Bleh. Frustrating FO

First off, the Finished Object. I knit up the Malagaiter from magknits.com. I used Malabrigo and knit the larger size thinking everthing would be grand - and perfect for the upcoming winter that seems to have finally come to CT. Actually, it seems to have come everywhere BUT my town. Cities that don't get snow / ice usually are walloped and we get rain. Yuck...praying for a snow day tomorrow, but a delay would be nice too. Anyway. I seamed it up and pulled it on my head. And pulled. And pulled. I couldn't get the thing on my head! So, in times like these you find a suitable recipient. Given that it's just me, Dan and the dog, guess who got it?

Jackson is a wonderful sport. It also can be worn Survivor Buff style


I've decided that since the stuff I've knit ends up on the dog anyway, I'll try and knit him a sweater. Maybe it'll fit me when I am done. I really like a few patterns I've seen in this japanese knitting book so now I'm on the hunt for online translations / charts / tips...

Today was a stinky day at work (it's no fun to have middle schoolers yell at you and lie right to your face). So on my way home I treated myself to a Cinnamon Dolce Frappacino - ignore the nutritional information as that takes all the fun out of it. It was tasty.

Think snow. think snow. think snow.

Dachshund walk

Dachshund walk
Originally uploaded by nutmegknitter.

Winter finally started to show up and now everyone in southern New England is going to complain that it's too cold! I tried to get Jackson outside for a walk - at least it was sunny today! But he was not having it - not even with his jacket on, he was ready to high-tail it home. I think I'll put off sock knitting for a night to try and finish the malagaiter - I'm sure to need it by the weekend!

Sheep Shirt

My geeky side (which is both sides mind you) loves this:


Sure, it seems like calculating sheep in order to reach the funtion of sleep, but as a knitter, it must have something to do with knitting and yarn, yes?

I have ordered a couple of shirts from threadless in the past - love them.

Monkey WIPs (and a rant)

I've been working on my next pair of socks, Monkey (knitty.com). Inspired by another blogger (whose name escapes me right now) I knit both legs first on this one. Now that I'm working on turning the heel, it seems like they'll be done in no time!



If you're feeling a hankering for a scary movie, given that New England is nothing but grey lately (though maybe there might be a glimpse of snow tomorrow morning??) we watched 2 really creepy movies this weekend. Stay Alive which while creepy was better than expected. And, scariest movie I have ever seen, The Descent. I am mildly claustrophobic, but this sealed the deal on me ever going spelunking (not going to happen).

I had today off from school, so I went out and did a little shopping. Target was fun, but offered less than I was hoping for. At Kohl's I found plenty on sale (yay) but when I got up to the register, the cashier did not offer a greeting, had me empty out my bag of items ("You take those out of there" seriously. she said that!) and kept complaining about how hot she was - I was buying a sweater, and she kept saying "I doubt you'll get a chance to wear this".... Grr. Then I went to CVS to make some reprints of old photos. I couldn't make a picture of a photo of my brother and I (circa 1985? 1986?) because it was some dumb Sears studio print. I understand the need and purpose of copyright, but, there are no more of these photos! And even if my mom could remember where / when the shot was taken, the chances that the photographer is still there is slim to none. I think there should be some exception on these sorts of photos. gah. /rant

1000 Cranes

I learned how to do origami in the 5th grade. I have dabbled in it for as long as I can remember. There is something soothing about making those creases / folds in the paper and ending up with something so delicate...I remember reading about Sadako and the 1000 Paper Cranes... I make them for the kids out of starburst or trident wrappers... I'm actually helping out at the church of several of my students for them to earn a "Honors" in origami... I found the following through nipperknits.com, how can I pass up a knitted crane?.
(quoted from nipperknits)
"So, here’s the plan. Have you heard of the senbazuru? This is a group of 1,000 paper cranes. There’s a legend that completing a senbazuru in a year or less is a prayer for long life and health. Also, in Hiroshima, it is a prayer for peace because of Sadako Sasaki. I’ve been inspired by my friend Ryan doing his last year and by the knit not war [link updated] knitted cranes effort. I want to use this year to fold my own senbazuru as a meditative effort. I think if I can meditate on what it is I want while folding these cranes, it will give me the mental focus I need to make a difference in myself. Everyday as I fold cranes I will think on what I want my life to be like. As I fold cranes I will focus on specific changes I want to make and things I need to do to make a difference in my life. I’m changing my behavior, for the good to be sure, but any behavioral changes are incredibly difficult. I know I’m going to need help, that’s why I’m thinking the senbazuru is the way to go."
Brilliant. I'm going to knit up one to see, but I would really like to pledge ten.

Yay for Socks!

These socks I've decided I want to enter as my "Blue Monday" socks in the January "theme" for Socktopia - I flew through knitting these socks - amazingly! I was so stoked to be done, but I made one too short for my foot! This is the second time I have done this! Gotta learn to actually measure / try it on!! Anyway, in a great show of how my knitting confidence has grown - I unknit my mistake:

And fixed them with success! Dachshund approved.

I used the "Sell your sole" pattern and Speed Demon Yarn by Sweet Georgie (Berry Colorway).
However, I find that the heel bothers me some - not alot, but enough to know that I think I'll use a different heel next time. It kinda puckers, as Jackson points out:


I want to call these "Blue Monday" even though they are mostly reds / pinks / purples - that's like the fun of the weekend, and the subtle blue striping (and a little pooling) is the nagging feeling that you will have to return to work.

I don't really "get" myspace.com, but I am fascinated with it - today I found one of my friends from elementary school!

Groan.

Actually, it wasn't blogger that ate my first attempt at this post. I was trying to get a photo to show support for the Jets and Chad:

And the game has been a big groan. Oh well. Not being a huge football fan, I'll recover.

The original intention of the post was to discuss the weekend. Betsy was home (but now she's gone back down south) and lucky for us, it was the weekend of a big sale at Hopyard Spinnery. We had been to her fall sale and each stuffed a bag. This time though, we split a bag which worked out great. Here's Betsy full of delight at our finds:

Actually, the photo only gives you a limited view of what you have to poke through - that is maybe 20 - 25% of the bins - and they are full! We tried to have a system to work our way through the bins - and I'm sure we provided much entertainment to the other customers as we exclaimed "Ohh! this is a happy bin" and "I keep picking up this color - the rule is you have to get it when you pick it up more than once right?" When we sorted our goodies, we realized that we had opposite selections. Betsy had a ton of tame, mild stuff. Mine, was wild. I bought YELLOW! Unusual, but I made an effort to stay away from blues / purples, but a few jumped into the bag...

And, she had some new stuff - Bo Peep's Sock Yarn! -

After that we took a ride to Yarns Down Under - Betsy needed buttons and I had a gift certificate. When we walked in we met Ellyn Cooper - nice lady, nice yarns! There was a trunk show going on! I ended up getting a skein of her yarn with the intention of making the sand-dollar-spiral-scarf (I know that isn't the name...) from Knitting Nature. I picked up some needles, Cables Untangled (beautiful!) and two patterns to go with the yarn that the hubby got me for Christmas:


I finished my "Sell your sole" socks using the Speed Demon yarn from Sweet Georgia - in less than a week, I have socks! That's a new record for me! Photos later.

Bogus Breakfast

Bogus Breakfast
Originally uploaded by nutmegknitter.

And it got worse from there. I love the 100 calorie packs of food - satisfying, yet keeps me in check. Muffins are my downfall. I was so excited by this - I was hoping for something like the Baby Goldfish but all I got was 2 regular minimuffins. Grrr.

And, at lunch, I tried one of thesetuna tubs - it tasted like tuna so that's okay, but I felt like I was eating cat food!

I'm trying a new recipie for dinner, so I'm a little nervous.

Knitting wise, I finished a pair of socks using the speed demon yarn, but I didn't measure the foot properly, so it's too short / tight! Groan. On football sunday I'll frog and redo. I want to start a new pair so badly - for socktopia and the sock marathon.

I'm also loving the malabrigo I'm using to make a malagaiter, but I hate the needles (Al Susan Bates)... Oh well.

"Leek-y Chicken With Couscous"

"Leek-y Chicken With Couscous"
Originally uploaded by nutmegknitter.

I made this for dinner. Going to try and also use my cookbooks more this year - gotta try something different.
Book: Rachael Ray Express Lane Meals
Looks: Yummy. Browns / greens.
Smells: Yummy...kind of a tart / wine smell. The couscous smelled good too.
Tastes: Just okay.

First time to have leeks. Didn't love it and didn't hate it, but it would be a long while before I make this again. I would make couscous with chicken stock (how is it different from broth anyway??) instead of water. Golden raisins in the couscous were ok.

I started my photoblog for a photo a day! Becca's Focus - check it out!

Year Behind, Year Ahead

I think 2006 was a pretty good year. I accomplished quite a bit with knitting and gardening. Dan and I celebrated our 2nd anniversary. I spent a lot of quality time with my friends. My family can talk about Grampa with more smiles and less tears. Nana looks and feels better. We hosted Easter and Thanksgiving and other parties. The dog started to behave himself a little better even!

Looking ahead to 2007
Money Stuff:
* Watch it. Save it. Avoid buying useless space taking stuff.

Health & Body:
* Do yoga. Write it down on the calendar to keep track.
* Drink more water. Keep filling the SIGG / Nalgene bottles in the fridge.
* Go Green with more products.
* Go organic with more products.
* Use up what you have before buying the next bottle of lotion, soap, etc.

Personal & Getting Out:
* Travel (Ireland, here we come!)
* Grow an even bigger / better garden.
* Take a photo everday (keep a photoblog for the photos)
* Floss (Make dentis appointment)
* Moisturize
* Stop procrastinating.
* Follow through.
* Scan skin.
* Send mail.

Knitting & Crafts
* I've come up with an list of the online patterns I want to work through.
* Sort through the books / magazines.
* Keep on crafting.
* Crochet (and amigurumi)
* Embroider
* Use the sewing machine
* Complete the KALs and post pictures!!


Reviewing from my post this time last year (05-06) - short form...
My 2006 List of TO-DOs and TO-DON'Ts

Money Things:
• No more late fees at the library. I mean, really. That is just sad.
It's still sad. I just never went back to the library. Plan to remedy this
• Stop buying stuff that I don't need.
Accomplished marginally. Briefly.

The Size Of My Ass:
• Eat healthy stuff Getting better
• Get active - do yoga or pilates, use the weights, the balance ball...Didn't really do this
• Drink more tea (start drinking white, drink more green)Kinda did
• Drink more water. Sometimes
• Use less sugar. didn't happen

Personal Good Stuff & Leaving The House:
• Every day, choose happy over sad, free over constrained, liberated over abandoned, and laugh a lot. Wake up the next day and repeat.
• Plant a successful garden - tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, other flowers from seed!
• Go on a trip.Went to DC twice!
• Visit my grandma, at least call her often and send her lots of happy mail.
• Stop procrastinating. Just stop it already.Still an issue
• Moisturize. Constantly. You know you need it (especially when hubby says "I can tell where you lotioned and where you didn't!) And it doesn't matter if you can't reach. Ask for help. Still an issue
• Floss. Perpetual disappointment
• Make a dentist appointment. After the nonstop dental insurance issues with Dan, I have avoided this task. I know there will be cavaties.
• Get a new girlie doctor
• Get a skin scan? Something to make sure the moles and freckles are ok and not bad.Must Do
• Host Easter dinner for the families.


Practical:
• Work hard. Make deadlines a day early. Working hard, but deadlines suck
• Look at all the options.
• Have a positive attitude. Especially at work and with all co-workers. Suit up, show up and act as if....
• Send thank-you notes
• Send mail. Lots of it. Cards, postcards, notes.
• Be on time with mail as needed (holidays, birthdays, etc)
• Make Resolutions List and check it monthly to strike things out.


Knitting & Crafts:

• Make Nana chemo caps (Shedir)
• Make a sweater. Wear the sweater.
• Make the Mac & Me ruffle scarf.
• Make the rainbow scarf from LMKGM
• Make socks. Wear the knitted socks.
• Learn to embroider (You already have the Sublime Stitching Starter Kit, and Stitch-It-Kit)
• Use the sewing machine. Even if it's only to make stuff for Jackson.
• Learn to crochet.
• Get good at crochet to attempt amigurumi.


Finally... The Not-To-Do List:

• Don't say "yes" to things just because someone springs them on me at the last minute. Instead, say "Let me think about it and get back to you."
• Time is sparse, life if short. Don't waste it on useless things, people, memories, obligations.
• Don't worry about stuff I can't change anyway.
• Don't expect other people to live by my values.
• Don't compromise my values for anyone.
• Don't choose the known over the unknown just because it's comfortable.
• Don't waste time on stupid stuff or mean stuff. Frequently ask myself "Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?"
• Don't minimize success.

Calorimetry FO!

I'm really loving vacation for the amount of time it allows me to knit! Well, there is that and there is also that I have deliberately chosen quick projects. In the time it took to not really watch Miami Vice (what an awful movie. lots of staring. not lots of action.) I was able to whip up Calorimetry and I've even worn it out in public too!

My dog is such a good sport.


Seriously though, I got the button on there and here it is on an actual person:


I used yarn that I had received in a swap / secret pal package. It's a great purple / green mix of "Handspun handpainted pure wool yarn" from handpaintedyarn.com Color HH01 Uno. I could make another one too, it really does not use much yarn, and in two hours - voila! done!

It's almost hard to believe that it is New Year's Eve! I think I'll do my resolutions / to-do in '07 list tomorrow.
This weekend I met up with my brothers in New York and we had Ethiopian food! - really interesting and delicious! We also went to see an improv show at Upright Citizens Brigade". Always a good time with them.

Tonight we're staying in (actually my favorite type of get together!) and having friends over - enjoy and stay safe!!

Fetching!

Fetching!
Originally uploaded by nutmegknitter.

Pattern: Fetching from knitty.com
Yarn: GGH Cashmere (1 + maybe 1/3 of a second ball?)
Time: 2 days - had I kept better track I could estimate the hours - quick knit!
Recipient: Me!!!

Me Me Me

I love the fact that vacation allows me more time to knit, but I want to count these items as the first FOs of 2007! I've completed a pair of Fetching, from knitty with some of the cashmere yarn from Dan. I've also made up Calorimetry, also from knitty - it just needs a button! Photos to come.

Make Me's Pledge
I promise to knit for myself in 2007. I promise to make at least two items for myself for every one item I make for a friend. I promise to use more luxury yarns on myself than on others. I promise to laugh wildly every time someone says, "oh that's nice! Can you knit one for me?" I promise to feign illness whenever I see someone coming toward me with a sweater pattern and 20 pounds of Red Heart yarn. When Christmas time comes I will not panic and will give those who clamor for handknit gifts, yarn, needles, pattern and a coupon for free knitting lessons. In the year 2007 I promise to model more handknitted items than ever before. I will be glad to be known as "That Crazy Knit Chick."

Santa Dachshund

Santa 3
Originally uploaded by nutmegknitter.

Merry Christmas!

Jackson & Tree

Jackson & Tree
Originally uploaded by nutmegknitter.

We looked over and noticed the pup sat himself under the Christmas tree quite nicely... Good Boy!

It's a good day for yarn

I got to open a gift early from Dan...

Dude! That's cashmere!! I am so so so excited!! And, there's a gift certificate to my favorite yarn store, Yarns Down Under. I'm thinking that I want to make a scarf and fingerless gloves for me.
I had been looking at Dee-Luxe or the Woven Cable Scarf or maybe even the irish hiking scarf.... ideas?? Help!

I finished up the knitting project gifts for those who (I hope) will appreciate it:

A scarf for my brother (Harlot's pattern), a scarf for my cousin, and flower facecloths for my cousin and aunt. I had planned to make a few more items, but they didn't pan out and / or I changed my mind about the recipient actually liking getting something handmade...

The mail came and brought goodies from The Loopy Ewe:
Carbon Dioxide - Interlacements Tiny Toes sock yarn.

Berry Sweet Georgia Yarn & Rainforest Fleece Artist Yarn

She also included a little sample card and a DPN inventory card - excellent. Everything was packed so lovely - will use them again!

And, Scout's Indie Swag Club arrived too!
Glampyre "Rock the Stars" sock pattern, gorgeous yarn:

And the cutest snowmen stitchmarkers from Goodtobegirl.com


We went out with my folks last night to see The Santaland Diaries - excellent! It's going to be a busy weekend - party tonight, working then going to RI on Sunday, going to Long Island on Monday - but that is part of the fun!

Planning Ahead

On my computer I have a folder for bookmarked sites titled "2006ideas" - it's stuff I marked as a reminder of things that I wanted to knit. With Christmas vacation here (YAY!!) I have the best of intentions to work my way through the stash - get it organized / matched up with patterns / maybe even get it into that Excel spreadsheet - so I'm ready for the "Knit Through Your Stash" and the "Lime & Violet Sock Marathon"... Maybe when I get the spreadsheet together I'll print out the patterns and attach them... I don't know. This also doesn't include much of the archives of knitty or magknits
In no particular order - I'd like to knit (online patterns):


Scarves & Shawls
Argosy
Lace Scarf
Grape Hyacinth
Skinny Scarf (This is an UFO)
Lacy V Scarf
Cinnabar
Party Lace
Uniscarfity
My So Called Scarf
Vegan Fox (Sub. yarns)
Candle Flame
Crazy Aunt Purl's Magic Scarf
Kiri (pdf)
trellis
Snowflake Illusion
Liesel
Seaweed & Shells

Socks
Socks of Doom
Brigid
Sell Your Sole
Lacy Scallop Socks
Cable Twist Socks
Sock Tips
Hourglass
Lombard Street
Aran Socks
Alhambra (pdf)
Dublin Bay (pdf)
Jaywalker(I tried this twice and had to rip both times... still like them though)
Diamond Fixation
2CircularsPattern - these I will make again - they work up so fast!
Boogie's Mega Sock Link List


Sweaters
Lucy in the Sky
Custom Fit Raglan
Bulky Green Cables
Green Gable (actually, this is an UFO...)
Alexi Cardigan / Scarf

Hats
Malagaiter
Fake Isle
Odessa

Decorations
Halloween Bag
Mitered Square Bag (this is an UFO)
1201 (pumpkin bastket)
Dog Cloth (shorter legs / longer body so it's more dachshund like)
Felted Fortune Cookies
Fish (blanket?)
Tilting Afghan / wall hanging
Garterlac Dishcloth
Stars
Tape Tote
People & Places
Log Cabin Baby Blanket Love the blues!

Accessories
Whitewater Fingerless Gloves
Newfoundland Mittens
Noro Mittens
Calorimetry

Good ideas

Chunkster Challenge (Maybe it's time I read "Harry Potter")

TBR Challenge (to be read) I will be able to do this one, I'm sure! Gotta get a list together - 12 + extra credit.

New Blogger (and Retail therapy)

Wow, so blogger has changed itself a bit. First IE gives me an update that totally changes the webpage (I miss the toolbar File, View, Edit, etc) but I'm getting used to it. Now, this. I think I like it so far. I find the font much more appealing.

Be good to yourself this holiday. I did (after being good to others via Yarn Harlot asked us to. By the way, I would totally wear a tee shirt that said "Be nice, I'm a knitter, we're a big team" sort of thing.)
Support another good cause: Violet's Pink Ribbon.
There's a new sock club: Knitting Sunshine
Shopping with benefits (Sock yarn doesn't count for the knit your stash!) Loopy Ewe.

**Edited to add - Must, must, must go to Crafty Alien (on etsy) and buy the patterns!!!! Or kits!!! Or notecards!!! So cute!!!!!
**I also bought a copy of "Knitting" magazine that had a mouse pattern - was thinking of making that for my mom. Now these. And over the summer I won a kit off ebay to knit a dachshund. Perhaps the beginning of 2007 will be about animals and socks.

*Edited: Crap - I just posted a bunch of knitted amigurumi links then hit something and now they're gone. Reminder to self: Knitted Garden Gnomes (etsy), Panda Pirate (etsy), crochet me online magazing, roxycraft.com

Cool Stuff

First, I received gift tags today from ShopDoxie.com - I love all dogs, but the dachshunds have a special place in my heart. The tags are so cool - funny and sturdy!! Good quality - they came all nicely packaged and a "Dog Says Hi" button too! I will be shopping there again soon!!

Second, I'm in love with this video:

here's the wiki info
U2 band members are in there - I spotted the Edge and Bono in the crowd scenes.

Elf Yourself

My mom sent me this and I totally copied... well, I used Jackson as a model - spread some elfish cheer!
Here!

It's Coming on Christmas...*

Life is busy, as expected. It's a crowded month - birthdays and holidays and knitting projects to finish. School is a zoo. I'm behind on the grading and there's knitting that needs to be done...

Last night, Dan & I met up with friends from high school - our Christmas gift to each other was to meet up in New York and go see Company - which was pretty good! It was fun to be in New York again, if only for a short time. We're actually going back on the 29th to visit my brother.

There was a package waiting for me when I came home last night - Kimberly of wovenspun.com sent me a great package for the Swap-bot Coffee & Yarn Swap. She sent two Kona coffees (yummy! We do miss this since our honeymoon!) and some of her hand-dyed yarn - a fingering weight in a "Summer Haze" colorway - so cheery - I can't wait to make some socks with this in the upcoming dreary New England January / February months!

I think I consider this sort of idea every year (Knit from your stash 2007) - but I like the sock exclusion rule. Still considering.

Timet to do something, but I'm pooped. Blog reading is something, right?

*Lyric from "River" by Joni Mitchell - I'm really digging Sarah McLachlan's version of it - great album!

Long Weekend

Happy belated thanksgiving to all in the States. We hosted again (2nd year running!) and it went pretty flawlessly. We had both sets of parents, brothers, my grandmother, uncle & partner for a total of 12 - I think that's just right. Everyone brings stuff, and we took care of the turkey / potatoes (my brother mashed 'em perfectly) / stuffing / gravy - and even a lot of that is shortcuts. :) It's all good. I am in much favor (worship?) of Omaha Steaks turkey and Alton Brown's method. Juicy, perfect and delicious combination!

Week before last, Betsy and I went to a sale at Farmhouse Yarns (read more here) - we each stuffed a bag - I got 19 skeins! I'm thinking they'll be good for mittens (I'm in the knit mitt kit swap), scarves, and flower facecloths for holiday gifts with some fun soap (like these Biggs and Featherbelle - I love them!). You can also see in the picture 2 skeins of malabrigo (little lovely) that I couldn't stop touching...


And how excited was I to come home on Wednesday and find an installment from Scout's Indie Swag Club - love the colorway and the notecards from Glamscience.
There's a really great picture here.

And I thought I was successful in my LimeNViolet KAL - I got through the second sock:



Only to find out that I don't know where I lost track of paying attention, because sock #2 is too short for my foot!! It's only good as a dachshund nose warmer. Groan. I don't want to undo it to try and fix it. I'm tossing my hands up on this one.

Break Time

Here's what you do:

1. Open your music library
2. Set settings to "Shuffle"
3. Press play
4. For each entry, type the song that's playing
5. For new entry, press the next/forward button

opening credits: "Stupid Girls" Pink ~ ok, sets the tone

waking up: "I wanna be sedated" The Ramones ~ again, true to life

first day at school: "Your Eyes" (RENT, Broadway cast) ~it's one of those movies

falling in love: "In a big country" Big Country ~this one creeps me out a bit

breaking up: "Skullcrusher Mountain" Jonathan Coulton ~excellent

prom: "Down to Earth" Barenaked Ladies ~proms don't have to make sense, that's why they are fun

life's okay: "Being for the Benefit of Mr.Kite" Beatles ~suitable

mental breakdown: "Some Fantastic" Barenaked Ladies ~mellow breakdown, eh?

driving: "Can't Help Falling in love" UB40 ~good singalong

flashback: "Piece of my heart" Janis Joplin ~it works

getting back together: "Send me on my way" Rusted Root ~not really a "together" song now is it?

wedding: "Rollin' (Urban Assault Vehicle)" Limp Bizkit ~I love it. My bridal party walked in to "Big Pimpin". We walked in to "Rock the Casbah". First song was "Let's get it started" - it fits. one of my favorites.

birth of child: "Goodbye my lover" James Blunt ~so so sad....

final battle: "Another Spin" Barenaked Ladies ~ok

funeral song: "Peace on Earth" U2 ~appropriate

end credits: "If You're Gonna" Natasha Bedingfield ~meh

Groan.

Photos to come tomorrow, along with links.
Went to a kick-ass yarn sale this weekend with Betsy. I think I ended up with 19 or 21 skeins in my stuff-a-bag. Went to my favorite yarn shop and treated myself to malabrigo that I couldn't stop touching - planning a "my so called scarf". Got a button.
Today dragged. It's report card time. I'm stressed. It's a short week so the kids will be bonkers. I cast off tonight for my LimeNViolet KAL socks. Double groan. You'll just have to wait for the pictures to see what a doofus I am.

WIPs Photos

So, for norovember here's how that felted bag is coming along:


I've been working on these two scarves:






The top one is for a guy (possibly cousin, dad or brother) using Misti Alpaca bulky - it's so wonderfully squishy and warm. The botton is Ellyn Cooper Caribe Isle yarn, in a herringbone lace-ish pattern that came with the yarn purchase.

Here's what I've got on the skinny scarf so far:










I think perhaps that I may have missed part of the pattern, or just knit too tight? As it's a little wonky in the middle as the two bottom photos show - I may just plod on and keep this for me, as I don't relish the idea of ripping out and redoing the 400 stitch cast-on. I'm using the Classic Elite Premiere yarn and it's a little tough on my hands to cast on.

Here's a great picture of Jackson that sums up how I feel today (Rar, it's monday)

Proud

Last summer, when we got Jackson, we got a lot of toys and puppy things. We especially liked the Petstages brand. Well, I took photos and wrote them a letter and now, over a year later, he's their featured pet! I'm so proud :)

And fedex pulled up today - they also sent us two little toys :)

So, writing a letter brings good things - Fat cat toys will be hearing from me next!

Knit Mitt Kit Swap Questions / Answers

What are your favorite colors? blue, green, purple
Are you a new mitt knitter? Sorta - I've made fingerless gloves, wrist warmers, and broad street (convertable mittens, from knitty.com) - but haven't made mittens yet.

How long have you been knitting mittens? About 4 years now

Do you prefer solid or multicolored yarn? I like both - I used to be big with the multicolored, but my tastes seem to be swinging back towards solids

What fibers do you prefer in mitten yarn? Something warm and soft - keep the wind+wet out!

Where do you usually knit mittens? At home

How do you usually carry/store small projects? I have a series of bags / pouches

What are your favorite mitten patterns? I don't know yet...

What are your favorite mitten knitting techniques? I suppose if I could do it in the round on two circulars, that would win!

What new techniques would you like to try? Fair Isle (I'm scared of it!) Thrummed.

What are your favorite needles for knitting mittens? Bamboo, it's good for the planet!

What are some of your favorite yarns? Blue Sky Alpaca, alpaca alpaca alpaca

What yarn do you totally covet? Lobster Pot yarn

Any pattern you would love to make if money and time were no object? The "Touch Me" scarf

Favorite kind of needles (brand, materials, straights or circs, etc)? circular, bamboo

If you were a specific kind of yarn, which brand and kind of yarn would you be? Fun, traditional with a twist

Do you have a favorite candy or mail-able snack? jelly beans / mike & Ikes

What’s your favorite animal? Dog (I have a dachshund) and rainforest frogs and owls

Would you prefer super warm mittens or something more like fingerless mitts?
That's a hard question. I am all for the warmth, but probably would use fingerless mitts more often

If you were a color what color would you be? a shade of blue-purple-green-grey

What is your most inspiring image, flower, or object in nature? A sunflower close up - I love the repeating pattern

Do you have a wishlist? Yes, on amazon

Anything else you’d like to share with the group today? I am intrigued and challenged by this and look forward to playing along!!

Recent Swaps

As part of the Boo-ty Swap, I sent to Christine and received from Ananga - lookie here:

There's veggie booty snacks (which I've been wanting to try!!), a gorgeous photo album (perfect for the new photos I've been taking with my new camera!), a needlecase (I so so so needed one of these - it's gorgeous!) and seasonally orange yarn (I'm thinking I'll make Jackson a sweater!). So much fun!!


And I also played in Knitty's Spooky SP. I sent to Jessica and received from Ceallach, check it out:




There's Solar Dyed Yarn in "Irish Eyes" (stunning, now I'm pouring over possible patterns!), stamps, halloween doodahs, soaps and a needle case (which I so so so needed - I've got a lot of needles that need homes!) Thank you very much!!

November Calendar

This is for Deb - you know, it's funny - I had just received 2 calendars in the mail for 2007 - one from Kraft Food & Family Magazine and the other from US Holocaust Memorial Museum... but we'll save those for next year, ok? Here's the November page that hangs in Jackson's room. Yes, his room. He stays in there during the day when we're both at work.

Wish List

This is a neat contest from Archie McPhee - you post your wish list and then could win $200 or $100 worth of the stuff you want! So, here's what I yearn for and adore:
1. Pirate bandages
2. Brain gelatin mold
3. Dogs on tv
4. Sushi Rug
5. Pirate Dome Lunchbox
6. Giant Pencil
7. How to Keep Your Husband Apron
8. Sad Weiner gum
9. Super Genius gum
10. Tickles Tapeworm shirt
11. Parasite Pals Lunch Box
12. Sushi shower curtain

Today I dislike my job

I've mentioned before that I'm a teacher. This week, in much due to the sugar rush, there's been more stress than usual. Our school is very small. We really don't have substitutes. I was asked to use my prep periods tomorrow to cover two classes of Music. While I was annoyed at first, it really isn't too bad a thing - I can help and cover. Tonight I got a phone call from the head teacher of my team. There's been a death in her family, so she'll be late / possibly not in tomorrow. The english teacher is also going to be out tomorrow. So that makes me the "senior" in charge. I'm starting to stress in advance. Ugh. And in helping to cover, I'm sure to loose any "free" time - I'll be lucky to sneak in a potty break.

I wish I was in a cubicle, 9-5 kinda job. This be everywhere, help everyone, do it all 24 / 7 isn't really working for me.

Oh, someone left a comment asking why some of my kids don't celebrate Halloween - they are Jehovah's Witness or Zionist(?, maybe 7th Day Adventist?) - they tell me it's the Devil's birthday.

Happy Halloween!

Here's my "costume"


and a closer look



Hint, it's the tattoo sleeves. It's very low-key, but I'm a teacher and many of my students don't celebrate Halloween. I got many double takes and "um, Miss - are those real???" Ha!

I received two great packages in the mail yesterday - from my knitty Spooky SP and my BOO-ty pal! pictures to come!!

Costumes

It's never to early to think ahead to next year - thoughts / advice welcome!

I could so have Jackson be his own little "short bus" - felt would work, right?


We like bananas!


But this, this dachshund in aluminum chain mail is too much! Someone commented it that it looked knitted on big needles --- maybe?

Avoiding Work

Good thing about school: wireless internet. And boy do I need it. It's just been such a frustrating day. Repeat to self: they are only kids. But they act so old! It's only an act right? They say and do such stupid things though. Grr. And tonight I have to stay late. My knitting is in the car - I'm hoping to knit a little tonight, as I don't have to actually do anything, just be a presence in support of the kiddos. Gotta get going on the presents!

In the meantime, DROOL....
SunsetYarn's Etsy Shop


Sock-ness Monster Socks!


Colorfullife's Etsy Shop




I want to go home and snuggle with some yarn. Or the dog. Hubby too.

FO-tos!!

AKA: I have a working camera!

Behold, my first pair of socks for Socktoberfest!


Snakes on a Sock!
It was a fun pattern, and I thought I worked through it quickly, but that might be from the two-circulars - it always seems to go faster with them...

Yesterday I hit up Sit N Knit - what a cute shop! The staff was very friendly too and willing to go downstairs and look for something if it wasn't already out. I've got all the yarn I need now for Christmas presents.

Today Jackson and I went to the "All Breeds HOWL-O-WEEN" parade and then the dacshund rescue Hall-o-weenie Fest. He won 3rd place for his costume and was also a race winner! Yay!

Doesn't he look happy?

Wrong Number

I tried to call Dan on his cell phone from the house phone. This means that I had to actually remember the phone number, instead of scrolling through my "contacts" or hitting the speed dial #. Some strange guy answered the phone and I asked for Dan (in case someone else answered it for him) and was told,

"No, there's no Dan here. You misdialed the number."
(PAUSE)
"What number were you trying to dial"

Well, obviously I was trying to dial DAN'S number!

I was off by one number. Sheesh.

Name Game MeMe

1. Your rockstar name (pet & current street name): Jackson Carriage Hill

2. Your movie star name (grandfather / grandmother on your mom's side & your favorite candy): Veronica Jellybean

3. Your "Fly Guy / Girl" name (first initial of last name, first three letters of your middle name): H Uph

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal): Blue frog

5.YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born):
U. Pawtucket

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name, first 2 letters of mom's maiden name and first 3 letters of the town you grew up in.)Hubredogui

7. SUPERHERO NAME: ("The", your favorite color, favorite drink):
The Blue Margarita

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first name of both your grandfathers): Donald Raymond

9. FUTURISTIC NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne and the name of your favorite shoes)
Philosophy Grace Clarks

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother/father's middle name) Donnelly Michael

Meh.

I've got a new camera coming - hoping tomorrow...

I bought Jackson a few new Halloween shirts at Old Navy (great deal!) but, I think they have redesigned their XS dog shirt as they are tight on him and he hasn't changed his shape too much! I'll return them and exchange for the S, hopefully, and then take photos with the previously mentioned camera.

I started knitting a scarf for one of my aunts for a Christmas present, and realized that I did a bunch of it wrong! It's a two row repeat, and I messed up. For crying out loud self, get a cute stitch marker and use it! You have them. That's what they are their for!!

So far, in thinking about my Christmas gift list, this is what I've got to do:
1.Scarf: Herringbone Lace pattern, Ellyn Cooper yarn - Caribe Irisee - yarn's bought / wound up. This is the one with the stupid mistake I didn't pick up on.

2. Skinny Scarf a la Knitty Gritty on DIY for my cousin - yarn's bought (Classic Elite Premier in two shades of lilac/purple and a smokey grey)
2b. Back to School Cloths are also a possibility for my cousin.

3. Felted Bag with Mitered Squares for one or more of the ladies in my family. Need yarn.

4. Grape Hyacinth Lace Scarf maybe for my cousin's girlfriend. Have some nice pinky Noro that would work nicely.
4a. Also for the cousin's girlfriend, considering Fetching

5. Something for my cousin, a cop. Guys are tough. Maybe fingerless gloves? Maybe a nice scarf that has a touch of cashmere in it?

6. Ditto for my dad.

7. Ditto for my baby brother.

note: I haven't yet made anything for my dad or baby brother... i'd like to... I think the b.b. would be happy with a hat / gloves / scarf (maybe). Dad's not really a scarf guy, but would probably wear one that I made.

8. A set of Fuzzy Feet for a family of my friends: Mom, Dad, kiddo...

9. Other "stuffs" as needed.

10. Oooh, almost forgot. I've got my "HOPE" and "DONALD" yarn and started the scarf for my grandmother, but it's too stripey. I need a pattern for sockweight yarn that blends them together... ideas??
10b. This project would be for Nana, who is going through chemo. She may loose her hair again. Last year I made her a Shedir and she liked it - I think I should make her a box of silly hats: the hallowig, the chicken viking hat, the princess leia hat, and the new knitty surprise!

This weekend I won't be going to Rhinebeck - bummed, but maybe next year. Instead, I'll hit the mall and then check out Sit-n-Knit and CreativeFibers....

Woosh

There went the weekend.
We were up in Maine for a wedding - way out in Baaaah Haaaa-Baaa. It was gorgeous and the event went off perfectly! However, I misplaced my camera (boohoo) - maybe someone will find it.

On the way up, I finished my Snakes on a Sock! yay! And I started these in the LimeNViolet Lisa Souza yarn

In the spirit of Socktoberfest, here's a bit of my sock history:
When did you first start making socks? I taught myself maybe 4 years ago. I'm not sure why really, but I bet it's because I liked the variegated colorways. I followed an online tutorial that had close-ups of what happened. I remember holding the dpns very close to my eyes (those stitches seemed so tiny!)

What was your first pair? How have they "held up"? My first pair were a slouch kinda pattern using a sockotta yarn. They have held up pretty well, but Jackson took to them last year and now they have a hole bitten in them. They are a little big and the toes are grafted so the seam doesn't go across the line of toes, but rather from the front to the back of the foot.

What would you have done differently? I don't know...maybe pay a little more attention to the finishing of the toe.

What yarns have you enjoyed? Lorna's Laces, Koigu, Sockotta, and Spunky Eclectic! I have some of Claudia's Handpainted and Cherry Tree Hill waiting in the wings. And I did join Scout's Swag club.

What's the preferred method? Two circulars. Love it, and it seems to take less time than dpns. I think I would like to try magic loop.

What's your preferred heel? I really like the flap.

How many pairs have you made? 6 pairs, and counting.