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.
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Knitting Fever
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...
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...
Monday, November 28, 2005
Remember me?
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!
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!
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Not A Lot Of Knitting
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.
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.
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Sahara Dances
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.
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.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
But They Don't Make This Anymore!!
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.
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.
Monday, October 03, 2005
A Plethora of Pictures
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!
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!
Friday, September 30, 2005
Skill Level: Adventurous
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.
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.
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Sick....again
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.
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.
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Book Vs Movie
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??
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??
Monday, September 12, 2005
Happy 100th Post To Me!
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.
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.
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Cables And Shrugs And Lace, Oh My
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.
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.
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Please Join Me In A Moment Of Silence
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.
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.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Katrina Relief
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....
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....
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Popularity
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.
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.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Perseverance
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.
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.
Monday, August 29, 2005
Hanging Vines Is Kicking My Butt....
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?"
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?"
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Thinking
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?
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?
Friday, August 19, 2005
A Little Nap Can Work Wonders....
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.
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.
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Well.....Isn't This....Disappointing.
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"??
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"??
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