Sahara Knits

I've Moved!

2007-02-01T12:46:00.000-08:00

After not blogging for many moon...I came to the conclusion I really missed the interactions I had and the friends I made...so I decided I wanted to come back to the land of the living....er...blogging.

I switched to the "new" blogger....and lost some stuff and the more I thought about it, I decided an entirely new page was in order...so, stop by and check out my new digs at:

http://saharaknits.wordpress.com/

Yes, that was me commenting...

2007-01-23T06:12:00.000-08:00

I'm alive. A few have noticed I'm peeking in - commenting here and there.

I've been knitting, just not blogging.

I'm sorely tempted to return to blogging, I miss it! I miss the relationships very much. We'll see.

Meanwhile...yup, I'm still alive and kicking....and most important, KNITTING!

Living yes, knitting no.

2006-04-03T16:24:00.000-07:00

Yes, I am alive. No, I haven't been knitting. Well, except for the frantic finishing of the Baby Albert Coat for the coworker's shower. That's it. Zilch.

Moved this weekend, been working 1,000,000 hours a week (it seems), and absolutely every last measure of energy is going into finishing a troupe choreography for a performance in three weeks. Yes, that means in three weeks we travel 3 hours to perform it...and it's not done being choreographed. This tells you...I'm in over my head.

But yes, I am alive, and appreciate the enquiries as to my continued existence.

Post-Olympic Debriefing

2006-02-27T06:35:00.000-08:00

Nope. I'm not done. In fact, I did not knit a stitch on Sunday, the final day. It was Jodie's birthday and I spent it with her.

Rogue: Well, I'm at row 24-25ish on the Bloody Hood of Doom. The rows are short...but I have to pay attention virtually every row for cables and WS/RS issues and it is exhausting. Then I peeked ahead at some of the other Roguers...and saw the grafting of the cables. I grew faint of heart right then and there. I've bookmarked a tutorial on grafting the hood, and when I get to that point I will wait until the house is quiet and sit at the computer and graft it step by step. Then it will be on to the sleeves and finishing. Did I "win" Gold? Nope, but I'm very pleased with my progress nonetheless.

Lots of movie watching this weekend...The newest Wallace & Grommit, The Man, Desert Hearts, King Arthur, and O Brother Wherefore Art Thou. The music of the latter was the music of my childhood...my mother played bluegrass/gospel/country incessantly. Sometimes I just can not listen to it...but I truly enjoyed it in the movie.

Wallace&Grommit...eh, I love 'em, but this was not my favorite.

The Man - Not a "great work" but silly and made me laugh a lot.

Desert Hearts - This is an old lesbian favorite that I had never seen. Again, Eh...it was okay. Some lesbian culture icons just don't "do it" for me...like, uh, a lot of the Indigo Girls stuff...Ani DiFranco...eh. I can take it or leave it.

King Arthur - Jodie and I are both huge fans of all things King Arthur/LOTR/fantasy type stuff. This was a very different take on the Arthurian legend. Violent and bloody, but good.

O Brother - Funny...but the music really did it for me.

What Hedrick and I have in common...

2006-02-25T06:50:00.000-08:00

****EDIT: A COUPLE OF HOURS LATER, I REALIZED HEDRICK'S NAME IS "CHAD" NOT GREG. I'M BLAMING IT ON LACK OF COFFEE....***

Did you watch Greg Hedrick in the 6 mile speed skate last night? Here is a guy who watched the last Olympics from Reno or Vegas or some such place, played blackjack and thought to himself, "Why aren't I there?" So he did something about it...changed sports from inline skating to speed skating and four years later...he is an Olympian with a Gold, Silver AND a bronze. Last night was the most exciting moment of the Olympics that I've seen so far...He was obviously fatigued but kept on...when he saw his competitor about to overtake him a few laps before the end, despite his fatigue, he said..."oh no you don't! You're gonna have to work hard to get past me!" and he took off and won Silver.

So what do Greg and I have in common? I'm pretty damn tired from my Olympian effort, that's what. But, I'm not giving up. There have been some points lost during these Knitting Olympics...but a lot has been learned.

Neck cable point inside out - Lesson learned: Trust my instincts
Mis-crossed cable on one side of body - Lesson learned: EZ's advice about "admiring" your work frequently...I could have tinked back and dealt with this easily if I'd been watching my work...instead, I didn't see it until a day or two (and many hours of work) later.
Shoulder seams look a little "beginnerish" - Lesson learned: Cut myself some slack. I gave myself a load of grief over this one, till I realized, hey, this is the first time I've ever gotten this far in a sweater, the first time I HAVE seamed the shoulders, so duh, it IS beginnerish.
Day 15 and sweater not done, nor will it be by closing ceremonies - Lesson learned: Rogue was definitely an Olympian challenge for me. I have continued on despite my falls, double-instead-of-triple jumps, and imperfect landings. I have gotten farther on this sweater in 15 days than I have in months of working sporadically on other projects. The ultimate lesson: Knit on...despite your projects imperfections...Knit on.

Today at 7 a.m., a little over 24 hours from The End of the Olympics, I am about to start row 9 of the hood. I have some concerns...when I hold it up, the sweater looks long and skinny, weirdish. I'm holding out on that point till the sweater is blocked. Overall, I'm very happy with my progress and send out huge kudos to Steph for beginning it all in the end. Non-knitters may think we're crazy, hon, and hell, we ARE....but we are a breed apart. And in my book, that's a good thing.

It won't be noticed on a galloping horse, right?

2006-02-24T08:26:00.000-08:00

Last night, I bound off the left shoulder of Rogue. Again, the "hide the wraps" thing eluded me, and I was too tired to go searching on the web for info on it...so I just did it my way. Does it show? A little, but not bad.

Then I spread it out to admire it...and realized that yes indeedio...the neck cable is a little wonky....because the "point" of the cable that winds up around the neck....is inside out. Yup...So....the cable just sort of appears out of nowhere to climb up the side. To rip it would be to take close to three days work out....and I don't have the heart for it. Kayla would probably not even realize it has a problem. Yes, I see it...and it bothers me, but I feel like I have to keep on. Not because of Olympic deadlines, but in the effort to finish it at all.

In the past, I would have shoved it in a bag and that would have been the end of it. In fact, that is the EXACT same thing that happened with MY Rogue... when I realized I had done part of the cable inside out...I lost all interest in it. True, I didn't care for the thiness of the fabric, but I was furious with myself for making such a stupid boo-boo.

This time, I said, "oh well. Finish it anyway. No...it won't be perfect. So what?" Better to be done and not perfect than never finished. I also realized that when I got to that point of the cable on this Rogue, I felt really confused by the whole WS/RS/Chart crap.. and I tried to do what I thought was instructed rather than following my instincts. I think the instinct was correct when I look back...So, I learned something.

In happy news for me...a child support check is coming. I shared I've been under some stress....well, part of that was that child support just mysteriously stopped about 6 weeks ago. Child support constitutes about 1/3 of my income and when your budget has no room for error...losing 1/3 of your income sucks. Now, mind you, Prince Charming continues to owe $28,888 in back child support and is about as reliable as a pet chicken. In fact, that deficit of child support for YEARS is part of what has lead directly to my dire financial situation today.

For several years, the state of Oregon wrote him letters. "Mr. Smith, you have 30 days to pay child support, or we will take action against you!" Three months later (and no child support), another letter would go out "Mr. Smith, you are in danger of getting in trouble with us...you'd better send some child support...or else!" They did that for three years...they did not garnish his wages. They did not suspend his driver's license. They did none of the things they have the power to do. I had numerous discussions with employees of the state of Oregon, the most memorable for me was the one where the woman says to me in a very condescending tone "Mrs Smith...we can not just harrass him if he's a little late!" I said, he hasn't made a payment in TWO YEARS! She replied "well, he DOES have rights you know!"

In direct contrast, when he moved to Massachustes...they wrote one letter "Mr. Smith, you owe $35,000 in back child support. You can not have a MA driver's license until you start paying. As well, we are garnishing your wages. If you quit your job, we will put you in jail."

God bless the state of Massachustes.

Slogging Ahead

2006-02-23T06:51:00.000-08:00

Oh....This must be the spot I hit with the first Rogue that got me so confused I ended up stuffing it in a bag.

Last night, I made it into the neck cabling, and got thoroughly confused. It's that whole "WS" "RS" thing and charts...suddenly at around row 16 or 17, I realized...I was on the WS when I think I'm supposed to be on the RS...I finangled around....and now I think I have it right...uh...maybe. I'm forging ahead regardless. The cables appear to be coming along the right way...but frankly I'm not sure. Kayla will love it regardless of wonky cables and that is what counts for me today.

Another little "detail" that came along...the part where you "pick up and hide wraps as you bind off" part. That was another moment of...oh yeah..I had a problem with that last time....Did I do it correctly? I somehow doubt it....but the yarn makes it less conspicuous and I can live with it.

Will I finish by the Olympic closing ceremonies? Highly unlikely, but I will finish it!

While out at the local Michael's to use my 40% off coupon to buy a pair of Clover circs in a size I don't own...cause you know...one of these days I might NEED it...I stopped dead in my tracks...because they now carry Paton's Classic Wool. My. Absolute. Favorite. Basic. Wool. No other shop in town carries it...and there it was....I drooled. I fondled a little. I did not purchase a single ball...but it has been on my mind ever since....

Must. Remain. Strong.....

Last-Place Olympian...

2006-02-19T07:58:00.000-08:00

I checked out (here, scroll to bottom) some of the other knitters working on Rogue for the Olympics....And I think I'm in last place. There are Rogue sleeves being blocked, Rogue Hoods being cast on and finished...and I haven't hit the neckline...tho I hope to do so today.

Now halfway through the Olympic time period...I have serious KADD (knitter's ADD). The aforementioned dance student's baby has arrived...and I long to cast on with some cushy, soft, colorful yarn.

Also par for the course...I am wanting to buy yarn. I am commited to knitting down my stash...but having to move and pay the evil state over $1,000 in taxes...I cannot afford yarn.
But I want to buy it just the same. I've been strong however, and resisted.

When I think of character traits, self-discipline is not one I could easily label in my personality. As I grow older however, I'm working on changing that. The difference between my knitting and the knitting of those I admire is just that, self-discipline. They finish projects, even when they become bored with them. They rip out when necessary and continue on. Yes, a few of their projects end up stuffed in bags just like mine....but overall they persevere and FINISH.

So, regardless of the inclination to say "oh I'll never finish....why not cast on for a baby sweater?" I WILL finish Rogue. I may not finish it in the Olympic time period, but I'll finish it before I cast on for another project.

Added later: I got an email from Margene congratulating me as a winner in her birthday contest! I can honestly say, Margene is one of the knitters I admire most. Her knitting inspires me, and her blog often makes me think about my knitting. Thank you Margene! I really needed a lil' sumptin' right now to perk me up...and a prize, well....that does it!

Time's a'tickin....

2006-02-16T13:24:00.000-08:00

Seen the countdown clock over at Yarn Harlots? Makes me even more sure I am not going to finish this thing, but I've been working on it anyway.

Working on my third repeat of the body, where you knit rows 33-38 six times. So far, both times I hit the cable row...I forgot it and had to tink back to the side cables and cross them. Three balls of yarn gone. My plan of carting around the sleeves and knitting them when I had time? Nice plan, not working.

Part of it...I'm sick. Not sure if it's a virus...or stress manifesting itself. Likely a little of both. I feel achy...and cranky....and like my head is full of cement.

I do have a couple pics to prove I'm knitting tho. Taken with daughter's cell phone, so they are not exactly high art, but you get the drift...you can see them here.

Color Me Done

2006-02-13T12:39:00.000-08:00

You know it's Monday when:

When you get to work and after searching for your key card to open the door, you realize it's inside on your desk.

When you realize that because you are a moron who cannot apparently add, you are overdrawn.
When you go out to get in your car at lunch time, you see your keys locked in the car on the driver's seat inside....and naturally, that is your only set.

This is just a small sampling of my life, currently.

Olympic knitting: I'm at row 35 of the body, and I bit the bullet and made the kangaroo pocket. The pocket, it wasn't hard. Picking up the stitches from the back in a straight line to continue the body of the sweater...that was a new experience. After trying several times to successfully to achieve a straight line, I went to the original Rogue KAL archives and got some ideas. What finally worked was taking a piece of white yarn and using a tapestry needle to thread it through the row I wanted to pick up. I could then SEE where I was going.

Still not feeling the love for this yarn...but also remembering that after soaking and blocking it could become the yarn of my dreams.

I have a dance student ready to have a baby any minute...and I am having ADD thoughts of "I wonder if I could start something for her AND still do the Rogue for the Olympics..." I've restrained myself, so far.

In other news, it is official. We have to move. I could go on and on about how stressful this is for me, but if you've been around Sahara Knits long, you already know it. If you're new, I'll spare you just this once. Suffice to say I've had a headache for four days solid.

All For The Glory....

2006-02-10T08:32:00.000-08:00

So, yeah. Tonight is the Olympics opening ceremonies.

I have prepped:

I purchased the yarn.

I swatched. I washed and blocked the swatch.

I have informed family of my Olympic intent and said as tactfully as possible "I'm going to be knitting. A Lot. Don't bug me."

I've hit upon the idea of having a sleeve with me at all times as my "to go" knitting...which will work only if I have an extra needle in that size, which I am doubting. Note to self: When you get home, start digging. Second note: Jodie will have your head if you spread your stash and needles all over again, don't do that.

How confident am I that I can actually "win" a gold for the US in this event? Uh...well. Not really at all. But it's supposed to be fun...and a challenge, right? And I am quite convinced now that lacking "the love" for this yarn, it won't get knit at all unless I Just Do It. That actually is quite a motivator for me.

The other major motivator is that I have had a hard time finishing projects begun for Kayla. Yeah, she's gotten some hats and scarves....but the socks I started for her fell by the wayside. The poncho also fell by the wayside. This really, really needs to get finished.

Lastly, a perk of having Mary home living on my couch is she can take pics with her camera for me. I'm going to try to keep a posting pics of progress to egg me on.

Wish me luck!

No Knitting...Still

2006-02-09T09:21:00.000-08:00

Busy, Busy and then...busy. Haven't knit a stitch in a few days. Makes me very cranky.

What have I been doing?

Working...a lot.

Helping Jodie get her ducks in a row for her candle business...making business cards, various flyers and handouts, etc.

Actually watched a DVD this week, when I had a few spare moments - "Crash". Now...my coworker went on and on about what a great movie this was...and don't get me wrong, it is a great movie...but it is also VERY INTENSE. This is not a "let your hair down after a shitty day" movie. Just before watching this movie, Jodie's car died in the middle of the street (fuel pump kicked the bucket). The same day, the landlord told us they are considering either raising the rent, or selling the home. Either way, I'm screwed there. The SAME afternoon...19yo daughter lands back into the nest...broke...trailing trauma drama all over the place.

So we watch this movie...and not to spoil it for those who haven't seen it, but when the little girl runs out to leap on her Daddy to protect him...Both of us screamed "NO!" at the top of our lungs and burst into tears. We just couldn't take it.

Through her tears, Jodie turns to me and says "I want you to kick *coworkers* ass all over the place for telling us to see this movie!!!"

Olympics are coming, and I'm waffling. I am not feeling the love for the naturwolle. I keep reminding myself, this is NOT for me, I didn't choose it, I don't have to like it. Maybe, in fact, this is the only way this sweater will ever be knit...under pressure!

No Title Today

2006-02-06T09:03:00.000-08:00

I don't have enough oomph in me to even think of a title...and I have no knitting to report either. Mostly just effing busy....but wanted to put out there that I am around...I am reading blogs a little...I just have nothing blog-worthy.

Excited to start Rogue for the knitter's olympics...tho, I've been so busy this week I can't imagine how I'm going to finish it, but I don't care at this point...

I did discover that with "rabbit ears" on the TV...I can get NBC and therefore I really can watch the Olympics! Yay!

That's it, end of boring post. I do, however, have a "question of the day":

If you have teenaged children...do you color your hair? Cause, I gotta tell you....Every encounter I have had with my 19yo in the last month has led to me actually FEELING the hair on my head turning gray....She is a lovely, talented, wonderful girl....who is driving me crazy with really poor choices...Like...she can barely pay her rent, but her friend got a new car and so, well of course she wanted a new car too....and so what did she go out and get? A 2001 RED Mustang. I could go on and on about why this is a really poor choice on her part...but what also kills me, is why on earth is anyone financing her? She can hardly support herself. She has been offered so many credit cards it boggles my mind. There is just something so wrong with the picture of credit availability in this country that I can't begin to express all it brings up for me.

Lastly, there is that piece of "I've talked to you 1,000,792 times about getting in over your head...why don't you listen to me?" No, I haven't said it....but I have sure thought it.

Lady Clariol....take my gray away.

I Think There's Something Wrong With Me

2006-01-31T06:11:00.000-08:00

12:30 pm EDIT: Did you hear a howl of indignation and frustration around 9 a.m.?
THEY WON'T LET YOU KNIT! NO KNITTING NEEDLES OF ANY TYPE. You may use a plastic crochet hook....and that's it. Out of the 50 people sitting there, six women were knitting. Every one of us groaned and drooped when told knitting needles are not allowed in the court room. I'm sure the psychic knitter's scream must have been heard round the globe....

I did manage 3.5 rows on The Braids while jury orientation went on...and I'm taking a book back after lunch.
End edit......

I have jury duty today....and I'm excited.

Because I can knit....

Folks have shared with me how boring it all was...what a hassle...blah, blah, blah.

My mind works a little differently:

"Hmmm...my boss pays the diff between my so-called compensation from the court and my 'real' wage...so I'm not losing money...I get to be away from work and get paid...I CAN KNIT!!!!....this sounds mighty fine to me!"

I officially have JD until Feb 13...knowing my luck, how much ya wanna bet they don't call me during the tiny bit of Kntting Olympics that falls in that time?

2006-01-30T08:15:00.000-08:00

I find this disturbing on more levels than I can express....Stolen from Norma...who got it from RockChick....

http://www.wholesomewear.com/page-3.html

Disturbing.

Knitting: Two whole rows on The Braids. Big whoopee, eh? A few rows on the Irish Hiking scarf for moi.

Bellydance was fast and furious this weekend. My class performed in the Central Oregon Dance Showcase (look to the right for a description. I lease space so I'm not listed under the teacher directory there) so there was dress rehearsal Friday night, the show Saturday night, Class Sunday night, and tonight there is troupe rehearsal. My butt's a'draggin.

I have found that a friend has a swift and I'm planning on heading over there to wind up some of the hanks I have laying around. I'm lazy...and balling up yarn while trying to keep it untangled off the door knob or back of a chair...well, it makes me crazy. I have a LOT of yarn in hanks. Yeah, I know, buy my own swift...but I can't right now. She doesn't have a ball winder, says she has always wound her own center-pull balls and will show me how. She spins and knits and tho I've known this for a long time, it will be our first time getting together for any fiber-related fun. I'm excited about it.

Been over to Marie's lately? She's having a contest! Hop on over and tell her I sent you, okay? She has new blog digs...go see!

Do A Little Dance...

2006-01-27T09:02:00.000-08:00

Because it's Friday! Whew, began to wonder if this week would ever end.

I was very good. I am exceedingly proud of myself. I bit the bullet and made a swatch for my Olympic challenge, Kayla's Naturwolle Rogue. Then i actually washed the swatch and blocked it. It's not a big swatch, but it's a swatch. Swatching is not a natural step for me...casting on and going for it...then being completely annoyed after much labor is much more my style, oy....and *wash and block* the swatch? Never happened until now.

Thoughts on this process:
When I started my original Rogue from Cascade 220..I swatched....and swatched and swatched. I finally got gauge with size 10s...and I didn't like the resulting fabric many many hours into the project.

I got gauge on size 9's with the Naturwolle. Am I captivated by this yarn? No, but Kayla likes it and at that Elann price...well, I won't complain. It did puff up a bit after washing/blocking and I am thinking had I actually soaked it in a little Eucalan rather than plain water and let it sit in there awhile, I bet it would have puffed more. Hmmm, may do that this weekend just to see. This yarn is listed as "chunky" or bulky....eh....I may not agree entirely on that. Slightly heavy worsted is my thought. I know that when I make my own Rogue...it is going to be out of thick, luscious yarn and I don't care how much it costs.

My Over The Rainbow sock yarn arrived....and it is awesome...the colors are rich, it's soft...Mmmmmm. No clue what I'll make out of it...socks? Maybe.

I've been entertaining myself by surfing blogs on the Harlot's Olympic Knitters page. 1800 and counting....wow. I am speechless.

Can Today Be Friday?

2006-01-26T10:19:00.000-08:00

I'm ready for this week to be over.... I supervise three other employees at my job. It is not one of my favorite things to do the "correction" part of the job - confronting employees about poor performance etc. There was a little of that this week...and it amazes me how draining it can be. It went well enough..but I'm ready for the weekend.

My Elann order came in...I have the yarn for Rogue. Now that I have it...I am wondering can I really do this? But I guess that is the challenge part, aye? I'm also been tempted....deeply tempted....by Kenny's Jaywalker with Magic Loop tutorial...Finishing a pair of socks would certainly qualify as a challenge for me, as well, learning Magic Loop is on my list of 42 in 42...and you know...I have a *little* sock yarn, ahem...cough cough...

Jodie's demonstrator kit for Gold Canyon Candles arrived last night...this will be exciting for her. Some of us are good at sales...and some of us aren't. She is very good at it and great with people. I am not good at it, but I am good at doing background stuff and I'm enjoying learning about it and helping her get out there.

There's a meme going around with lists of four things...and I thought I would take just one part of it, blogs I check daily, and share with you. There are more than four...but remember, I sit in front of a computer day in and day out and have lots of opportunities to surf. In no particular order:

Boi Who Knits
Knitti Me
Mossy Cottage Knits
Bron's Blog
Zen Needle
Purls Before Swine
Yarn Harlot
Snowball In Hell
Stumbling Over Chaos
Purl Ewe
Pink Purl Grrl
Now Norma Knits

There are others I check REGULARLY...but not daily. I'll list them next week. I'm a little nervous I might have left someone I check daily off...Don't hurt me if I forgot you, okay?

Please Mr. Postman, Look and See

2006-01-24T07:18:00.000-08:00

Please Mister Postman, look and see (Oh yeah)
If there's a parcel in your bag for me (Please, Please Mister Postman)
Why's it takin' such a long time (Oh yeah)
For me to get that yarn of mine?

I know...Somewhere in the ether Karen Carpenter is holding her ears and humming "la la la la I can't hear her....la la la.." As an aside, I spent every single school morning of my 7th grade year sitting on my best friend Debbie's bedroom floor singing along with The Carpenters albums. Her voice "spoke" to me then...and I still feel incredible sadness that she's gone.

Sappy, but true.

Anyway...I should be opening the mailbox to yarn....glorius yarn...any day now. After a fairly successful yarn fast...I have the Naturwolle for Kayla's Rogue - My Olympic Effort on it's way as well as that gorgeous Twinkletoes sock yarn...

Since I haven't opened the mail box to anything but bills and a jury summons in a really long time...I'm excited. I'm dying to train...uh swatch...for the Rogue. Tho, I have to say, we decided to let the cable go in order to pay other bills and the fact I won't be watching the Olympics while knitting my Olympic effort seriously bums me out. At the same time, I'm horribly distract-able...so I'll likely get more done NOT watching it.

Reminds me...conversation in the car recently:
Superhero: "Mom, when is the cable going to get turned back on?"

Me: "Well...it's not. Cable is not a neccesity and we simply can not afford it right now."

Superhero: "But MOM!!! We NEED cable!"

Me: "Sorry Bud...I know it's a bummer."

Superhero: (wistfully) "I loved cable...."

Me: (internally) "Me too."

How did we get addicted to the idiot box so quickly? A couple of months of cable...and we're hooked....crack tv...yup...that's us.

Lassoing the Moon

2006-01-20T08:58:00.000-08:00

Am I a Sunnfleupagus? Ryan says she needs to know.

Uh...yes (mostly) and no (a little).
Yes:

You aren't obsessed with neatness. Uh...if you've seen my car...you already know this.
You know when to be logical but you aren't afraid to explore your dreams and desires.
You are both somewhat introverted.
Like Snuffy, you probably like to have some time to yourself.

No:

Moves slowly....I speak fast, walk fast, think fast. Drives those around me nuts.
Organized....Not.

Olympics:

I have ordered the wool for Rogue...after much angst because I can't make up my mind and I second guess myself to death, I ordered Austermann Naturwolle in the Stone colorway. So, dark gray instead of light gray....think it'll be any better Ryan?

So...I am sort of not staying within the boundaries of my "knit my stash down by 50%" if I'm adding yarn, aye? However, I do not plan to add more stash...but, then again...the majority of my stash enhancement is impulse...planning rarely enters into the equation.

With all the Jaywalker mania...I have to admit...I'm getting sock fever again. Good thing I have so much sock yarn, isn't it? I MUST, however, MAKE myself finish the Cat Bordhi socks before I cast on again for socks. I have half a sock to go to finish the pair. I set them down when I moved (last April) and never picked them up again.

In non-knitting news, I had my CPAP titration done Wednesday night. That means, I went back to the Sleep lab for another overnight stay - this time using the CPAP. They monitored me and adjusted the pressure. The next day, I picked up my CPAP. Now having slept two nights with it, I can already feel a surge in my energy levels...it's pretty amazing. Getting used to sleeping with it however, will just take time. Once I fall asleep, I'm fine. It's getting there that's the problem.

Interestingly (to me anyway)...when I was getting my CPAP machine..the lady looked through my paperwork and said "Holy Smoke! You have an Epworth of 20!" I looked blank and said..."Oh?....what does that mean?"

She replied "Well, I have worked with patients with Epworths of 10 who have fallen asleep at the wheel and had accidents. At 20, I can't imagine you have much quality of life...you must want to sleep constantly."

I thought about it for a moment and said that actually, I do what I want...I lead a pretty full, busy life, but that I am really, really sick of being tired all the time.

When she handed me the machine, she smiled and said, "If you have done this well with this severe of apnea...in a couple of weeks, you are gonna be able to lasso the moon."

Here's hoping she's right! Have a lovely weekend...

Snuffleupagus

2006-01-19T13:39:00.000-08:00

This cracks me up...mostly because Jodie has been giving me grief about looking like Snuffy with my CPAP headgear... I had more to write about, but the code for the thing below keeps eating it...so I'll save it for tomorrow....

Snuffleupagus
You scored 43% Organization, 53% abstract, and 64% extroverted!

This test measured 3 variables.

First, this test measured how organized you are. Some muppets like Cookie Monster make big messes, while others like Bert are quite anal about things being clean.

Second, this test measured if you prefer a concrete or an abstract viewpoint. For the purposes of this test, concrete people are considered to gravitate more to mathematical and logical approaches, whereas abstract people are more the dreamers and artistic type.

Third, this test measured if you are more of an introvert or an extrovert. By definition, an introvert concentrates more on herself and an extrovert focuses more on others. In this test an introvert was somebody that either tends to spend more time alone or thinks more about herself.

You are somewhat organized, both concrete and abstract, and both introverted and extroverted.

I bet you didn't think you were Snuffleupagus. Let's find out why.

You are both somewhat organized. You have a good idea where you put things and you probably keep your place reasonably clean. You aren't totally obsessed with neatness though. Alloyius Snuffleupagus (and all Snuffleupagus') is not sloppy by nature, but he moves so incredibly slowly that it is impossible for him to be totally organized.

You both are about equally concrete and abstract thinkers. You have a good balance in your life. You know when to be logical at times, but you also aren't afraid to explore your dreams and desires... within limits of course. Snuffy generally has very basic interests, but he explores his abstract sensitive side when he plays his snuffleflute.

You both are somewhat introverted. Originally Snuffleupagus was very shy and was only Big Bird's invisible friend. However as he has aged he has started to build new friendships with new characters. Like Snuffy, you probably like to have some time to yourself. However, you do appreciate spending time with your friends, and you aren't scared of social situations.

Call Me Crazy...

2006-01-18T09:08:00.000-08:00

But I went ahead and joined the Olympic Knit team....

A part of me says "yeah, sure Lisa....sure you can finish this in 16 days....who are you kidding?????" Well, I dunno, probably not anyone who has read my blog much. Yes, I start a lot of things and no I don't finish them very fast...if at all. I have knitter's ADD or something.

Well, truth be told, as soon as the project isn't "perfect" anymore, I tend to lose interest. This is a character defect I am working on, believe me.

So what do I want to knit in 16 days? Well....it's supposed to be a challenge...ahem. I want to knit my 17-year-old Kayla a Rogue Hoodie. I have the pattern....I made one for myself all the way to the arm holes...but then problems ensued. Don't remember the problem, but something threw me off track. Later, looking at the project, I knew deep down I didn't really like the fabric my yarn choice was creating. I had picked Cascade 220, which is pretty much my all-around favorie yarn...but I had problems getting gauge and the fabric was just....limp. I liked other knitters versions of Rogue in Cascade 220...but mine was just...eh. I loved the pattern...and I want to make one for myself as well one of these days.

So...I'm thinking Paton's Classic Merino. Then...I looked around online and saw a few people feel like this yarn pills...while others think it's the bomb. Then I started second guessing myself....maybe this wasn't a good choice....until I've made myself crazy. I've only worked with PCM on The Braids Cardigan...and while this is not finished, I love the fabric that is working up. Sometimes, when I smooth it out to admire (uh, check for boo boos) it....I just sit there and fondle it a bit. A lovely, squishy yarn...shows cables well (at least on this project)...100% wool...and available inexpensively online. I've yanked The Braids around a lot, in and out of bags, etc while working on it...and it continues to look fab. Other yarns have looked much less fab with less ill treatment. So...I think Paton's Classic Merino it will be....in a light gray. If I don't second guess myself to death first.

Can I really do a whole sweater in 16 days? Hell, can I do a whole sweater AT ALL???? I have no whole sweaters to boast of....zip...zilch. This WOULD be a personal challenge ....fer sure.

Anyone have any opinions on the Paton's??? My second choice would be Bartlett fisherman wool...but I've never used it....any thoughts on that one???

Why is making a choice so hard for me? And not just in yarn choices...in ANY choice...sometimes, I make myself so crazy I don't buy ANYTHING because I can't make an effing choice....arghhhhh.

Olympic Dreams

2006-01-17T07:24:00.000-08:00

I grew up in a non-sporting family. They didn't play sports...they didn't watch sports. I never saw the Olympics until I was an adult. Since then, the Winter Olympics have always captivated me....the grace of the figure skaters...the speed of the luge....the bobsled...

Who wouldn't wonder what it would be like to put your body to the test...to train until you were a finely tuned athlete hurtling toward your goal while millions watched enthralled??? Many of us are past the age of sporting competition, if indeed we ever were made of such stuff in the first place. We watch the Olympics knowing our time, if there ever was a time that was ours, is past....

But, perhaps not! Tho your opportunity to land a quad in the skating competition may have passed...tho you may not have the lean mean muscle machine of a body it takes to hurtle down an icy run in the luge...you too can go for the Gold! Thanks to the Yarn Harlot there is now Olympic Knitting! I won't repeat the rules...go read for yourself if you haven't already. I'm seriously considering this opportunity to challenge my knitting...most of all, to set a goal and attain it. I am a horrid procrastinator...a starter who rarely finishes. This would be a good opportunity to challenge myself.

What to knit? My mind has been buzzing on that one since I read the Harlot's post. Something that is a challenge...but that I COULD finish, if I put my mind to it...Stay tuned.

Now, for all my whining about not being a finisher...I finished Branching Out last night. Needs to be blocked...which could take months, knowing me....but it's done being knitted. I believe I got 29 repeats from the mohair and once it is blocked it will certainly be a great length. Pictures? Yeah, yeah I know. One of these days.

I would love to buy a digital camera. In fact, at one point, I may have thought about using my tax refund to do so.

Tax refund? What tax refund? The one I'm not getting? I went to the "tax lady" yesterday....and I OWE! My oldest at home turned 17 this year....and that means I don't get a child credit for her. Is that not the most sucky thing? Hello...I still support her 100%...but now that she's 17...I don't get a credit for her being a child? I say again..."HELLO!!! this is effed up!". What did it cost me? Over $1,000.

When my face fell in horror at learning I owe...She said (and I have no idea of her politics or her of mine, tho I've gone to the same tax office for the last 6 years...) "You can thank Mr. Bush for that one."

Gee. Thanks Dubya. How many days till he's gone? If I didn't owe the IRS...I'd buy THIS to keep track....

TGIF.....

2006-01-13T09:58:00.000-08:00

I know, rather unoriginal title, but it hits the mark. Let's recap this week...

Children have continued bickering incessantly, despite the end of the holiday break. Every waking moment at home is spend complaining, bickering, and/or harrassing their sib(s).
When not engaged in the charming behavior above...they have been wild...and I do mean...wild. Acrobatic, running, loud, rolling around on the floor kind of wild.
Work has been....work. I apparently have no tolerance for coworkers either.
The day I chose to go home early and get some much-needed sleep (and had futile hopes of knitting...) I was not thinking clearly and chose early-release Wednesday to go home. See first two bullets above to understand fully why this was not a great choice.
We are temporarily down to one car...with three working adults* in the house...this sucks.
The handle for the hot water in the master shower has broken...necessitating calling the landlord. The landlord will come by today and look at it. The problem with that is a) I am only supposed to have 2 pets...and I currently have 1 adult cat and 3 kittens and b) Landlord is OCD/Anal Retentive to the max and I am stressed out about the house not being clean enough. My lease expires in April and it is a fear (probably completely over hyped in my own mind) that they won't renew my lease.
I think (ahem, I know...) I've been spotty taking my antidepressant and as those who take them know...that can come back to bite you in the butt in a big way....which I think is sort of happening....

I have had some good things go on this week tho...I am in my last repeat of Branching Out (by the way, when I said I thought I had enough mohair for 10 more repeats...uh...I'm an idiot. Two, maybe three repeats tops). I cast on for an Irish Hiking Scarf for ME to match the mitts in LL worsted "waterfall" colorway which is my all time favorite.

I also broke my yarn fast. It wasn't much of a fast to be honest, but I did pretty well NOT spending. Then I cruised by Over The Rainbow....and saw this...and well....ahem...more yarn for me. What am I going to make out of it you ask? Hell if I know.

It's Only Wednesday?

2006-01-12T08:19:00.000-08:00

Are you sure it's only Wednesday? Cause....man...this has been a really long week.

Branching Out...That's all I've been working on. Watched the Food Network while I managed a couple more pattern repeats... Paula Dean, Rachel Ray and (reluctantly) The Barefoot Contessa. The contessa....she bugs me. I don't know what it is...well, that's not true. She strikes me as pretentious and it just annoys me to death. Now Rachel? She's a little ditzy, but other than that...it's like hanging out in a friend's kitchen. Paula? She's a crackpot really, but the kind you like. Cooking shows I can watch, knit and stay on track. Not much luck for me with other shows in that department.

Know what's my most recent secret trash tv addiction? MTV's "Made" - where teens with a dream get a chance for a make over and training by some biggie in that particular field...be it dance, BMX racing, rap or whatevah. I'm 41 years old, what am I doing watching this crap? Don't have an answer to that...I just like it. Guess it appeals to the teen geek inside of me who wanted to break out and be somebody....

Still haven't made any decisions about a fair isle project...I have plenty of Rowan 4 ply in five colors, two blues, two dark reds and gray. DK weight I think. So far, everything I find calls for a heavier gauge, is huge, or looks too complex for my life right now. I suspect, joking aside, that I do have some kind of adult ADD...I've always just said I was scatterbrained, but after a little research....well, it would fit.

At any rate, if anyone has any ideas about a suitable fair isle project, let me know.

"Lesbian Cardigan Mohair"

2006-01-11T09:40:00.000-08:00

I find this to be an odd combination of words to search Google. I dunno, it just strikes me as odd. Taken on their own, each word surely fits here...but together...well, odd. To me anyway.

Four repeats completed last night on Branching Out, putting me just over 21 repeats completed. The Filatura mohair seems never ending...I'm sure there is plenty for probably 10 more repeats. This is a good thing, it will be long enough. My patience may not be long enough tho....Longing to work on something new....something different...

But, instead, I am working on finishing stuff. Working on The Braids. The Baby Albert sweater which has sat untouched for probably 6 weeks or more. The second Irish Hiking Mitt for me...

Self discipline is not a trait I have naturally, I guess that is evident. I'm trying to develop more of it. I've been lusting after yarn again....but denied the urge to buy. Mostly, I'm really happy I have resisted...I don't "need" to buy yarn right now. I barely made my rent this month and I have other bills piling up...due to the whopping $412.15 invested in repairing my van's brakes this weekend. They'd been bad for quite awhile...but Friday...you know... the day I thought my mom died?....yeah, something really broke in there and the grinding/clanking wasn't 'just' when trying to brake but all the damn time. You know...the kind of noise where people's heads turn as you cruise to a grinding halt next to them at the stop light?...where your 17 yo says, "uh mom, can you drop me off here (a block away)...." ...where the gas attendant says stuff like "Did you know your brakes are making a lot of noise?"

Really? Thanks for the update there buddy. Couldn't hear it myself. Sheesh.

Any way...self discipline. Yeah, I'm working on it.

No Knitting Here

2006-01-10T08:22:00.000-08:00

No knitting happened yesterday or much the day before. Tonight, yes, there will be knitting to report. That doesn't mean I haven't been thinking about knitting, drooling over yarn, fondling the stash and all those knitting related concepts, just didn't knit a stitch yesterday. Too busy...too tired....blah blah blah.

More 42 in 42:
29. Get a tattoo. I want a lotus in the small of my back with henna-like design branching off.
30. Harvest the lavender that grows in abundance in my yard and make lavender sachets...knitted of course.
31. Go white water rafting.

It's dreary as all get out here...rainy...gray...and dismal. Not normal. Central Oregon typically gets about the same amount of sunny days as San Diego, California. There may be snow...but we typically have sun. This overcast drizzle stuff just makes me want to hibernate. Coffee...knitting...movie...books...nice nap in the flannel sheets....Damn that sounds good.

I'm Sorry, But Your Mom Has Passed Away....Or Not....

2006-01-09T09:41:00.000-08:00

You would not believe what Friday held for me.

Jodie came and took me for a burger at lunch time. I was surprised to see her walk back in my office barely an hour later. I could see the distress in her eyes. I asked, "what's the matter?" She took my hands in hers, and said "honey, I'm sorry, but we got a call on the answering machine...your mom has passed away."

I've shared some of my "stuff" with my mom but despite that and the fact we have been pretty much estranged for the last few years, of course I promptly fell apart.

Jodie drove me home. I cried and cried. She put me to bed and quietly went out to listen to the message again to see if she could get more details. She returned shortly with a look of horror and said, "uh Lisa....uh...your mom's name isn't Carol is it? Uh....I don't think it's your mom who has died."

It wasn't my mom, but my first dance instructor and mentor Carol. Her daughter had left a tear-filled message on the answering machine and indeed it had sounded like someone was saying "your mom has died", but in reality, she was sharing that HER mom had died.

While before I had been sobbing, now I couldn't stop laughing. Not that Carol was dead, by any means, but because of the absurdity of the whole thing. I had left work early, in tears because my mother had died. Jodie and Kayla had called into work, because my mother had died.

Uh...but my mother wasn't dead. Jodie called back to work in embarrassment and explained the situation, saying she would be in soon. I called in to work and explained, but said I was "done" for the day and no way was I coming back, which my coworkers were fine with.

Jodie headed for work...and her car died half way there. My car, of course, was still at my work, because Jodie had picked me up...you know...cause my mom had died and she didn't want me driving. Jodie and Kayla pushed the car home several blocks, I got a friend to come get me and retrieve my car. Jodie made it to work only three hours late, only. This, the day after they had laid many people off due to slowness of business...and she is three hours late the next day. Yippee skippeee.

I settled down and opened my mail. To discover I have been summoned for Jury Duty.

Now I ask you, could I have had a worse day? oy vey.

Due to the confusion over who was dead, it didn't really sink in to me that Carol was gone until last night. She changed my life in many ways and I will miss her. Last night and today have been really teary.

Knitting:
Yes, I actually did knit during all of this. Only reason I'm still somewhat sane, I'm sure. I've gotten several more repeats of Branching Out done, and two more repeats on The Braids Cardigan. It takes me 15 minutes (if undistracted) to get through a row on The Braids. I'm probably close to 7 inches done of the 13 inches I need before starting the armholes. Trying not to be daunted by the amount of time that equals, just working on it when I can and trying to enjoy the process. I do love the wool, Paton's Classic...just love the feel and weight of it.

Here's to you Carol....you brought me out of my shell, and gave me wings. Thank you.

Friday, Finally.....

2006-01-06T08:37:00.000-08:00

More 42 in 42:
20. Knit myself a soft, warm, functional scarf. I have some frou-frou scarves...but not a "real" scarf.
21. Knit 12 dish cloths for my own kitchen (as opposed to giving them away which is what I always do..). The dish cloth KAL is definitely helping this goal.
22. Re-design my copper costume. The top is good...the hip belt needs to be completely redone and I need jewelry to match.
23. Construct new skirt & harem pants set for the copper costume.
24. Send 10 items to the Dulaan project this year.
25. Go bowling at least one time this year.
26. Go camping at least once this summer.
27. Go to the Oregon Coast at least once.
28. Go to Pride 2006 in Portland.

Knitting:
Today's knitting on the dish cloth will finish it...it's a snowman, very cute. I'll try to take a pic. Yeah, yeah, I know I keep promising more pictures. Yeah, Yeah, Yeah.

Over at Zeneedle, Margene is showing progress on Rosarie...and of course I'm drooling to do some fair isle. Got to thinking about the huge stash of Rowan I bought for an ill-fated fair isle vest that never came to fruition. Of course, let's see...it was on size 1 needles for pities sake...and I am not a small woman. The yarn was expensive....and I have felt guilty everytime I've come across the yarn in my stash. So, after seeing Margene's Rosarie, I got to thinking...what can I do on a smaller scale? I'm thinking a bag, pillow...something. No hats. Just say no to fair isle hats is my thinking right now. I think I have 5 colors, something like that. I love these pillows...but I'm a little concerned it's too advanced for me.

Harder Than I Thought

2006-01-03T14:35:00.000-08:00

Okay, the 42 in 42 thing...waaay harder than I would have guessed. Here is where I am so far:

1. Learn Magic Loop method.
2. Finish the second sock on circ I have cast on using the Cat Bordhi book.
3. Choreograph a competition-worthy routine for troupe. (Status: 1/3 done)
4. Compete with troupe at Canyonville, Oregon Belly Dancer USA Bellydance Competition in June 2006.
5. Choreograph 3 full routines for myself. (Status: 1/9th done)
6. Perform solo at Halfa for Ayeesha Aroosh silk veil workshop April 2006.
7. Perform solo at Saqra's Showcase April 2006.
8. Perform solo at High Desert Bellydance Festival June 2006.
9. Go to 100 OA meetings (status: 2 down...98 to go).
10. Read the Chronicles of Narnia series.
11. Finish Ribby Cardi (status: Sleeves done, back needs to be ripped and re-knit, then fronts knit...and then ... you know...seaming it together and all....argh)
12. Finish The Braids Cardigan.
13. Knit my stash down by 50%.
14. Save enough money to go to Disneyland in fall 2006/early winter 2007.
16. Refelt the Oregon Tote bag that I knit 2 years ago, and didn't felt enough, but didn't know what was the matter with it until recently...it needs more felting!
17. Organize the mountain of craft supplies (or "craft shit" as Jodie so delicately puts it..) in my garage.
18. Go to Seattle to meet Ryan and TMK.
19. Go to one of the many ceramic shops in town where you can paint your own and they fire it.

Knitting:
Eh. Not exciting. A couple more rows on Branching Out, probably 50% or more done there. The next installment of the dishcloth done, check. No idea what the design in the middle is...they don't give you a picture or the whole pattern...just the daily rows. It is sort of liberating, really. Just do what you're told. Knit your rows.

Late Christmas Gift! My oldest, Mary, stopped by last night with a gift she had ordered for me. It hadn't arrived in time for Christmas...it's the book "Lavish Lace" by Carol Rasmussen Noble and Cheryl Potter. I've only got to skim it so far, but I'm loving the inspiration it gives me already.

So...I rarely post about TV. I don't watch a lot of TV...mainly because I'm always tired and can't manage to stay up and watch the shows that are on late....If Jodie is working I'd rather be knitting or dancing than watching TV...but I do have a couple shows I'm addicted to...namely The Closer and Cold Case. I also like....the Food Network. I watch Emeril (tho he puts too much stuff on his food for me...I prefer simpler fare but he entertains me nonetheless), Paula Dean, Rachel Ray and Sandra Lee. I get a huge kick out of Unwrapped. I love that show! You know when you were a kid (ahem....those of you in my age group anyway) and programs like Mr Rogers (don't go off about him, I loved him...he was a gentle sweet man who showed me there were nice men in the world in a time when I wasn't so sure...) or sesame Street would show how stuff was made, like erasers or pencils or whatever??? I LOVED THOSE SEGMENTS! This is the same premise...how foods are made, history etc. Pretty cool.

So...what do YOU like to watch, my charming readers??

A Little Revision

2006-01-03T09:22:00.000-08:00

In reviewing my 42 in 42 goals so far, I have come to realize that "getting control of my money" is too vague...to resolutionish. I need to be specific. So, that is being struck from the list for the time being. This is not nearly as easy as I thought it would be, coming up with 42 things I want to accomplish in my 42nd year. Good thing I started three months early, eh?

Knitting:
Um, did I mention I joined a KAL? I know, I know...those who have been around awhile are saying..."Really now Lisa...you can't finish anything most of the time anyway and you KNOW KAL's have been the kiss of death for you...what WERE you thinking?" Well, this is much simpler, I promise. I joined the Monthly Dish Cloth KAL on Yahoo Groups. You knit two dishcloths a month. My goal is a simple one dish cloth a month. High tech knitting? No. Fun? Yes, I think so. You get 8-10 rows a day by email....so far, day three, I'm keeping up. No promises, but I'm having fun and that's the point, isn't it?

The Branching Out Scarf continues...It's the only thing besides the dish cloth I've touched in the last few days.

Belly dance is heating up...which means knitting time is getting squeezed. I'm trying to keep some balance in there tho...and not just disappear from knitting (and blogging, ahem) while I dive into dance stuff. Right now, I am finishing choreography on a troupe piece for a competition in June, my daughter's beginner competition solo, a students intermediate competition solo, and I think one more beginner student is going to take the leap to competing...and that will mean one more routine. Not to mention, my own solo...needed by mid April.

Now, Life. I note that when some knit bloggers post...they tell all about their struggles, day in day out. Others hint at problems....and still others never say a thing about their personal struggles. I definitely fall into the first category....I'm an open book. Tho...ahem...I don't tell y'll everything....believe me.

So you ask, what about it? Are you going to cry all over us or what?

Nope. I'm not. Yes I will share that right now life is sorta sucky. Finances are at an all-time low and my pride is right there along with it. But ya know...mostly, I'm okay. I'm not stuffing my face over it. I'm not weeping at my desk. My mind isn't racing frantically trying to cover my options.

I'm okay. I'm not thrilled...but, I'm okay. You know what? That's a pretty cool place to find myself right now.

42 in 42

2005-12-30T08:04:00.000-08:00

I saw this idea over at Supergirl Knits....And it intrigued me. I am horrid at making/keeping resolutions....But this appeals to the list maker in me...so, tho I do not turn 42 till March, this is the first 12 of my list of 42 (no particular order):
1. Learn Magic Loop method.
2. FINISH a PAIR of socks - for ME.
3. Choreograph 3 full routines for my troupe, including a sword routine.
4. Choreograph 3 full routines for myself.
5. Perform all 3 choreographies before next December 30.
6. Get my money under control.
7. Go to 100 OA meetings.
8. Read the Chronicles of Narnia series.
9. Finish Ribby Cardi.
10. Finish The Braids Cardigan.
11. Knit my stash down by 50%.
12. Save enough money to go to Disneyland.

Lastly, where have I been? How could I have missed Knittinghelp.com?? This site is awesome!

The 8th Deadly Sin - Pride In One's Knitting Ability

2005-12-28T09:01:00.000-08:00

My knitting took me down a notch last night...Not that I had any notion of being some kind of knit goddess or anything...I had just been congratulating myself on how well my knitting has been turning out...How nice it's been looking..Gee I've improved....

Deadly, I tell you, deadly.

I get home last night...Walk by the table where the mohair Branching Out has been resting, awaiting my return....And spy a needle on the floor. No big deal, eh? Then....I see the Other Needle...Empty...Also on the floor...And a few feet away...Branching Out...Off the needles (did I mention my oldest moved...and couldn't take her cat and it's FOUR kittens? Or that we have only found a home for one, leaving us with three kittens?) Now, this should not be a big deal, you know? There were only 31 stitches on at the time, surely I could just pick it up and go, eh? Of course, the row it was on had those pesky yo's AND s1k2tog-psso AND s2k1-p2sso...I got a bit of humbling getting it back on the needle I tell you...Then....I realized...I started at the wrong end and my yarn was now next to the knob. Duh. Felt sorta sheepish there, as well.

I put it down, thinking, I'm just gonna let this marinate awhile and go please my inner child and play with the Dale Stork! So, I get the yarn out. I get the Bathing Beauties pattern out. I dig around and find all 5 of my 3.5 dpns (no small feat, let me tell you). I read through the insert about cast on options. Decided to cast on for a soap sack, and hey, let's bolster our ego a bit by learning how to do a provisional cast on! Yeah, that's the ticket!

Not. The third time through, I said, Huh. Think I'd rather just do a plain old cast on. It's not that the instructions for the provisional cast on weren't written out plain and simple. It's not that I didn't "get" it. I just couldn't "do it." Picking up the stitches in the crochet chain just wasn't happening. I'd miss a stitch. It was too tight here....Too loose there. So I ripped it and did a plain old vanilla cast on. So...You have 36 stitches on 4 dpns. Now all you sock knitters think, "so? What's the problem?" I'd like to know what the problem was too...Because I couldn't knit that first row to save my life. I ended up with one stitch too many. One stitch too few. A DPN made a run for it and leapt out of the knitting, causing an umpteenth re-cast on.

After 40 some minutes of farting around and getting more and more irked...The Stork is now shoved in my project basket.

I went back to Branching Out and got through a few more pattern repeats. Loving this yarn...mmmmmm. Still, had to tink back 2 or 3 times...My knitting mojo was just not there last night. Let's hope it got a good night's rest and will be here in force today.

I finally had a little time to do an internet search on the yarn I am using for the Pismo Hat. It was gifted to me by my wonderful SP last year. It's Lana Grossa Merino 2000 superfein in 489 and 490, Denim and Jeans. This yarn is awesome....The hat is going to be really a nice fabric...If I ever finish the damn thing...

In Knit Drive

2005-12-28T07:16:00.000-08:00

I think I got so geared up to knit Christmas gifts...That I've turned the Knit Switch in my brain to permanent ON.

Last night, I bought a ball of Filatura Multicolor in this colorway to make a Branching Out...Which I promptly went home and cast on and made it through four repeats...Love the color in this yarn. It's a heavier weight than Kid Silk Haze and has a longer mohair "lash" or whatever it's called. I am truly sort of obsessed by it...I wanted to bring it to work on at breaks today...But forced myself to leave it home. Cause...You know...Ahem...The Pismo Hat for my bud who works on my computer is Not Done.

I worked on that a bit yesterday and realized, with tiny needles and a zillion and a half stitches, each row takes me about 10 minutes in K1P1 ribbing. I need about 20 more rows before I start the decreases...Argh. However, it is worth it...The hat is awesome. Just time consuming. So, I will make myself stick to it on breaks even tho the mohair calls longingly...

I also bought a skein of Dale Stork and now I see why it was chosen for the Bathing Beauties patterns...It is a whole different world than Lion Brand Cotton. Now, I love Lion Brand Cotton, I really do...But the Stork is sooooo soft, and probably half the weight as well considering it is a fingering weight and the LB Cotton is worsted!!! No wonder my hands were killing me trying to knit the LB Cotton at that gauge! Duh! I haven't cast on with it yet...The mohair seduced me first. Jodie works till 11:30 pm tonight tho....And I'll have a bit of time...

Don't know if I've mentioned that I picked up The Braids cardigan again and have gotten a few more rows in on it. When I put it down a couple of months ago, I carefully made sure to note which row I had just completed. So...I smugly picked it up and thought, I can just start right back in again...Not. I had to think a bit because I had noted what row of the cable part I was on...Not what part of the sweater row I was on..Two completely different things in this pattern! Took a good 15 minutes of careful inspection of pattern to sweater to figure it out, but then it was off and running. Unfortunately for my short attention span, it is like the Pismo Hat in that it has a lot of stitches per row, 272 to be precise and to someone with serious Knit ADD...That is a lot of stitches. I also can not work on this sweater while doing anything else, so no TV or much in-depth conversation...In fact, it is best worked on when I am alone, which in short supply with Christmas Break going on.

Lastly, we went and saw the Chronicles of Narnia Monday night as a family thing. So there was an age span in kids from 19 to 9. After the movie, I asked the 17yo and 19yo what they thought. Both said they had not been eager to see it...But were surprised at how much they liked it. The 9 and 11yo loved it...And so did Jodie and I. I've seen some unimpressed reviews and wasn't sure what to expect. Did they take liberties with the book? Frankly, I haven't read it in years so I can't tell you, but it was a fun movie. The best part? Tilda Swinton as the White Witch. She nailed that part...Awesome job.

So, now that Christmas is over....What are you knitting on? Still finishing Christmas stuff? Knitting for...Yourself?!? Tell me, I'm curious!

Back To Reality...

2005-12-27T06:08:00.000-08:00

I'm okay. Really, I am. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for such kind comments last week....I was on the edge. I'm better. Thank you, really.

I finished all my Christmas knitting but for the coworker Panta, which still isn't finished! Christmas Eve I knit my daughter Kayla's second mitt, sewed them both up and sewed up Michael's mitts. The day before I had finished Michelle's fun fur scarf and wove the ends. So, everyone in my little family got a handknit gift. That felt really, really good.

And, I got knitting books for Christmas! The new Sally Melville, Book 3 of her series which focuses on color; the 2006 Pattern-a-day calendar; a Leisure Arts book that is a compilation of many of their knit books, and ahem - a book I don't remember the name of. The unremembered book...that is sort of a funny story. Jodie and I were at Costco looking at books. She oh-so-casually pointed out the Leisure Arts book and this other book. I said, "hmm, this one (the LA) is okay...but I don't like anything in that one!" Well, she had already purchased and wrapped them! I looked through it twice Christmas day...and frankly still didn't see anything I loved. I'll keep it for awhile, check again and if it doesn't spark some interest, pass it along to my daughter Mary....who is knitting!

Mary asked for some help knitting last week. She learned from me when I taught myself to knit, but just "dinked" around with it, didn't make anything. Over Christmas Eve/Christmas Day she made a pair of 2x2 rib gauntlets and she is off and running! I got her the first Stitch N Bitch book for Christmas, and she loves it. That book really doesn't do a thing for me personally...but at 19, Mary loves the projects. The book and four skeins of WoolEase....that was my knit present to her. She spent the rest of Christmas day alternating between knitting and poring over my knit book collection as well as her new book.

I hope she keeps on knitting.....Knitting has brought me so much...including incredible women on the web. Y'all rock.

Unraveled Thoughts

2005-12-23T08:51:00.000-08:00

My mind is swirling...Holiday-induced angst I suspect.

Ever heard a song on the radio that suddenly just hit you like a ton of bricks? The song "Because of you" sung by Kelly Clarkson

I lose my way

And it's not too long before you point it out

I cannot cry

Because you know that's weakness in your eyes

I'm forced to fake

A smile, a laugh everyday of my life

My heart can't possibly break

When it wasn't even whole to start with

Somehow when I heard this song before today, I assumed it was about a love relationship...this morning at 6 a.m. on the way to work...it was about me and my mother. About being raised as an only child of a woman whose untreated schizoaffective disorder and narcissic personality disorder were the norm...the standard to adhere to....Being told by her family that I was the one who was messed up...that at 6 years old, I wasn't trying hard enough to be good. If I tried harder to be good, Mom wouldn't act the way she did.

That's crazy making, telling a 6 year old it's her fault her mom is a nutcake.

Jumping to another subject, I have sleep apnea. Frankly, I'm effing happy to hear it too. Now maybe something can be done to help and I won't be exhausted all the time. During the consultation in November, the doc at the sleep lab took extensive past history, like almost 2 hours of family history etc. We skated around my mother's mental illness...my own depression issues. When I went back for the follow up, he was scanning his notes. He put them down at the end and said "You know, I just have to tell you...you are amazingly high-functioning considering your childhood." I brushed it off and he said, "NO! Really, I mean that!"

Not today I'm not.

Almost There

2005-12-22T13:05:00.000-08:00

Second Mitt for Jodie done, ends woven and gift wrapped.

Panta for coworker.....half done. She won't get it before Christmas. It's okay...it was a last-minute effort anyway.

Realizing almost all the Christmas knitting I did was from stash! This is a Good Thing...
Jodie's Mitts: Woolie Wash....at least 2 years old.
Kayla's Panta/Mitts: Cascade 220 Quadto, 1 years old
Mary's Panta/Mitts: " " "
Mike's ribbed mitts: Wool Ease, probably 3 years old.
Co-worker's Panta: Red/multi Tahki somethingorother...2-3 years old.
Michelle's Scarf: Fun fur and boucle, purchased specifically for this project.

Not bad, eh? Ahem...course...I could continue knitting solely from stash for quite some time if I had a mind to...If I am not mistaken, besides untold small amounts of yarns, I have enough yarn for SIX SWEATERS....EIGHT if you count the ones on needles already.

And socks? Uh, I have some sock yarn. yeah. A little. Just a bit. I don't even want to consider how many pairs I could make.

If I don't post before the holidays, hope yours is happy and peaceful.

Knitting, knitting, knitting

2005-12-20T08:04:00.000-08:00

Cast on and finished last night: Set of wrist warmers for 9 yo son. Cast on 40 stitches, did 2 x 2 rib for 5 inches, 6 rows of 1 x 1 rib. Tonight I'll sew them up like the Irish Hiking Mitts and voila, mitts for boy. Used a rusty brown colored Wool Ease...worked well. Interesting to note that this color of Wool Ease is thicker than the Cream Wool Ease I tried for the Panta. I'm just saying...it's thicker, really.

Cast on and finished one Irish Hiking Mitt in Dark Green Woolie Wash yarn for Jodie (she doesn't read the blog much so I'm safe in saying so, I believe....if I'm mistaken and she's reading, oh well....), just needs sewing up, and the second one is about 1/4 done.

I love the pattern for the mitts, serious love it. I can knit it while watching TV which is a big deal...I usually can't have much distraction going on at all....

Less than an hour to my followup appointment for my sleep study. It will be what it will be, aye?

Have you been over to see the Yarn Harlot lately? What a ruckus ensued...Jodie works at a Large Northwest Retailer...which has instructed it's employees to please say "Happy Holidays!" to customers. You would not believe the people who rag all over her for it. Please folks, be kind to your grocery clerk!

Monday, Monday

2005-12-19T08:23:00.000-08:00

Well, let's recap the weekend knitting:

3/4 done with the Fun Fur/boucle scarf. This now has to be worked on pretty much on breaks at work so the off-for-the-holiday-break preteen doesn't see it. If she sees it, she will instantly KNOW it is for her and I want it to be a surprise.

Off the needles: Two Panta headbands, both from Cascase Quatro. One in blues and one in greens. Green one goes with the already-complete Irish Hiking Fingerless Mitts of same yarn.

One blue IHFM off needle, needs to be seamed, second mitt cast on.

One Wool Ease Panta off needles....and disliked immensely. It just lacked......oomph. It was thin....and every inc or dec showed up in a big way. The Cascade Quatro, on the other hand, knit up a lovely squishy headbands with no visible inc or decreases. Reminds me that, yet again, cheaper is not always better and that Wool Is THE BOMB. I did want something machine washable for these, but I'm happier with the finished product.

I am longing to return to Hanging Vines...regroup my efforts on my long-neglected Ribby...and really get somewhere on The Braids Cardigan. Let's throw in world peace while we're at it...and a different president. Ahem...okay, 'nuff of that.

Went to my work Christmas Party last night...it was very pleasant, low key. "Social hour" with a funky bluegrass band, "Back From The Dead", very fun. Nice buffet dinner...a "Greedy Santa" game afterward. I hate that game, where you steal presents...but Jodie loves it and we came home with a cool snowman cookie jar.

It was entertaining in other respects too...Jodie is from The South and could be considered "old school butch." When we are out, she opens doors for me...pulls out my chair...helps me on and off with my coat...etc. It is who she is....and tho it was disconcerting to me at first, I LOVE IT. There were Some Looks last night as those things happened...surprised looks....snotty looks....envious looks...it was Very Interesting.

The only other festive thing on my calender is having good friends over this week...Jodie is making Gumbo..."what do you mean...you've never had gumbo?" Well, by Thursday, I will have had gumbo. ;-P

My sleep lab evaluation is tomorrow. I can't believe I'm saying this...but I hope they say I have sleep apnea and do something. I am SO DONE with being tired all the time....

End of Week

2005-12-16T08:04:00.000-08:00

Hmm....whilst checking on some of my favorite blogs that are Typepad blogs...they seem to have all lost about a week's worth of posting overnight...Hopefully that will be remedied soon, need my fix ya know.

I have been intently watching and really, really enjoying this KAL.....Who Wouldn't Enjoy A Handknitted Gift..not participating, but really enjoying it. Lots of great ideas for small, quick projects...funny posts...

Three children's holiday concerts in two days. My butt is about petrified, let me tell ya.

Knitting:
Just at the half way mark on the Fun Fur/boucle scarf for daughter #3.

Another 2 inches on the Panta for daughter #2.

Started a simple drop stitch scarf for ME (!!!), 4" done. My work party is Sunday night, and I can not afford even a new blouse. Felt sorry for myself...then dug around in the stash and found a bandless novelty in blues/greens that I have been hoarding... and cast on. Love it so far. May not have money...but damn, I have yarn!

The desire to cast on several more projects ..... intense. The desire to work on a big project instead of little quick ones is also intense. I am thinking Christmas day knitting or day after (I have the 26th off, yay!) will be devoted to The Braids Cardigan, for real this time. Or, hmm, maybe ripping and restarting the back of my almost year old Ribby? That's a thought.

Wouldn't You Like A Panta Too?

2005-12-15T07:35:00.000-08:00

Shameless rip off of a post on Craftster...where one gal says the name (of the Finnish headband thing) "Panta" makes her think of the Fanta commercial...Fanta Fanta...don't you want a fanta?

I'm obsessed. Panta #1, out of Fisherman cream Wool Ease is 50+ % done, in three hours of HIGHLY INTERRUPTED knitting...If I can get that far between cooking dinner, helping with homework, riding children mercilessly about chores, driving teenager to and from friends house...anyone can do one of these pretty darn fast. This one at Kung Fu Knitting has me jazzed about using noro...tho hers is from Foliage...so now I'm planning a Noro Panta...a Manos Panta...not for me however. I have a high forehead....like...a really really high forehead...then again, maybe it would camouflage the high forehead...hmm. Have to try one on to see I guess.

By the way, stay tuned to purlsb4swine...she might be pulling a name out of a cat for her contest...maybe she'll post pics. Marcia makes me laugh EVERY SINGLE TIME SHE POSTS, without fail. God bless her...I should probably send her a check for therapy.

Needles on Fire...

2005-12-14T07:56:00.000-08:00

Actually, maybe that should be "elbow on fire..." since all this work and knitting is killing my arm!

Last night I finished the Cascade 220 hat and the Caron Simply Soft Irish Hiking Fingerless Mitts. Maybe I'll get pics before they get packed and shipped. Course, at the rate I'm going...you'll see 'em in July. I have knitting pics that still haven't been developed in a couple of months. Sigh. I'm going to start taking more with the webcam...not great pics, but instant gratification.

I want to cast on for another Branching Out...and this pattern caught my attention yesterday, for a Finnish headband called a Panta. It is something a friend of mine would love. Not Christmas knitting mind you...uh, it's a little late fore that...but just because. I also tried one of the soap sacks from this pattern last week. I had Lion Brand Cotton...and thought, huh, well it's a little thicker than what they call for (I think it was Dale Stork)..but..it'll do. No, actually it won't. Just enough thicker that is hurt to knit it with the needles called for and after only 2 or 3 rounds my wrists were screaming "stop...for the love of pete...stop!" So, when I get a little extra jingle in my pocket after the holidays, I'll get the weight of cotton specified. It was worth a try...but not worth the pain!

I also would like to make little knit sachet bags. Have you seen the ones in The Knitter's Bible? I saw some Bag 'n Trash knit up on her blog and I have the book...now I want to try them too.We have six huge lavender plants in the front yard...that went completely to waste this year. When I cut them back for winter, I thought...geez. I could have had a ton of lavender if I'd gotten off my heinie... so I'm trying to plan ahead. I took kiddos to The Dollar Tree the other day to get something for their secret santa at school....and they had four bags to a pack of those little organza type bag with a ribbon drawstring so I picked up a pack. They would keep the lavender or whatever from coming out of the knit bag and geez...a quarter each? yeah, even I can afford that.

Twas The Last Week Of The Pay Period...

2005-12-13T07:38:00.000-08:00

and Sahara was scrambling...to knit on those Christmas gifts and work all her hours.

Oy.

I have not worked full time in three years. About that time...I fell apart. Call it what you will...a nervous breakdown or meltdown, whatever...I just melted down in a very big way. I cut my hours back and I will be ever grateful to the senior partner at my job who said "do what you need to do, I don't want to lose you."

I've been at 3/4 time pretty much the last year. I've scraped by...and frankly, I was scared to death of another meltdown. So I didn't push it.

Hence...here we are. Financial issues up the wazoo. This pay period marks the return to full time. I can do this...really. I keep telling myself that...and reminding myself I only have to do it one day at a time.

Meanwhile, Christmas looms and I somehow...don't ask how cause damned if I know...I have Christmas knitting all over the house. Argh! So far:

Two frou-frou acrlyic novelty "crap yarn" scarves for Jodie's 4 & 7 yo neices - DONE.
A pair of Irish Hiking fingerless mitts in Cascade 220- DONE
A pair " " in Caron Simply Soft - 1.5 Done (these are for someone who doesn't know me and doesn't like me. In that order. But, I have my reasons. I don't care if she doesn't like me. I don't particularly like her too much either. Yes, I realize the bizarreness of knitting for someone who doesn't like you...again, I have my reasons - crazy reaons maybe...but reasons).
A hat (k1 p1 rib) for Jodie's husband in Superwash Cascade 220- mmm....half to 3/4 done.
A Pismo hat for the guy who fixes my computer for free.... 1/3 done and this one may not see Christmas as an FO...tiny needles, tiny stitches....
A Sofie ala Norma in Cascade 220 - Knit, felted, just need to get the handle hardware on there. Knowing me, I'll be doing that at 1 a.m. Christmas eve.....
Another novelty scarf of Fun Fur and acrylic boucle - 1/3 done. The Fun Fur is the self striping kind and the distraction of the color change is at least saving me from slitting my throat. I knit through at least one repeat of the three colors (black, navy and turqouise) at a sitting. This may be mindless knitting, but it is also endless knitting....
Branching Out in Silky Wool - Knit, needs to be blocked.

There are other things I could/might start given the time....the question is, can I do this and work full time? That's the $100,000 question. If I could just get my employer to let me knit at my desk.....uh...not likely. What will help is that Jodie will be working a lot of nights and I don't sleep well when she's gone...so I can knit, I hope.

So reading over this post, you may think I am all fragile and crap. I'm not. I feel that way sometimes.....but I am effing strong, thank you very much. I can do this...I'm sure I can.

I Don't Think I' Up For That....

2005-12-09T12:38:00.000-08:00

So...I saw the postings for Secret Pal 7. My very first reaction was "I wanna do that!!"

Then reality intruded. I'm not good at it. I wish I was...but I'm not. I don't have the finances to send a lot or a lot of time to devote to it. The one I did, my pal was disappointed...she needed more attention than I could give. I did my best...and I thought I was holding up my end of the deal, but in the end she was disappointed and I ended up feeling bad. Not fun. I had a great "giver" pal...she was in Germany and sent me a big box of yummy wonders that I treasure. So....no SP for me. And you know what? That's okay. I did it...I learned a lot about myself and how it works and it's just not for me...I'm okay with it.

I did not knit yesterday at all. Some "stuff" came up....I ended up in bed by 8 pm. The holidays are getting to me...money issues are getting to me...sigh.

When I start on the slippery slope to depression, one of the first things I do is make a list of things I am grateful for. Gratitude is a good thing. Here's a partial list.....what are you grateful for? My list is in no particular order either, just as it pops into my head...
1. I have a good job.
2. My car runs.
3. I'm in love....and she loves me back.
4. I have good kids.
5. I have a roof over my head.
6. Knitting.
7. The sun shining on the snow.

That's about all I can come up with at this moment. But....it's a start.

Lady Madonna

2005-12-08T09:59:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the multiple posting... technical difficulties on my part. Found this over at Purlewe....go take it!

Lady Madonna
You scored 29 shyness, 22 bitterness, 71 moral, and 27 eccentric!

You are Lady Madonna! This single was a celebration of motherhood. Whether you're a parent or not, you probably are an average, mature person, just trying to make your way through this world. You have your modest pleasures, but for the most part you're occupied with responsibilities, doing the right thing, and taking care of people close to you. "Lady Madonna, children at your feet. Wonder how you manage to make ends meet. Who finds the money, when you pay the rent? Did you think that money was heaven sent?" - 'Lady Madonna'

New Tricks

2005-12-08T08:54:00.000-08:00

Well, gift knitting continues apace. Will it be done by Christmas? No clue. None of these items are life or death to me...if they get done, great, if not...s'aright.

I did learn a cool new (to me) trick...The Pismo Hat has a couple of stripes. I avoid stripes because I just don't usually like the way they come out, both the jog problem and that first row of color change just....doesn't do it for me.

The designer gives a couple of cool hints about the jog issue, and they really helped. Didn't completely obliterate the problem - most likely from my lack of skill, not the directions. The thing that really worked and rocked my little boat? You know how when you're doing ribbing and you change colors, that first row of the color change can just look crappy? You have a little bump of the color sort of standing out in the row below it? She completely solves this problem by knitting the first round, then going back to the rib pattern. This makes a really sharp demarcation of color...I liked it so much, I cast on for another hat using my leftover Cascade Superwash from the Chinese Tapestry Hat with some stripes...just cause I love how that little trick works! I'll try to get a pic of the finished CTH soon.....

You might find it amusing...I'm making this latest hat for my sweetie's....husband. Like me, Jodie was married a long time. Her husband is a very kind man. He is probably the only one of her immediate family that gave her no grief when she came out and left the marriage. So, I'm making him a beanie for Christmas....or whenever it gets done. I wish all women who figure themselves out later in life who are already married could have a husband like him. I certainly didn't. When I came out, my ex-husband took it really personally. His bitterness continues undiminished 7.5 years later. If I had left for a man...he said he would have actually felt better. But to leave because I figured out I was lesbian? Major slap to his ego I guess. You know how they say, "you don't know some one till you('re) married to/live with them"? Nope, let me tell you, you don't know them till you divorce them. Over seven years later, I still find myself with wrinkled brow asking myself "who IS THIS? This cannot be the same man I was married to for 14 years...who is in there now?"

Started to make a simple ribbed hat from some yummy variegated blue sock yarn from stash...I usually knit so tightly, I thought it would be fine on 3.25 mm needles. About half an inch in the ribbing...I didn't like it. I had that initial "damn it, what a waste of a good hour" feeling...but Margene's post from yesterday popped into my mind again....and she is so right. It is the process. I was able to just say, "huh. That didn't work. Let's try something else." Thanks Margene!

Lastly, I got a good laugh-out-loud moment when reading the tale of TMK and Rat Bastard...Head on over to Mossy Cottage for your own dose of hilarity...

Making Up For Lost (knitting) Time

2005-12-05T08:28:00.000-08:00

This pattern is the bomb....simple...quick...great results. I've made 1.75 pair over the weekend along with other knitting and I'm planning on making MORE!

Pics hopefully soon....in the meantime, the first pair was done with Cascade Quatro (color 9435) and the second (almost done pair) is in Lorna's Shepard Sock worsted in the Watercolor colorway...these are so soft and so yummy to just look at .... and I think they are gonna be MINE.

The only pic I have to offer today is of one of our kittens...named "Sahara" by Michelle (I am honored belive me). This is post-kitty mania...

Also about to hop on the needles are these hats - The Pismo Hat and His Hat, from Marnie MacLean...LOVE her stuff, tho a majority of it is not, ahem, suited to the fluffy.

Holidays are upon us...I find myself doing the mood swing dance....Things I love and things that make me wanna hide in bed till January 2nd. Tonight: Baking sugar cookies and decorating the tree whilst sipping hot cocoa.

It sounds nice, doesn't it? Part of me would still like to just eat all the cookies, swig something besides hot cocoa, and go straight to bed. But...I'm The Mom....so...send along thoughts for not strangling children or kittens and actually enjoying my little piece of the holidays....

My Head's Not THAT Big

2005-12-02T06:22:00.000-08:00

That was the expression on Jodie's face last night when she tried on her hat.

See....I tried to "fix" it. It came out okay, in fact, if you didn't know what the color pattern was SUPPOSED to look like, you'd think it was 'right fine.' But I was stressed it was too small. So, I dunked in a nice Eucalan bath and stretched it....a bit.

It's now that hat that ate Manhattan. So...it's superwash wool, I can't felt it down...what now? Re-dunk and hope it regains it's pre-humongous state? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Once I finished the hat....I worked on Hanging Vines. I'm almost afraid to tell you in case I jinx myself...but it's going great. I'm having a blast with it. The yarn (Mountain Colors Bearfoot) is soft and the color....well it makes my little heart beat fast I tell ya.

Isn't it amazing what color can do to us? Before knitting, if someone asked me my favorite color, it was a simple question with a pretty simple answer. Now....it's a much bigger question. It makes my head spin...my heart sing....I saw some Fleece Artist while surfing blogs last night...and could feel my mouth starting to water...I hit The Fold again and soaked in the Socks That Rock colorways....

Guess I'm hooked. :) Good thing, I was scrounging around in the garage for size 5.0 DPNs...of which I found ONE, but that's another story argh....and through the stash...ahem. I have some yarn out there. Ahem...you know...just a little.

Have a lovely weekend....

Home Is Where My Heart Is...

2005-12-01T08:23:00.000-08:00

I wanna be home. Knitting.

There was 7" of fresh snow on my car this morning...and it continues to come down hard.

I would love to be home....even tho school's closed and the children are there...knitting up a storm. Love my children, mind you....but the distraction factor in knitting with kids is pretty high for me. Again, my admiration for the Yarn Harlot deepens...a woman who can knit (incredibly too) with children AND consume alcohol...well...wow. Can I be a Yarn Harlot when I grow up?

The Chinese Tapestry Slip Stitch Hat....continues. But...it has a boo-boo. Trying to knit while childen around me...under me...over me played with kittens (THREE kittens)...I got confused. Lost my place in the pattern. Unwilling to tink the slip stitch pattern...I said..."ok...let's start from......here."

Uh, it was not the right spot. I continued on anyway. Now there is a boo boo in the color pattern. It's not HUGE and GLARING or anything...but it's not perfect. History has proven when something is not perfect, I tend to abandon it. (projects, not people. I LOVE imperfect people.
:-P). So now the challenge is to finish it, warts and all. I could try to rip it back, but I KNOW it would be messy...and I'd probably end up ripping back to the beginning and starting over...and I don' wanna.

So, I'm trying to just go with it.

But...I'm not home working on said hat, no. I'm at work. Being responsible. Earning pennies to pay the rent. Bummer.

Not a stitch on Hanging Vines last night. I knew I was too tense and distracted, especially after the boo boo on the hat happened. Jodie works till 11:30 pm tonight, so after kids go to bed (and hopefully kittens too) I'll pull it out. I'm also dying for some major time on The Braids Cardigan.

Time. I need more of it. Got any? Send your extras to me....

Well.....isn't that....special

2005-11-29T14:23:00.000-08:00

In a boredom-killing effort at work, I clicked on my blog counter stats. Among the usual suspects for referrers (thanks Ryan! you made my stats hum again after my long absence!), there was a google search for ....

"Sahara pees"

Apparently, there is a porn star with the moniker of Sahara who performs...uh....what's it called? Ahem..."water sports."

All I could think of was "that figures." Of course now that I've used the words "porn" and "pee" together, I should get lots of hits from these .... uh....adventurous?....folks.

Maybe I can reel them in to the Dark Side....Knitting. Hey you porn addicts....yarn porn is so much more satisfying....ahem, I'm sure. Safe to look at from work....yer spouse won't get all bent out of shape....there's the relaxation/zen thing angle...

You'll never guess what I cast on for ..... again. Hanging Vines. The really bizarre thing? It's going great! I'm using luscious, absolutely rich and soft....yummy....Mountain Colors Bearfoot in Wild Raspberry. I can't find a true pic of the color on line...it is described as "purples, raspberry and a hint of leaf green"... If I can get a decent pic of it myself I'll post it. I am working on this when the kids have gone to bed and Jodie is working nights. I had so much trouble with the pattern earlier that I gave up on it....but I am LOVING the way it is coming out in this yarn. Here's hoping the love continues....

I'm about 2" into the body of the Chinese slip stitch hat...but you know, that Mountain Colors was demanding some attention....and it won.

Knitting Fever

2005-11-29T09:16:00.000-08:00

Mmmm it's good to be back. Good to cruise the web and see the amazing knitting going on...laugh at the stories y'all tell...drool over new colors and patterns.

I appreciate the warm welcome back into the fold of knit bloggers. Always welcomed home...open arms. My family of origin could take a few lessons.

One of the things I did while I was away was have an evaluation for sleep apnea. Emily used to tell me she thought I stopped breathing in the night....but I didn't do anything about it.

Over the last year...I have had crushing fatigue that has changed my life most unpleasantly. But I wasn't willing to go to the sleep lab and do the work involved. Why? Well....that would be self care. You know...taking care of your health....and I haven't been one to do that. I'll take care of my kids, my friends, strangers on the street....but me? Nah...I can wait. You know....till there's money for it. And time, yeah, more time too.

Then there's the whole CPAP thing....ever seen someone with CPAP on? Dead sexy....Jodie calls it "The Snuffleuffagus" look...I just didn't wanna mess with it. If they say I have sleep apnea and I have to sleep with that thing on....geez, what a hassle. Nah. I'll just live with it. Despite the fact I've had two near accidents from damn near falling asleep at the wheel...despite my work performance has suffered and I've been pretty much unable to work a 40 hour work week. Despite that I am exhausted and bitchy as all hell and no fun to be around. Despite the fact that I have felt like I am a spectator in life rather than a participant because I'm so effing tired ALL THE TIME....No, I didn't wanna mess with it.

When Jodie joined me...she also said, "you know you might have sleep apnea...you stop breathing and twitch all night..."

Then I started going to Overeater's Anonymous. Which is changing my life...in a really big way. Learning that "normal" people...care for their health. Their body...their spirit...that my compulsive overeating is part of a bigger problem than "just" being overweight, it is about so much more. The first self care thing I have done for myself is to make the appointment and actually go do the sleep evaluation.

Hooked up to numerous leads....video taped and recorded during an over night stay. I have a follow up on December 20th. I dread they will tell me, yes indeedio, you have sleep apnea. I am even more afraid they might say I don't.

Last night we watched "City of Angels"....my first time seeing it. Excellent movie. Cried buckets...and usually I avoid anything that makes me blubber...but apparently I needed it.

Jodie works a lot of nights till 11:30 p.m., and tonight is one of those nights. I plan on KNITTING!!!! Wheeeeee. The Braids Cardigan has been neglected for the entire 6 weeks. Think it's time for it to have a little attention.....Let ya know how that goes...

Remember me?

2005-11-28T08:20:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it's been so long since I posted. Geez.

Still not a lot of knitting going on, but finally actually PICKED UP some needles and dinked around.

Lots of focus on belly dance the last two months. This is a good thing, but not for my knitting. I want both, the dancing and the knitting. Frequently, it get's down to one or the other however. Compounding the problem, I am struggling with constant pain in my right elbow running down the outside of the forearm into the hand...that ulnar nerve thing again.

The Baby Albert Baby Coat is about 2/3 done. It starts as a strip which turns out to be the bottom of the coat. You then pick up and knit one front, then the back, then the other front. Sleeves are then picked up and knit and voila, yer done. I'm on the second front. Might actually finish it before the baby it is intended for gets here. Might.

I cast on for this hat, for my freezing sweetie. You'll remember Jodie is from Louisiana....where they wear shorts at Christmas time. It's durned cold here right now, and the snow hasn't even hit yet.

I'm using Cascade 220 Superwash, which is new to me. I love, and I mean LOVE, Cascade 220, but didn't even know they made superwash. I went to the snobby yarn shop for the first time in .... over a year? maybe more like two years? and fell in love with it. 220 yard balls, I got three colors - navy (803?), medium blue (814), and light blue (847). Don't have the bands with me so those are guesses to the actual colors. Enough for the hat and a scarf. Who knows, maybe mittens too???

I cast on and got the band done - which is a nice sturdy band as the designer has you knit x amount of rows, then on the last row, put wrong sides together and pick up the cast-on row with the last row of the band. Makes a really nice edge for the cap. Tell ya one thing...dark navy and trying to pick up stitches.....dang I felt old. Anyway, got past that and oh....10 rows into the slip stitch pattern when I had her try it on.

Too small. Waaaaaay too small. The pattern says size 5's and I cast on for the "medium". Well, being all scientific....I switched to size 8's and cast on the for large. I'll just knit on and we'll see where it goes.

I imagine that kind of knitting would drive some up the wall....but it's me. Seat of the pants knitting pretty much.

As I said, belly dance is heating up for me. Lots of choreography for the troupe, myself, my daughter, and friends. Trying to work on my own routine.....so I don't kick myself later. My area has just begun a bellydance guild...(highdesertbellydance.org) and guess who is co-chair for this year? Yup, that would be me. I'm excited about it....tho it is time away from knitting.

I've missed knitting. Really missed it. I have not read a blog, looked at patterns, looked at yarn, NUTHIN' for 6 weeks.

Just think of all I've missed! Now it's time to play catch up...wheeeeeee!

Not A Lot Of Knitting

2005-10-19T09:38:00.000-07:00

Life is a little hectic right now...work...kids in school...dance stuff...life.

I have completed the seemingly neverending strip for the bottom of the Baby Albert Coat, basically 200 rows of garter stitch. Seems like it should have gone a lot faster than it did...now almost done with the first front...Using Lorna's Laces Ice House...Ugly pics taken with webcam to be posted in a day or so. It is not the easiest way to do pics...the webcam. Equally ugly pics of progress on The Braids cardigan...tho the yarn is dark and I don't know if any detail actually comes through. argh.

One of the things that is taking up my time is OA. You know, when you have handled every pain, crisis, and celebration with food your entire life...when you stop that..you have to deal with FEELINGS.

I have consistently brought alcoholic/addicts into my life, until Jodie. I can honestly say I have a completely different perspective on their motivations and struggles.

OA is not a "diet". I have only shared with a select few people in my "real world" that I am working this program. One of them asked me, "So, how's your new diet going...lost any weight?"

No not really. But I have gained a tremendous insight to myself in the last 6 weeks. I am painfully aware this is not a quick fix. I'd like a quick fix, you know..."Step one, check. Step two, check....step twelve, check. Okay. I'm done now."

It's not going to work that way.

I don't know how to face the day-to-day crap that comes along without eating to soothe myself. Noticed when I stopped eating to soothe...I wanted to start shopping. Replace one complusion with another, aye?

Knitting is helping me. It is medatative and soothes me. I suspect I could (and have) knit compulsively as well. This however doesn't endanger my health or relationships....well...not much. ;-P

One thing that stands out clearly in my mind....If I could redirect the energy I have put into compulsive overeating and trying NOT to compulsively overeat...say into knitting...I could clothe an entire family in hand knits.

Sahara Dances

2005-10-13T08:54:00.000-07:00

After some prodding by lovely readers, I offer you a few pics of last weekend's belly dance event...produced by my dance troupe, Sahara's Dream...

Me announcing...Wish I could remember what I was saying here...Hmmm.

Our guest workshop instructor in performance, Mezdulene. She is balancing two swords at one time on her head in this shot, you can clearly see across, and the handle of the second sword crossing the other direction just above her forhead. Talented, gracious, very kind woman.

My troupe, Sahara's Dream, with three members and one guest dancer, in our opening performance. Another shot here.

Our closing routine, Walla Mara here and here.

Knitting? Well, I completed one row on The Braids Cardigan this week so far. That tells you how much knitting time I've had. We had a computer upgrade at work....which went live Monday. Anyone who has done this before, well, you know exactly how well it went.

Gearing up to make another baby sweater tho...leaning toward Trellis.

But They Don't Make This Anymore!!

2005-10-04T07:36:00.000-07:00

Last night, Jodie and I wandered around Tuesday Morning killing a bit of time.

To be honest....ahem...we needed to kill some time, and as we passed Tuesday Morning, I recalled someone (Norma maybe?) saying they had made a killing on Cotton Ease at their local store.

Oh so casually...I said, "hey, let's stop and look there."

Lo and behold, what should reside in the far back corner? The craft section (which didn't even exist the last time I was in there)....with some Cotton Ease. Three skeins for $5.99. Not a lot...and the only color I was interested in was a light blue.

Jodie caught me looking....gave me one of those "like you could possibly knit all the yarn you have NOW" looks...and I said ...

"But, they don't make this any more! You can't get this, it's discontinued...."

She rolled her eyes....and three bags of three came home with me. :) Now, of course, I am thinking I really SHOULD have gotten the last one too...making it 12 skeins and about 2400 yards....and at lunch...well...you just might catch me there.

A Plethora of Pictures

2005-10-03T08:44:00.000-07:00

In no particular order....we have:

My Cascade 220 Sofie (Norma's version) Prefelted...see the Altoids tin for size comparison.

Same bag, felted. This has bamboo handles...but I need to get rivit rings or whatever the dickens they're called to attach the handles to the bag...

Kayla's Hayden hat...Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Worsted

Michelle's Hayden... Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Worsted

Michaels Tychus - Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride and something I don't remember....

And a pic of me and my sweet patootie....

Now...I just need to figure out what camera has the Baby Surprise Jacket and Branching Out along with who knows what else...

Up to about 1.5-2 inches on The Braids Cardigan....now that I have read the directions...I'm having a ball. :)
I know, not a plethora to a lot of people, but here at Sahara knits.... it is. Have a great day!

Skill Level: Adventurous

2005-09-30T08:15:00.000-07:00

What does that mean to you? Adventurous? Well, I don't know what it meant to me...until I decided to embark on a new sweater. (Ribby Cardi? Uh, what about it? You trying to pick a fight here? Ribby will get her day in court..uh, I mean, Ribby will get finished...eventually. Rogue? Well, I finally made a decision, it is going to the frog pond. Not because I don't LOVE the pattern, but since I could only get guage on size 10's with Cascade 220...I really don't like the fabric it creates. Yes...I'm half done with it...but I don't LOVE it. So...a froggy we will go.)

Anyway...what was I talking about? Huh. Yet another mental pause moment...lots of those today considering this is day 19 in a row of work for me. True, I have had to only work as little as 3 hours a couple of those days...but 19 days without a whole day off...AND being sick for 5 of those days...well...the entire morning has been one loooong mental pause....

Anyway...uh...um. Oh yes, Skill level: Adventurous. I was digging around in the stash and came across this pattern, The Braids Cardigan from Cabin Fever. Thought, hey, you know, you HAVE to have enough yarn for this puppy in your stash somewhere...and low and behold, I dug up the Patons Classic Merino I had purchased for Must Have Cardi. Now....I DO intend to one day actually cast on for this .... ahem, really I do...really...especially since I ***blush*** joined the stupid KAL for it...damn it Norma....

Anyway, what were we talking about? Uh..oh! Must Have. The deal is, once I got the pattern in hand (I had the yarn before the pattern I think) I decided I wanted it in classic creamy Aran color rather than the dark teal I had purchased. So 10 skeins of the Patons in Dark Teal have been waiting patiently in the stash.

I swatched....got gauge. I cast on...272 stitches. Now, I know this isn't a lot to many of you...but you are talking to a woman who hasn't knit much with a cast on of over 50 lately at all. Row 1...done. Struggled a little, cause the pattern is scrunched up in the way it's printed...kept losing my place...but got through it. Row 2...what's wrong? Why am I coming out with 2 stitches left???? Tinked back....you know, 270 stitches. Did it again and low and behold...2 extra stitches. Got sorta crabby. Ahem. You know...sorta. The 17yo, Kayla, says..."why are you in such a bad mood?!?!?"

"I'm NOT in a bad MOOD!!!!" .......................oh. well, maybe I am.

I ended up ripping it out. Decided to cast on a larger needle for the first row anyway, cause I used a knitted cast on and the first time it was sorta tight. Thought, I'm gonna write this row out where I can see it....not all scrunched up. Bingo.

The designer of this pattern expects you to think. I know, what's that about? Ahem, Did I read all the way through the pattern before I cast on? Well no. What a stupid question that is. When the skill level is "Adventurous"....perhaps one should actually READ the pattern, whatcha think?

What I missed is an "extra" stitch on each "side" that she turns into what she calls "phoney seams"...to help the sweater which is knit in the round, hang a little better. By slowing down, writing the pattern row out...I could finally see what she was doing...and therefore what I should be doing.

Whew. I'm up to row 4. Let you know how this goes.

Pictures: I have lots. Got 'em developed yesterday. Put the disc in last night to load pics...and the stupid disc doesn't work. I said a few choice words. It goes back today with the negatives....and hopefully will be returned to me in working order. Then, I can show you the hat bonanza I was on last month...the process shots of my Norma's version of Sofie, and some other nice shots.

Sick....again

2005-09-21T09:23:00.000-07:00

The title says it all. Nasty head cold that I can feel is trying to morph into bronchitis. I took the better part of two days off, but today, here I am at work. Our on-call person is on vacation this week...of course she is, what else would I expect? So I need to be here. Though if I continue down hill I'll be 0ut of here by noon. Dang. I need the hours too.

Eragon was lovely. I read it during the two part days I had off...now Jodie and I are both lusting after the next book in the series, Eldest.

Knitting? Uh, not much. Started a pair of mittens...stash busting some woolease. Using the pattern from Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns...I know. I know. There are usually TWO mittens. I'm trying to break myself of second-anything syndrome.

There was a very first Stitch N Bitch locally last night...and I was too sick to go. :(

Dang.

Lastly, because the oddness of my relationship with the internet lies in the fact I don't let people I KNOW in on the fact that I blog, I will share with you something I'm not sharing with anyone else in 3D. I am exploring Overeater's Anonymous. Let you know how that goes. Since I have long joked that food is my drug of choice...well...maybe I should be dealing with it as the addiction it is. I'm thinking on it anyway. Ugh. I have to go take more sinus meds and act like I'm working now.

Book Vs Movie

2005-09-15T08:01:00.000-07:00

I have been a voracious reader since I was in first grade. I often note those with ugly childhoods frequently turned to escapism through books.

I tend to prefer fantasy and mysteries to nonfiction...after all, I read to escape! Occassionally, I'll binge on self-help books....*blush*.....they are my secret trashy reading. I would rather be flayed ( or is that "filleted?" hee) than ever read a bodice ripper again. They nauseate me.

All this is leading up to what I'm reading currently: The Lord Of The Rings. Nope, never read it before. I read The Hobbit in high school and somewhere along the line I developed the idea I had also read LOTR. Now, more than half through it, I realize I most certainly never have read it before.

Am I naive in that I was shocked how different the book is from the movie? I keep turning to Jodie (a dyed in the wool LOTR addict) and saying "hey! they did this completely different in the movie!!" I love the movies...but I am enjoying the book immensely.

We are also reading (tho I have given it back over to Jodie while I finish LOTR) "Eragon". This is a young adult novel about a boy and his dragon and we are enjoying it very much. In fact, she needs to finish cause once I close LOTR....I want it!

Knitting? Mmmmm....almost done with The Boy's Tychus...hopefully this weekend. Not sure what after that....I still have tons of yarn in my stash and I need to work from it. I am having some yarn buying lust...but I'll continue to control myself a bit longer.

Question of the day: What are YOU reading??

Happy 100th Post To Me!

2005-09-12T07:33:00.000-07:00

Geez, it has taken me over a year...(well over a year, but let's not go into that) to get to 100 posts. What a slacker I am.

Knitting:
Over the weekend, I cast on for Tychus. Now, this is for a 9 yo boy. The examples were knit out of doubled Red Heart. I had no problem with acrylic, especially for the boy. I knit away on one "wedge" using double strand Lion Brand Pound O' Love, Denim Blue and White.

Can you say THICK? So thick it could be a helmet. He had originally wanted red and blue, but I didn't have enough acrylic to do it doubled. I did, however, have some stashed red with multicolored flecks that I eventually combined with a navy Lamb's Pride worsted and the hat is on it's third of five wedges. Gauge is a bit different, but we'll see how it works out. I will eventually finish the helmet Tychus for Dulaan.

Also finished the second Hayden hat. This one in Lamb's pride sage green, darker green (forest?) and light gray. Daughter loves it, wears it constantly. In fact, last night after her shower, she put it back on again to watch tv. I think she likes it. :)

Took pics, hopefully get them developed Friday...you know...when I get paid again. Finally. Dang I hate being broke.

Started working on my weight again today. Back on the protein program, cut sugar....which means I have had no coffee this a.m. - cause you know, I can't drink it without a lot of crap in it. Sipping a diet coke just don't cut it. But I'm gaining weight again, and I can't stand it. Especially since I am dancing October 8 in a show here with my troupe and for a solo....Something has to happen.

Cables And Shrugs And Lace, Oh My

2005-09-08T09:40:00.000-07:00

NOTE: I have added the links to pics in the post from Tuesday, hence a "double post". Scrool down to see a pic of the ZigZag scarf....and a frightening rendition of yours truly. I look po'd...or sick....or something. Something not good. I didn't realize how vain I was until I saw that picture....damn getting older anyway.

Have you seen the new Knitty? I am frankly not always ecstatic over the designs in Knitty...they often just aren't "me." The last issue, focusing on men's knits, left me about as cold as possible, with the exception of the Tychus Hat, which I have down on the mile-long list of want to try projects.

When I got the notification this a.m. that the new fall Knitty was up I can honestly say I thought, oh. Big Deal. Then I looked....and said "OH!" Several of the designs really popped out at me. This cabled shrug especially "Blackberry"....the description calls it a cardigan, but it looks like a glorified shrug to me. Don't get me wrong, I'm crazy about it! Besides, a shrug I have hope of actually finishing.....lol.

This lace shawl "Ella"...yum. The colors in the model literally make me drool.

Best issue of Knitty to date, in my opinionated mind.

Bound off the Hayden hat for my daughter (scroll to bottom of page for pics). Hoping to get her to model for a pic...but she's 17 and well....you know. Cast on for another Hayden in dark green, sage green and light gray for my son. This time, I am keeping track of the pattern a bit better ... I hope. I would like to try a 5-color Hayden as well, but decided I should make sure I could do one with three colors AND keep track of the pattern first...then try the five color version.

Please Join Me In A Moment Of Silence

2005-09-06T08:22:00.000-07:00

For the Hanging Vines Scarf. She met her end in the frog pond over the weekend.

Friday, I noticed she just didn't look quite "right." Thinking drastic measures were called for, I tinked back 4 rows or so...and She seemed to be her old self for awhile...

Saturday, I held her up to the light, to admire her pretty pattern....and saw it. About three inches from the needles...her pattern...well....it wasn't right. In fact, it was Really Not Right. We are talking probably two entire pattern repeats, translated into hours of knitting lost.

I held her gently....told her how beautiful she was....and ended both our misery. I have accepted that at this point in my life, Hanging Vines is just not to be. Perhaps....with school back in session as of today...as fall commences and I perhaps have undistracted time in a quiet house...she could be reborn.

Frankly, I mostly felt resignation and a bit of relief at her frogging.

Then, I cast on for a Hayden....which is looking pretty fine. I've messed up a bit, but since it is a slip stich pattern, only I really know that. The recipient, my 17-year-old, thinks it is very cool. I won't burden her with the knowledge that I've messed up the pattern rows a bit. I'm in the shaping and that seems to be going well so far....

**Note: Below I mention Pictures. Yup. I have a couple. But the disc is at home. And I'm at work. So I just decided to publish anyway. So for my FIVE loyal blogline subscribers (hee that still makes my day! Five!) sorry for the double post when I eventually drag the disc in here later today and add the link for the pics**

We developed pictures over the weekend....and of course.....this roll only had a few knit pics on it. Sigh. Here, we see the ZigZag scarf. Noro Kuryeon, colorway 91. I bound off at 2 skeins...and realize it is too short. Annoyed, it has been stuffed. I WILL drag it back out again and add another skein so it is a real scarf instead of a neck warmer...argh.

Lastly, only because I feel guilty that I only have the one knit pic to show...Here is a pic of me, outside, knitting on the aforementioned ZigZag. Ugh. *The picture sucks. I don't want to show it to you. But since I only have the one other picture for now...I'm doing it solely out of guilt.

Katrina Relief

2005-09-01T08:30:00.000-07:00

If you haven't already seen Margene's and Susan's Relief efforts, head on over. I will be donating a hank of Knit Picks Shimmer in the Stained Glass colorway for a prize as well as contributing to the Red Cross. Just do it...it's the right thing to do.

Jodie is devastated...there are friends and family she still has no word on...The New Orleans she talked of taking me to visit is gone. The Gulf Coast is ravaged....thousands have lost everything and who knows how many lives have been lost.

If everyone gives just a little...it could make an incredible difference. Don't let the news that MTV is donating $1 million, Disney $2.5 million etc make you think that we don't need to help. When you think of the toll this has taken on the entire region...I can't even imagine how many millions it would take to restore these peoples lives to some semblance of normalcy.

Knitting: Hanging Vines continues. I had to rip 4 rows back due to a dropped stitch...and no, I don't use lifelines. I was stressed (that is actually an understatement) and when I first noticed there might be a problem....I just kept on knitting...which was flat stupid. The price was ripping 4 rows back in hairy laceweight stitch by stitch. Thank God I'm only doing a scarf! I probably would have had a meltdown of gigantic proportions if it was any bigger....

Popularity

2005-08-31T07:35:00.000-07:00

I was over at Carole's checking out her comment contest. Her post about knowing she has readers...but they don't comment got me thinking.

You know how dangerous that is....my thinking.

I am a true introvert as defined by the "test" (INFP)..someone who gets their energy from being alone rather than being with people. I would rather have one good friend than a lot of acquaintances. I was never in the popular groups....always had a small, tight-knit group of friends.

Yes, I am vain enough to look at how many visitors I have a day...I try really hard to respond to comments when I can...but work tends to sqaush that sometimes. I always go and look at commentor's blog and try to leave a comment of my own...sort of a reciprocal commenting thing. I was ridiculously pleased to find out I have five subscribers through Bloglines. Yep...5 made my day.

It brings back the question, yet again, why am I doing this? I am not on any rings...don't care to be either. I don't care that I will never have 100s of readers waiting with bated breath for my next post. Sort of makes me laugh to even consider it.

And once again...it is about connection. Connecting with a few people who "get" it. Who get why I knit...and/or being queer...or tend to depression....or some other connecting point.

Well worth it.

Knitting content: I have been taking pics and will be able to afford to actually develop them this weekend, then watch out...I'll be posting pics! wheeeee.

Hanging Vines and I are finally in sync. I like the method of one page per row print outs, makes the row "pop" and I can SEE what I'm doing....finally. Straight bamboo needles have taken the irritation out of the too-tight yarn overs sticking on the circ joins...and that has caused much more love to flow for the Knit Picks laceweight yarn, Alpaca Cloud in Tidepool. I am starting to enjoy myself with it...keeping in mind this will be a long-term project for me. That I will not quit half way through it....I will finish this scarf.

Perseverance

2005-08-30T08:18:00.000-07:00

Last night on my way out of work, I enlarged the chart for Hanging Vines to 120%. At home, I tried a couple more yarns...some light blue/beige LL sock yarn....which I love...but...bleh. Went out and dragged out the Lagoon Twinkletoes yarn that makes my heart beat fast....I know it's still variegated, but I LOVE this yarn and the variegation is much more subtle. It looked much better than anything I've tried previously...but...still doesn't show the pattern too well. Realized part of my frustration is trying to knit this on circs. The yarn overs at the end of the rows tend to tighten up...hanging on the joins of the circ to the cable.

Finally....I went back to the garage and dug, seriously dug, until I found a pair of bamboo size 6 straight needles. These worked so much better...but still the pattern doesn't show well for all this work. So today I have the KnitPicks Alpaca Cloud back in the car along with the bamboo straights.

Thanks to a suggestion from the Summer of Lace Yahoo Group on knitting lace with charts, I made a copy of the pattern for each pattern row (12 rows, all WS are purled - so six copies). Each page I colored one row - Green for SSK, Blue for K2tog and Red for K3 tog. Stapled them together...and at break this a.m. I am back to this pattern again.

In the past, I would have given up a long time ago. Said "this is too hard". But all those posts by Margene are swirling in my head...about finishing. I seriously WANT this scarf....and all the trials of yarn, needles, and keeping track of the pattern are only steps to getting it, right? Right. At 41, I am discovering some things I don't like about myself. I do not have a lot of perseverance for things I want...I have said "this is too hard" about way too many things in my life. I have a lot of willingnes to stick with relationships...even those that are way past the expiration date. But doing something for myself? My dancing...costuming...knitting for myself...I don't seem to think I am worth a lot of trouble.

Time for that to change.

Hanging Vines Is Kicking My Butt....

2005-08-29T07:33:00.000-07:00

I had high hopes that I would receive my order from Elann Friday or Saturday and have the opportunity to cast on for Hanging Vines. Friday...Nothing. Saturday....Nothing. 8 pm Sunday night the neighbor comes over with an envelope...the postman had gotten it in her box.

I found some wonderful Twinkletoes sock yarn Knitti-Me had gifted me with months ago....the only size 6 needles I own appear to be Addi Turbos so I grabbed those and cast on. Placed the markers as described, knit the foundation row. So far, so good. Row 1...knitting carefully as I am not a great chart knitter...done. Row 2, purl across...okay, did that. Row 3....uh oh. Too many stitches left over. Dang. Ripped, re-cast on. Foundation row, place markers....check. Row 1....check. Row 2......okay, check. Row 3.....Cursing ensues. Ripped again. Shut off the TV. Kids and Jodie went to bed. I sit at the kitchen table in good light. Ditch the markers because now I see there is a note for that row that the markers move....and well....I've had it with the markers. In silence...I dog my way through the 12 row repeat. All is well. Without the markers, I seem to do fine. I smooth out the one repeat I have on the needles.

As much as I love this yarn....the variegation completely obscures the lace pattern. You know....the lace pattern I have just spent well over an hour getting through one repeat done. I go to bed, deciding to sleep on it and see what I think in the morning.

In the morning, I think the same thing. This is, to me, "fussy knitting." I am going to have to pay attention through the entire project and the variegated yarn is going to hide all that work. No go. I trot out to the garage, dig out the KnitPicks laceweight and a pair of bamboo needles. Size 4 instead of 6...but it's what I have in bamboo. Already know from dealing with this yarn that it is bamboo or suicide for me.

Get to work 15 minutes early. Shut the car off...turn the radio off....take a couple of swigs of coffee (Dutch Brothers Ducth Freeze....my elixer of life). Cast on. Count twice...do I have the right amount of stitches? Yes, I do. Knit foundation row. Knit first row......What the *&%^@ ??

Way too many stitches left over at the end of the row. Not one...or two...like..... 9.

This is now sitting on the front seat of my car....thrown in absolute and complete disgust.

At break time, I am un-charting this pattern....writing it out....and trying again. This is not a hard pattern....a handful of stitches...the most complicated of which is a SSK. Yarn overs and SSKs with a few K2tog and every once in awhile K3tog.

Why is this pattern kicking my butt like this? I seriously think it's the chart thing. I don't know that I've done lace in a chart before....I did okay with Rogue's chart....sigh.

My 17yo said last night as she observed me steaming through ripping out....again... cursing under my breath......"I thought you said knitting was relaxing?"

Thinking

2005-08-24T08:10:00.000-07:00

If you haven't been following Margene's posts on clutter....make time and go read them. She is eerily on the mark with my own issues.

I dreamed last night about blogging. I was somewhere, and the subject of local knit blogs came up. A woman said, "Do you read 'Sahara Knits'?" and one or two of the women said they did and they really enjoyed it. I blushed....opened my mouth to say, "That's my blog!" when the first woman said

"Yeah, I used to read her....but she whines too much......and she doesn't have pictures."

Then I woke up.

Knitting content: I finished the two-color multidirectional scarf for my son a day or so ago. Pic will be forthcoming as soon as I get the ends woven. This took a lot longer than the first, and I'm not sure I can pinpoint why. The color changes were every other row, not complex or anything. I can tell you...I got sick of it before I finished it. But, The Boy is happy....and that is what really counts, right?

Started another pattern from the Yahooh Multidirectional Knitting group, The Zig Zag scarf. This one in Kureyon too...greens, yellows, oranges with a little pink and purple. Honestly? eh. It's okay. Probably won't make more than one. Much more likely to make more of the original multidirectional scarf for gifts. This is good break time knitting. I can pick up either of these patterns and just see where I am .... no need to consult pattern or chart. This also makes it handy to ride in the front seat with me while commuting....Why I feel so pleased at nabbing a few rows at stoplights is beyond me, but it pleases me immensely.

Soon as my Heartstrings pattern arrives, I will be casting on for the Hanging Vines scarf. I have two hanks of laceweight from KnitPicks...plenty for a scarf. Hmm....maybe I'd better be scouting out needles...I know I won't be using Denise's with the laceweight, that was a disaster...now I'm wondering...do I have the right size needles? If I do....can I find them?

Ever sit at work (or wherever) and think about knitting? Am I the only one?

A Little Nap Can Work Wonders....

2005-08-19T09:31:00.000-07:00

Edit: forgot to add the link to the Heartstrings pattern...sorry...
Thanks, those who commented yesterday...and the private emails too. Yup, "this too shall pass" is important to remember. Mostly, I feel a lot better today, thanks to a longish nap and a good night's sleep. I have been running sleep deprived most of my adult life...but once I cross a certain point of fatigue...I get ugly. Leaves the door open for depression and self-pity to slip in as well.

Well, I broke my spending fast last night...but in a good way, not overindulging. Jodie mentioned that when she was at Fred Meyer they had yarn in the clearance bin again. My head snapped up..."Really? ..... what kind of yarn?" For I know FM stocks Lion Brand...not my favorite but good standby stuff for easy frou-frou scarves, WoolEase for charity knitting, and their cotton is my favorite.

Seeing a spark of interest where before there had been only tired and crabby-ness...Jodie loaded me up in the car and we whizzed down to the clearance aisle. Sure enough, not only on clearance, but with an EXTRA 40% off clearance sign! I got enough frou-frou (LB boucle) for two scarves for Jodie's neices this Christmas and a stole/shawl in LB railroad frou-frou for another gift, all for less than $17! Not bad, eh? Then, I went to Elann this a.m. and ordered a few patterns. I have lots of yarn, but finding patterns I like and feel competent to complete is another matter. Being heavy into lace at the moment, I ordered this Heartstrings pattern, probably to be completed out of sock yarn sitting in my stash. I'm telling you....I have a lot of sock yarn. Also ordered this and this. No yarn, only patterns.

I am at the half way mark on the two-color Multidirectional scarf for my son. You wouldn't think using two colors for such a simple knit would take a lot more time...but it seems to be. I am committed to FINISHING it tho before casting on for anything.

Well.....Isn't This....Disappointing.

2005-08-18T08:39:00.000-07:00

I'm not in a good mood today...Norma is blaming the moon for her own case of the crankies...and I'm not too proud to jump on that bandwagon. I'm cranky. I'm oversensitive and overtired as well. It's not pretty.

Last night we went to Barnes & Noble. I made up my mind I would treat myself...I would get the book "Modular Knits" I mentioned earlier this week. They had it....I snatched it off the shelf...flipped through.....and put it back. I know I'm not in a good mood and I will have to revisit it later, but right now...bleh. I am disappointed. The yahoo group for multidirectional knitting is gushing buckets...but, excuse my sarcasm, is that becase the moderator is the author of the book? I enjoyed the multidirectional scarf soooooo much...I had really looked forward to the book. Then spied Nicky Epstein's new "Knitting Over The Edge".....and put it back too. So I wandered over to the magazine section....and was equally unimpressed. Nothing "grabbed" me.

That was when it hit me...I'm cranky. When I go to the bookstore...with cash in my pocket and "permission" from myself to spend....and nothing, and I do mean NOTHING, looks good to me...there is a problem with my attitude.

In parenting there are many opportunities to tell your children (one way or another) "change your attitude!" Right now, I am sincerely regretting ever saying anything of the sort...because I can't seem to change my attitude and I'm supposedly an adult.

I gave myself permission to purchase something, I have the cash for it....and I can't find anything because I am in such a crappy mood. So...Question of the Day...how do you get yourself out of the doldrums...the crankies....the "I feel sorry for myself for no good reason's"??

FO....and a picture

2005-08-17T07:52:00.000-07:00

Finished the Multidirectional Scarf yesterday...love this pattern! Easy knitting....nice result. Immediately cast on for a two-color Multidirectional Scarf for my son out of stash - aren't you proud? - in Lion Brand Wool Ease, a cranberry red and variegated browns. Looks good, just as easy as a one-color scarf and it's going quickly. I can see lots of these kinds of scarves for Christmas presents...Now..drumroll....I have a picture !! The question of the day is...will it work? Tried to add it to the blog....blog said NO. Not sure if this is because I am trying to do it at work, I am trying to load a pic from a cell phone, or I am inept...or all of the above. Said pic is blurry....but it's a pic, right??

Multidirectional Knitting

2005-08-15T08:42:00.000-07:00

Surfing around the web Friday....killing a little dead time at work...I came across a Yahoo group for modular knitting hosted by the woman who wrote Modular Knits, Iris Schreier. If you join the group, you get the pattern for a multidirectional scarf free, as well as other patterns as you go along. I know there are a couple multidirectional scarf patterns on the web, but I was intrigued, and joined. The pattern was sent by Friday afternoon...and I went home and dug out three skeins of Noro Kuryeon that have been languishing in the stash. Have had a really fun time knitting this scarf. After the first triangle I didn't need the pattern, it just becomes obvious where you turn the short rows. I got through one skein and started on the second. Love the way the pattern makes the Noro block into triangles...very cool.

Is this "rocket science" knitting? Uh...no. But is it fun? Yes! Can I watch TV...hold a half intelligent conversation and still knit? Yes! Will I be making more of these? Yes! I have enough Noro for another in stash, and there is a variation to use two colors of yarn that I would like to try as well, which could use up some of the stash as well.

Speaking of stash....ahem. We worked on the hell hole, uh "garage", this weekend. Boxes and boxes, many having been opened and rummaged through...then not closed...crowded half the garage. One by one, Jodie dragged them over to me and I went through...tossing, putting into a pile for Goodwill, or repacking. Ever organized...she had everything put in sections...kids toys, books, bellydance stuff, craft stuff, and yarn. She was flabbergasted at the amount of yarn and craft stuff I have accumulated...hate to tell ya...but we haven't got to all of it yet, especially yarn. Probably another 1/3 of it is still waiting to be discovered. It was sort of like Christmas for me...."oh HERE that is! I was wondering what I did with that...." Having it all in one spot...gee, what a concept. Not having to wander from stash spot to stash spot all over the house, rummaging through boxes? Huh. That's an idea.

I am committed (or is that I should be committed??) to knitting out of stash for a while.... a looooong while. Trying to get my finances in order is time consuming...and means no new yarn, period. Not going to the yarn shop, not looking on the internet at yarn, and especially not even peeking at Ebay. No new books...that one hurts, let me tell you. I did get the new Vogue Knitting mag...and considered it a huge treat.

Have to get the Baby Surprise Jacket sewn up, the shower is this weekend. I hate the sewing up/weaving in ends part. Once I am done knitting on it...I'm done. Need to get my Sofie felted, time ran out this weekend. Longing for the days of taking a half day and going home to knit....but I guess I am paying for all the days I did that when I couldn't afford it....

This is the last week the Boys and Girls Club is open. It is closed the last two weeks of summer....you know...when the two youngest are at the height of their boredom threshold and completely sick of each other. Yay. Color me excited.

Rambling Post

2005-08-11T08:15:00.000-07:00

When last I left you, I believe I was gushing about the Knit Picks Shimmer laceweight with which I had begun another Branching Out.

I had cast on...and knit the five rows of garter. I felt a little clumsy, but put it off to knitting quickly in a few stolen moments before work. At break time....I realized I have no hope of knitting with this yarn on Denise's. The tips are too blunt...too round. About drove me insane trying to get through two rows of the lace pattern. At lunch time, I dug around for a set of bamboo in the needed size. Could I find the right size? Of course not. I used a good portion of my lunch making myself crazy looking too. Finally, in desperation that I would have no knitting at my afternoon break if I didn't do something - horrors!- I grabbed more Lion Brand Cotton, correct size needles and decided another dishcloth would be preferable to nothing. Cast on for this dishcloth pattern, Lacy Mock Cable....and I am enjoying it very much.

What is it with dishcloths? Somehow they seem so....blah. But in truth...I really enjoy them. I love knitting with cotton...they are small enough to not trigger my adult-onset knitter's ADD...Dishcloths are an opportunity to try patterns in small doses...like swatches...with purpose.
One of the things I did last year that I really enjoyed....and have somehow stopped doing...was buying just one skein of a yarn I really loved and just playing with it. Trying it on different needles...different gauges...assorted patterns. I enjoyed it...but it also triggered some childhood leftover stuff about "wasting." Mostly I think, who cares? Who cares if I use up a ball of yarn and have "nothing" to show for it but some swatches? It's the experience gained...the pleasure in experimenting...dare I say, "the process" that counts, isn't it? So I use up $7-10 worth of yarn and have "nothing to show" for it...isn't that cheap therapy?

Which leads me to ask, why do I knit in the first place? Why blog? Why post on the internet for the boredom of the masses? I knit because I can't NOT knit. It soothes my soul...delights me in a very deep way...calms the anxieties that hound me. I blog because...it is about connection. I have a handful of blogs I read daily...and these women (so far all women anyway) make me think. They make me think about my knitting....about my life. Today, Margene posted and it could have been me, everthing she said about clutter.

Knitting connects me internally....blogging connects me to other knitters....other women who "get it." So I don't have a lot to show...still haven't figured out the picture posting thing...still haven't finished complex sweaters or designed my own patterns. So what. I'm happy. Good enough, aye?

If I Could Just Make Up My Mind....

2005-08-10T08:59:00.000-07:00

Following the decision to rip the too-soft silk/merino Branching Out....I took my trusty 365 Day Perpetual Calender of Knitting Stitches (or whatever it's called, I left it at home...) and sat with my Knit Picks Shimmer laceweight and played with a few patterns.

Didn't like anything. I have a hard time envisioning a fabric knit up in a different yarn than pictured. None of the patterns are pictured in laceweight....so I played. Even tho it was not necessarily a successful venture as far as finding a pattern I wanted to follow...it was fun. I enjoyed playing with the yarn itself...in fact, I am quite smitten with it. I love the feel (silk/alpaca blend), I love the color (blue/green heathery look)...

So I brought it along to work this a.m. and since I got here 10 minutes early....cast on for another Branching Out. What is it with this pattern? I usually get bored really quick.....and I do mean, really quick. But I want to make another...so...here goes. It will be vastly different that the previous one I knit in Silky Wool....but I am pleasantly curious as to what the fabric will turn out with this yarn. If it works...hooray. If it doesn't.....oh well. That's the lovely thing about yarn....just take it off the needles and wind it back on the ball.

Yearning for more yarn from Knit Picks....especially since they have many new styles. But...still working on that whole notion of behaving like an adult and not just getting it cause I want it.

So far so good. One day at a time, regardless of what kind of addict one is, aye?

Weekend From Hell

2005-08-09T07:57:00.000-07:00

Surfing around this a.m., I see that my household was not the only one hit with one of those weekends.

Last Wednesday, my youngest came a'knocking at my door at about 1 a.m.....sick, puky....and proceeded to repeat the process about 10 times from 1-6 a.m. Sick as a dog...ate nothing but one piece of toast the next day. This is a boy who eats unendingly....who was willing to eat only one piece of toast all day. That tells you just how bad it was.

Friday afternoon, his sister comes down with it. Friday night....Jodie and the 17-year-0ld are ensconced in separate bathrooms, ralphing in tandem. The twist is...Jodie is diabetic.

Take a diabetic, add the flu....not good. I ended up calling the ambulance at about 3 a.m. We spent over 4 hours in ER and two liters of fluid, multiple rounds of phenergan and I don't remember what else, we went home to spend an exhausted Saturday.

Sunday night....it hit me. Missed work yesterday...and while I made it to work today, my back is out from retching so hard all night.

Seems the planets were misaligned for more than my little household....the blog world this a.m. is full of injuries and ills.

I did knit a bit in ER Friday night....but only enough to realize...I don't like what I'm knitting. I am using luscious, and I do mean luscious, 50% silk/50% merino from Spirit Trail and was knitting another Branching Out. I don't like the combination...the yarn is too soft if that makes any sense. I can't articulate it better...it just isn't working. So today, I'm gonna rip it out. Hit the web a bit for another pattern to try. Could be, this yarn is too soft for a lace pattern...does anyone have any thoughts on that? I don't think blocking would solve the problem.....I wish I could describe what I mean in a better way... does anyone get what I mean here???

If this weekend was ugly for you too....my sincere condolences. If you had a great weekend....well, you are a lucky gal (or feller).

P-P-P-Pressure

2005-08-05T09:13:00.000-07:00

If I could get away with it...I would spend today in a quiet room knitting until my fingers went numb. Then, I would have one, just one, Mike's Hard Lemonade. Then I would go to bed and sleep for about 3 days.

But, alas, that ain't gonna happen.

Cassie over at Too Much Wool said something the other day about how we don't always blog about all the stuff going on in our lives....then I read Lene for the first time today, and thought about the subject of pretending...pretending that everything is okay...hiding behind the "okayness"....not wanting to make people feel uncomfortable.

God forbid, we should make someone feel uncomfortable.

That is the story of my life....making sure everyone else was okay....wouldn't want to make anyone feel uncomfortable....that would be bad. I'd pretty much give up a limb rather than make someone feel uncomfortable. An exaggeration? uh...not much of one.

Today is a hard day. It doesn't matter why. Today I am feeling vulnerable and anxious. The one thing that really keeps me from going off the deep end is knitting. People who don't knit do not understand that. Some who do knit don't understand it. I don't know if I really understand it.

It's a beautiful day...I am alive for another day...another chance to try to get it right, this business of living. Working on living in the moment, which for me is counting the minutes (31 minutes) until I can escape to sit in my car for 15 minutes and feel the softness of the yarn slide through my fingers....the soothing regularity of knit and purl.........the just-enough-complexity-so-I-don't-think-too-much-ness of a simple lace pattern.

Just keep knitting.

Sofie...ready for her bath

2005-08-04T08:42:00.000-07:00

Ms Sofie is ready for her felting bath. I love it, simply love it at this point. I think I might have been able to squeeze out another row from the yarn I had left...but wasn't willing to risk it....or I was too lazy. Or something. This was a FAST knit! Wow! FAST! Very satisfying. I haven't decided what I will do for handles...I am not interested in knitting them...can't afford to send for the cool ones like Mizz Norma used...contemplating making them...also contemplating completely cheating and buying some from the craft store. We'll see.

Fickle as usual....I've already moved on.

I looked at the stash kept in my closet last night....about 6-8 medium size Sterlite bins. This reminds me....this was brought up the other day, my stash. I said something about I had to figure out what to do with the rest of the yarn in the garage. Jodie said "There's MORE?"

Kayla (my lovely almost 17yo) shot a glance at me from the corner of her eye....I blushed. "Uh...yeah. There's more...a LOT more." Kayla murmured something unintelligible about "yarn fetish" under her breath....Ahem. Jodie is becoming initiated into what it is like to be partnered with a yarn-addicted craft ho. Hee.....

At any rate...ramble, ramble....I dragged out some of the gorgeous 50% silk/50% merino I got from Spirit Trail last year. I have 800 yards....and I always put it back thinking, "I should save this for something special." Hello. I've had it a year. I just closed my eyes and lept...grabbed a hank, wound it into a ball, and it is going to be the next version of Branching Out.

I have a LOT of yarn I am "saving." This is not useful to me...cause I will "save" it till hell freezes over. Why not use it? Why not enjoy it? I love this yarn, SERIOUSLY love this yarn.

So I'm going to use it. Then, I'm going to continue on and ENJOY the yarn I have....and stop "saving" it for something "special."

Anyone else have this whole mental block to using the 'nice' stuff...saving it for later? It seems to be a family trait...one I hate. So it's time to break myself of it!

Sofie

2005-08-03T07:44:00.000-07:00

Bound off Branching Out last night. I kept fighting it and fighting it....and finally said, you know what? I'm done with you. So I did the five rows of garter, bound off, and stuffed it in the "to be blocked" bag. Let's not talk about what else is in there. I like it, I really do like it. It just sorta p*ssed me off the last bit.

Immediately cast on for Norma's version of Sofie. I love it. I love the sturdy feel of knitting with doubled yarn on size 11 needles. I love the thick, cushiness of the fabric it is creating. I love the way the bag already has shape and can "see" how it will felt down perfectly. It is going fast...which is a good thing. I am already rethinking the Cascade 220 in my stash...how many Sofie's could I make?????

Then, there is Rogue's sister...Eris. You know I want one. But...I'm learning restraint. I scrapped Rogue for various reasons....mostly that I just didn't like the way the fabric was turning out with the yarn I chose. I really do want a Rogue. I already have the pattern for Rogue. I already have yarn that would be suitable for Rogue. I will make Rogue first. I will not even buy the pattern for Eris until The New Rogue is close to finish. And.....I will not re-start Rogue Until I Finish Ribby.
I won't.

It's time to pull up my big girl panties*. I will be responsible. I will not purchase or start another BIG (to me anyway) project when I have yet to finish Ribby.

*This is something Jodie says (always in jest, mind you) that makes me laugh hysterically. "Oh pull up your big girl panties and get over it."

Stupid Scarf

2005-08-02T10:04:00.000-07:00

Pardon, my angst is showing again....

I am 1-2 repeats away from the binding off of Branching Out. I have mucked up the last few rows again and again....and again. Just now, I spent my 15 minute break merrily knitting...then frogging...then reknitting...then frogging....Argh. I say 1-2 repeats because the pattern indicates you *should* get 27 repeats out of a hank of Silky Wool....but I am wondering if I have enough yarn left. Made up my mind I would do one more repeat and then decide to do the five rows of garter and bind off or continue on.

As soon as I decided that....couldn't knit worth a hoot. I can usually get a 10-row repeat done on my break, give or take a bit. I ended up frogging everything I had done.

I think I am distracted, you know? Sheesh.

I think my knitting is putting me back in my place, is what I think. I had these ideas, you see. "Hmm, I'm almost done with branching out...maybe when I go home at lunch, I can pick up the Cascade 220 and needles for the Sofie...."

Apparently Branching Out is miffed that I am already looking elsewhere before she's finished....and is stalling.

Today is day 2 of a 12-day-in-a-row workweek. Now, honestly, I won't have to work 8 hours a day every day. On the weekend, I'll just work a few hours each day. But not having a whole day off in 12 days? Can you say C-R-A-N-K-Y? Truthfully, I think I'm already cranky just anticipating it.

I found the most wonderful site....which I bookmarked for another day, far into the distant future, when I have used enough yarn from my stash and gotten my finances in order and can buy guilt free....A site that only sells sock yarn...(well, a bit more): Simply Socks Yarn Company.

Heaven, I tell you...heaven.

The Fast Lane

2005-08-01T09:41:00.000-07:00

Here we are...Monday, Monday. Yee haw. My goal this week is to work as many hours as possible. If I can get to 40 hours this week, I think it will be a blooming miracle....but it is the goal.

Trying very, very hard to get control of my finances. Jodie is very good with this...and is holding my hand through it. Actually...I have completely given control of my finances over to her. You have NO IDEA how significant this is to me. I am so incredibly tired of the financial rollercoaster ride I have been on...it is a relief in many ways. It is also scary as hell. I handed over my debit cards and sole credit card. Working only with cash.

I could break out in a cold sweat just thinking about it.

The independant side of me says....dammit. If I wanna go to lunch....or buy yarn...or a knitting magazine...or whatever...I'm gonna do it! But that kind of self-absorbed behavior has got me to where I am...in debt, behind on everything, afraid-t0-answer-the-phone state. Not a fun place to be. I am 41 years old...and I don't like how I've been handling (or not handling as the case may be) my money.

So...you will be seeing a lot of stash busting here at Sahara Knits. Good thing I have plenty o' stash, now isn't it? Hee*******

Branching Out is *this* close to being done. Soon as I bind off...I'm casting on for a "Norma's" version of Sofie using some lovely celery/sagey green Cascade 220. Still haven't dragged out Ribby Cardi, but dang it's hot....

Question of the Day: Can you pass up a bundle of old metal knitting needles at a garage sale...in favor of Addi's or bamboo? Not me. I see a bundle of old Boye needles for a buck...it's mine. When I teach someone to knit, I give them a pair to start out with. YOU?

Christmas Knitting

2005-07-27T09:01:00.000-07:00

Despite the fact it is likely to hit 100 degrees here today...my mind is turning to Christmas. I would like to do some knitting for Christmas...but I am such a great starter/poor finisher....I wonder if I should even try!

I certainly could not imagine finishing sweaters or anything on a very big scale...but I am thinking a few scarves perhaps....some dishcloths....a "Norma's Sofie" or two....I definitely could to some major stash busting.

The thing is...as soon as I say "This scarf is for Aunt Trudy"....it becomes a chore. Something I HAVE to finish...and therefore, don't want to. So I am thinking of just making what I want to make, no recipient in mind....stashing them away and when Christmas time comes, going through the finished items and dishing them out to whomever comes to mind.

So, the Question of the Day: Do you "do" Christmas Knitting? When do you start? Do you find a special pattern for everyone....knit everyone the same thing....

Do tell.

Somebody Save Me From Myself

2005-07-21T08:56:00.000-07:00

I want yarn. I want new yarn. I want to go to the yarn shop and not just fondle the yarn...but bring it home with me.

I do not have any business buying yarn. I have enough yarn to keep me busy for a really, REALLY long time already.

But I am lusting to purchase yarn. Brightly colored yarn....smooth silky yarn.....rich jewel toned yarn....classic creamy aran yarn.....sock yarn...oh, how I want to buy sock yarn.

It is a tangible ache...a need no one in "3D" can understand....sigh. But you understand, don't you??? You're like me, I think....wandering around the web in stolen moments from your job....mouth literally watering over new projects...new yarns...

The sane part of me (granted, this is not a big part of me....) says..."LISA! My god, look at all the yarn you have! Don't you DARE buy yarn!" That is the voice of reason. Boring...lackluster reason.

What do YOU do when you want to buy yarn...when you NEED to buy yarn....and shouldn't? Tell me quick...before I do something I could regret....

Ha!

2005-07-20T10:13:00.000-07:00

Ryan just cracked me up this a.m.....If you haven't already, you gotta go read her. Norma's cussing always makes me laugh and I have even said under my breath a time or two "Oh for f**ksake"...

You know as a kid....mom always said "people won't like you if you use bad language." I took it pretty seriously....like Ryan, I came to cursing later in life than some...in fact, I do not recall ever using any eff word variants until I was in in my late 20's! Now...well....ahem...I'm no Norma....but if I'm mad....oooooh boy. It is somehow strangely satisfying to be able to curse effectively. Let's not examine that too closely, aye?

Knitting Content:
Norma got me started thinking about dishcloths...geez it IS all about Norma isn't it?...and I got this pattern (very first one, Double Diamond) and a ball of this (133 Shaded Denim) and cast on. First wedge came out perfect. Second wedge...not right. Looked right, but not the right amount of stitches at the end of the last row. Ripped back....but not far enough. Ripped back farther....still not right. Tonight, I will rip it back to the last row of the first wedge, where it actually WAS right and go from there.

Yes...I am being completely derailed, by knitting a dishcloth. Humbling experience. Still working on Branching out...wondering, is one skein of Silky Wool really enough here?? Guess we'll see. Found the sheet for Good Ole Cable (HAPPY ANNIVERSARY RACHEL AND LALA!) and can get back to that.

Now is my life exciting or what? :)

Actually....it is. Sunday at 2:05 a.m. my sweetie arrives at PDX. For good. She is leaving her entire family....friends...her life....to come to me. That is pretty damn exciting to me.

Just Call Me Grumpy

2005-07-19T09:51:00.000-07:00

I do not do well in the heat.

That is sort of an understatement...and yes, I realize I have little room to complain as we have zero humidity here and getting to 100 is a big deal. Yup, I know, it's a lot hotter in other places.

I don't care. I don't do well in the heat.

Knitting: Working on Branching Out....misplaced my sheet for Good Ole Cable Scarf, so I have no clue what row I'm on....and that just ticked me off this a.m., let me tell you. I remind myself of all the bad things in the world, misplacing my paper with it's little chicken scratches to tell me where I am on a scarf is not a world-altering event...but as I said, I'm grumpy and you dontwannagothere with me right now.

If last night had been even a bit cooler, I would have gone into the THE ZONE (i.e. garage full of half-opened boxes) to find Ribby and yank it out into the light of day. But it was hot...ugly hot...and I couldn't spare the energy.

Found this on my travels about the web this a.m., killing time. It intrigued me.

Question of the day: Do you think you knit less in the summer (or whenever the hot months are where you are)? I hear a lot of people here say "I only knit in the winter." I know it's not about there not being stuff to do here in winter, cause it is like sports paradise here year round. Not that this has anything to do with me since I am NOT sporty....not sporty at all. What about you??

I finished something

2005-07-18T08:26:00.000-07:00

Those of you who have known me awhile...know that this is a momentous occasion. I finished the Baby Surprise Jacket. Now...the shoulder seams aren't seamed yet, but It's done. I even took pics of it and the Branching Out Scarft as well...but there are still 20 some odd pictures left so you must wait a bit, besides you know the whole posting picture thing just makes me crazy.

Thoughts on Baby Surprise. This is aptly named, because when I cast off and looked at this strangly shaped thing in my hands I thought, this is not right. My older Drama Queen, almost 17, laughed at it and said, "I think you did something wrong....that does not look like a sweater to me!" So I trotted it outside in the sunshine, laid it on the grass and took a pic. Then I got the directions and tried to figure out how to fold it to make it a sweater. We won't talk about how long it took me to figure this out, even tho the directions were right there in front of me. Finally....I got it. Seemed ridiculously simple once I "saw" what she was after. I like it overall...but wonder if a variegated yarn was not the best choice. I can also see one area that will bug the hell outta me, the neckline. All the other edges are very nice, but the neck edge is raw garter stitch....I am not going to like that, I can tell you. Thinking about adding a I-cord bind to it for some finishing. We shall see. Now I have to get some buttons for it...sew up the shoulder seams, decide on actually doing the i-cord neck or leaving it...sew in the ends....But for me, it is amazing it is this far done.

I was visiting with Amy of Threaded Thoughts last week about startitis, perfection, etc. I rarely finish anything ... the minute it has a flaw...I get fed up and stuff it somewhere. But I also think I have some kind of ADD...I get bored doing the same old thing for very long. Probably why I have a ton of projects going on at any one time. I am still gearing up to drag Ribby Cardi out from oblivion and back onto the needles tho...I am feeling a need to finish some things.

So...Question Of The Day: How many projects do you have on the needles? Are you actively knitting on more than one at a time? Right now I am about 10 or so repeats into Branching Out and 5 or 6 repeats into Good Ole Cabled Scarf...Have to do finishing details on Baby Surprise...

I Love You But

2005-07-15T07:58:00.000-07:00

Struggling a little here today...Not much knit content...it's at the bottom. If you came here and don't wanna read my angst...no harm no foul. Come back next week...back to knitting angst only.

You know I'm gay, right? Like, I have never hidden it here. Been pretty up front about it. It is who I am...and I am slowly coming to be at ease with myself as a lesbian. It's been seven years since I came out...left my marriage of 14 years...lost all family on my mother's side because you know...they are such good Christians they can't have relationship with me anymore. Lost damn near every friend I had for much of the same reason.

"I love you but I don't approve of your lifestyle." Yeah, I don't approve of having to work and do mountains of laundry and chauffer kids around and juggle bills either. My "lifestyle"? Puh-leeze.

"I love you but the Bible says homosexuality is a sin." The Bible also says slavery is okay, multiple wives are okay, men can't shave their beards and wearing clothes made of mixed fibers is, as I recall, an "abomination." Nor should women speak in church or cut their hair. Now, I am not a Bible scholar and I am not interested in debating... I have been basically beaten about the head with the Bible and what people say it says... Frankly, mostly my mind just shuts off when they start on this vein. I feel no condemnation from God...the Universe....whatever IT is that is out there. None. Only from those who purport to follow Him/It.

"I love you but you are hurting everyone with this phase you are going through...you are being selfish." Being true to who I am may make you uncomfortable. I can't help that. The choice was live a lie...or live the truth. I choose truth.

"I love you but you haven't tried hard enough not to be gay." Oh, really? Fourteen years of marriage wasn't a good enough go for you? Sorry to hear that.

This is all old stuff...brought very personally back as someone I love is going through the same thing. Coming out and being hurt on a daily basis by people who say..."I love you but..." Can't they just say "I love you..." period? Just once? Must they, really, every time say "but...."?

If you have someone in your life who is doing something you don't like, today, just for today, please leave it at "I love you." No buts.

Knitting content: The Surprise Baby Jacket continues. This is not difficult knitting...simple garter stitch...but I find I have to pay attention constantly to what row I'm on...now am I knitting even or decreasing? What row is this again? arghhh. I have to tell you, I am a little freaked by how fast the yarn is going. I am telling myself if this requires more Lorna's Laces...it may have to become an heirloom for my first grandchild rather than a shower gift for someone I like very much....I mean...I love her and all ...but I don't know that I love her so much as to spend mucho bucks on a baby sweater....am I cheap or what? I AM enjoying this sweater very, very much...the riot of colors - rainbow, how appropriate for this post is that? - and enjoying being all anal retentive about perfection with it too....but I tell ya, if I have to spring for another skein to finish it.......It's mine.

My Brain Doesn't Work Like That

2005-07-14T08:30:00.000-07:00

So....got the Baby Surprise Jacket pattern last night, and promptly cast on.

Then ripped. And knit again.

Then I tried tinking back.....no go.

My brain doesn't work the way EZ's brain works. There is a point in the "pattern*" where she says "see what you're doing? Now just keep on doing that till you get to here... (paraphrased)."

Uh, no actually I DON'T see what ever the hell it is that I'm doing!! I am apparently as a very small child...you must give me plain directions....give me numbers....TELL ME WHAT TO DO FOR GOD'S SAKE....PLEASE!

My salvation has been that there is actually a Yahoo group for knitting these patterns....where some other poor soul whose brain was probably boiling over at this point as well has created a spreadsheet which tells you what to do.

Okay...so I am not a free thinker....never have been. Give me directions, I can do anything by damn. Say..."here make something up..." and you'll be sorry. Or I will. Or maybe we both will.

Using Lorna's Laces Shepard Sock in Rainbow....you know...same stuff Ryan had once upon a time which threw me into fits of lust. The baby is to be a boy...at least...so they say. Tired of the baby= pastel thing...I went for BRIGHT. I am loving it too.....

Now....if I just didn't have to work I could be knitting. Then again, I just bought two skeins of LL at $16 a pop for a baby sweater. Guess I better be glad I do work, eh? I was tempted, and I do mean tempted, to use acrylic. But the mommie to be "gets" it.....she gets the natural fiber yummy goodness of wool....she gets the work and love and time that will go into it...she will keep it and use it with other children or pass it along to someone equally understanding. She merits the LL.

*pattern. Apprently, Ms Z wasn't big on actual patterns per se.....more the knitting by the seat of yer pants kinda gal. Now I admire that immensely. Will I ever be that? I doubt it. I know many love it...and kudos to you. Meanwhile, thank you very much to the kind soul who created the spreadsheets on that yahoo group. You kept me from throwing in the towel at row 14.

Fiber Fever...

2005-07-13T08:56:00.000-07:00

Wandering around the web...reacquainting myself with favorite blogs...I see the Flower Basket Shawl has been the "it" of knitting while I was away.

I want one.

Will I try one? Not likely. I also wanted a Must-Have Cardi...which has never come about. I should know by now....I do not play well with others. I cannot join the crowd. The minute I try...doomed to failure.

Several repeats on the Good Ole Cabled Scarf have managed to appear, and the same goes for the Branching Out Scarf. Both were the subject of some frogging yesterday...I had messed up on both and knew if I didn't rip it the mistakes would make me crazy. There is one row of seed stitch I mucked up on the cable scarf...about 3 knits instead of k/p/k/p. It is mildly irritating to me...but it is also at least one and a half repeats back. Doesn't irritate me THAT much...

I am borrowing a friend's copy of EZ's Baby Surprise Sweater pattern today for a shower gift for a dancer in my troupe. Said baby is due to make it's appearance within the next month to six weeks. I chose this pattern because it is all in one piece, which means it has a chance of getting completed....it is garter stitch, but also sort of different.

Now...I know I am about to bring the wrath of the knitting goddesses down on me here.....but I have been sort of apathetic about the whole "EZ is the most revered of knitters" thing. I fully recognize I should probably go back and look at her stuff again now that I have a little experience under my belt. I looked at her books when I first started knitting......and well....it didn't move me.

Don't hate me, okay?

Another day...another dollar....another row....

2005-07-12T08:11:00.000-07:00

Making myself post...I don't have much to say...but I don't want to get in the habit of not blogging now that I've finally started again.

Knitting: I have begun the "Branching Out" Scarf from Knitty....sandy colored Silky Wool. So far, I have about six pattern repeats done. I am really enjoying it. Not too easy...not too difficult. Needs just enough attention to take my mind off of everything else, which is what I need.

Also started the "Good Ole Cable Scarf" from Rachel of Yarnagogo fame...In yer basic Brown Sheep Worsted...dark teal. Having fun with it...same deal as the aforementioned pattern...have to pay just enough attention to keep me from thinking too much, which is exactly what I need.

Been gearing up to redo the back of my Ribby Cardi.....you will recall in March I made the discovery I had royally effed up the back...when it was about 3/4 done. I was so upset it got crammed away and I haven't touched it...much less thought about it...since. Now I am thinking...hmm....get your butt in gear girl and get it out...you might have it done for fall. So, that is on my agenda as well.

So the question is....for all you oh-so-wise ones....Do I rip the back of Ribby out, ball it and knit from there? Do I simply knit as I rip from it? Do I bother to do the whole washing-the-yarn-so-it-isn't-wavy thing? What is your opinion? Enquiring minds want to know.....

So much stash...so little time..

2005-07-08T10:06:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned....moving brought my attention to just how much yarn I really have...

Going to work on getting photos this weekend and trying to post them...wish me luck with that...y'all know just how computer savvy I am....NOT.

I took a class last year at Gossamer Knitting to learn the Kaffe Fasset style of colorwork...and that would be an idea to use up alot of stash....not too hard, just time consuming. Don't have a lot of time at my disposal anymore either...working full time to afford my life. Unfortunately, that means no stash enhancement for me...but I'm at the point that going through my yarn is like Christmas..."oh! I forgot about that!!" Almost as good as buying new....almost.

Catching up with blogs...geez you women have been busy! Looking forward to re-connecting with you-who-take-the-time-to-read-me-even-though-I-don't-have-pictures....When Jodie gets here... July 25th....Hopefully she can bring me up to speed on loading pictures....Then watch out...I may go picture crazy....

So here's a question of the day for those who have nothing better to do:
If the poncho was last fall's hit...what do you think will be "it" this fall?

Yes....I am still among the living....

2005-07-07T10:29:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted in months...haven't really knit in months either.

Life has a way of getting messy.....getting complicated....

Let's see if I can update just a bit:

1. Moved....rent went up $525. The move was a very good thing...the rent change a bigger shock than I guessed it might be.

2. Long-term relationship ended. Even when something needs to happen, it doesn't make it easy, you know?

3. Lost 40 pounds....quit program because of money issues....probably gained back some but too chicken to get on the scales and find out.

4. Started another relationship. Yeah....I know....a lot has been said to me about the speed with which I did this...but I don't care. I am happy. If you feel the need to say something....don't.

5. Realized JUST HOW MUCH YARN I HAVE.....OMG.

6. Started the potholders from "Shadow Knitting" and a baby sweater that is pissing me off.

I'll start posting again....really. I miss everyone, to tell the truth.
4.

Woo Hoo!

2005-04-04T09:26:00.000-07:00

Today, I am wearing pants I have not been able to fit into for....(drumroll, please...) OVER TWO YEARS!

I had refused to get rid of them because they were Dockers and I loved them, but I also paid $40 for them. For me, $40 is a chunk o' change. They are actually.....loose!

Knitting: Zip, zero, zilch. Packing, sorting for Goodwill, working, exercise yes...knitting no. I miss it.

grumpy is my name

2005-04-01T11:05:00.000-08:00

Warning, major self pity ahead. Click elsewhere if you can't stand to hear me whine.

I want food. I want real food. I am tired of high protein shakes and puddings, bars and "entrees". I knew this would come, the restlessness, discontent...the desire to eat for pity's sake.

But I am so cranky today, I cannot stand myself. I want a banana. Or a tuna sandwich. Or something.

Knitting? I am too cranky to knit - This is frightening in itself.

So far, 12 pounds off. Yeah, yeah, it's wonderful and all that crap. I want a Subway sandwich.

I

Whew!

2005-03-28T09:48:00.000-08:00

Last week was ugly! Sorry no post....but I was pretty grumpy so it is just as well!

Hmm, where to start?

Rakkasah: Overwhelming, wonderful, exhausting. All that and more! I belive it was about an 8 hour trip down. Rained all the way home, that sorta stank.

I got to see big names in bellydance, like Suzanna DelVechhio, Fat Chance BellyDance, Jim Boz. Dancers from Germany, Switzerland, Japan and Australia. Probably 100 vendors of shiny things..woo hoo!

Knitti Me: I am so pleased I finally got to meet a fellow knitblogger in real life! Marie drove more than 1.5 hours to spend part of the day with me! She brought me gifts! She made me a beautiful beaded bracelet with matching stitch marker, black hematite type beads (? Is that right marie?) with silver and crystal accents and a kitty charm. She also brought me wonderful bath salts that smell like almonds...which I am saving for the first bath in my new house. :)

Marie was funny, and charming, and a great sport. It was indeed like meeting an old friend. Thank you Marie! I hope we can manage a visit when you hit Portland next! By the way, I did get your email, I am just waaaaaaay behind. :)

The Diet: I am at 12 days. I think I have lost about 10-12 pounds, but I was getting sort of obsessive about the scales so I decided to only weigh at my Tuesday nutrition class. First week I lost 7.5 pounds! Some days are harder than others, but I can say for the first time in my life, I have not cheated on this once! I haven't even licked a spoon or put anything in my mouth that is not on the program. This is pretty darn huge for me!

Last week was difficult for a variety of reasons, not the least of which I am changing antidepressants. I have been taking Paxil for 9 years....and felt a need for something different. The Paxil has kept me from going into a deep, deep depression, but it has also kept me from having a whole lot of emotions at all. So, the doc is trying me out on Prozac. Last week I took both full strength, now I am cutting my Paxil while I continue the Prozac over a three week period. Last week was ugly. I doubt I need to say more. :)

Knitting: Working on the second Lagoon sock, which I mightily fugged up, but I do not care. The socks are for me, I am the only one who will know. I continue to work on the F&F scarf and the "Thermal" scarf for Dulaan.

In preparation for moving, I packed all my knitting books. Every one. I will keep out sock yarn and my sock book along with the two scarves and everything else is getting packed....Woo hoo!

so, that is a short and sweet version of me. Doing much, much better this week....and yes, I do realize it is only Monday, but I have a positive attitude, dude!

Pardon The Interruption In Service...

2005-03-24T15:52:00.000-08:00

Please excuse my absence this week...dealing with father's illness, a teenager crisis - why do 16-year-old girls think they know it all?, The Diet (which is going well, but a struggle sometimes - you know, like when the 16 yo lies about where she is and alcohol is involved...), and having to work more hours than I like have all added up to bring a slight delay in discussing

Meeting Knitti-Me in person!!!
Rakkasah and all its glitter...and amusement
Knitting...(knitting? Like I have time! Argh!)
The Diet (okay, okay, 8 pounds off in 9 days!! woo hoo!)
Anything else.

Your regularly (or not-so) scheduled blog entry will be forthcoming, I promise.

The Beat Goes On....

2005-03-10T05:23:00.000-08:00

I don't know that I have much to post about...but I'll try anyway.

Knitting: Very little knitting has been done here in Saharaland....A bit on the second Lagoon sock and a bit on the mohair feather and fan scarf. I am working more hours which translates into more money, but less energy and free time.

Weight loss program: I am fasting this a.m. for a blood draw at 8 a.m. I will have an EKG later today or tomorrow. Less than one week to go before The Program. I am alternating between excitement and abject fear of failure.

Finally getting well...it has been almost 2 weeks since I came down with the flu or whatever it was. I am still tired a lot, but finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

Bellydance: Those who are going to Rakkasah are pretty excited...I guess I could compare it thusly, Rakkasah is to belly dancers as Rhinebeck is to knitters. Plus, I get to meet fellow knit blogger Marie of Knitti-me - That is a huge treat! Other than Rakkasah, I'm working on choreography for a troupe routine and starting to finally work on a routine for myself to perform the end of April at Saqra's Showcase in the Portland area next month. I haven't danced a solo in a long time....I'm a little nervous to tell the truth.

I have a package waiting for me...pretty sure it's my Over The Rainbow sock yarn I got as a birthday present for me! Wheeee.

If It Can Go Wrong....It Will

2005-03-07T09:30:00.000-08:00

The last week has been ugly. Over and over again, if something could go wrong.... it did. In a big way. It's as if the last good thing that happened to me, seeing the house I am going to rent and having the landlords tell me it was mine...has caused some kind of cosmic downpour of shit.

I keep getting up every day, thinking "gee today has GOT to be better..." and then, it isn't.

What's with that?

I tell ya...I need something else to happen.

Knitting: Cast on second Lagoon sock...knit a bit on the Feather and Fan mohair scarf...ordered some fun rainbow sock yarn. That's about it for knitting fun.

Aren't you glad you stopped by so I could brighten your day?

So tell me, where did I go wrong??

2005-03-03T21:52:00.000-08:00

Who wants to tell me what I did wrong?? I finished my Columbine sock...got out the clearest kitchener instructions I could find at home (Knitter's Book Of Patterns) and dutifully followed the instructions oh so carefully to graft.

It looks like a seam...you know, like the **inside** of a seam is supposed to look like. If I turn the sock inside out, it is a lovely graft....but on the outside it looks like a seam??

Am I a dimwhit? I last kitchenered (is that a real word?) about a year ago and while it wasn't perfect, it didn't look like a seam on the wrong side.

Am i taking it out? no. I have no idea how to do it without losing the stitches and it isn't worth it to me. The sock is for me...I just hope to make the mate with the seam on the inside!

Truthfully, I am sort of disappointed. I really like the sock...perhaps trying to do this at almost 10 pm after being sick for a week wasn't my best choice...... argh.

Think I'm Gonna Make It After All....

2005-03-03T18:11:00.000-08:00

Anyone else with fond memories of The Mary Tyler Moore Show? Rhoda?

Sigh...I so wanted to **be** them... Now I am quite pleased I'm not, thank you very much. But they were **it**, you know?

Then, there was "Flo" ..... "kiss my grits!"

Welcome Back Kotter...Good Times....

I think my bout with the flu left me nostalgic, aye?

Knitting: Started decreases for the toe...minor annoyance at my own bumbling. Getting the stitches rearranged on the two needles did not go smoothly. There are no clues as to **how** you do this...assumption is made that the reader will know. Now, lest you think I am a complete simpleton...well, I'm not. You'll just have to trust me on that. It got accomplished. It just wasn't pretty. Perhaps the fact I've been ill, off work for four days, trapped in the house with ill children affected me.

Perhaps? ha.. Anyway, it's going along well now.

Longing to order yarn. However, I am also longing to move my butt outta this trailer park as well. Then again, it is my birthday next week. I could get myself a present, don't you think? I think some Over The Rainbow could be in order...

The Diet begins in 13 days....Went for the physical, discussion of health issues (strong immediate family history of diabetes, stroke, and heart disease). Found that despite my weight, I am still relatively healthy. This is a very good thing for the obvious reasons, but it also means I will not be "high risk" in the program. That equals about $120 a month savings on the medical supervision part. This makes me verrrrrrrrrry happy indeed.

I have had folks say "gee, Lisa...better eat what you want now!!" but you know, I haven't had the heart for it. All I can think is, "gee yeah, so I can put a few more nails in my coffin..." Smacks of the alcoholic going for one last binge the night before going into treatment. Not, to my thinking, the best of methods in the search for success.

The house has gone to complete hell since I've been sick. Not, mind you, that it wasn't a disaster before hand. Yay...so glad I'm feeling better...

Your link for the day goes here, to the most wonderful socks I've seen, quite possibly ever.

People Are Weird

2005-03-01T05:47:00.000-08:00

I have been watching with great interest stash pics and de-stashing efforts around the web. I even got some great loot myself...Norma sent me some awesome baby yarn in eggplant, lime green and some multi baby cotton...all for $30! In fact, I feel sorta guilty 'bout it cause the shipping was over $10...

The one thing I have noticed happening a lot more than I would have guessed is offers of what I consider less-than-fair trade. I have read posts reading not far from "hey, I have 37 balls of acrylic yarn...wanna trade for that awesome Rowan?" or "I have some kind of wool without labels that was in my Aunt Marianne's estate sale...wanna trade for that awesome Colinette you've got??"

C'mon ladies....you are embarrassing me.

By the way, I'm home sick as a dawg...so if I sound a bit cranky...I am.

The Over The Rainbow Lagoon Socks in the Columbine pattern from Socks Soar progresses well...turned the heel and finished the gussets. Working on the foot. Cat Bordi writes in a style that makes me feel like I am doing the simplest and BEST knitting of my life. I plan on purchasing (after I get into the new house and have $ again...) her other "Magical Knitting" books....sight unseen. Yup...that good, to me anyway.

Lastly, I have been horridly lacking in linking, updating my list of who I read on the side etc. I'm sorry, life has just been busy. I will link to one blog I read every single day....because she always makes me think about my knitting. This is a good thing. I leave you with a link to Cassie, of Too Much Wool.

Ribby, We Have A Problem....

2005-02-28T09:53:00.000-08:00

Argh...Did you hear a primal scream At approximately 6 a.m. Friday?

It was me.

After knitting several rows (armhole shaping) on Ribby's back I noticed there was an incongruity....

"Hmm...did I just run out of ribbing rows on this side? Huh. That's funny...don't I have more ribbing rows on the other side left? Huh. That's weird."

Out of complete denial, I decided I had forgotten to decrease on one side. Yeah...that was it. So, I continued on a bit. Hmmm. There is still something wrong here....

So, I carefully laid it out...smoothed it....hmmmmmmm. Then, I saw The Problem. I had two more ribbing rows on one side than the other. You will realize, that at this point, I am two full skeins into the back...almost 400 yards. Countless hours.......

True to form, I promptly picked it up and carted it back to my room where it was unceremoniously crammed into a bag. Rip out all that work? Try to go on with it obviously mucked up? It makes my head hurt to even think about it. Sorry, Marie....unless something drastic happens, you will not see my Ribby in three weeks!

You will, however, see my new socks!!! I am having FUN with two circ socks...the pattern is smartly written, just enough of a stitch pattern I have to pay attention but not so much I lose everything if I set it down...and the yarn! OMG...Over The Rainbow handpainted superwash sock yarn is awesome!

Lastly, wayyyy cool news for me: I'm moving!! We are currently housed in a 40-year-old singlewide pink (yes, pink) mobile home plagued by dry rot and mold. Due to "stuff" I thought I would be stuck there forever....but....The Universe has seen fit to offer me an opportunity in the form of a truly lovely, less than 3 year old home! I will be renting, not buying, but I tell you, I don't know if I could be happier even were I buying! I will have a big increase in rent, so I will be knitting strictly from stash for awhile...It won't be unmanageable..It just means I have to start being accountable and responsible...and...well, grown up I guess. My motivation is huge...this is the best thing to be offered to my little family in forever...and I am going for it! :)

The theme from The Jefferson's (I don't want to hear it if you are too young to know what this is...) has been playing in my head all morning...

"Movin' on up....to the top.... to a de-luxe apartment in the sky......"

Don't Make Me Come In There!!

2005-02-24T08:32:00.000-08:00

Have you seen that commercial where the boy and girl are in the back seat of the car and he just keeps touching her? Just b-a-r-e-l-y touching her with the very t-i-p of his finger...then they are on the beach... same deal. The parents exchange annoyed glances, but that's about all.

This is not reality. Oh, the sibling stuff is real enough...but real parents? They would be responding a little differently:

"STOP IT!"
"LEAVE your sister ALONE!"
"Just walk away from him...stop it...stop it....I SAID STOP IT!"
"He's just trying to get you mad and you fussing is exactly what he wants....stop it!"
"STOP!"
"Don't MAKE me come in there!"

Finally, the one that occassionally makes my children pause - barely:
"I've had it! You don't know who you're messing with here!!!!!"

This morning, I could no longer stand one minute of them going at each other. I decided to leave 15 minutes early. I loaded my stuff and set about scraping the car windows. Almost done, I hear my cell phone ringing in the car. Yup. It's Them....calling from 2 yards away, in the house. They have not realized I am still at home.

Yes, they still live. Yes, my right eye IS twitching, how did you know?

Knitting: At the armhole shaping on the back of Ribby. Renewed interest, this is a good thing.

Bound off my first Dulaan Project item, the gaiter is done. Ends have yet to be woven in, but let's not quibble, it's done.

Mohair feather and fan continues....

Strong possibility the much too small socks are about to be abandoned in favor of actually knitting them in the size (gasp) recommended.

Swatching the intensely vivid, wonderful, Over The Rainbow Lagoon sock yarn on size 1 Addi circs in order to attempt the Columbine socks from Socks Soar. Two at a time? Eh...I'll figure that out later.

Weighty issues: Today at 2 pm I have my first appointment with the clinic. Not the beginning of the actual diet per se, but the first steps.

Today's mantra: "Don't Make Me Come In There"....no, no, that's not right...