

in favor of BLANKETMANIA 2007!!

Here it is @ 24" or so. It's currently @ 31", or 32" if I stretch it creatively. Work more! more! more! No socks for you!!!

Xtreme CloseUp of lovely pattern and yarn!

back to work... more posting when I hit the required 41" to start the end rows? Look for me after the weekend & before my Baltimore trip. Maybe. I've got to decide what projects to take on my trip (green socks? in Pomatomus?) aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!

workin' like a dawg

2007-06-10T19:10:00.000-05:00

ack ack just promised my friend i would finish the baby blanket by the 30th ack i thought i had till the fall ack! her brother and s-i-l are coming then & she wants to present it then! i just spent most of the week/weekend on it; started with 21" ended with 30" for a rate of 9" on the week. it has to be 41"+3", fringe notwithstanding, so can i finish in 20 days, keeping in mind that i will be in Baltimore from June 20-25 and cannot work on it????

irony of ironies, i just found out saturday was "knit in public day." well i sure did--all freakin' day @ the campsite! we went camping, btw!

so much for the sweater for myself, sigh. i got as far as half a pocket before this latest development. dammit, july is MINE for ME.

$8.95!!!

2007-06-04T10:04:00.000-05:00

To mail a 13 oz. box o'knitting from Columbus, OH to Flagstaff, AZ. Yowitch! They said it would arrive Monday or Tuesday. I sure hope they find the inventory sheet in the envelope I used as a mailing label... I sure forgot to put one inside the box. Godspeed, knitwear!

A Box for Dulaan

2007-06-01T19:06:00.001-05:00

As promised, a picture of the quickie vest, with finished Magic 28(32) socks for comparison:

The vest worked up in a weekend, and the socks took about 3 days. Easy peasa! Specs for vest: Patons Classic Merino in Taupe and Wedgewood. (I used 2 colors because I wasn't sure if 1 ball would do the trick; after doing it, I think 1 ball will be OK.) Done on sz 10 16" circs, using 10 straights as stitch holders when you divide for the armholes. Basically, you cast on 84 sts, do an inch of rib, then stockinette up 9"; divide for the front, adding a few sts for the arm band and decreases for the neck vee. The back is the same, except you don't do the vee thing. with a 3-needle bindoff for the shoulder, the only sewing is the bottom of the armband, and weaving ends. I might do a few more of these for other charities.

Sock specs: the usual, following the Magic 28 recipe, using 32 sts and Wedgewood yarn. Done on sz 5 dpns, with 2x2 rib on the top. It turned out very stripey!

Behold my Dulaan box. Pringle WILL NOT be included:

Includes 2 vests, 3 hats, 4 pair socks. Sizes? who knows. That's one of the things I'm going to work on tonight as I get it ready for mailing off tomorrow. I'm going to make my best guesses as to sizes--I'm armed with tape measure, foot size charts, old patterns, and small children to use as dressmaker dummies.

I wish I had done more; I still have a bit of time to do so, but I'd really like to get this in the mail before too much longer. Oh well. I look at it this way: I pledged to make 5 items, and I did. 4 of these things I had made a long time ago, so they're the above-and-beyond portion, right?

After these wing away, I am promising myself 2 items for me. Hmmm, what to do? That burgundy sweater, I think. I'll decide item #2 after that's done. Busy, busy summer.

Magic 28 FP, Pseudo Magic 28, and a Bag

2007-05-27T21:06:00.000-05:00

It's not a big whooperdoodle, but I finished the Lion Brand hobo bag, commissioned by a friend. I used (shocker) Lion Brand Cotton, in the Fern Green colorway. I was going to use Sugar 'n' Cream, but they didn't have the type of colors she seemed to want (dark). So I spaycially ordered something from, uhm, joann.com? i think? whatevs. It's done yay for me. Supposedly she's paying me for the yarn, but I'm almost too nervous to ask for it, because it took me so long to finish it (oops.) Eh, we'll see in a few days.

Lion Brand Cotton is teh awesome, by-the-bye. It's, I dunno, smoother than S'n'C? not as rough? dunno how to explain it. So expensive, though, and there are only ever 5 colors to choose from in the store. I'll have to special order some more, for my own nefarious purposes (evil cackle)

Also, I finished my Magic 28 red socks, and immediately cast on for another Magic 28 (well 32, truth be told) using the leftovers from the kid's vest I made. (ooh, I forgot to take a picture of that! and it turned out so well, too... I'd better snap a photo before I mail it off to Dulaan.)

I really like this colorway, Paton's Classic Wedgewood. It's browns/grey/blues, looks very stripey in the sock but better on the vest. too BAD i DOn't have PIX [/sarcasm]. I should get the other sock done soon, this one only took a day or so.

I splurged on some brown wool for another vest...can I get it done before June 15th or so?

Knitting Meme

2007-05-23T18:44:00.000-05:00

Hee hee, I totally cribbed this off someone's knitting website. Feel free to steal it as well, assuming you're not me talking to myself. You're meant to list the things you've done in bold, what you want/plan to do in italics, and stuff you're not interested in left plain. And it makes for a nice long post (I swear I'll post some FP pix soon...)

Afghan/Blanket (baby)
I-cord
Garter stitch
Knitting with metal wire
Shawl (wrap?)
Stockinette stitch
Socks: top-down
Socks: toe-up
Knitting with camel yarn
Mittens: Cuff-up
Mittens: Tip-down
Hat
Knitting with silk
Moebius band knitting
Participating in a KAL
Sweater
Drop stitch patterns
Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn
Slip stitch patterns
Knitting with banana fiber yarn
Domino knitting (modular knitting)
Twisted stitch patterns
Knitting with bamboo yarn
Two end knitting
Charity knitting
Knitting with soy yarn
Cardigan
Toy/doll clothing
Knitting with circular needles
Knitting with your own handspun yarn
Slippers
Graffiti knitting (knitting items on, or to be left on the street)
Continental knitting
Designing knitted garments
Cable stitch patterns (incl. Aran)
Lace patterns
Publishing a knitting book
Scarf
Teaching a child to knit
American/English knitting (as opposed to continental)
Knitting to make money (I've knit for compensation ie. free yarn)
Button holes
Knitting with alpaca
Fair Isle knitting
Norwegian knitting
Dying with plant colors
Knitting items for a wedding
Household items (dishcloths, washcloths, tea cozies…)
Knitting socks (or other small tubular items) on two circulars
Olympic knitting
Knitting with someone else’s handspun yarn
Knitting with DPNs
Holiday related knitting
Teaching a male how to knit
Bobbles
Knitting for a living
Knitting with cotton
Knitting smocking
Dying yarn
Steeks
Knitting art
Fulling/felting
Knitting with wool
Textured knitting
Kitchener BO
Purses/bags
Knitting with beads
Swatching
Long Tail CO
Entrelac
Knitting and purling backward
Machine knitting
Knitting with self-patterning/self-striping/variegating yarn
Stuffed toys
Baby items
Knitting with cashmere
Darning
JewelryKnitting with synthetic yarn
Writing a pattern
Gloves
Intarsia
Knitting with linen
Knitting for preemies
Tubular CO
Freeform knitting
Short rows
Cuffs/fingerless mitts/arm warmers
Pillows
Knitting a pattern from an online knitting magazine
Rug
Knitting on a loom
Thrummed knitting
Knitting a gift
Knitting for pets
Shrug/bolero/poncho
Knitting with dog/cat hair
Hair accessories
Knitting in public

Gee, I've done more than I thought. Some of the stuff under the "wanna do" category are things I have actual plans for; most of them are just gee-wouldn't-be-nice. Like 2-circ socks. No hurry on that, I assure you.

tee hee

2007-05-21T19:21:00.000-05:00

Permanent linky http://kscakes.com/LolCats/Detail.aspx/im-in-ur-houze-rockin-ur-wurld/

Magic 28 is a go!

2007-05-15T22:13:00.000-05:00

Since I joined the Magic 28 webring, I figured I'd better commence to knitting some Magic 28 socks already. Well, I think the other socks I've made sorta count, but this is the first using the "official pattern", which I have to say I like.
Cute little sock, works up quickly, and I should have an easier time of making the 2nd since I'm following a pattern and not winging it. I like the heel flap also, not boring like my usual stockinette but not as fusty as the LB magic stripe pattern (what with all the slipping and picking up). Also, it helps that I love the yarn-- Patons Classic in Regency. I'm using what's left from the other pair I made.

I will be sending this to Dulaan. I really, really want to knit a sweater for them, or at least a vest, but I have to realistically assess whether I have the time to swing it. It seems like everyone does hats, so they probably don't need any more. Maybe I'll do some mittens? I have a whole month to decide! what luxury!