No really, I'm blocking!!! I finished up the knitting on the Sweet Pear shawl for my grandmother this afternoon. After returning from Jen's 20th birthday shin-dig (Dotty, thanks again for the grub and the hospitality) I wove in about a million ends and got down to blocking business.
1. Strung 50 lb fishing line through the top for a straight edge.
2. Hung the ends off nails/thumbtacks in my entryway wall.
3. Sprayed the bugger down with my "Stinker, stop ripping up the carpet" spray bottle.
4. Tacked down the bottom corner with another thumbtack.
5. Prayed like all hell the whole thing wouldn't disintegrate overnight.
It seems too easy... Please let me know if I've forgotten something. Here's the specs: Recycled Cotton/Ramie blend yarn (don't remember percentages, my bad), 4 ply with virtually no twist. Knitted on size 15 needles in garter stitch.
Oh, and for those wondering what we got Jen for her birthday: A "Knit-It" legwarmer kit (can't beat clearance at Target), a little book of sign-language, a book of poetry by Jewel, and a kitty-version of Bubby from Knitty. We'll also be getting them something nifty for their housewarming; they move in on Thursday, so there's no time to knit anything too nifty.
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Saturday, April 29, 2006
My Creative Juices Have To Go Somewhere...
Okay, the title of this post can be really gross if you think too hard about it. My minds firing on all seven (yes, 7) cylinders, so there you go...
I'm in an admitted knitting funk; none of my WIP's call to me. My clearance merino sock yarn beckons seductively, but if I start a pair of lacy Zinnia socks, Jessie's ribbles will never come to fruition. I wish I could get far enough on these puppies to have second-sock-syndrome! The chocolate merino hasn't been touched since I unpacked it. The red/black acrylic scarf has had a little growth, but nothing to write home about. I did finish Jen's birthday Bubby-Cat, but it turned out smaller than the picture on Knitty suggested.... Let's hope she's not too disappointed. She turns 20 tomorrow!
Well, since I don't feel much like knitting, I finished the second knitting mystery novel that was just to horrible to mention. I'll probably keep reading them too. I am hoping that the main character gets laid so she'll quit obsessing about yarn I can't have. I would have read the Divinci Code since I was the one who checked it out of the library, but Boy scooped it up on his way to babysit his stepmother today.
And, since I was sick of having a broken blog, I picked a new template and set it all up! The old one was a little dark and Spring is springing! Already the neighbors are louder and some crack-heads next door stole our dumpster. I've never felt Spring springing as much as I have this year. Maybe it's my biological clock? Crud.
Better go work on my Chocolate Mariah. Or socks. Anything but the biological clock. Let me know if you like the new format.
I'm in an admitted knitting funk; none of my WIP's call to me. My clearance merino sock yarn beckons seductively, but if I start a pair of lacy Zinnia socks, Jessie's ribbles will never come to fruition. I wish I could get far enough on these puppies to have second-sock-syndrome! The chocolate merino hasn't been touched since I unpacked it. The red/black acrylic scarf has had a little growth, but nothing to write home about. I did finish Jen's birthday Bubby-Cat, but it turned out smaller than the picture on Knitty suggested.... Let's hope she's not too disappointed. She turns 20 tomorrow!
Well, since I don't feel much like knitting, I finished the second knitting mystery novel that was just to horrible to mention. I'll probably keep reading them too. I am hoping that the main character gets laid so she'll quit obsessing about yarn I can't have. I would have read the Divinci Code since I was the one who checked it out of the library, but Boy scooped it up on his way to babysit his stepmother today.
And, since I was sick of having a broken blog, I picked a new template and set it all up! The old one was a little dark and Spring is springing! Already the neighbors are louder and some crack-heads next door stole our dumpster. I've never felt Spring springing as much as I have this year. Maybe it's my biological clock? Crud.
Better go work on my Chocolate Mariah. Or socks. Anything but the biological clock. Let me know if you like the new format.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Shawl-In-Progress
Have I mentioned that I love my grandmother? That I paid $1 for a green/gray cotton/ramie sweater at a hospital thrift store, ripped it to shreds, skeined, cleaned, and balled the yarn up? That I denied my cat this yarn that she loves so very, very much? Well, I do and I did.
Know what I found out? Shawls are nifty. Ask the Knitting Geek, she'll tell you. I am making the Simplest Shawl in Garter Stitch and I am loving my first shawl. Except for one thing: my shawl sucks. Not the pattern, not my knitting, but when I ripped the sweater I think I damaged the yarn. There are icky loose threads hanging everywhere and some areas are doubled up to make up for thinner areas of yarn. As I learned in photography, garbage in, garbage out I guess. I will try to clean it up as best I can, but I might have to find something else to give my grandma for her birthday... But I still think shawls are nifty =)
Oh, my knitpicks clearance yarn came in. Guess what everyone (at least 7 people) are getting for Winter Solstice/Chanukah/Christmas/Whatever!
Know what I found out? Shawls are nifty. Ask the Knitting Geek, she'll tell you. I am making the Simplest Shawl in Garter Stitch and I am loving my first shawl. Except for one thing: my shawl sucks. Not the pattern, not my knitting, but when I ripped the sweater I think I damaged the yarn. There are icky loose threads hanging everywhere and some areas are doubled up to make up for thinner areas of yarn. As I learned in photography, garbage in, garbage out I guess. I will try to clean it up as best I can, but I might have to find something else to give my grandma for her birthday... But I still think shawls are nifty =)
Oh, my knitpicks clearance yarn came in. Guess what everyone (at least 7 people) are getting for Winter Solstice/Chanukah/Christmas/Whatever!
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
TSA must have gotten the memo...
I had a bad day today. I had to suspend someone for the first time, none of the other managers came to work today, and I still can't seem to shake the "jet lag" that has dragged me down all week. Not much knitting progress lately; I am still working on Jessie's Ribble socks, but either the Parade yarn or the pattern is very hard on my hands. It wears me out even more...
So, instead of whining for my entire post, I will speak of the goodness of the TSA folks for figuring out that I and many other knitters are much more dangerous without our needles than with. I got in and out of 4 airports 6 times without even a blink at my knitting needles. Well, not from the airport security people. I was stopped by several people asking how I got through security with my sock on size 2 bamboo needles. And it wasn't just me, either. While waiting at Hancock airport for my flight to Reagan I sat across from a girl working on a sweater using big, shiny Addi Turbos. While I grabbed a quick lunch at the TGIFriday's in the Philidelphia airport a woman stopped me and showed the baby blanket she'd been working on while travelling.
Knitters, you are free to roam around the country...
The unexpected benefit? I survived 3 take-offs and landings in one day without having a fit. I am scared to death of flying; a peek in my carry-on will reveal a stuffed animal that I normally cling to for dear life until we are at cruising altitude. I didn't need the bear this time. Knitting on my little sock kept me calm enough that all those flights were no huge deal. I think I kept everyone else around me calmer as well. What can possibly go wrong when the woman next to you is quietly creating clothing?
Thank you TSA!
So, instead of whining for my entire post, I will speak of the goodness of the TSA folks for figuring out that I and many other knitters are much more dangerous without our needles than with. I got in and out of 4 airports 6 times without even a blink at my knitting needles. Well, not from the airport security people. I was stopped by several people asking how I got through security with my sock on size 2 bamboo needles. And it wasn't just me, either. While waiting at Hancock airport for my flight to Reagan I sat across from a girl working on a sweater using big, shiny Addi Turbos. While I grabbed a quick lunch at the TGIFriday's in the Philidelphia airport a woman stopped me and showed the baby blanket she'd been working on while travelling.
Knitters, you are free to roam around the country...
The unexpected benefit? I survived 3 take-offs and landings in one day without having a fit. I am scared to death of flying; a peek in my carry-on will reveal a stuffed animal that I normally cling to for dear life until we are at cruising altitude. I didn't need the bear this time. Knitting on my little sock kept me calm enough that all those flights were no huge deal. I think I kept everyone else around me calmer as well. What can possibly go wrong when the woman next to you is quietly creating clothing?
Thank you TSA!
Sunday, April 16, 2006
The Syracuse Recap
I'm back!
I don't want to bore everyone to tears with every minute detail of my cross-country expedition, so here are the highlights:
~Began the Syracuse Socks in the Long Beach Airport; had no trouble getting my needles through security. I love bamboo!
~My new Razr phone died somewhere between Long Beach and Phoenix - software issue. Verizon Wireless replaced it my third day in Syracuse.
~My left contact lens went down the sink Day 2. Crap.
~Taught my class the basic knit stitch during a training presentation. I think I infected inspired at least two people to eventually take up the needles!
~Finished the back and started the second sleeve of the Chocolate Mariah. I'm getting there, slowly but surely...
~Walked to the Knitting Connection on Saturday and met the nicest group of knitters I have ever met. They let me join in on their knitting circle, appropriately ooh'ed and ahh'ed at the nearly finished first Syracuse sock. We all talked and laughed and knit; it was the best day of my entire trip. I bought some ChiaGoo needles (I am loving the size 15 bamboo straights, but the laser-cut logo on the size 1 & 2 dpns may become an issue) and some Farmhouse merino which I started whipping up into my standard scarf while I was sitting and gabbing. I would encourage anyone who is sick of stuffy, stuck-up, and down-right rude LYS's to check this place out. Many thanks to owner Judy and the rest of that delightful crowd; your thank you card is in the mail!
~The lovely brown variegated wool scarf went to my very grateful Verizon instructor who was absolutely fascinated watching me knit it during happy hour at the hotel. I may have lost some souvenir yarn, but I may have infected inspired someone to start knitting. Good trade in my book.
~I met Jill Evans from Bean's Stock! She brought me the neatest needle case I have ever seen, Hawaiian Chocolate. I have wanted a needle case forever, but didn't want one that looked like my grandmother's sofa (actually, my grandmother has an awesome sofa, but I'm trying to work the stereotype here). This is gorgeous and, as an added bonus, has chocolate in the name (I seem to be collecting things named Chocolate). If you've read her blog you know she's been really busy lately, but she still made time to drive it down to my hotel and make a little small-talk with me the night before I left. How am I the only one who's bought this little gem?!? Do us all a favor; check out her shop and help support a very nice knitter.
~I bought the new Yarn Harlot book. I appreciate that she's come out with a more technical (read: legit) knitting book, but I miss almost wetting myself every few pages... Not what I was expecting, but I won't penalize her for my preconceptions; I rate it 5 out of 5.
~Dinosaur Bar-B-Q, Coleman's Pub, Justin's Grill, The Green Onion, and every other restaurant out there rocks. I must have gained 10 pounds!
~By the time I touched down in Long Beach I was halfway through the toe on the second Syracuse sock. I finished the pair Saturday morning. Thanks to the girls for the faboo Lorna's laces sock yarn!
I should get going; we're meeting Boy's clan for Not-Easter dinner tonight and I need some time to get mentally prepared... Oh, if you're itching for some cheap merino sock yarn, KnitPicks is putting a bunch of their yarn on clearance. Yarn for 7 pairs of socks for about $40, count me in!
I don't want to bore everyone to tears with every minute detail of my cross-country expedition, so here are the highlights:
~Began the Syracuse Socks in the Long Beach Airport; had no trouble getting my needles through security. I love bamboo!
~My new Razr phone died somewhere between Long Beach and Phoenix - software issue. Verizon Wireless replaced it my third day in Syracuse.
~My left contact lens went down the sink Day 2. Crap.
~Taught my class the basic knit stitch during a training presentation. I think I infected inspired at least two people to eventually take up the needles!
~Finished the back and started the second sleeve of the Chocolate Mariah. I'm getting there, slowly but surely...
~Walked to the Knitting Connection on Saturday and met the nicest group of knitters I have ever met. They let me join in on their knitting circle, appropriately ooh'ed and ahh'ed at the nearly finished first Syracuse sock. We all talked and laughed and knit; it was the best day of my entire trip. I bought some ChiaGoo needles (I am loving the size 15 bamboo straights, but the laser-cut logo on the size 1 & 2 dpns may become an issue) and some Farmhouse merino which I started whipping up into my standard scarf while I was sitting and gabbing. I would encourage anyone who is sick of stuffy, stuck-up, and down-right rude LYS's to check this place out. Many thanks to owner Judy and the rest of that delightful crowd; your thank you card is in the mail!
~The lovely brown variegated wool scarf went to my very grateful Verizon instructor who was absolutely fascinated watching me knit it during happy hour at the hotel. I may have lost some souvenir yarn, but I may have infected inspired someone to start knitting. Good trade in my book.
~I met Jill Evans from Bean's Stock! She brought me the neatest needle case I have ever seen, Hawaiian Chocolate. I have wanted a needle case forever, but didn't want one that looked like my grandmother's sofa (actually, my grandmother has an awesome sofa, but I'm trying to work the stereotype here). This is gorgeous and, as an added bonus, has chocolate in the name (I seem to be collecting things named Chocolate). If you've read her blog you know she's been really busy lately, but she still made time to drive it down to my hotel and make a little small-talk with me the night before I left. How am I the only one who's bought this little gem?!? Do us all a favor; check out her shop and help support a very nice knitter.
~I bought the new Yarn Harlot book. I appreciate that she's come out with a more technical (read: legit) knitting book, but I miss almost wetting myself every few pages... Not what I was expecting, but I won't penalize her for my preconceptions; I rate it 5 out of 5.
~Dinosaur Bar-B-Q, Coleman's Pub, Justin's Grill, The Green Onion, and every other restaurant out there rocks. I must have gained 10 pounds!
~By the time I touched down in Long Beach I was halfway through the toe on the second Syracuse sock. I finished the pair Saturday morning. Thanks to the girls for the faboo Lorna's laces sock yarn!
I should get going; we're meeting Boy's clan for Not-Easter dinner tonight and I need some time to get mentally prepared... Oh, if you're itching for some cheap merino sock yarn, KnitPicks is putting a bunch of their yarn on clearance. Yarn for 7 pairs of socks for about $40, count me in!
Saturday, April 15, 2006
Honey, I'm Home!!!
Hello All!
Just a quick note to let you know I made it back from Syracuse late last night. Stinker was mad when I walked in but quickly forgave me this morning; she's currently purring up a storm in my lap. I met the nicest knitters in Syracuse! I'll go into great detail about my trip later on, but I am supposed to be helping Boy make mashed potatoes. In the meantime, all I can say is, if you are going to spend any money, do so here, and here.
More details to come....
Just a quick note to let you know I made it back from Syracuse late last night. Stinker was mad when I walked in but quickly forgave me this morning; she's currently purring up a storm in my lap. I met the nicest knitters in Syracuse! I'll go into great detail about my trip later on, but I am supposed to be helping Boy make mashed potatoes. In the meantime, all I can say is, if you are going to spend any money, do so here, and here.
More details to come....
Saturday, April 01, 2006
I'm leaving on a jet plane
I am leaving the house in about 4 hours. I am (nearly) packed. I am tired out of my gourd. Why am I up? Death Cab For Cutie is on Saturday Night Live. Jill of Bean's Stock emailed me and offered to clue me in on the best yarn shops in Syracuse. I'm going to catch a little shut-eye and snuggle with my baby. If I can't find anywhere to blog, I'll see you all in two weeks.
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