It's been one of those weeks. Well, last week was one of those weeks where you're so busy it's just 'go go go' and by the time it's all over you can't remember half of what you did. This week is just meh. It's been hot and humid, which makes it hard to motivate myself to knit, and still rather busy. Today was a not great day a work, and then I came home to try to make some supper. Only the chicken didn't quite smell right, the zuchini has some little slimey spots on it and the rice burned in the microwave.
I called Pizza Hut.
However, by some cosmic force, my SP5 person knew that it was a meh kind of week. On the up side of today I came home to find a package! Complete with the Twisted Sisters Sock book and two skeins of Lorna's Lace Sock Yarn in the purple-y/amethyst color. This are looking brighter all ready. I think I might have to get the socks I've got on the needle finished so I can get a start on those!
And maybe this weekend I'll actually have some knitting time again. *crosses fingers*
Friday, June 17, 2005
SP5!!!
Eeeeee!!! I have an awesome SP5 buddy, it has been decided (not that there was any doubt before, it's just been confirmed :D). I came home Tuesday (after a long day at work) to a great card from my pal. And a set of beautiful notecards with Georgia O'Keefe's Oriental Poppies on the covers. Just lovely. It completely made my day.
Wednesday was made with a trip to the bookstore and coming home to a package from the evil muse - who had sent that hank of yarn I sent her off to get me for my cardigan. Now I should have enough to finish that particular project, if I get back into my knitting grove. Which will probably not be tonight as the evil muse and I were up until 2:00 my time (3:00 her time) chatting away and the alarm clock went off at an all too early 6:00. Between a mug holding 8-10 cups of coffee (yum), two cans of Diet Vanilla Coke and judicious amounts of chocolate I've managed to make it this far. And it fifteen minutes a friend'll be picking me up from work to go for dinner and to see Batman Begins. Eeee!! Even dead tired there is excitement here. Just a little more subdued. :D
Wednesday was made with a trip to the bookstore and coming home to a package from the evil muse - who had sent that hank of yarn I sent her off to get me for my cardigan. Now I should have enough to finish that particular project, if I get back into my knitting grove. Which will probably not be tonight as the evil muse and I were up until 2:00 my time (3:00 her time) chatting away and the alarm clock went off at an all too early 6:00. Between a mug holding 8-10 cups of coffee (yum), two cans of Diet Vanilla Coke and judicious amounts of chocolate I've managed to make it this far. And it fifteen minutes a friend'll be picking me up from work to go for dinner and to see Batman Begins. Eeee!! Even dead tired there is excitement here. Just a little more subdued. :D
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Goodness
Has it really been that long since I last posted? The sad thing is I looked over my last post and I really haven't gotten much further. I did make it to the point on my bolero jacket front that I'm about to start decreasing for the shoulder, but that's about it.
Instead I've been reading and trying out my new drop spindle. The drop spindle came with some lovely roving, however it was too pretty for my sad attempts at spinning, so I bought some undyed roving at my LYS this past weekend and spun for a bit on Saturday. It's coming out sort of think, a bit thicker than worsted but not quite bulky, and sorta fuzzy, but I'm really liking it a lot. I'm already dreaming up things like Kool-Aid dye and maybe something felted to do with this. Not sure what, I'll have to see how far I get with it.
The reading has been my chance to finally tackle my summer reading list, though I added to it on Sunday. But I've already finished one of the added books and have gotten a start on the second, so I'm not feeling too bad about adding to the list. Though I may be singing a different song tomorrow when I get the sequel to the book I finished yesterday.
This evening, though, it going to be all about the knitting. I have a heel to turn on the travel sock and a front to my bolero jacket to finish. Hopefully I'll get one of those worked on. :D
Instead I've been reading and trying out my new drop spindle. The drop spindle came with some lovely roving, however it was too pretty for my sad attempts at spinning, so I bought some undyed roving at my LYS this past weekend and spun for a bit on Saturday. It's coming out sort of think, a bit thicker than worsted but not quite bulky, and sorta fuzzy, but I'm really liking it a lot. I'm already dreaming up things like Kool-Aid dye and maybe something felted to do with this. Not sure what, I'll have to see how far I get with it.
The reading has been my chance to finally tackle my summer reading list, though I added to it on Sunday. But I've already finished one of the added books and have gotten a start on the second, so I'm not feeling too bad about adding to the list. Though I may be singing a different song tomorrow when I get the sequel to the book I finished yesterday.
This evening, though, it going to be all about the knitting. I have a heel to turn on the travel sock and a front to my bolero jacket to finish. Hopefully I'll get one of those worked on. :D
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Knitting has, unfortunately, been at a minimum lately. My boss had budget money left over for the fiscal year, so she offered me the chance to work full time until my next round of classes begin (the 20th). So not only has my free time decreased, but I'm usually so tired when I get home that I just crash (but happily my insomnia is going away!). Add to that the fact that the cotton I've been working with is killing my wrists, there definitely hasn't been much knitting. But now that I've given my hands a break and I've caught up on sleep, hopefully I'll get the chance to pick it up again.
I did get some knitting finished since the last post, though. I've gotten to the heel on the travel sock, so I'll start turning it today at lunch. I'll work on the other front of the bolero jacket on the bus today, as well. Gotta get my knitting in!
I did get some knitting finished since the last post, though. I've gotten to the heel on the travel sock, so I'll start turning it today at lunch. I'll work on the other front of the bolero jacket on the bus today, as well. Gotta get my knitting in!
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Two posts at once!
Well, we'll see if it works. Wireless has been up and down my entire lunch hour. Makes me wonder just how great it is to have the most wired (or technically wireless) campus if you can't get a signal on the only side of the library where the electrical outlets are actually wired themselves.
Not a lot of knitting related accomplishments to regale. Though my buying yarn on Saturday was apparently the motivation I needed to get other knitting projects finished (probably has something to do with the potential 'can only buy yarn for one project once finish two projects' rule and the fact that I'm already 'in the hole' since I had the unexpected acquiring of yarn). In other words, I finally seamed that one shoulder seam and did the neckband of my vest. Still have another shoulder seam and then it's side seams (ick!) but I have made progress on a project that has sat at 90% complete for nearly two years. And I also have made enough progress on the travel sock that I'm nearly to the heel. Yay! As soon as I get those finished I'll have two projects finished and won't feel so guilty about yarn purchases on Saturday.
I also finally got that survey/meme thinger posted for SP5 (with a little helpful poking by my secret pal).
I had a great Memorial Day weekend. A friend travelled down to visit, and it was her birthday on Saturday. So we went to the winery and did a wine tasting. And then were thankful we had a DD, as we were just tipsy enough that we knew we shouldn't drive. There was supper at a cow palace, great big hunks of meat were consumed and margaritas were drunk. Sunday was a cookout, the THE - toss, hit and eat. Though actually the order was toss (lawn darts and horse shoes), eat (brats and salads and incredibly wonderful banana puddings) and hit (fizzball). Fizzball is an idea they pulled from a comic book years ago. Buy the cheapest, nastiest beer you can, someone pitches and someone else hits it with a baseball bat and sees who can get the best explosion. Very good times, though I now know from experience that Schlitz isn't fun to get in your eyes. Monday was hang out time before our friend headed back home, and then resting and working on the vest. So, in all a great time, though I was tired tired tired yesterday.
Well, lunch break is nearly over and I've got to head back to work. Hopefully I'll have some picture when I post next. Either of knitting stuff or maybe my new drop spindle I just won from eBay or of the weekend. :D
Not a lot of knitting related accomplishments to regale. Though my buying yarn on Saturday was apparently the motivation I needed to get other knitting projects finished (probably has something to do with the potential 'can only buy yarn for one project once finish two projects' rule and the fact that I'm already 'in the hole' since I had the unexpected acquiring of yarn). In other words, I finally seamed that one shoulder seam and did the neckband of my vest. Still have another shoulder seam and then it's side seams (ick!) but I have made progress on a project that has sat at 90% complete for nearly two years. And I also have made enough progress on the travel sock that I'm nearly to the heel. Yay! As soon as I get those finished I'll have two projects finished and won't feel so guilty about yarn purchases on Saturday.
I also finally got that survey/meme thinger posted for SP5 (with a little helpful poking by my secret pal).
I had a great Memorial Day weekend. A friend travelled down to visit, and it was her birthday on Saturday. So we went to the winery and did a wine tasting. And then were thankful we had a DD, as we were just tipsy enough that we knew we shouldn't drive. There was supper at a cow palace, great big hunks of meat were consumed and margaritas were drunk. Sunday was a cookout, the THE - toss, hit and eat. Though actually the order was toss (lawn darts and horse shoes), eat (brats and salads and incredibly wonderful banana puddings) and hit (fizzball). Fizzball is an idea they pulled from a comic book years ago. Buy the cheapest, nastiest beer you can, someone pitches and someone else hits it with a baseball bat and sees who can get the best explosion. Very good times, though I now know from experience that Schlitz isn't fun to get in your eyes. Monday was hang out time before our friend headed back home, and then resting and working on the vest. So, in all a great time, though I was tired tired tired yesterday.
Well, lunch break is nearly over and I've got to head back to work. Hopefully I'll have some picture when I post next. Either of knitting stuff or maybe my new drop spindle I just won from eBay or of the weekend. :D
Meme! Or something like that.
1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?
In a perfect world I'd be a yarn snob, however on my current budget I pretty much have realized I can't be too picky. If Elann.com doesn't have it or a comparable substitute at a decent price then I start considering the nicer of the Lion Brand yarns. But my favorite yarn to work with will always be Brown Sheep.
2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I haven't crocheted an actual project in about eight or nine years and was just informed, when attempting to pick it up again at Christmas, that I crochet throwing the yarn like a knitter. But technically I do crochet and am attempting to pick it up again, though I definitely prefer knitting. As for spinning, I just won a drop spindle and burgundy roving on eBay, so we're about to see just how well I like it.
3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
Cigarette smoke for the most part. Some perfumes give me a headache, but that's just some.
4. How long have you been knitting?
I started knitting when I was 7 or 8ish I think. All I know is that it was a long time ago when my Mom was the 4-H knitting leader, but I wasn't old enough by family standards to join up yet. But the 'big girls' would come over to knit and I wanted to also, so Mom set me up with a couple of needles and a skein of cheap yarn and I think I knit on the same 30 stitches or so until I started my first 4-H project.
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Amazon.com - for books, music and such.
Wishlist.com - for yarn and whatnot that isn't available on Amazon.com
6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
From Bath and Body Works - Pearberry, which is unfortunately discontinued but I'm really loving their Chocolate Fondue scent and their Black Raspberry Vanilla scent.
Pier 1 candles - Love love love their Ginger Peach candles. A long time ago they had bubble bath and bath salts as well, but I haven't been able to find those for a good three or four years.
7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
Yes. Dark chocolate. Dark chocolate M&Ms are my crack (and nigh on impossible to find anymore). I prefer my chocolate sans nuts, but I won't turn up my nose if it has nuts. One of my favorite candy bars is the Love Notes Dark Chocolate with free-dried Raspberry bits. YUM.
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
Like I said above, I'm trying to relearn to crochet and I'm hoping to pick up spinning. Technically you could say I cross stitch, though I haven't picked up a project in ages. Otherwise the closest I come is cooking. Love to cook.
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I love most kinds of music, I'm not one to discount all in a genre of music just because there are a few songs/artists I don't like. Lately I've been on a jazz kick, listening to the Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald duets, but I'm just as likely to be jamming to the new Rob Thomas songs or Montgomery Gentry as I am to be listening to jazz. I am picky about rap, there are a few rappers out there that I don't mind, but for the most part that isn't my style.
10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
Purple!
And red and blue. But it will always be purple or red to first catch my eye. Pink has been growing on me, enough that it has made it's way into my wardrobe. I like bright or deep colors, I'm not all about muted tones. I think that if there was one color I'd have to pick out and say I don't like it'd be olive green or orange or something.
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I'm single, live alone with no pets. Though I've been told there may be fish in my future (I'd love to set up a salt water tank, so that may be summer project). Nearly everyone I know has been talking about their pets or getting new pets, though, so I'm currently experiencing major pet envy right now.
12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
Librarian at an academic science library. Possibly as a Map Librarian.
13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
Wool. My knitting repetoir is pretty much limited to wool, cotton and acrylic. And wool, especially some Merino I have, is pretty much my favorite.
14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I'm tempted to say cotton here, just because I'm using some cotton right now that's making my tendonitis flare up. But really it's probably just acrylic, though I am guilty of having some Caron Simply Soft in my stash.
15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
Shrugs and short summery jackets. Not so much because they're the new fashion trend (I'm generally the least fashionable person in the world) but because we have dress codes where I work that say no backless shirts and wouldn't you know, my two favorite summer shirts are halter tops. So if I have something to cover my back while at work, I can wear those shirts the rest of the day. I'm currently working on two from the Summer VK, with yarn substitutions of course, because as much as I'd love to use Fiesta La Luz yarn, that's half a paycheck for me right now.
16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Anything cute? I've been enjoying making socks because there is no seaming to do, but I also love sweaters (especially if I can figure out alterations to do a three-needle bind off at the shoulders) in general. I have done more than my share of fuzzy scarves, so I'm ready to call it quits on those (and ignore the piles of eyelash still in my stash). What I've really been hankering to work on lately (and I completely blame working on that clover lace gauge swatch) is a lacy scarf, so I guess I haven't completely given up on scarves, but just the furry ones.
17. What are you knitting right now?
Right now?
Cropped Cardigan from Summer Vogue knitting, substituting Cascade 220 for the suggested cotton. Berry Bolero from the same mag, substituting Elann Sonata for the suggested silk yarn. Second in a pair of socks using the orange and pink striped Shepard's Sock yarn. A baby blanket that was supposed to be for my old neighbors, only they moved away soon after finding out they were pregnant so it's on hold until I either acquire another pregnant friend/neighbor/cousin. Vest out of Paton's Bella that just needs a shoulder seamed, neckband and finish seaming, a lace shawl I keep changing my mind on the pattern for and a Clapotis that keeps getting put aside for other projects.
18. What do you think about ponchos?
Have made two! One with a gorgeous Buotone from Handpaintedyarn.com in just plain stockinette and another in a dropped stitch pattern with Morehouse Merino in black. The black dropped stitch poncho is probably going to be frogged, though. It's beautiful, but it's huge and I'm clumsy. And nearly close-lined myself the first time I wore it, getting it caught on a fake plant just outside a public restroom. Oi.
19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
I mostly prefer straights, though that may be because my circular needle collection is sadly lacking - I bought at least one of every size available when the So Fro (now JoAnn's I believe) in my town closed, so I have every size I need there. But circs have always been a 'buy when you need them' kinda deal and I have a hard time justify getting them when I have a perfectly viable straight needle set I can use instead. That said, I've been knitting more and more on the go, and I absolutely love the circs I have for that.
20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I'm so old-school it's scary. I was taught on aluminum (Boye to be exact, hated the Susan Bates aluminum) needles and do prefer them for most stuff. Though I love love love my Brittany Birchtoothpicks sock needles (except for when they snap on me while on vacation) to death. And I have a Clover Bamboo circular needle that I've grown to absolutely love, once I got past the fact that the sizing system for Clover is just a bit off. But plastic, for the most part, is a big fat no (I have and really like my Denise set, but there's just something about metal needles that feel more 'right' than plastic - I end up using the Denise's a stitch holders more often than not).
21. Are you a sock knitter?
My third pair is in progress, mainly used to occupy my hands when I'm on the bus or otherwise traveling.
22. How did you learn to knit?
My mother taught me.
23. How old is your oldest UFO?
Ummm... Eight years? I started it as a freshman in college before I realized I had no time to knit. Haven't worked on it since and I'm really not sure if I still know where the pattern it, since it wasn't with the yarn and half knit back piece last I checked. After that I have a sweater back and sleeve that needs frogging I started two years ago, then decided I didn't like doing the mental math that goes with using a different gauge on a sweater. And a vest that has been finished except for sewing together and knitting the neckband for a year and a half (lost the pattern and only just found it a week or two ago).
24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
Carebears. Yes, I know. But the little ruler I keep in my traveling bag of knitting supplies is a Carebear ruler and I love it (and the t-shirts and pencils and folders I have) to death.
25. What is your favorite holiday?
I could be selfish and say Groundhogs Day (my b-day) but actually I think it'd be Christmas. Not just the traditional food (yum! lutefisk! pickled herring!) and church services (I miss our old Julotta services) but also I love to give gifts. And the past two years I've given knitted gifts to people, which has made it even better.
26. Is there anything that you collect?
You mean besides yarn and needles? And books? I sometimes pick up Boyd's Bears village figurines, I have a few of those that I've been adding to over the years. And I pick up Georgia O'Keefe and Van Gogh and Raul Dufy prints if I see ones I like. (Though I'm also a big believer in just sticking post cards or calendar pages in picture frames and it's a heck of a lot cheaper.)
I'm not sure if you'd call this a collecting kind of thing, but I love to go to Goodwill and get sweaters to frog for yarn. For one thing, you get a sweater's worth of yarn for just a few bucks. But also, ripping a sweater apart is great therapy when you're having chronic car problems or under a lot of stress for different reasons.
27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I have a subscription to IK and am considering getting a subscription to Vogue. I grew up looking through Vogue knitting, but usually consider the patterns too edgy for my taste to actually want to knit (I want it to still be somewhat in style when I finish it). I considered IK to be more my taste, except there are two projects in the Summer VK I'm already working up and I'm rather meh about most of what's in the Summer IK.
28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?
Last Minute Knitted Gifts and A Gathering of Lace for knitting books.
In a perfect world I'd be a yarn snob, however on my current budget I pretty much have realized I can't be too picky. If Elann.com doesn't have it or a comparable substitute at a decent price then I start considering the nicer of the Lion Brand yarns. But my favorite yarn to work with will always be Brown Sheep.
2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I haven't crocheted an actual project in about eight or nine years and was just informed, when attempting to pick it up again at Christmas, that I crochet throwing the yarn like a knitter. But technically I do crochet and am attempting to pick it up again, though I definitely prefer knitting. As for spinning, I just won a drop spindle and burgundy roving on eBay, so we're about to see just how well I like it.
3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
Cigarette smoke for the most part. Some perfumes give me a headache, but that's just some.
4. How long have you been knitting?
I started knitting when I was 7 or 8ish I think. All I know is that it was a long time ago when my Mom was the 4-H knitting leader, but I wasn't old enough by family standards to join up yet. But the 'big girls' would come over to knit and I wanted to also, so Mom set me up with a couple of needles and a skein of cheap yarn and I think I knit on the same 30 stitches or so until I started my first 4-H project.
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Amazon.com - for books, music and such.
Wishlist.com - for yarn and whatnot that isn't available on Amazon.com
6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
From Bath and Body Works - Pearberry, which is unfortunately discontinued but I'm really loving their Chocolate Fondue scent and their Black Raspberry Vanilla scent.
Pier 1 candles - Love love love their Ginger Peach candles. A long time ago they had bubble bath and bath salts as well, but I haven't been able to find those for a good three or four years.
7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
Yes. Dark chocolate. Dark chocolate M&Ms are my crack (and nigh on impossible to find anymore). I prefer my chocolate sans nuts, but I won't turn up my nose if it has nuts. One of my favorite candy bars is the Love Notes Dark Chocolate with free-dried Raspberry bits. YUM.
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
Like I said above, I'm trying to relearn to crochet and I'm hoping to pick up spinning. Technically you could say I cross stitch, though I haven't picked up a project in ages. Otherwise the closest I come is cooking. Love to cook.
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I love most kinds of music, I'm not one to discount all in a genre of music just because there are a few songs/artists I don't like. Lately I've been on a jazz kick, listening to the Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald duets, but I'm just as likely to be jamming to the new Rob Thomas songs or Montgomery Gentry as I am to be listening to jazz. I am picky about rap, there are a few rappers out there that I don't mind, but for the most part that isn't my style.
10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
Purple!
And red and blue. But it will always be purple or red to first catch my eye. Pink has been growing on me, enough that it has made it's way into my wardrobe. I like bright or deep colors, I'm not all about muted tones. I think that if there was one color I'd have to pick out and say I don't like it'd be olive green or orange or something.
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I'm single, live alone with no pets. Though I've been told there may be fish in my future (I'd love to set up a salt water tank, so that may be summer project). Nearly everyone I know has been talking about their pets or getting new pets, though, so I'm currently experiencing major pet envy right now.
12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
Librarian at an academic science library. Possibly as a Map Librarian.
13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
Wool. My knitting repetoir is pretty much limited to wool, cotton and acrylic. And wool, especially some Merino I have, is pretty much my favorite.
14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I'm tempted to say cotton here, just because I'm using some cotton right now that's making my tendonitis flare up. But really it's probably just acrylic, though I am guilty of having some Caron Simply Soft in my stash.
15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
Shrugs and short summery jackets. Not so much because they're the new fashion trend (I'm generally the least fashionable person in the world) but because we have dress codes where I work that say no backless shirts and wouldn't you know, my two favorite summer shirts are halter tops. So if I have something to cover my back while at work, I can wear those shirts the rest of the day. I'm currently working on two from the Summer VK, with yarn substitutions of course, because as much as I'd love to use Fiesta La Luz yarn, that's half a paycheck for me right now.
16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Anything cute? I've been enjoying making socks because there is no seaming to do, but I also love sweaters (especially if I can figure out alterations to do a three-needle bind off at the shoulders) in general. I have done more than my share of fuzzy scarves, so I'm ready to call it quits on those (and ignore the piles of eyelash still in my stash). What I've really been hankering to work on lately (and I completely blame working on that clover lace gauge swatch) is a lacy scarf, so I guess I haven't completely given up on scarves, but just the furry ones.
17. What are you knitting right now?
Right now?
Cropped Cardigan from Summer Vogue knitting, substituting Cascade 220 for the suggested cotton. Berry Bolero from the same mag, substituting Elann Sonata for the suggested silk yarn. Second in a pair of socks using the orange and pink striped Shepard's Sock yarn. A baby blanket that was supposed to be for my old neighbors, only they moved away soon after finding out they were pregnant so it's on hold until I either acquire another pregnant friend/neighbor/cousin. Vest out of Paton's Bella that just needs a shoulder seamed, neckband and finish seaming, a lace shawl I keep changing my mind on the pattern for and a Clapotis that keeps getting put aside for other projects.
18. What do you think about ponchos?
Have made two! One with a gorgeous Buotone from Handpaintedyarn.com in just plain stockinette and another in a dropped stitch pattern with Morehouse Merino in black. The black dropped stitch poncho is probably going to be frogged, though. It's beautiful, but it's huge and I'm clumsy. And nearly close-lined myself the first time I wore it, getting it caught on a fake plant just outside a public restroom. Oi.
19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
I mostly prefer straights, though that may be because my circular needle collection is sadly lacking - I bought at least one of every size available when the So Fro (now JoAnn's I believe) in my town closed, so I have every size I need there. But circs have always been a 'buy when you need them' kinda deal and I have a hard time justify getting them when I have a perfectly viable straight needle set I can use instead. That said, I've been knitting more and more on the go, and I absolutely love the circs I have for that.
20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I'm so old-school it's scary. I was taught on aluminum (Boye to be exact, hated the Susan Bates aluminum) needles and do prefer them for most stuff. Though I love love love my Brittany Birch
21. Are you a sock knitter?
My third pair is in progress, mainly used to occupy my hands when I'm on the bus or otherwise traveling.
22. How did you learn to knit?
My mother taught me.
23. How old is your oldest UFO?
Ummm... Eight years? I started it as a freshman in college before I realized I had no time to knit. Haven't worked on it since and I'm really not sure if I still know where the pattern it, since it wasn't with the yarn and half knit back piece last I checked. After that I have a sweater back and sleeve that needs frogging I started two years ago, then decided I didn't like doing the mental math that goes with using a different gauge on a sweater. And a vest that has been finished except for sewing together and knitting the neckband for a year and a half (lost the pattern and only just found it a week or two ago).
24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
Carebears. Yes, I know. But the little ruler I keep in my traveling bag of knitting supplies is a Carebear ruler and I love it (and the t-shirts and pencils and folders I have) to death.
25. What is your favorite holiday?
I could be selfish and say Groundhogs Day (my b-day) but actually I think it'd be Christmas. Not just the traditional food (yum! lutefisk! pickled herring!) and church services (I miss our old Julotta services) but also I love to give gifts. And the past two years I've given knitted gifts to people, which has made it even better.
26. Is there anything that you collect?
You mean besides yarn and needles? And books? I sometimes pick up Boyd's Bears village figurines, I have a few of those that I've been adding to over the years. And I pick up Georgia O'Keefe and Van Gogh and Raul Dufy prints if I see ones I like. (Though I'm also a big believer in just sticking post cards or calendar pages in picture frames and it's a heck of a lot cheaper.)
I'm not sure if you'd call this a collecting kind of thing, but I love to go to Goodwill and get sweaters to frog for yarn. For one thing, you get a sweater's worth of yarn for just a few bucks. But also, ripping a sweater apart is great therapy when you're having chronic car problems or under a lot of stress for different reasons.
27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I have a subscription to IK and am considering getting a subscription to Vogue. I grew up looking through Vogue knitting, but usually consider the patterns too edgy for my taste to actually want to knit (I want it to still be somewhat in style when I finish it). I considered IK to be more my taste, except there are two projects in the Summer VK I'm already working up and I'm rather meh about most of what's in the Summer IK.
28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?
Last Minute Knitted Gifts and A Gathering of Lace for knitting books.
Saturday, May 28, 2005
I did meet my goal and finished the right front of my bolero last night. I would have cast on for the left front, however I was falling asleep on the sofa. Of course, the minute I laid down I was wide awake, but that's about par for the course for me lately. Hopefully getting up at 6AM now will help me get back to my proper sleep schedule. This morning instead of casting on for the left front, I worked on my swatch for Lucky. This is out of the yarn I bought last Friday at my LYS. They didn't have the required yarn and I didn't mind since I really couldn't afford the Rowan. Instead they had a beautiful grape colored cone yarn that is about the same weight. So I bought an ounce and swatched it up and took it in for an opinion on if it was a bit too thin.
Well I got an opinion (that it looked good, which made me happy because I love the color and didn't want to try a different yarn) and some yarn. I wasn't planning to buy right away (I've been wavering between imposing one of two different knitting rules this summer - either everything I knit is from the stash or for every two projects I finish I can buy yarn for one), but they only had two cones of it left and once it was gone it was gone. So we figured the amount I needed (1.5 lbs), which was more than one cone, so she wound some off of the other cone and I came away very happy that I went in today about said yarn. And the nice thing? Yarn for lucky with this cone yarn cost less than $15. And I got more than enough extra, which I'm going to use to extend my swatch into a summery scarf in the clover lace pattern.
So, the yarn:
This is a better picture for color than the next, though it isn't quite right. This is a very rich grape colored yarn and I love it to death.
All the loot:
Yarn for the Lucky cardigan from Stitch and Bitch Nation, a hank of sari silk yarn (I swear, I've fondled that hank of yarn every time I've been in the shop. I walked around carrying it today, couldn't put it down and figured I might as well get it. Every time I leave without it I risk someone else falling as much in love with it as I have and buying it before me.) and a pair of Addi Turbos in US size 3. My smallest circs go down to size 5 US and I'm thinking that for portability's sake I want to do this on circs.
And, just for fun, my latest yarn storage method:
I got this wine rack about two years ago? And it's only had more than two bottles on it once. Not to mention there really isn't any good place to store it in my kitchen. Now it's serving well as a holder for hanks and skeins of yarn, on the floor next to my 'landing pad', so it's one of the first things you see coming in the door. Not a bad way to welcome guests, if you ask me.
This morning actually started with a trip to the Farmers Market before heading to the LYS. It was hopping and I looked long and hard at the zucchini and fresh tomatoes before limiting my purchases to this:
Yes, a bouquet of peonies. It's a Memorial Day thing. My grandmother always puts homegrown peonies on the graves of family members on Memorial Day. And while KS is a bit far from here to take peonies to take peonies to Grandpa's grave, it does make me think of everyone back home to look at them. But peonies always make me think of afternoons at Grandma's house and Memorial Day Sunday Services at the cemetary and just of home in general. I think that when I get a place of my one that'll be one of the first things I plant. But for now I'll have to make do with this beautiful bouquet.
For now, though, it's off to make brownies for tomorrow. And maybe get that left front cast on.
Well I got an opinion (that it looked good, which made me happy because I love the color and didn't want to try a different yarn) and some yarn. I wasn't planning to buy right away (I've been wavering between imposing one of two different knitting rules this summer - either everything I knit is from the stash or for every two projects I finish I can buy yarn for one), but they only had two cones of it left and once it was gone it was gone. So we figured the amount I needed (1.5 lbs), which was more than one cone, so she wound some off of the other cone and I came away very happy that I went in today about said yarn. And the nice thing? Yarn for lucky with this cone yarn cost less than $15. And I got more than enough extra, which I'm going to use to extend my swatch into a summery scarf in the clover lace pattern.
So, the yarn:
This is a better picture for color than the next, though it isn't quite right. This is a very rich grape colored yarn and I love it to death.
All the loot:
Yarn for the Lucky cardigan from Stitch and Bitch Nation, a hank of sari silk yarn (I swear, I've fondled that hank of yarn every time I've been in the shop. I walked around carrying it today, couldn't put it down and figured I might as well get it. Every time I leave without it I risk someone else falling as much in love with it as I have and buying it before me.) and a pair of Addi Turbos in US size 3. My smallest circs go down to size 5 US and I'm thinking that for portability's sake I want to do this on circs.
And, just for fun, my latest yarn storage method:
I got this wine rack about two years ago? And it's only had more than two bottles on it once. Not to mention there really isn't any good place to store it in my kitchen. Now it's serving well as a holder for hanks and skeins of yarn, on the floor next to my 'landing pad', so it's one of the first things you see coming in the door. Not a bad way to welcome guests, if you ask me.
This morning actually started with a trip to the Farmers Market before heading to the LYS. It was hopping and I looked long and hard at the zucchini and fresh tomatoes before limiting my purchases to this:
Yes, a bouquet of peonies. It's a Memorial Day thing. My grandmother always puts homegrown peonies on the graves of family members on Memorial Day. And while KS is a bit far from here to take peonies to take peonies to Grandpa's grave, it does make me think of everyone back home to look at them. But peonies always make me think of afternoons at Grandma's house and Memorial Day Sunday Services at the cemetary and just of home in general. I think that when I get a place of my one that'll be one of the first things I plant. But for now I'll have to make do with this beautiful bouquet.
For now, though, it's off to make brownies for tomorrow. And maybe get that left front cast on.
Thursday, May 26, 2005
I've hit it
That mid-project itch where your eyes start straying to other things that would be more 'fun' to work on. I've started the right front of the bolero and am hoping to get to the point to start the raglan shaping before I turn in for the night. But pictures! And Y!M convo I must preserve for posterity:
Knitty Librarian: *gets conference invite but isn't at computer*
Evil Muse: you coming?
Knitty Librarian: sorry, was taking a picture of my sweater pieces. *is big dork*
Evil Muse:
Evil Muse: *agrees*
Knitty Librarian:
Bolero as of this evening. I've finished the back and started on the right front. The back is on a stitch holder to keep the stitches live, partially because I figure I can decide later if I want to go from live or pick up new for the finishing. And partially because when I was marking decreases down as I did them (except not, just trying to remember how many I did when on the bus and mark them down later - which obviously didn't work) I came up short when I got to the required 37 stitches. So I may have done the shoulder shaping wrong, but I want to wait and compare it to the pattern and the fronts before I decide to frog.
But, even with progress ahead shaping up quite well, I want to work on something else. And the fact that I have several projects on the needle isn't helping. Especially since what I really want to do is swatch up that clover lace without making mistakes and take it into the LYS on Saturday. I'm planning to make my usual Saturday morning Farmers Market run (am in such Focchia withdrawal it isn't funny) and the LYS is right there on the square. And I'm thinking that if it is too loopy with the yarn I currently have and want to use, maybe I could double strand it, so I'd need another ounce to see if that would work... (and if it doesn't all the more to make a cute summery scarf with !!!)
Knitty Librarian: *gets conference invite but isn't at computer*
Evil Muse: you coming?
Knitty Librarian: sorry, was taking a picture of my sweater pieces. *is big dork*
Evil Muse:
Evil Muse: *agrees*
Knitty Librarian:
Bolero as of this evening. I've finished the back and started on the right front. The back is on a stitch holder to keep the stitches live, partially because I figure I can decide later if I want to go from live or pick up new for the finishing. And partially because when I was marking decreases down as I did them (except not, just trying to remember how many I did when on the bus and mark them down later - which obviously didn't work) I came up short when I got to the required 37 stitches. So I may have done the shoulder shaping wrong, but I want to wait and compare it to the pattern and the fronts before I decide to frog.
But, even with progress ahead shaping up quite well, I want to work on something else. And the fact that I have several projects on the needle isn't helping. Especially since what I really want to do is swatch up that clover lace without making mistakes and take it into the LYS on Saturday. I'm planning to make my usual Saturday morning Farmers Market run (am in such Focchia withdrawal it isn't funny) and the LYS is right there on the square. And I'm thinking that if it is too loopy with the yarn I currently have and want to use, maybe I could double strand it, so I'd need another ounce to see if that would work... (and if it doesn't all the more to make a cute summery scarf with !!!)
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
I'm alriiiiiiiiiiight!!!
Props to JoDee Messina. The beautiful thing about this class and the homework is that I've spent mad crazy amounts of time watching music video. (Music video is grand when you're doing homework - music in the background for when you're working and great little mini!movies for when you need a short break. VH1 and CMT have been my friends.) Not to mention that Rob Thomas' little ass shake in his Lonely No More video can make anybody's day better. (I've got to get that music video!)
But, the joy of finishing my class is that I can now take stock of my knitting WIPs. And, ummm... let's just say this is only a few of them.
This is what's taking the most of my time right now. It's the Berry Bolero or something like that from Summer 05 VK. I've substituted Elann Sonata cotton for the Fiesta La Luz silk. (Because as much as I would LOVE to play with La Luz I just cannot justify it on my budget right now. Plus, if I did have some La Luz I'd rather make the camisole in Last Minute Knitted Gifts with it.) I'm loving it so far and hope to have the back finished today or tomorrow.
This is what I usually work on while on the bus. Lorna's Laces Shepard Sock in Lucky Stripe. Looks like spun cotton candy in the hank. I'm basically using what is the toe-up pattern on Elann.com, only I'm making the men's size. Not because I have what I'd consider big feet, but because it's the same number of stitches on the same needle size as the other pairs of socks I've made. /:) I'm also doing a slip one, knit one pattern over the heel, which supposedly reinforces it. I'm hoping to get sock #2 finished soon, but the jacket really takes precidence right now as I don't wear socks much in the summer and I need the jacket to wear at work.
Vest out of Paton's Bella. Not sure when exactly I finished knitting it, but it was at least a year and a half ago (took it home Christmas before last for Mom to help with finishing only we never got around to it). Lost the pattern when I moved across the country, but found it again a few weeks ago. Hopefully I'll get around to seaming the one shoulder so I can do the neckband, but I'll admit that the biggest reason why I haven't gotten anywhere with this is because I'm crap at seaming.
Yes, I jumped on the bandwagon and started to make a Clapotis. I'm using some Boutone yarn from Handpaintedyarn.com I started it, then stopped to work on more interested projects that didn't require me to check the pattern every single row (I like a challenge, but not *that* much of a challenge. Though I think that is probably a sign I just wasn't interested in the pattern.) I figure I'll pick it up again later, though summery projects I can wear *now* will probably take precidence until closer to the fall.
I also have another cardigan I've been working on. And a flower washcloth from Weekend Knits. And the clover lace pattern to swatch up. And...
I think I'll just leave it at that.
But, the joy of finishing my class is that I can now take stock of my knitting WIPs. And, ummm... let's just say this is only a few of them.
This is what's taking the most of my time right now. It's the Berry Bolero or something like that from Summer 05 VK. I've substituted Elann Sonata cotton for the Fiesta La Luz silk. (Because as much as I would LOVE to play with La Luz I just cannot justify it on my budget right now. Plus, if I did have some La Luz I'd rather make the camisole in Last Minute Knitted Gifts with it.) I'm loving it so far and hope to have the back finished today or tomorrow.
This is what I usually work on while on the bus. Lorna's Laces Shepard Sock in Lucky Stripe. Looks like spun cotton candy in the hank. I'm basically using what is the toe-up pattern on Elann.com, only I'm making the men's size. Not because I have what I'd consider big feet, but because it's the same number of stitches on the same needle size as the other pairs of socks I've made. /:) I'm also doing a slip one, knit one pattern over the heel, which supposedly reinforces it. I'm hoping to get sock #2 finished soon, but the jacket really takes precidence right now as I don't wear socks much in the summer and I need the jacket to wear at work.
Vest out of Paton's Bella. Not sure when exactly I finished knitting it, but it was at least a year and a half ago (took it home Christmas before last for Mom to help with finishing only we never got around to it). Lost the pattern when I moved across the country, but found it again a few weeks ago. Hopefully I'll get around to seaming the one shoulder so I can do the neckband, but I'll admit that the biggest reason why I haven't gotten anywhere with this is because I'm crap at seaming.
Yes, I jumped on the bandwagon and started to make a Clapotis. I'm using some Boutone yarn from Handpaintedyarn.com I started it, then stopped to work on more interested projects that didn't require me to check the pattern every single row (I like a challenge, but not *that* much of a challenge. Though I think that is probably a sign I just wasn't interested in the pattern.) I figure I'll pick it up again later, though summery projects I can wear *now* will probably take precidence until closer to the fall.
I also have another cardigan I've been working on. And a flower washcloth from Weekend Knits. And the clover lace pattern to swatch up. And...
I think I'll just leave it at that.
Monday, May 23, 2005
*yawn*
Quick recap before I crash into bed.
Saw Charmed this morning. Am I the only person who thinks evil bridesmaid looks scarily like Kelly Ripa? Yeah, thought so.
Got five rounds in on the travel sock today on the way to campus. It's only taken me how long to get back to knitting on it? Pictures tomorrow, hopefully, in an attempt to prod myself into being more productive on the socks (here's a pic of travel sock #1 for now). Didn't get any knitting done on either jacket/cardigan. Meh.
But, paper is mostly finished. It will be finished and emailed off to prof tomorrow by 3:30. Preferrably in his mailbox on campus as well, but I'm not going to be picky. At about noon I called it quits on writing, with it basically finished so I could set it aside for a while. Think I'll take an early bus in tomorrow to check to make sure I have my APA cites correct and print it off before work. Hopefully there will be more knitting on the cardigan/jackets tomorrow.
And pictures. Because being able to show progress will help motivate me. That and the fact that I'll just be working the next few weeks, not work and class.
Saw Charmed this morning. Am I the only person who thinks evil bridesmaid looks scarily like Kelly Ripa? Yeah, thought so.
Got five rounds in on the travel sock today on the way to campus. It's only taken me how long to get back to knitting on it? Pictures tomorrow, hopefully, in an attempt to prod myself into being more productive on the socks (here's a pic of travel sock #1 for now). Didn't get any knitting done on either jacket/cardigan. Meh.
But, paper is mostly finished. It will be finished and emailed off to prof tomorrow by 3:30. Preferrably in his mailbox on campus as well, but I'm not going to be picky. At about noon I called it quits on writing, with it basically finished so I could set it aside for a while. Think I'll take an early bus in tomorrow to check to make sure I have my APA cites correct and print it off before work. Hopefully there will be more knitting on the cardigan/jackets tomorrow.
And pictures. Because being able to show progress will help motivate me. That and the fact that I'll just be working the next few weeks, not work and class.
Sunday, May 22, 2005
Meh. Meh meh meh meh meh.
I'm happy to announce that contortionism does help with the hiccups. Of course, you have to drink an entire glass of water with it practically going up your nose as you swallow, but the hiccups are gone.
Obviously, today has been rather meh. Paper is going nowhere (well, it's nearly half done, but it's the easy half that's done), haven't gotten any knitting on the jacket done (and attempts to use knitting as my carrot to motivate my paper writing haven't helped), realized my website disappeared as I didn't get it renewed and the email to renew went to the old school email that's no longer usable and the website won't let me renew, I missed Charmed, had the hiccups and not even dark chocolate M&Ms (which are usually my cure for all ills) aren't helping. So yes, rather meh here today. My goal, though, is to finish the last of this half of the paper before going to bed. Hopefully my brain will come online enough to do that.
Of course, the minute I lay down I'll be wide awake and won't get to sleep until close to 1:00 or 2:00. But if I get this paper finished I'll reward myself with signing up for SP5. And working on the jacket back. And swatching the clover lace pattern for SnBN.
Obviously, today has been rather meh. Paper is going nowhere (well, it's nearly half done, but it's the easy half that's done), haven't gotten any knitting on the jacket done (and attempts to use knitting as my carrot to motivate my paper writing haven't helped), realized my website disappeared as I didn't get it renewed and the email to renew went to the old school email that's no longer usable and the website won't let me renew, I missed Charmed, had the hiccups and not even dark chocolate M&Ms (which are usually my cure for all ills) aren't helping. So yes, rather meh here today. My goal, though, is to finish the last of this half of the paper before going to bed. Hopefully my brain will come online enough to do that.
Of course, the minute I lay down I'll be wide awake and won't get to sleep until close to 1:00 or 2:00. But if I get this paper finished I'll reward myself with signing up for SP5. And working on the jacket back. And swatching the clover lace pattern for SnBN.
Saturday, May 21, 2005
*ded* from the hiking
Today started with a hike in the morning. Darn near missed it, though, because at about ten til realized that I needed to leave. Oops! Of course, once we got there things got interesting. Note, never plan to take a 'lake' trail two days after torrential rains. Not to mention that the map was awful. Impossible to read, so we think we may have added an extra mile or so to the trek. Then, we ended up having to leave the trail altogether since there was a spot where there was a stream crossing that was actually a raging river crossing thanks to the rain. If two horses cann't get across, then a bunch of people on foot aren't going to get across either. So we followed the road back after that, for the last 3/4 mile or so.
Friday, May 20, 2005
Class again. Very short this time, just a quick discussion of the reading, discussion of the class and he let us go if we'd finished the project. While I could have stuck around to work on paper of doom, ended up getting a ride home from a classmate, getting home exactly two hours before class should have ended. Go me!
Having no motivation to start on paper at home, I ran some errands, namely going to myLYS . Before the whole internet break started (well, back when I was eyeing all of that stuff I couldn't afford) I decided I *could* afford spending $15 on a drop spindle and roving to see if spinning was a new hobby I was interested in (even a better idea/concern right now when the cotton I'm knitting up is just tearing up my arms and I need something to keep my hands busy at times – I'm spending so much time reading or on the computer for class/work that I need something to do that isn't reading or on the computer - gah I haven't had tendonitis trouble in years). My LYS sells roving, which I remembered from earlier trips, so I went in to see if they had any suggestions. Ended up with a book on beginner drop spindle instructions, last summer's VK and two ounces of yarn. One is a fingering weight in a gorgeous grape color that I’m hoping to knit up Lucky in – but we're worried it might be too thin so I got an ounce to swatch with. I knit up a swatch in the clover lace pattern, and was one stitch off over 4 inches without blocking (though it was a bit loopier than the picture in the pattern book – so I want to take it in to get other opinions). And with a mistake at the very beginning. So I frogged and have cast on again to try again. Am thinking that I can make it work with is awesome as this yarn is only $.63 an ounce. And when you roughly need 550 grams, which is rounded up to 20 ounces, this only $13 for a cardigan. As opposed to the $44 plus shipping that it'd be with the required yarn. Granted calculations are rough, we didn't figure up the yardage per ounce which would be a better determination of how much I need. There is another yarn that is a little heavier (and about $.90 an ounce I think) that I could use, but it isn't in that awesome purple that I want, though there may be other colors to try that I didn't notice (I sorta zeroed in on the purple :">). :D
Having no motivation to start on paper at home, I ran some errands, namely going to my
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Proof this is the most boring blog ever.
Class went. Fried brain again. English major in group pretty much completely rewrote my section of the paper. Oi. Hadn't realized how bad my grammar had gotten since my last English class. But we pretty much finished up project #2 there, so it was worth the fried braincells.
Walked to work in torrential rains, noting the two firetrucks and an ambulance across the street. Was then, when 20 ft from the door to the building I work in, sprayed by the ambulance driving by. Granted, not spraying pedestrians with gutter water isn't the most important thing on their minds when they're driving away with lights flashing, but still. I ended up drenched. Shoes filled with water, skirt soaked up above my knees. So I'm sitting there wearing an oversized smock/shirt we keep for working in the dusty stuff to keep clean, barefoot and skirt hanging in the office to try to dry. And a patron comes in. And needs help. As in I'm helping him for a good 30-45 minutes. And running around in here in a smock and barefoot. *facepalm* But I got to talk soil with him and set him up with information about the person to talk to at my undergrad school about getting a hold of retired Pedology profs. Very cool. But couldn't help him find info about a journal citation for a journal that as far as I can tell doesn't exist. Not to mention the journal citation is from the 50's and none of the online databases that I could search through index that far back. Ended up telling him to come back when the librarian boss was around.
Walked to work in torrential rains, noting the two firetrucks and an ambulance across the street. Was then, when 20 ft from the door to the building I work in, sprayed by the ambulance driving by. Granted, not spraying pedestrians with gutter water isn't the most important thing on their minds when they're driving away with lights flashing, but still. I ended up drenched. Shoes filled with water, skirt soaked up above my knees. So I'm sitting there wearing an oversized smock/shirt we keep for working in the dusty stuff to keep clean, barefoot and skirt hanging in the office to try to dry. And a patron comes in. And needs help. As in I'm helping him for a good 30-45 minutes. And running around in here in a smock and barefoot. *facepalm* But I got to talk soil with him and set him up with information about the person to talk to at my undergrad school about getting a hold of retired Pedology profs. Very cool. But couldn't help him find info about a journal citation for a journal that as far as I can tell doesn't exist. Not to mention the journal citation is from the 50's and none of the online databases that I could search through index that far back. Ended up telling him to come back when the librarian boss was around.
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Today...
Class, work, the usual. Worked on project stuff in our groups, fried brain trying to wrap it around some concepts that just weren't working on the project report. Was picked up by J from work for the movie. Had to stop by my place first (where I told him to pretend he didn't see a drying rack filled with articles of clothing in the middle of my living room) to take the potato soup out of the crockpot. Then went to the nearby Chinese buffet, Borders (yay!music!) and left to get into line for the movie at about 9:40ish. Arrived at the theater, where he asked about the queueing instructions for the evening. After getting a 'bzuh?' from the monkey in charge, we were told we could go right on in. Go us! Got good seats and everything, spreading out the pink behemoth and his jacket to save enough for everyone we were meeting. Move of brilliancy by person two rows in front of us involved using tape to mark off seats as saved. May be borrowing that particular idea in the future.
Despite my complaining about my class, I do like it. I just think it's a lot to be crammed into two weeks. Still, it is very well geared for my learning style - we're actually doing evaluation projects as opposed to having Dr. N. lecture to us about them. It's just that two collection evaluation projects (even if we're given the checklists to use) and a paper evaluating different evaluation methods are a bit much for 9 days of class.
Still, have been taking study breaks - did the shoulder seams of cropped cardigan last night when I needed to give my eyes a rest from the computer for about 20 minutes (yay for s00per fast three needle bind off). And put potato soup in the crockpot this morning. Will be going to Star Wars tonight and am contemplating the idea of not going to bed after (because, face it, I'll be to jazzed up to sleep), but just working straight through until class tomorrow. (I was pulling 48 hour days (40 working, 8 sleeping) while doing the thesis, I can do it now). That would enable me to go on a hike Sat morning (yay! exercise!). Depending on how much work I get done if I do pull an all nighter.
Knitting is keeping me sane with little snatches of time like on the bus, but not enough time to go into it too much. Quickly, though, despite doing gauge swatch and switching to smaller needles, my gauge on the bolero jacket back is at 20 st/4 in instead of the 23 st/4 in it should be (damn me for knitting loosely) or that I realized I'm doing the jacket in a large and am not sure I need 43 in at the bust even with the needed space for ease. Or that I've figured out a short row way of doing shoulder shaping for the cropped cardigan in Vogue Summer 2005 if anyone wants it so you can do three needle bind off. Or that I'm going to do long sleeves afterall, which may end up with me sending a check to the evil muse and making a puppy dog face so she can go and get me a fifth skein of yarn. Yarg.
Still, have been taking study breaks - did the shoulder seams of cropped cardigan last night when I needed to give my eyes a rest from the computer for about 20 minutes (yay for s00per fast three needle bind off). And put potato soup in the crockpot this morning. Will be going to Star Wars tonight and am contemplating the idea of not going to bed after (because, face it, I'll be to jazzed up to sleep), but just working straight through until class tomorrow. (I was pulling 48 hour days (40 working, 8 sleeping) while doing the thesis, I can do it now). That would enable me to go on a hike Sat morning (yay! exercise!). Depending on how much work I get done if I do pull an all nighter.
Knitting is keeping me sane with little snatches of time like on the bus, but not enough time to go into it too much. Quickly, though, despite doing gauge swatch and switching to smaller needles, my gauge on the bolero jacket back is at 20 st/4 in instead of the 23 st/4 in it should be (damn me for knitting loosely) or that I realized I'm doing the jacket in a large and am not sure I need 43 in at the bust even with the needed space for ease. Or that I've figured out a short row way of doing shoulder shaping for the cropped cardigan in Vogue Summer 2005 if anyone wants it so you can do three needle bind off. Or that I'm going to do long sleeves afterall, which may end up with me sending a check to the evil muse and making a puppy dog face so she can go and get me a fifth skein of yarn. Yarg.
Monday, May 16, 2005
Class was class. Went long on the lecture this time, add to that confusing instructions on the assignment and group members that were all not quite on the same page and no, it wasn't a good time. Talked with a certain person on the bus in, who noted that I 'wasn't home' yesterday when he was picking up and dropping off a friend of ours who lives in the same complex for church. Not sure if I should be worried he was looking for my car or impressed he was looking for my car (granted, where I park it is easily seen from the general entrance, especially with kids gone for the summer).
Completely had ADD-like fun in class. Could not for the life of me concentrate on anything longer than five minutes. At one point, when I set down my pencil and said outloud that I'd left my supper at home (which I had just realized) one of my group members actually said something to that affect. Kept going fifteen different directions while we were trying to discuss the surveys we were looking at, which I hate because I know that it impedes the groups and I hate it when other people do it but I just could not for the life of me stay on topic.
Work was boring, no one in here, no one been in here since full time person left. Worked on group project stuff a bit and should be working on my final paper but I'm really just all blah and can't bring myself to do so. I even got my knitting out and have just sat and looked at it.
I think the depression that literally everyone else I know is going through has finally caught up to me. Hopefully taking a night off away from things will keep me from doing something stupid like buying that bistro patio set that's only $50 and is cute and I really do need something to sit on on my patio. Or that Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran Tweed that I keep eyeing for the Isis Wrap in IK Summer. Or the Ella and Louis duets CDs I keep wanting. Not to mention that plant stands I like, but really don't need. I need to stop that bad habit of comfort shopping when I'm depressed or have the blahs.
Completely had ADD-like fun in class. Could not for the life of me concentrate on anything longer than five minutes. At one point, when I set down my pencil and said outloud that I'd left my supper at home (which I had just realized) one of my group members actually said something to that affect. Kept going fifteen different directions while we were trying to discuss the surveys we were looking at, which I hate because I know that it impedes the groups and I hate it when other people do it but I just could not for the life of me stay on topic.
Work was boring, no one in here, no one been in here since full time person left. Worked on group project stuff a bit and should be working on my final paper but I'm really just all blah and can't bring myself to do so. I even got my knitting out and have just sat and looked at it.
I think the depression that literally everyone else I know is going through has finally caught up to me. Hopefully taking a night off away from things will keep me from doing something stupid like buying that bistro patio set that's only $50 and is cute and I really do need something to sit on on my patio. Or that Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran Tweed that I keep eyeing for the Isis Wrap in IK Summer. Or the Ella and Louis duets CDs I keep wanting. Not to mention that plant stands I like, but really don't need. I need to stop that bad habit of comfort shopping when I'm depressed or have the blahs.
Sunday, May 15, 2005
Happiness is...
| Is not trying to block out a sweater and realizing it is stretching to 20 inches larger than it should be because you substituted wool for cotton. Nor is it having to do the math to get it blocked to the correct shape because the designer didn't give you all the dimensions s/he should have. Is, however, realizing the fuschia cotton you've had for two years is perfect for the other cardigan you want to do. And that the blue cotton you've had for just as long *could* be used for the bolero jacket you want to make as well, even if there'd be acres left over. Why no, I don't have this itching need to get something on the needles while I wait for the cardigan body to finish blocking. (Yes, for some reason I want to wait until the body has blocked before starting on the sleeves. I want to do the edging around the body before I do the sleeves to decide if I want to do full or short sleeves.) |
Saturday, May 14, 2005
Drive by posting from work
Most boring day of work EVAH.
However, have finished back and left side of cardigan. Hopefully will finish right side after movie tonight. And haven't had to change yarn skeins yet! This is a good thing! Now just cross your fingers there is enough to finish right front, two short sleeves and do the edging. :D
But!! Work over soon. Then back to vacuum, do dishes, sweep kitchen floor and hopefully have a dry bra to wear. *facepalm* Oh. And remove all the drying bras from the bathroom into another place. *facepalm again*
However, have finished back and left side of cardigan. Hopefully will finish right side after movie tonight. And haven't had to change yarn skeins yet! This is a good thing! Now just cross your fingers there is enough to finish right front, two short sleeves and do the edging. :D
But!! Work over soon. Then back to vacuum, do dishes, sweep kitchen floor and hopefully have a dry bra to wear. *facepalm* Oh. And remove all the drying bras from the bathroom into another place. *facepalm again*
allergies and creative knitting, oh my!
Yarg on allergies that crop up at odd times. I was wandering around in a forest this morning and it's *now* that I get so congested I can't think. Yarg I say.
Cardigan has reached shoulder shaping on the back. However, I'm venturing from the pattern here which is going to take more brainpower than currently available. I'm planning to alter the 'decrease x st at each end' to short rows so I can do a three needle bind off. Definitely will save that for tomorrow. Have figured out number of stitches to cast on if I do sleeves separate, though I kinda wanna try picking up stitches and knitting them in, learning how to alter patterns in that way as well. We'll see what tomorrow brings. Best case scenario though, I get to wear my new cardi next week sometime. :D
Now, off to either fold clothes on bed or relocate them to the floor. Am thinking the latter is going to win out. ;))
Cardigan has reached shoulder shaping on the back. However, I'm venturing from the pattern here which is going to take more brainpower than currently available. I'm planning to alter the 'decrease x st at each end' to short rows so I can do a three needle bind off. Definitely will save that for tomorrow. Have figured out number of stitches to cast on if I do sleeves separate, though I kinda wanna try picking up stitches and knitting them in, learning how to alter patterns in that way as well. We'll see what tomorrow brings. Best case scenario though, I get to wear my new cardi next week sometime. :D
Now, off to either fold clothes on bed or relocate them to the floor. Am thinking the latter is going to win out. ;))
Oh that was SMRT
I started doing laundry last night. A good thing, no? No. I officially have no dirty laundry left in my apartment. My last load went in just now and I have two laundry baskets to fold, one load in the dryer and another in the washer. Good, right? Wrong.
Every single bra I own is hanging to dry. And I work today.
*facepalm* *repeat*
Every single bra I own is hanging to dry. And I work today.
*facepalm* *repeat*
Friday, May 13, 2005
epic, project, class, knitting, this means war, hiking, oh my!
Class and project is kicking my ass. My one consolation is that a week from today it will all be over (except for the final project due a week from Monday, but we'll ignore that for now). Have not managed to do readings for class for last two days, so there will be catch up readings to do tomorrow. Yarg.
The epic has unfortunately stalled, though not for lack of ideas. Well, okay, so not as many ideas pounding on me at once as before, but mainly class/work/RP responsibilities have hindered me from my previous 2,000+ words a day of before. *sigh* Hopefully after the class is over.
Made gauge on 'cropped cardigan' pattern after all. That teaches me for checking it in bad light. Of course, there is the question of if I'll have enough yarn, but I'm planning on short sleeves instead of long (an possibly doing those top down by picking up around the sleeve opening and doing them circular, though not sure if I'm that saavy). Also discovered that Elann.com credit is $50! More than enough for bolero jacket yarn. Just need to decide on rest of the $$. Was looking at yarn for boobholder, only am having hard justifying 5 skeins at $5/skein on good stuff with I've seen perfectly lovely boobholders made with Lion Brand and Caron yarn. But it's such a pretty shade of purple!!! *saves order for tomorrow*
There is a chipmunk living under my air conditioner. I really wouldn't mind, only I saw the little bugger sniffing at my plants and hell no. Yes, war was declared. Found a little sand bagger type thing in the yard next to my patio and kicked it over to cover his hole. He moved it out and I moved it back. He moved it again and I moved it back again and it's still there. We'll see in the morning as to who's winning. *rolls up sleeves*
Colored my hair this week. Am undecided on if I like the color, as I didn't use my usual color (Clairol Natural Instincts 13A Gingerbread Light Bronze Brown). Said usual color is very nearly my natural color (13B Spiced Cider Light Warm Brown), however I wanted to keep the red highlights and go lighter, so I went for a lighter reddish color. Well, my hair has more red, but it isn't much lighter (not that I was surprised since it is a washout dye and doesn't use peroxide). But I do kinda like it, I just need to be careful about the shades of red I wear with it. :))
Went hiking today with other grad students in the department. As I informed my partner on the class project when she asked yesterday where we were going 'Mc-something Creek State Park'. Complete with a cave that we went crawling through (and yes I banged my head once) and a waterfall that we ate our lunch by (complete with a water snake sighting that had several of us jumping up). Was a little pressed for time, however, as I got home at 12:10 and the bus left at 12:30. And I was covered in sunscreen, bug spray and dirt. Quickest shower in history of me and I ran to the bus with my hair still wet. Not that it mattered as while it was gorgeous out (though a tad humid) when I got on the bus, we were in the middle of a torrential downpour when I got off. The one day this week (as my class partner pointed out) that I didn't have my umbrella. Or a jacket. And was in a little sundress. *facepalm*
Also, I have a papercut on my cuticle. And the evil muse say she isn't going to be my roommate when we end up in the loony bin. *pouts*
The epic has unfortunately stalled, though not for lack of ideas. Well, okay, so not as many ideas pounding on me at once as before, but mainly class/work/RP responsibilities have hindered me from my previous 2,000+ words a day of before. *sigh* Hopefully after the class is over.
Made gauge on 'cropped cardigan' pattern after all. That teaches me for checking it in bad light. Of course, there is the question of if I'll have enough yarn, but I'm planning on short sleeves instead of long (an possibly doing those top down by picking up around the sleeve opening and doing them circular, though not sure if I'm that saavy). Also discovered that Elann.com credit is $50! More than enough for bolero jacket yarn. Just need to decide on rest of the $$. Was looking at yarn for boobholder, only am having hard justifying 5 skeins at $5/skein on good stuff with I've seen perfectly lovely boobholders made with Lion Brand and Caron yarn. But it's such a pretty shade of purple!!! *saves order for tomorrow*
There is a chipmunk living under my air conditioner. I really wouldn't mind, only I saw the little bugger sniffing at my plants and hell no. Yes, war was declared. Found a little sand bagger type thing in the yard next to my patio and kicked it over to cover his hole. He moved it out and I moved it back. He moved it again and I moved it back again and it's still there. We'll see in the morning as to who's winning. *rolls up sleeves*
Colored my hair this week. Am undecided on if I like the color, as I didn't use my usual color (Clairol Natural Instincts 13A Gingerbread Light Bronze Brown). Said usual color is very nearly my natural color (13B Spiced Cider Light Warm Brown), however I wanted to keep the red highlights and go lighter, so I went for a lighter reddish color. Well, my hair has more red, but it isn't much lighter (not that I was surprised since it is a washout dye and doesn't use peroxide). But I do kinda like it, I just need to be careful about the shades of red I wear with it. :))
Went hiking today with other grad students in the department. As I informed my partner on the class project when she asked yesterday where we were going 'Mc-something Creek State Park'. Complete with a cave that we went crawling through (and yes I banged my head once) and a waterfall that we ate our lunch by (complete with a water snake sighting that had several of us jumping up). Was a little pressed for time, however, as I got home at 12:10 and the bus left at 12:30. And I was covered in sunscreen, bug spray and dirt. Quickest shower in history of me and I ran to the bus with my hair still wet. Not that it mattered as while it was gorgeous out (though a tad humid) when I got on the bus, we were in the middle of a torrential downpour when I got off. The one day this week (as my class partner pointed out) that I didn't have my umbrella. Or a jacket. And was in a little sundress. *facepalm*
Also, I have a papercut on my cuticle. And the evil muse say she isn't going to be my roommate when we end up in the loony bin. *pouts*
Thursday, May 12, 2005
Yarg. Yarg I say!!!
Yarg. Unfortunately, the yarn I bought while visiting the evil muse isn't knitting up to gauge on test swatches, even when I go down a needle size. Methinks it'll be used for the other pattern I liked in the mag. (Nevermind, can't get gauge for that either, plus I'd be cutting it close on yarn amount. Yarg. Back to the drawing board.) Fortunately, I've found a yarn on Elann.com that I think I can sub for it and it'll be under $30 and I think I still have voucher $$ I can use there. But that'll have to wait until next month probably. Will be perusing the knit mags for a potential pattern for the yarn I do have. (Wah! Not even my shrug patterns are the right gauge! :(( Must find shrug/cardi/wrap type thinger for this yarn!)
Thursday, May 05, 2005
Things I need to do:
*Pack to visit ebil muse
*Clean/dishes/laundry type things
*Reply to email from IN!guy
*Print off stuff on campus
*Find crockpot recipe for 6 lb ham (was on sale for $.98/lb Wheee!!!) and possibly also pineapple
*Talk with prof about independent study
Things I have done:
*Pack - mostly
*Finish not frozen potato soup leftovers for lunch. YUM.
*Frogged Birds Eye Shawl in Handpainted Lace Wool (similar, less burgundy and more orange/gold/green)
*Restarted above yarn to make a Meadow Flowers Shawl. Hopefully this is not going to be too intricate to be overwhelmed by the multi-colored yarn like the Birds Eye was. *crosses fingers*
*Decided to wait to talk to prof Tuesday before class.
*Ummm... thought about cleaning/dishes/laundry?
*Pack to visit ebil muse
*Clean/dishes/laundry type things
*Reply to email from IN!guy
*Print off stuff on campus
*Find crockpot recipe for 6 lb ham (was on sale for $.98/lb Wheee!!!) and possibly also pineapple
*Talk with prof about independent study
Things I have done:
*Pack - mostly
*Finish not frozen potato soup leftovers for lunch. YUM.
*Frogged Birds Eye Shawl in Handpainted Lace Wool (similar, less burgundy and more orange/gold/green)
*Restarted above yarn to make a Meadow Flowers Shawl. Hopefully this is not going to be too intricate to be overwhelmed by the multi-colored yarn like the Birds Eye was. *crosses fingers*
*Decided to wait to talk to prof Tuesday before class.
*Ummm... thought about cleaning/dishes/laundry?
Monday, May 02, 2005
*checks time*
O_o
Dear body-
Next time I lay down at 8:30 for a nap, let's not sleep through to 8:30 the next morning.
me
ETA: Apparently needed the sleep however, as I slept through three pings from the evil muse and a phone call from Mom (and yes, my ringer was on, even turned up to volume 2 as opposed to 'one beep'). *facepalm*
Dear body-
Next time I lay down at 8:30 for a nap, let's not sleep through to 8:30 the next morning.
me
ETA: Apparently needed the sleep however, as I slept through three pings from the evil muse and a phone call from Mom (and yes, my ringer was on, even turned up to volume 2 as opposed to 'one beep'). *facepalm*
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