Just in time

The dining room floor is all done and not a moment too soon.

Wednesday morning 8am:



Wednesday night 8pm:




Happy Thanksgiving!!

Major stash sale

Just in time for those xmas gifts!

Check out my trade/sell tab or Ravelry, or my flikr account.

Thanks

Back from Hiatus

I'm back from an unexpected hiatus, I haven't been anywhere, just haven't had the will to post. Now that I'm on ravelry, I'm not sure if I should maintain the old blog. In one respect, I love blogging because it enables me to meet you folks that love knitting the way I do, on the other hand, I'm not a prolific writer and trying to think of what to say sometimes puts me off. If there's anyone out there that would like to share a blog, I'm up for that.

What have I been up to? Well work has been hectic and I'm still negotiating a new contract, so that's taken a lot of my time and energy. I have been knitting, which has allowed me to keep my sanity.
I've finished my monkey socks and a couple of these seaman caps.

Current works in progress:
I'm 1 1/2 sleeve away from finishing the hubby's sweater.

I've started started the tangled yoke sweater, unfortunately, I'm thinking of frogging because I really don't like knitting with silky wool.

Next up my new crafting hobby, quilting.
My most local yarn store is actually a quilting store and every time I shop for new yarn, the pretty fabric calls out to me. I finally succumbed and bought this cute mini purse kit.
After I finished it, I decided to try my hand at a baby quilt for my daughters best friend's baby. I've already signed up for classes so stay tuned for more progress.

Our biggest work in progress is this,

My hubby ripped up the carpet in the dining room and is putting down tile. Deadline is Tuesday, we are expecting 30 people for Thanksgiving dinner, wish us luck.


That's about it. Coming soon, a hugh stash sale.

Success!!

I'm so excited, I finished my Indigo Ripples skirt and it's my favorite knit to date. I wore it to work today, my negotiations skirt, and I received nothing but great compliments. A successful knit does a lot for a knitters confidence.

I made some mods based on feedback from knitters on Ravelry.

Indigo Ripples skirt
Interweave Spring 2007
11 skeins Rowan Denim
Size 5 Knit picks options

1. I substituted sssk for the sl1k2togpsso.
2. I knit 16 1/2 inches of the stockinette portion.
3. I knit 50 rows of the lace then knit the ruffle.
4. I crocheted the tie with the yarn doubled.

The ruffle and the bind off takes FOREVER, but it's worth it. I love the finished results!!

Sockapalooza??

Sockapalooza???
No I didn't join, but I did receive some socks from the very gracious Michelle from Miknits. She originally knit these gorgeous socks for her sock pal. As she finished the first sock, she had second thoughts because her pal stated she didn't like neon socks. Michelle offered up the socks to the first person who asked for them, and that would be me. I'm the proud owner of these Speedway socks knit with vesper yarn. I have them on lock down, because my daughter thinks they should be hers. So many many thanks to Michelle for not frogging and sending them to me.

One Monkey down

One to go. I finished the first Monkey sock 2 weeks ago and the second sock is on the needles and has become my negotiations sock. I'm involved with some heavy union negotiations at work and we meet 3 days a week to "hash" things out. I was a little hesitant to knit during this meeting, but the first 3 days were all training. I got there early the first day, so I pulled out my sock and knit until the meeting started. Then at each break and lunch I pulled it out again. I didn't want anyone to think I wasn't paying attention, so I didn't knit during the meeting. By the third day, I knit throughout. Everyone is fascinated with watching the sock progress, which made me much more comfortable and gave me the courage to keep knitting during the presentations. Once we really get involved, I may have to put it away, but we'll see.

I'm also working on the Indigo Ripples skirt, I'm on the mindless stockinette portion which makes great TV knitting.

I made the mistake in taking my daughter, the 14 year old, with me to the yarn store. Mistake, because I acquired another project. It's not like I don't have a lot of projects on my to do list, just check out my ravelry queue. She just had to have this bucket bag purse, which she initially wanted for her birthday, no sweat that's the end of September, by the time we made it home, the end of September turned into the end of August. She wants it for the first day of school. I guess the skirt will go on the back burner. Here's a photo, it's very cute, she saw the shop sample and fell in love. The bottom is finished and ready for seaming, then pick up the edges and knit up the sides.

Fifi is still waiting in the wings. I'll cast on when the skirt is finished.

Ok, off to work for now.

Finally got that Monkey off my back

NO, not my monkey socks, my neckdown KP&S top down cardigan.

Knit with Cashsoft DK, I don't remember how many skeins. This yarn is so soft, and it grows with blocking. After looking at my archives I realized I've been knitting this since October. Why did it take me so long.... well, this became my mindless, soccer knitting. When I got home, I always put it down for another project. That's when I had 3,4,5, things going at once. I decided to stop that foolishness and concentrate on one thing at a time and now it's done! Finito.
I decided not to add the ties to the neckline, instead I have some pewter clasps to use as a closure. I just have to look through my supplies to find them.

Overall, impressions: it's a very easy and mindless pattern, and if you knit it consistently, it really wouldn't take that long. I'm happy with the end result.

Whew!!

I'm currently in the midst of a 2 week vacation. Unfortunately, we are not going anywhere this summer. I'm trying to get all of the "spring cleaning" done, that I didn't do in the spring. So far, I've cleaned and organized the hall closet "aka stash closet".
That was an eye opener, I realize I have a healthy stash, but ummm it's really healthy. However, it didn't stop me from adding to said stash yesterday.
I visited a new LYS and I couldn't walk out empty handed. I bought some sock yarn, and this beautiful alpaca silk." Eventually, it will be an Icarus.

I made another stop to pick up some Rowan denim for the Indigo ripples skirt."> I've been obsessing about knitting this for a few weeks now. I'm resisting casting on until I finish the cardigan,( 1/2 of a sleeve left) and cast on for Fifi.
Speaking of Fifi, I've knit a swatch ready to cast on.
Lastly, after seeing these everywhere, I've joined the crowd.Monkeys">

Enough, I'm off to knit, and plan my next yarn store crawl.

Up next

Fifi:
The pattern picture does not do justice this this number. I would have never considered this top if I had not seen Nonnahs or Tetenknits finished objects on Ravelry. I will definitely add length to this number, but otherwise no changes.
I just need to swatch and block and I'll be ready to start this by the weekend.

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Finished vest

I'm reposting this from the fitted knits along blog.
I finished my turtleneck vest and I love the results. I shortened the turtleneck to 3 inches, which is perfect for our California weather. Other mods: I added 2 inches to the length and I did increases from techknitting's website instead of the recommended ones in the pattern.

Contemplating crochet

I learned the very basics of crochet when I was 11 or 12. My best friend's mom taught us how to chain, single crochet and double crochet. I vaguely remember crocheting a bright yellow vest. I remember being very proud of myself at the time.
Now 30+ years later, I think it's time to really learn how to crochet and read patterns. I've been following the weekly crochet lessons on crafty daisies blog. I've been checking out all of the >larger than life bags around blogland and I'm thinking about making one of these as well.

Yesterday I bought my first crochet book, all of the hooks and yarn.

Tonight I plan to cast on (?) chain on? Whatever it's called.

An invite

The turtleneck vest is blocking, pre blocking I'm very pleased with the results. I should have a FO picture later today once it's dry. Here's a few pics.



I got my invite from Ravelry yesterday and I've been spending a lot of time familiarizing myself with the site. It has a lot of great features. I guess there is some kinda controversy because of the invites. Some folks believe it's an exclusive club and you have to be one of the "in" bloggers to get an invite. Nonsense in my opinion. I signed up the first or second day it was announced, I am by no means a popular blogger and I've been accepted. I guess some are just impatient.

Next up, I'm not sure, finish my cardi, rusted root, socks, or maybe a chevron scarf...

Tag, you're it!!

I've been tagged to complete the 7 random facts meme. I'm sure you all know how it goes, so here's my entry.

1. I have 50 pair of shoes, if I buy another I have to get rid of one. My shoes are kept in nice plastic shoe boxes with a poloroid picture of the shoes on the outside of the container.

2. On my husband and my first date, we swore to each other that we would never marry again... We were married a little over one year later.

3. I secretly thought those pet owners that talk non stop about their dogs or cats were a little crazy. I'm now one of those crazy pet owners that talks a lot about my dog.

4. I hate to take medicine. At least 3 out of 7 days I forget to take my DAILY thyroid pill.

5. My favorite place to be is home. I love my neigborhood and my house.

6. I like to eat out and go to the movies alone. I hate when people talk to me during movies.

7. I don't like to wear makeup, lipstick in particular. The first thing I do when I come home is to wash my face and remove all traces of makeup.

Ok, If you haven't done it and you are so inclined, TAG you're it.

An end to monagamy.........No not yet

There's been some unexpected cheating going on. I misplaced my Kp&s cardigan last week. It may be at work or in the back of my car under all of the soccer gear. I haven't had the inclination to clean out and search the car so I started a new project.
It should be a quick knit( note to self you have to knit for things to be a quick knit).
I've been watching this at the fitted knits KAL and since I had the book and the yarn in my stash, I had to knit one for myself.

I shortened the neck from 5 to 3 inches and I just started the back. I plan to work on his until it's done and then I'll look for the cardi to finish.

Just a look

My thoughts as I drove by Michael's to drop my puppy off at the groomers. I thought I'd take a look to see if they had the new Cotton Ease. I wanted to see the colors in person. This is what just a look leads to.


5 skeins each of Lake, Snow and Violet.

Considering Monogamy

I've been in a blah mood. I'm trying to focus on finishing projects, so I can enjoy new projects without the guilt. I finished the blue sky tank, and hated it. I added length but it's still not long enough and it was not flattering at all. It's in the basket to be frogged.
Next up were socks that have been lingering on the needles since December. Well here they are in all their glory. My daughter promptly claimed them as soon as they were off the needles. These were knit from yarn from one of the not so local yarn stores, La Petite Knittiere hand dyed merino from Capistrano Fiber Arts studio.



I have one and a half sleeves left on my top down cardi. This has become my soccer tournament knitting, thankfully we have another tournament on the weekend so I'll be able to knock out alot of knitting on the sleeves.

My last WIP is my forest canopy shawl. I'm just not loving it. I'm reconsidering the whole triangle shape and I don't love the colors in the yarn. I've put that to the side. It seems a shame to frog when it's almost done, but will I ever use it??

Since I only have the one true project, the cardi, I'm considering maintaining one project at a time, sort of. It's been frustrating dividing my attention between all of the projects. I'm also frustrated with not finishing anything, which deters me from wanting to post on the blog. I've decided for the next few months to try to have one home project and one work lunch time sock project. I'll leave those at work to knit if I don't have meetings. Not quite monogamy, but a lil sock on the side doesn't count.

Up next another cardigan, either CPH, Audrey from hot knits, or if it releases soon the new cardi from ChicKnits.

Later..

New Aquisitions

There has been a lot of traffic from the USPS this past week. I've limited my yarn purchases since Stitches West, but I can't say the same for books. This is what arrived this week.

I shouldn't have any need to buy another pattern or book for the next.....5 years. These goodies have joined the rest of these in my book case.



On finished object news, 2 are blocking and 2 to go.
I think I can reward myself and start a new project.

That's it!!!!!

No NEW PROJECTS!!!!!
I started Flair, but frogged due to a mistake, then I decided to put the time into finishing some projects that are very near completion instead of starting a new one. I have four projects that are so close, a sock, a shawl, a tank and a sweater, all crying out to me to just do it and finish. I'm committing my self to working on these, nothing new until at least 2 are done. As soon as that happens, I'll start the Central park hoodie. There's no soccer this weekend and the hubby has plans to go 4 wheeling Saturday. I'll be able to knit uninterrupted all day.

Wish me luck.

2 FO's

Productive week, just not of the knitting kind. I finished the 2 books that I was anxiously awaiting.Both were excellent.


I finished swatching for flair. Now on to knitting. We have a full weekend of soccer, so all of the stockinette will come in handy.

Wicked misbehaving

It's been a long time since I've had a weekend free. Usually we spend both days with Soccer and basketball. Somehow, we had no plans for either day. If you think that sounds like a knitting weekend, you'd be right.
I spent most of Saturday, swatching for Flair and knitting Wicked. I took an unscheduled 3 hour nap mid day, but other than that, I knit most of the day. Today, after Church, grocery shopping and lunch, I sat down to do more knitting on Wicked. I completed all of the Raglan increases, took it off the needles and tried it on. The good news, I was pleased with the fit, I was between 2 sizes and wasn't sure which to go for,... the bad news, I can't stand the pooling on the collar area. Once I finished the ribbing, I decided to alternate skeins to break up the pooling. Unfortunately, I should have done that from the beginning. When I tried it on, I kept fiddling with the top portion, because it looked as if it was folded over.




I contemplated leaving it like that for a few minutes, knew it would bother me to no end, so Wicked is on a time out. She will be ripped and knit up again, in a solid. Switching between 2 skeins was getting on my last nerve... Arrghh,

Before stitches, I may have left it and settled. But, I've decided I want to be a better knitter and improve my skills. In order to do this, I forsee a lot of ripping in my future.


Wicked = time out
Up next, central park hoodie, or Flair....

Actually,this and this releases on Tues.

Knitting may be on hold until Friday.

Part 2: The classes

One of the major reasons I go to Stitches is for the classes. Don't get me wrong, the market place is awesome, but most of what I bought I could of ordered on line. The classes, you can't get anywhere. Many of the instructors are famous authors. I have many of their books in my library. They are my role models.
So, anyway, I signed up for a full weekend of classes.

Friday: Superb seams and Advanced finishing with Margaret Fisher.
Within the first 5 minutes I felt that I got my money's worth. I've avoided knitting garments that needed seaming, because I was never confident I was doing it right. I didn't want to invest all of that time knitting, seam it, and be disappointed with the end result.
In superb seams we learned all of the seaming techniques, plus some tricks in how to pin the garment together, and how to ease effectively.

Advanced finishing, built on the superb seam class. We learned short rows for shoulders, various selvedge stitches and cast on techniques. I learned the knitted cast on, tubular cast on and bind off and various ways to graft seams.

Sat I took the fully fashioned and fabulous class form Melissa Leapman.
This class focused on full fashioned shaping and incorporating shaping into the design of the garment. Another great class. Melissa had a lot of her sweaters from some of her books to demonstrate the techniques we worked on. It's great to see the whole picture in a finished garment.

My second class was Basic Intarsia, from Nancy Wiseman. Her finishing techniques book was one of the first books I bought when I started knitting. All I can say is, I'm no longer afraid of Intarsia and I know how to do the Intarsia twist so as not to get holes.

On the last day, I took troublesome armholes from Judy Pascale. This class was FULL of great tips on adjusting patterns to get your sleeves to fit perfectly. We learned how to change your pattern and knit your sleeve from the cap down. This involves an "interesting" algebraic(sp?) formula to set up the appropriate decreases. This may be a technique to try next year.

Lastly I took Tricks and tips from Lily Chin. Yes, Lily Chin. We had such a blast. She's great! I can't tell you how many great tips she shared with us. Some include, knitting on buttons, adding beads without pre-stranding, and a whole list of others.

The plus side to taking these classes are the little tips you learn that aren't in books. Off hand comments the instructor makes that are great little helps to make your garment nicer.

One theme that was echoed by ALL of the instructors was to knit a full gauge swatch. Yea, every pattern says to do it, but I have resisted. I always knit a mini swatch, you know 3 or 4 rows, to "confirm" that the needle I thought will work does.
Well after stitches, I've decided to turn over a new leaf. Not only will I take the time to knit a swatch, I will wash and block it as well.

Part 3: The results

I'm officially a SWATCHER.
2 swatches for my next project, CPH, in Cascade 220 and Artyarns supermerino for Wicked.

Part 1: The loot

I arrived at Stitches West late Thursday Eve. I remembered from last year how important it is to get there for the Thursday night preview to get a good look at the
goods. Last year I browsed on the first night and once I decided what I wanted and went back to buy it on Saturday, it was gone. I was determined that wouldn't happen to me again. I'd prepared a list of the goods I wanted to get a look at that have been receiving some buzz around the blogs lately. Namely, sea silk.
As soon as the doors opened, I went straight to the blue moon fibers website to purchase some lightweight socks that rock. Next, on to Brook Farms, to fondle some four play, 1/2 silk, 1/2 wool... Oh so yummy. My next search was for the elusive sea silk. Just as I was about to give up, I spotted it, and it is so lovely.

Take a look at a sample of the goods.



Next: Part 2, The Classes
Then: Part 3, The results.
See ya, off to work.





Next: Part 2, The Classes
Then: Part 3, The results.
See ya, off to work.

Home sweet home

We're back from Hawaii. What was supposed to be 5 days at sea, 5 days on the Islands, and 5 days at sea coming home. Unfortunately, turned it into, 7 days at sea, 3 days on the Islands, and 5 days coming home. We were unable to get off the ship in Kauai and Maui. It was a bummer, but the weather was frightful. High winds and rough seas prevented the ship from docking at one port and us from tendering on the second port. All in all, even with the disappointment, we had a good time. We spent a lot of time together, talking, playing cards reading, and knitting for me.


I managed to complete the blue sky's alpaca tank, all that's left is the blocking and seaming, one sock, and 13 of 20 repeats of the Forest canopy shawl. I hope to finish the shawl prior to Stitches West next weekend.

I'll leave you with a Hawaiian Waterfall.

Aloha!!!!

We are finally off to Hawaii via Princess Cruise's. I'm trying to pack now, and I'm obsessed with packing enough yarn and projects to knit on the cruise. See ya all in 15 days. Regular blogging to commence when I return.

It's a New Day

I'm happy to report a finished object. Those have been so scarce around here that I should rejoice out loud.

I finished the hubby's scarf.I had a reprieve because we decided not to exchange Christmas gifts this year. Our anniversary is next month, 17 yrs, and we are taking a 2 week Hawaiian cruise, so that is our Xmas and anniversary present all in one. Since we decided not to exchange, I slowed down on the stealth knitting. I finished his scarf on New Years day. Next I'm going to knit a cap or mittens to match.

I'm not one for New Years resolutions, but one thing I plan to do this year is knit more and knit from my stash. I'm not going to join the knit from your stash group, because I don't plan to deprive myself. If I choose to buy yarn I 'm not going to beat myself up over it.

Here's one of my super cool Xmas gifts that I bought for myself.
It's an e-book reader, or as my daughter calls it, a book pod. So far, I have about 20 books loaded. It's going to come in handy on my cruise. I won't have to pack 20 books and take up valuable yarn space.