FO! Hat attempt

I had been working on a Fake Isle Hat from magknits. I used some Lamb's Pride and yarn that I received in a swap from colorfullife (on etsy) - love love love the yarn! So I knit:

and it fits - quite exciting, Jackson was sad to learn I would model this one, not him! However, there is an issue:

It's a nipple at the top! Groan. I'll deal for now and just wear it inside I guess.

I got a really cute swap package today from the Sanrio swap on swap-bot:

There's gum and stickers and pencils and little notebooks - perfect for keeping in the knitting bag! I love all things sanrio and san-x and Kawaii.
Currently my favorite is tenorikuma - cute baristas! Look at all this stuff! and sanrio.com has a cute travel mug - "Hello! I'm Latte!"

New York New York

Last night we went into New York to visit a brother, his girlfriend and the other brother. We ate at Otto - and oh, wow - was it delish!! Cheese plates are brilliant. And a cheese with honey? And another with cherries? Inspiring!

I finished one Peekaboo mitten on the train there / back.

I'm pooped right now as we didn't get back until 2:30 and Jackson woke us up around 7:30. Today will be a day of lounging around, though I do have to work on school related stuff (yuck).

America's Sweethearts is on right now - great movie! ("Kiki!!") I love John Cusack

Company Store

Keep this in your "Inspiration" File - along with MasonDixonKnitting and their log cabin / mitered squares goodness... I was flipping through The Company Store catalog - love, love, love these:

Go Mets!

Jackson was found via flickr and he's now the met pet of the week! Check it out!
brooklynmetfan.com

FO! but defeated. (Project Spectrum woes)

I finished the Santa Cruz and I just love this photo detail of the stitch pattern on the top:


I used Wool of the Andes in the Rain colorway. I like the pattern, but the hat it does not fit. Well, it doesn't fit me. Of course it fits Jackson:

A few people at work just had girl babies - maybe they would like it.

I'm headed to Mohegan Sun tonight with some gals from work. I was going to swing by Saybrook Yarn to get the needles that I need, but I was asked to carpool, so that got kaboshed. I tried to go to Yarns, Yarns, Yarns after picking Jackson up from the groomer (that's why he has on a heart bandana) but they were closed too - unexpectedly due to a family death. I'm just not meant to get the needles. Maybe tomorrow. I really should get on my grading / report card stuff.

Impatience

Since I don't have the shorter needle that I need to continue on with the Hourglass Sweater (I'll get it today), I cast on last night for Santa Cruz from magknits. I'm using knitpicks Wool of the Andes in "Rain", so it works for project spectrum.

I found out that my cousin Jaimie is engaged! I am very happy for him, and am excited to meet his fiance (she wasn't able to come to the family Christmas Eve event). Now I'm obsessed with the idea of making an afghan / blanket for them. Cables are a must, irish inspired also. I'm thinking white / cream colors (as I know nothing about their home) or maybe grey with an accent color... Ideas I have already bookmarked:
St.Patrick's Day Afghan (maybe good for others in my family? One square for a pillow??)
I really like this Celtic Knot Afghan - it looks like hearts!
Aran pattern stitch info
Although I also really like this: Wooly Thoughts Tilting at windmills
And I think I like this: Lion Brand patchwork sampler
It would be great to somehow work in "the clan" patterns: Donnelly....

When I went out shopping with mom yesterday I picked up this Mets winter hat - Jackson is the best model ever, when properly motivated...

More Planning Ahead

Ok, so I decided today to go through the copies of Interweave Knits that I have and make a list of what I would like to knit from each issue. The list has been written down, but I want to use this space as a sort of research tool for me to keep track of alternative yarns to use / inspiration from others who have already done the projects.

Making this list I realized that I keep gravitating towards patterns by Veronik Avery - classic looks, not too fussy!

Summer 2003: Shimmer Aran, Merino Lace Socks
Winter 2003: Dolman Updated (in Noro)
Spring 2004: Waving Lace Socks
Summer 2004: Victoria Tank
Fall 2004: Syncopated Ribs (I actually have this yarn!), Pooling Colors Scarf
Summer 2005: Sleek Ribs Tank, Go with the Flow Socks
Fall 2005: Veste Everest (I like the colors of elann's peruvian highland wool!), Rib & Cable Socks
Winter 2005: Fickle Fingers Scarf(also consider this), Embossed Leaves Socks
Spring 2006 Waterlilly Top, Trellis Scarf, Aran Rose, Simply Lovely Lace Socks, Rib & Cable Mitt, Wobbly Circles Tote (I have yarn for this), Pullover Flair
Summer 2006 Marigold Tote, Penobscot Silk Scarf (maybe), Little Arrowhead Shawl (maybe)
Fall 2006: Gatsby Girl Pullover, Supernova Pullover, Target Wave Mittens
Winter 2006: Arctic Diamonds Stole, Cardigan for Arwen
Spring 2007: Dollar and a Half Cardigan, Keyhole Top, Roza's Socks

Saturday Sky & Other

I've never done a "Saturday Sky" before, but I liked how this picture came out:


I'm on vacation! Yay!

My projects are a little bit in a stuck place - I did finish Sock #1 of the socks for Dan:


I need a shorter needle for the sleeves on the hourglass sweater.

I signed up for SockMadness, I may be crazy.

We watched Open Season last night - it was really funny! Of course, we are partial to anything with dachshunds...

Doesn't that look like the sweater I made him??


Stay Warm & Toasty!

Knitted Toys

My hubby is the best. I repeat, the best!

The other day he was doing some online retail therapy - he got a video game. I passed as I have next week off and figured I would do some retail therapy then. Today his box from amazon arrived and he announced that he had a present for me! (sweet - it was a crappy day)
Knitted Toys (Zoe Mellor) - this book is soooo cute!!

Indigo Girls

Any CT knitters want to make a day out of St.Pat's day? We could go to Yarns Down Under (Deep River) and then out to dinner at Mohegan Sun and then see the show??
Indigo Girls at Mohegan Sun

Delayed opening

After yesterday's "First Serious Winter Storm" aka "The Valentine's Nor'easter" a ton of schools had a delay this morning. My school gets children from two school districts and in the case of delays, you follow the shorter one. So, while one district had a 90minute delay, the other had nothing. I drive in to school for the usual time and no one is there! strange. So I call home and Dan looks on the list again and lo and behold, my school is now on the delay list (90 minutes). So I've got a little bit of time to kill.

I went to starbucks. I've got my first Caramel Macchiato.

I don't have any knitting with me. How annoying. :^(

Thought about going to Joann fabrics, but they don't open until 9. s'okay though - i'll go next week - I do have a $20 card to use there...

FO! Scarf #3 and other projects

First off, Happy Valentine's Day - smooches all around from Jackson:


Second, thanks for the comments about the graffiti - in short it's annoying and kids are mean (which apparently will continue on into their adult years). Today is a snow day - it's been sleeting but there is snow accumulating. Yay! The pup is not such a fan of the snow and sleet, even though he's got a jacket:


That gave me the chance to finish "My So-Called Scarf" which is for me! I had bought 2 skeins of malabrigo in "Little Lovely", but decided to stop at the end of the first skein - the scarf is about 53" long. I started around Jan.24 (I think) and worked on / off. Fairly quick knit! Jackson approves, naturally!

and proof that I do wear my knitted things:


For Project Spectrum, I've made some progress on the Hourglass Sweater:

I had gauge issues with the Hopyard Summer Spun (blue) and didn't feel like doing another swatch so I jumped in with the Rowanspun DK (grey / blue)...I think it's going ok:

and I'm still working on Dan's socks:


I think I may have found a potential Christmas Project... keeping it a secret as I'm still undecided - but it I start now....

Graffiti

Part of my rant yesterday was about graffiti outside my classroom, here's a photo:

Next to it today I see that it has been added to - it also says "Yep she ugly"

meh.

Mr.Clean Magic Eraser took it right off. Kids are mean.

The snow is supposed to be coming...

This is my life

Want to know what love is? Love is something like this:
Supposedly there is a big storm heading to New England (finally!). Yesterday, Dan asked if I had scapers in my car for the windshields - I told him that yes, I do - it stays in my car all year. Later on in the afternoon, Dan tells me that he got the scraper in my car for me. I was confused as I already have one. He says he pulled it out for easy access (I tend to toss things in my car, the backseat is a mess). Ok, thanks that's nice. This morning I go to my car and start to put my school stuff in the back seat when I see not my usual ice scraper, but three scrapers - two different sizes and something called an "ice bulldozer"?! So, in case the storm does come and dump ice or snow on us, I'm prepared :)

Today at school I walk in and learn that we are now trying Parliamentary Procedures with my homeroom. It went over like a lead brick. Oh and I now have to keep track of their individual point plans...(my desk is still a mess)...and I found grafitti on the wall outside my classroom that says I "suck butt"...and supposedly next week the lab will be renovated....and I provided book covers for the students and was told that they might be too small for the books (um, the principal is helping the kids cover their books in math class, he of all people should know to just fold them differently!)..

...dreaming of snow...and vacation

Books To Be Read

I received a comment from my pal for the Favorite Colorswap asking about books I've read - so I added a book badge to my blog from Librarything.com and I'm adding in my "To Be Read" list for 2007, but I'm going to list them here as well. Hey I just noticed the librarything has knitting books too! Good way to keep track of the library.
Anyway, in no particular order, this year I'm planning to read these books which are already on my shelves:

Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult finished, Jan.2007
Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards
Killer Angels by Michael Shaara (Dan's choice for me)
Songs of the Humpback Whale by Jodi Picoult
Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult
Picture Perfect by Jodi Picoult
naked by David Sedaris
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Wonder Spot by Melissa Bank
Secret of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig
Dog is my co-pilot
Dog Department by James Thurber
Cesar's Way by Cesar Milan
Another Bullshit Night in Suck City Nick Flynn
Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk
In A Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson
Case Histories by Kate Atkinson

And I'll give myself extra credit here and there too.
Good quotes:
"In the case of good books, the point is not how many of them you get through, but rather how many of them get through to you." Mortimer Adler
"Beware of the person with one book" St. Thomas Aquinas

Sick Day

I requested a sick day yesterday at the end of school. There are already 3 other people out and we don't have any subs. But, I stuck to my instincts and I am not feeling bad about taking this day off. I. Am. Not.

I've been walloped by a cold, and haven't even knit the last two nights. So, while i sit on the couch today I'm plugging away at the LMKG Hourglass Sweater. I'll probably kick myself later, but I'm saying "Screw gauge" and just started knitting. I want to make a sweater, I'll learn from mistakes... maybe I'll get lucky and it'll fit.

Pictures later. I just don't have the energy right now.

Favorite Color Swap Questions '07

Favorite Color Swap Questionnaire

1. What are your top three favorite colors? blue-green-purple

2. What crafts do you really enjoy? knitting, I'm slowly teaching myself how to sew, I enjoy looking at amigurumi (though I can't yet crochet)

3. What products do you really covet? I have an amazon wishlist, and I do frequently lust over things in this blog

4. What other activities do you enjoy besides your favorite crafty things? playing with my dog, photography

5. Is there anything you collect? I used to, but have tried to avoid collecting anything else but yarn, needles and fabric!

6. What is your zodiac sign and/or Chinese zodiac symbol? Gemini

7.What are your favorite…

…scents/smells? fresh / clean (like Clean Cotton from Yankee Candle), citrusy

…types of music and/or bands? I'm open to new things, I avoid country, I listen to everything from U2, Barenaked Ladies, Indigo Girls, Dave Matthews Band to classical and hiphop.

…authors? Right now I'm big into Jodi Picoult, I love Laurie Notaro and Jen Weiner too

…animals? dogs (dachshunds especially), penguins, frogs (no cats)

…places to shop? target

…season? fall

…yarn/fabric/paper/other craft supplies? non-acrylic yarns, retro designs

…candies or goodies? Jelly Beans, mike and ikes, coffee, tea,

8. Do you have any wish lists? yep, it's linked at the top of the blog (amazon)

9. Are you allergic to anything? not really - I'm not a smoker though - smoke tends to bother me

10. Do you have any pets? What are they? 1 mini-dachshund, Jackson

11. Please include anything else you would like your secret pal to know about you- anything that would be helpful in finding you little gifts that you will really enjoy. The best thing about these swaps is the surprise factor!

Patterns (planning ahead)

New Magknits! - I really like the Santa Cruz hat - especially with options for all different yarn weights! I really could use a pair of the Peekaboo mittens as well...

I also really like Thermal from knitty.com's latest winter surprise and I think I like the Elbac scarf - emphasis on think...

Smokin' Sock from knitspot.com also looks good...

Books & Sock Yarn

Yesterday when I got home there were two packages waiting - the first was sock yarn from the Knitting Sunshine Sock Club - soooo pretty!! And there were little treats too - candy / mints / stitch markers!

The second box contained books from crafter's choice - Stylish Knits for Dogs to Knit in a Weekend, Doggy Knits, and Men Who Knit & Dogs Who Love Them - all are so cute and a good source of ideas. I think I'll make Jackson another sweater - maybe the grey cable one with a matching vest for me (not Dan - he's not really a vest guy)... Adorable pups!!

This weekend we're in transit - down to Long Island today, east to Rhode Island tomorrow.

School is crazy still - supposedly the wall in my lab will be knocked out to make it bigger, and a widescreen tv for computer / internet stuff, and saturday school for my homeroom kids. Promises and ideas, but I have a feeling that follow-through will be lacking.