Yarnatic

ALIVE, ALIVE, ALIVE!

2008-01-19T23:05:00.000-08:00

Vikkie crawls out from under the rock she has been under and dusts herself off, straightens out her clothes and waves to everyone. "Why hello there all!"

Yes I still exist. I have had a crazy few months. I cannot begin to explain it all nor begin to tell you what has been going on. I had the busiest semester that I have ever had in my college career. The work was not difficult but the load was HUGE. But in the end, I recieved straight As. Woohoo me! Now I am doing student teaching at a great highschool. Charter school actually, with the best kids in the world. It is a lot of work but I love it. Actually I began in November, full time because the school was in desperate need of a Math teacher. My kids are creative and wonderful but a lot of work. I am also fortunate enough to work with a staff that is above the top fantastic. Its a small school and staff but this is what teaching is about. They talk the talk and then walk the walk. I landed in the right place for me. I will be done in May and I believe that it will be my job. I feel at home there so here is hoping.

On the knitting front, Yes I have been knitting. Not as much as I have wanted and needed to however. I actually did no knitting for about 3 months and made no handmade items for Christmas :-( . But I am back it. In the last month I have made a couple of unique scraves and am working on a cable hat for my mother. I will have pictures soon. There has been new yarn as well that I need to show off and also post on Ravelry. New books and magazines as well. Well I promise I will be back now regularly and post also. Probably not as much as I used to but regularly at least.

Drop me a note and let me know how you all are or just to say hi!!!!

Bags!

2007-08-29T11:39:00.004-07:00

Finally felted and finished up all my bags (the ones that have been sitting around waiting to be fulled that is). I like them all except for one. The Lotrop II bag (from Noro Revisited) is HEDIOUS. I couldn't even bring myself to take a picture of it. Seriously...it is ugly as sin and because I chose the Berroco Hip Hop yarn; it just doesn't work for the pattern (which is really nice). The other bags though came out great. Here they are:

The Lucy Bag:

Came out fantastic! It looked nice unfelted and looks as good felted. I am really happy with it.

Yarn: Wisdom Yarn-Peoms in colorway 550; 3 skeins for the smaller version of the pattern.

Needles: US 7 dpns for the start and then circs.

Knitting for Peace Messenger Bag:

Fun, Fun , Fun! It shrunk up a lot thank goodness. It was so big before felting that I could stand in it and it went past my knees, with the strap going over my head lol. Yeah thats kind of big. After two times through the wash it know lays at my hip with the strap over my body diagonally. When it came out of the wash one corner of the flap was pointed outward and try as I might I could not get it to straighten so I pulled out the opposite corner to match and it looks great. It doesn't need a closure but if I find something that fits I will add one for embellishment. Its done though.

Yarn: Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride, in Black, Supreme Purple, Amethyst and Wild Violet. 1.5 Skeins each.

Needle: US 9 circs.

Vikkie's Summer Sunglass Neck Bag:

This is a pattern I made up myself. I have the notes all written down, have to put it into a coherent format however so that it can be shared. I called it a Sunglass Neck Bag because its just big enough to throw a pair of sunglasses, some money and an ID in. I love it. I added some glass leaf beads to it in autumn colors because of the colors in the yarn. So the colors are not very Summery lol...but still. Love the yarn...its one of my favorites. It was knit in one piece with one end of the strap kitchnered into place.

Yarn: Brown Sheep Handpaint Originals in New England Fall colorway; 1.5 skeins used.

Needles: US 8 dpns.

Nevada State Fair

2007-08-29T11:39:00.003-07:00

The Nevada State Fair was held last week. I didn't have anything entered, I wanted to but time got away from me. (WORK) However two people I know did enter. Miss Caroline the supreme sock knitter mentioned in the last post entered some socks...and won a blue ribbon! (First place in the category) YEAH CAROLINE! Have not seen her yet though to congratulate her.

My friend Kathy entered a sewing project and a knitted bag. She won blue ribbons for both. Honey and I went with her to see if she had gotten a ribbon. This was the first time she had ever entered anything and was kind of nervous. When we got to the fair she kept procrastinating about going to the exhibit hall and seeing if she had gotten anything. I finally had to drag her. She entered a sewn sculpture piece...the category was toy...but its way more then a toy. It is a sculpture of a Dragon which she calls Starlight. The other item is a knitted bag that she named Vikkie's Dharma with Bells. (its my belated bday gift) She was soooooo excited. Couldn't stop squeeling LOL..yup she did. I was so excited for her. I have won a couple of ribbons at the Fair in prior years for paintings so I know exactly how she felt. Here is her happy face next to her pieces on display:

The bag is the bigger stripped one.

Knitting in the Park

2007-08-29T11:39:00.002-07:00

A couple of weekends ago Florrie from Deluxe Yarns set up "Knitting in the Park" (August 19th). It was a really lovely day though if you were in the shade for the first part of the day it was a little chilly but then warmed up though there was a good breeze all day. We have had a horrendously hot summer here so it was a nice break. The company was lovely. My lovely friend Knitty Otter was there and others who I have missed knitting with this summer because WORK (that damn 4 letter word I swear!) got in the way.

Someone even brought a portable spinning wheel. We ate, we laughed, we spun....oh yeah and yours truly FELL. Right on her face! Sheesh...my flip flop caught a piece of raised walkway just right and I went sliding across the cement ...lunch everywhere. I went sliding...face first and scrapped up my elbow pretty nicely. At first I didn't think it was anything more then a scrapped up elbow. But has night came, at home, I went to stand up and my hip and knee where shot through with pain. I went to straighten my arm...the scrapped up elbow one...and couldn't. The elbow was swollen up like a below and bruised badly, my right hip had a huge black bruise and my knee did as well (my knees are already in bad shape so this doesn't help). It was so bad I couldn't get up and move to go to work. SHEESH! Only me! It honestly didn't feel that bad when it happened. It is all healing very nicely now though. But thats not what I needed lol.

Anyway ...one of my knitterly friends brought a huge wicker basket with her...at the request of Knitty Otter I was given to understand...of her socks. Caroline is a talented talented knitter of all kinds of items, but especially socks. The fantastic thing about her socks is that she makes very large socks...lol...like for someone who wears size 10 shoe and up (makes socks for her son who wears a size 13 shoe) and they are also wide. Pretty big socks...and she knits them on size - dpns. Yup! Fast too! Her socks come out with a beautiful fantastic fabric, if you didn't know you would think they had been machine made. So, when the basket was opened she had 52 pairs of the socks, and said she had given away at least as many. WOW...we of course HAD to take pictures. Of course! The cool thing for me is that Miss Caroline has similar tastes in sock yarn as I do...many of her completed socks are done in yarn that I have in my stash that I have not been able to match with a pattern because I wasn't sure what the stripping would do. Now that I have seen them knit up I have a better idea and can match them better with patterns. So here are her socks:

Summer of Socks Prize!

2007-08-29T11:39:00.001-07:00

I won not just one...but two skeins of yarn from a contest for the Summer of Socks KAL! It is extemely lovely stuff with a generous amount of yardage. Here are the specs:

Yardage: 560 (4oz.)

Fiber: 2 ply soft 100% Superwash Merino Wool

Yarn weight: Fingering (of course it came from a sock KAL lol)

Made by: Cynthia's Skeins.

I won it for an internet Scavenger Hunt. Funny thing is that the first time I put an entry for the contest I didn't do it exactly right. I thought I had read the rules but with working being the way it was I didn't read them correctly and I ended up having to re-do it. So I figured I was out at that point lol....but guess what? I wasn't! lol

I have no chance at all of winning any of the other prizes because I have not been able to keep up with the sock knitting at all this summer...again due to work. Can you believe that Cookie from "Shut up and Knit!" has made 27 pairs so far? Wow! Right now she is in the lead for the Most Socks Contest but Jeannie from "Sewing, Knitting and Beyond" is close with 23. Wow.

Catching Up: Baby Shower

2007-08-22T11:52:00.000-07:00

DEEP SOOTHING BREATH...and exhale.

Finaly...LOL. What a summer! Last Friday was the last official day for my students with my summer program. This week I just admin stuff to clean up. They and I start the regular school year next Monday. Yikes. Unlike my students I finish up in December! YAHOO! I am so excited. This has been a long time coming with many sacrifices and life changes. I cannot believe it. So now for knitting blog updates. There are so many so I am going to do them in a series of different posts just so that I can keep myself organized lol.

My lovely friend, Knitting Otter, threw a baby shower for our other lovely friend Chipping Away and her partner A (it was the first time I had met A...what a great person!) :-). For never having given a baby shower (you would have never known if she hadn't said) it was the best one I have ever been too. KO and I made stitch markers (since all invited were from our knitting group lol) as invitee gifts, they were baby themed. I had soooo much fun going to the store and picking out the beads and charms...then sitting in her house making them together. It was so fun. She also went overboard with the party itself....well not overboard...above and beyond...fantastic food...lovely guests...and fun games. Have you ever played a game where you catapult a tiny plastic baby from a hand held device???? No? Then you are missing out...it was hilarious trying to hit the target. LOL. KO also had fantastic knitterly prizes for everyone. It was so much fun that the time just flew by...we started at noon and I didn't get home until 5 pm. LOL. Here are some pictures (no faces of people sorry because I didn't get permission and I don't play like that so there :-P ).

Ok so I lied there is one face (and yes I got permission)...LOL...that is the famous (in knitting blogland anyway lol) TKK :-) Miss Knitty Otter's fur baby. She is super super sweet and adorable. As for the knitting...the booties were my first ever baby items and the were fun to make. There is however no pattern, Florrie from Deluxe Yarns just told me verbally how to make them and I did. Easy peasy. The yarn is Lorna's Laces Worsted and part of a joint gift between myself and Knitty Otter who made matching hates. The other two knitted items are burp cloths made from Peaches n' Cream Cotton (1.5 balls) and the pattern is called "Baby Genius Burp Cloth" from Mason Dixon Knitting. Also very easy, though I made them longer then the patterned instructed because those who have had babies told me that a longer burp cloth would be better. LOL...I can only imagine so I followed there advice.

Ok so here Catch Up #1...purses, knitting in the park, stitch markers and yarn coming up. :-)

Yeah I Know...

2007-08-15T09:28:00.000-07:00

...I have not blogged for a while and this one is going to be short. I have been knitting. I had several secret projects that I couldn't blog about before for a baby shower and bday gift. I have also completed through to felting 4 bags and also some socks. I am just working my you know what off for these final couple of weeks of the program I teach and it has just taken over. Whew! I will be posting soon, pictures included, about all the knitting and things. :-)

Yup...9 Days

2007-07-27T07:45:00.000-07:00

I have been so busy with work that the last 9 days have just slipped by without me being able to post anything. Knitting has slowed down considerably as well due to work. Its been pretty stressful. Though there have been some fun things going on as well. Swimming, yarn playing nights at Deluxe yarns, outings with others...so its not all work...but ALL busy.

Had a weekend when I was able to hang out with my cool friend K, we played yarn, went to see the 5th Harry Potter movie and went out to dinner over a three day period. She lives far out and sometimes it gets a bit difficult to get together. Actually going to see her tonight for a belated bday dinner (her bday). All you can eat crab legs! YUM!

Earlier this week J and I were invited to the lovely Knitty Otter's for a DELICIOUS dinner! For those of you who read her blog you know that she posts original recipies every once in a while ... however...you may not know that she is a GOURMET cook. I have been fortunate enough to sample some of her tasty creations and have not had one thing that I did not like. The other thing is her food always looks pretty. lol...Dinner at her house was no exception. It was a lot of fun to visit with her and her honey. THANK YOU! Got to give their kitty, TKK, rubbies. She is so sweet.

Summer of Socks 2007: River Rapid Socks: I am in the middle of my second sock. These will be a part of my Summer of Socks. I really wanted to make some more socks this summer...thought I would be able too. Summer has gotten away from me. (geez I start my last semester at the University in just a few weeks...but it is my last ....YEAH...diploma will be in hand right around Christmas...YAHOO! There WILL be a party!)

Mystery Stole 3 by Pink Lemon Twist: Slowly but surely working on them. This one has been really slow because I have to really pay attention lol. We are on clue 4 as a group but I have still not knitted past clue 1. Yeah I know.

Summer CAL - KAL : Purse Round up: I picked up the beads I want to put on the one bag I made up myself (that pattern will be written up and shared for whom ever might be interested). I found some fantastic beads made of glass in the shape and colors of fall leaves. Which go with the colors of the bag perfectly. I have 3 other bags that still need to be felted (big purple thing, Lucy bag, Lotrop II bag). I also found a really nice handle (finally!) for the entrelac bag ...just need to pick it up from Deluxe Yarns (whom by the way was over with J and I for dinner the other night. We laughed so much! That always happens for some reason.)

Yarn-In-A-Teacup Swap: I finally got all the things I want to send together and will be wrapping up all the little items on Sunday and mailing them off on Monday to Elan in Canada. :-D

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: OH and how could I forget! I went to the local Border's release for the book last Friday night. By the time I got home with my book it was close to 2 am. So I slept so I could be alert and began reading on Saturday at noon and finished at about 2 pm Sunday. Though I still have questions and like many others thought the Epilogue was kind of sappy...I LOVE IT! JK Rowling, imho, is a creative genius! What a fun book. I need to re-read it again more slowly. I didn't want to accidently come across a spoiler so I stayed off the internet and didn't even check email until I was done. Though my sister called me to see where I was and so did K's hubby (whom I hung up on because he was teasing me too much...brat!). It was fun after I was done to go over the book with my sister and then with K's hubby. K was working on fixing her truck so she didn't get to it until this week. She is now finished and I am looking forward towards dinner tonight and I KNOW we will be going over the whole book! Can't wait!

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Movie: Best one out of all the movies. Contained the best acting so for, best depicted action and though they changed HOW some of the story and important information was told it was done in such a way that it added to the story and so that it didn't take away from the story.

Other stuff: One of the OTHER reasons knitting has been a bit slow is because I stopped the above projects to get some secret knitting done. I do not want to say what because I don't want to spoil the surprise. I will be able to share after the 5th though. Also, finished writing and testing a pattern for a crocheted fish shaped wash cloth. Will clean it all up and post it soon (hopefully!).

Yarn: I have recieved some belated bday gifts as well. One from Knitty Otter lady and one from my friend K. BOTH gifted me with SCOUT YARN! Yeah me! I have some Scout yarn. Yippy! I have also purchased some more CherryTree Hill sock yarn. I love that yarn so much!

Books: The night I purchased the last (sniff sniff) Harry Potter book I also picked up "Knit it! Felt it!" Really nice..it has unique pieces in it that can be used as the base for projects that you can make entirely your own. It has patterns in it but it can also be used as book of ideas as a stepping stone to your own ideas.

Work wise: Its been an interesting summer program this year. I have come across some unique situations that I have not had before. As an example this was the first year that as a teacher I HAD to pull out and use "THE LAW" to help out some students. For those who are teachers, counselors or doctors/nurses they know what "THE LAW" is...for the rest here is a brief explanation:

"THE LAW": If a child/student is may cause harm to themselves or others, is being harmed or in jeapordy of being harmed, is involved in drugs, alcohol or criminal activity the property authorities and/or parents/gaurdians must be informed. The professional must take action to ensure the safety of the child/student immediately.

That is it ...simplified and in a nut shell but describes it well enough I think. I have always believed that WHEN it came time for me to pull out and use THE LAW that I would be able to do so with a feeling of knowing that it was for the benefit of my kids. Well intellectually that was the case...and I did what I had to do and what I believed to be the right thing personally but it was emotionally difficult to do and extremely stressful. Which took me by surprise. It was a learning experience to say the least.

School: On the 27th of August I will begin my final year for my license! Woohoo hoo! Its been a long long road. I have had many personal up-hevels that have made the road extremely difficult at times. But I am standing at the end in the light. YEAH! I have to say that the finish will also be well done...without tooting my own horn too loud lol...I will be ending with a flourish...with a high (high!) GPA...a great student teaching opp. lined up (paid at that) and many more grand things that will in the end make the entire trip over the long, windy and bumpy road worth it. Whew! Deep breath.

Ok super long post ...but I guess that is what happens when you don't post for almost 10 days. OOPS.

World's Biggest Stash?

2007-07-18T18:52:00.000-07:00

I do not have time for a long post but just wanted to share a link for an out of control stash that Celtic Memory Yarns posted about. If your stash doesn't look like this then you can take a sigh of relief. I honestly thought I was really overboard with my stash. But this makes me feel better...I am NO WHERE near being this bad. WOW.

Mystery Stole 3: Chart A

2007-07-12T19:18:00.000-07:00

I jumped in with both feet and started Mystery Stole 3. I could not decide what color I was going to use so I am doing two at the same time. :-) Just thought I would post some pics of my progress so far.

This pattern is beautiful. I hope you can see the details because there are beads included here and there. The pattern calls for size 8 beads but I couldn't find any that size so I am using size 6 which works really well. The beads are put on with a tiny crochet hook. A little fiddly but not difficult.

Summer of Socks: Monkey Socks

2007-07-12T18:29:00.000-07:00

I really thought that I would be making more socks then I am, but work has been...well more work then I predicted and is taking up a lot of knitting time. Damnit! lol... Also I have slowed down my pace when knitting on a project. After Sock Madness I found that the process of a project is what I enjoy most not just getting it done. So though I am not completeing as many projects as I was a couple of months ago i am enjoying my knitting much more.

I finally finished my first pair of socks for Summer of Socks 2007. I love them. That Cookie A. sure can design/write a pattern. I have decided to gift these to a friends for her bday so I will have to do the pattern again because I want a pair for me. I still have socks for my honey going (though they are a car project so going really slowly) and I have "River Rapids Socks" from Sock bug. I have been thinking that since I have so many socks on needles waiting to be finished...even though they don't qualify for anything for the KAL that I am going to set a new goal to finish the socks I have started before starting anything new. :-s Lets see if how that works out. I can't seem to stop myself from starting new things lately. LOL...need. self. control.

Specs:

Pattern: Monkey Socks by Cookie A.

Yarn: Zitron Trekking (XXL) in colorway 04, I used about 75% of the skein.

Needles: Addi Turbo Lace circs in U.S. 1 (2.25 mm), I used Magic Loop technique for these.

Notes: When you look at the socks they make you think that the pattern is complicated but it really isn't. Its an 11 row pattern repeat, 3 of which are straight knitting. Its easy to memorize actually. I did not make them as long in the leg as the pattern calls for because I wanted an ankle sock. The pattern works well for that adjustment. The yarn is lovely. Trekking is one of my top 10 favorites. They have nice colors, interesting patterning and it feels nice to work with.

Geek, Nerd or Dork? Test

2007-07-12T10:34:00.000-07:00

Ok found this test online and had to do it...it was funny :-)

This is what I scored (and I am not surprised lmao):

Your Score: Outcast Genius
73 % Nerd, 86% Geek, 60% Dork

For The Record:
A Nerd is someone who is passionate about learning/being smart/academia.
A Geek is someone who is passionate about some particular area or subject, often an obscure or difficult one.
A Dork is someone who has difficulty with common social expectations / interactions.

You scored better than half in all three, earning you the title of: Outcast Genius.

Outcast geniuses usually are bright enough to understand what society wants of them, and they just don't care! They are highly intelligent and passionate about the things they know are *truly* important in the world. Typically, this does not include sports, cars or make-up, but it can on occassion (and if it does then they know more than all of their friends combined in that subject). Outcast geniuses can be very lonely, due to their being outcast from most normal groups and too smart for the room among many other types of dorks and geeks, but they can also be the types to eventually rule the world, ala Bill Gates, the prototypical Outcast Genius. Congratulations!
The smoke in the air has finally gotten to me so I am home today. I am getting back in bed now, asthma has me wiped out.

Yarny Adventure

2007-07-10T14:37:00.000-07:00

For some reason I keep forgetting to write up the post about my little trip up to North Star. On June 30th about 12 of us from my area (including my friend K, Monkeysocks, Freddie and Knitty Otter).

We began the day by having a really nice lunch at the River Ranch Lodge, which sits on the Truckee River. And I do mean it sits right on the river. They have an outdoor patio and bbq grill which juts out over the river (just a little). The service was really nice and the food was great! Gourmet hamburgers and fries.

After lunch we went up to The Village at North Star (a popular ski area) and visited "Loopy at Tahoe" yarn shop. The shop used to be located in North Lake Tahoe (under the name "Three Dog Knit") but has recently moved to North Star. The owner (Judy) of the shop was featured last year on an episode of Knitty Gritty with her kids in which Ski patterns were featured. It is a small shop but very nice welcoming atmosphere in a lovely spot. Judy couldn't have been any nicer and didn't hesitate when I asked if I could take her picture for my blog. Thank you Judy! I didn't buy much but what I got I really like. Going to make a felted bag with the yarn. The booklet was a great find, had not seen it before and it has given me some really great ideas. Not only for bags but for some other things. Love when that happens. :-)

After the yarn shop we strolled down the path and found a great bead shop. Nice service and beautiful beads. Though the shop was in a high price area I found the prices to be comparable to other bead shops in less afluent areas. The service was great (which seemed to be the way it was on saturday...every where we went we were treated really well). The shop is called Farrah Rale. Not only do they sell beads but if you are not a jewelry crafter and you find some beads and trinkets you like they will put it together for you right there. I found a really nice large bead that will serve well as a closure for a bag, plus some interesting beads that will make nice stitch markers. Now I need more beads like I need more yarn and more books (my bead stash is 3rd in size only to my book stash and my yarn stash). lol

It was a really nice day with some really nice people. My friend K was able to come as well and she got to meet some of the people I talk to her about. She lives sort of far out town and doesn't get to participate in some of the yarny things because of distance. I love going to my LYS (Deluxe Yarns) and playing yarn there but every once in while its nice to see what else is going on. :-)

Yarn in A Teacup Swap

2007-07-10T14:04:00.000-07:00

I came home early because the smoke from all the fires in my area are giving me serious asthma difficulties. I couldn't even focus clearly at work. The nice thing about coming home early, besides being able to breath better, is that I found a package waiting for me. Mentalrose of the Tangled blog was my upstream partner. She couldn't have sent me a better package if she tried! Seriously it is lovely and she hit it right on the nose. She sent me a gorgeous tea cup and a lovely skein of Wool/Silk blend...she ALSO sent me some very adorable geometric looking stitch markers (geometry just up my alley) ...as well as....a hand made spindle...and (drum roll) handpainted silk roving! WOOHOO! YEAH ME! I HAVE MY OWN SPINDLE NOW! Can you guess what I am doing tonight? She included a lovely handwritten note which included some links for sites that show you how to use what she sent me. Thank you so much. :-D My friend K is buying a wheel and is going to let me try it out ...I have that nice Australian handpainted wool roving that I won from Yarnivorous.

Here are the links for anyone who is interested:

Spinning Basics Fall 06 (pdf)

How to Use a Support Spindle or takkli.

I am almost ready to send my downstream package. I hope Elan will like hers as much as I like mine.

New Saturday Outing

2007-07-08T11:28:00.000-07:00

I had a FABULOUS DAY yesterday with the Knitty Otter lady and with Monkey Socks (whom I have mentioned before). We did some knitting and shopping and eating. It was a really nice did with people the I love and share things in common with.

The reason for the day of shopping was to help me get clothes. I hate going clothes shopping alone I get frustrated. To be honest I am just not good at pickingout clothing. Never have been. Knitty Otter has the eye and knack. I hit the jack pot...well for me it was...I found really nice dress pants and two gorgeous blouses. :-) Yeah me! Then when honey picked me up and took me to get some shoes (that I need for an outing this Wednesday).

Oh and to end the day I came home to a cool apartment (the temp outside is about 105+, gross), dinner made and was able to sit and knit. All in all a great day!

Yes I did again...

2007-07-08T11:07:00.000-07:00

I joined the Myster Stole 3 KAL. It just sounded way to intriguing. It is now closed for new sign-ups as of the 6th, I signed up on the 5th. I had been hearing about it for weeks all over blogland but swore I was NOT going to join it. But then ....then...I made the mistake of reading that "Yarnharlot's" blog how she describes she fell down the rabbit hole....and instead of detering me it just pushed me further and I fell down the rabbit hole as well...in total about 4k fell into the whole so I will have lots of company. It actually started on June 20th so two clues have already been posted. From the pictures that have been posted for clue 1...it is a gorgeous pattern.

Lets see what the KAL count is now:

1. Summer of Socks: really going slow for me, I have 3 socks cast on and have completed 1 of a pair. LOLOL...I find it funny considering that I participated in Sock Madness and was able to get all the way to the final four. Its probably the reason why I have slowed down my sock making and my knitting in general. SM was able to show me how much I enjoy the process of knitting.

2. Summer KAL-CAL Purse Round: Since it started I made 6 bags. One of the 6 is completed, the other 5 need felting and the closures. I have 3 sitting on the side that need closures, linings and 2 which need a lining.

3. Mystery Stole 3: began swatching two different yarns to test which one would look the best to my cray eyes of colors lol.

4. Yarn in a cup: I don't have to knit anything for this one but am putting together a package. I have several items that I still would like to get but am almost ready to send it. It needs to be sent by July 30th. I will make it. lol

Thrift Store Finds

2007-07-06T11:00:00.000-07:00

1. 2. 3.

1. These two old crochet books ("Crochet Your Way" and "Family Circles: Favorite Needlecrafts", the 2nd one I believe is out of print and can only be found used) were donated and the manager just grabbed them for me. There are some nice ideas in them even though the patterns are old fashioned but they can be simply modernized.

2. Rosearts "Knit & Gem Machine": I am really excited to have gotten this. Lots of people are after this "child's toy" and they are hard to come by used never mind new. The only thing that is "wrong" with this one is that funny little stickers were put all over it, which I will remove simply enough. All the parts and book came with it.

3. The 50 cent Black Bag: This still had the tag on it! Yes it only cost me $0.50 (U.S.)! Its lined and the "label" on the front says "Rosetti: New York". I have no idea if thats a good label or not, I am not a label type person nor am I into "trendy" or "in-now" kind of things. I like what I like whether its in or not. lol I usually go for things that are totally against a trend anyway because I want to be different. :-P~~~ It has great inside pockets, is lined and has nice outside pockets. I love it!

I have also come away with about 10 8" wide leather belts (black, navy and brown) that I thought I could up and use in a creative way. Also found some pins, earrings and belt buckles that could be used as embelishments.

I live with an enabler...

2007-07-06T08:22:00.000-07:00

...I am so lucky. Have some new goodies to share. Some came from my honey the others came from the thrift store at the non-profit I work with. The manager of the store finds things of a "yarny" nature and saves them for me. Sometimes the items still have the tag on it. The store gets a lot of things donated but its small so she just passes some items on to me. Lucky me. As for honey...well he just loves me and I am spoiled. LOL...might as well admit the obvious.

First from the honey:

Three new books:

"Mason Dixon Knitting", I didn't know how funny the authors are. I am not crazy about the cover because it really doesn't give you a clue as to how nice the book really is on the inside. Thank goodness that I know better then to judge a book by it cover. ;-) I am liking it alot.

"World of Knitted Toys", I really like this one because it is different from other 'toy' type books. The animals are not cutsey cartoon types, instead they are made to represent realistic animals around the world. I am especially in love with the section on animals from the frozen parts of world...having lived on Antarctica for a tiny portion of my life I have an affinity for the animals that survive there.

"Beautiful Knitting Patterns", this is a knitting stitch dictionary/encyclopedia book. The stitches are as beautiful as the title states...but what I like about it is that the majority of the stitches I have not seen before even in bigger books of its types. Always looking for the unique and different.

Knifty Knitter Handloom: This comes from the Knifty Knitter Loom people. Its a mini-hand loom. I have recently complained how I can't find handles that I like or that are unique so when I saw this I thought it might be an interesting way to create handles for bags that would be my own creation and would stand out. Shall see how it works. :-) I can't seem to find a link for it. Honey got for me at Ben Franklin's craft store.

Crafters on the Go Bag: Has lots of pockets for needles and notions and a good size for projects. Again can't find a link for the bag but it was purchased from Michael's Craft Store.

JJ's Specialty Yarns: This came from New Zealand. Love the colors and I think it is destined to become a felted bag. Shall see.

Next post: Thrift store finds, and the one after that trip to Tahoe. :-)

Not Selling or Spamming

2007-07-04T11:10:00.000-07:00

I think that I need to make a clarification about yesterday's posts on my artwork. My purpose was not to put them up as a "selling" trick...and I didn't send out the email that I did as "spam" to sell something. I was truly seeking to share my artwork thats it. I am very sorry if my email and my posts came across as spam or my trying to push something, that was not my intention at all. It was about sharing and nothing more. Truthfully. None of the artwork is for sale and if it were I wouldn't push it on anyone in this manner. I should have been clearer and I feel badly that it came across that way. Spam and spamming is annoying and I did not think that it would come across as such. I apologize that it has.

It took A LOT for me to put up my artwork. Can't really explain why it did but it did. So I am sorry that it was or is taken poorly and that the means I chose to share came out negatively.

One more time I apologize.

Happy 4th to all.

My Artwork: Math, Chaos Theory, Fractals and Comp. Images

2007-07-03T14:37:00.000-07:00

Both of these were created with a free program called Artrage. When you expand them you can see texture and it looks as if the paper is showing through behind the color. It is really a great program and everything you create is done on the computer.

The following pictures IS Math. Yes it is! Its Chaos Theory, Tessellations, Fractals, Trig, Algebra, Geometry (Sacred Geometry) and on and on. Math is art, its visual and colorful. Every image was created with mathematical formulas and manipulations including the colors. None of them were rendered or colored in Photoshop or any other photographic manipulation software. I created them with Math programs and Fractal programs.

I hope to use art as a way of reaching kids and connecting math in way that it is not numbers and formulas on a page. In the past other artists look at me as if I am crazy when I say "Math and Art go hand in hand...Math is not just found in music but it can be seen and it is beautiful". Remember SpiroGraphs? That's math! You may even see some of these images and say "hey that looks familiar" or "I have seen 'designs' like that online". Many fractals and mathematical art is used online (by non-math people) for computer imagry, backgrounds, icons etc. Also though you may not have known it many of the images come from nature because nature is math (leaves, seashells etc.) patterns that occur or recur in nature are math.

I created these as studies for possible paintings or drawings. Something else that is floating around in the back of my mind.

My Artwork: Paintings: Oil and Acrylic

2007-07-03T13:08:00.003-07:00

Painting. I sort of fell into it. One Christmas my artistically supportive Mom (thanks Mom) created one of the best Christmas I ever recieved. She purchased every color that Liquitex Brand acrylic paints came in, plus a myriad of tools because she thought I would get off on painting. I loved the gift but had no clue what to do with the paint (sorry Mom). I still have a lot of that paint (smile at Mom) and yes its still good. They have been used more then when I was 15 or 16. About 10 years ago I just felt like I needed to learn how to paint. The paintings look very different from my other work mostly because of how I learned to paint. I fell completely in love with the feel of paint. How it mixes, moves on canvas and how it feels on a brush. I love what brushes do to paint and what they do to color. Several of the paintings are multi-media. I have glued, sewn or some how attached beads, glass, stones and leafing of some kind to them in order to tell a story.

My favorite painting of all is the last one. It is a portrait of Chief Joseph (known by his people as Hin-mah-too-yah-lat-kekt) of the Nez Perce. He is my hero because of what he did for his people and the ability he had to make himself heard at time when Native Americans were being ignored. It is not the best of my artwork but it is the piece that is the closest to my heart and soul.

I have entered several of these in state fairs and won a blue ribbon for the 4th painting (the ballerina: "Dancer's Kiss"). Many have ben exhibited in joint shows and some have been sold. Much of my artwork is gone and disappeared before I gained the where with all to photograph them. Yes I know, I know...and is why I am now so fanatical about photographing ANYTHING and EVERYTHING I make no matter how simple.

My Artwork: Colored Pencil

2007-07-03T13:08:00.002-07:00

I love colored pencils. I like the way the smell (yes I know weird, shrugs), I like the way they feel in my hand and I love the texture I can get when the pencil and paper connect. I love the ability to use a colored pencil as I would paint or as a crayon. The first two pictures are completed paintings the rest were color studies.

My Artwork: Geometrics

2007-07-03T13:08:00.001-07:00

The majority of my geometrics are done in marker and Rapidograph pens. When I first found my art I would spend hours...HOURS...working up geometrics. One simple shape would lead to another and then another. I have samples back 25 years or more (such as pictures 9, 10 and 11). The majority of what is shown here are the last pieces of artwork of any kind that I created. The first 6 I created about 3 years ago, I showed them in a class at the university in which the professor said to me "your work is like Visual Prozac". LOL...if I ever have a solo show (not shooting for one, just saying), I will call the exhibit "Visual Prozac". I created the first six shown here as color studies with the intention of making huge 3 dimensional pieces. It is still in the back of my mind as an idea. Need the space in which to do something like I have in mind however.

My Artwork: Marker Pieces

2007-07-03T12:11:00.001-07:00

There was a time when all I day was draw and "paint" in marker. I have pieces that I did back in 5th grade. I was fortunate enough to grow-up with a Mom who believed in the arts and supported me. She would buy me all the supplies I needed and wanted to try. I had the best paper and markers (you know the kind that smell really strong and make you a little light headed). Since I had such high quality supplies my pieces have lasted. I keep everything even doodles. Some of my marker pieces were meant to be "drafts" for future pieces but many are complete.

My Artwork: Drawings

2007-07-03T12:11:00.000-07:00

I have mentioned a couple of times in the past that I would some time soon share my own artwork (non-fiber related). Today finally I woke up and for some reason said "It has to be today". I believe that many people who know me may have heard me say I am an artist but in the past few years I have not talked about it much (due to some private issues). There was a time that I had a website dedicated to my art and sold my pieces. These past few years, however, it has almost become this secret part of me (again due to some private issues). Lately I have felt the need to share my art again. I believe that it is due to the creativity that knitting has re-awaken in my heart. Knitting has re-connected me to art in a way that I had come to believe I had lost. I have kept creating in some fashion or another because I have TOO...it is what makes me...me. I cannot live with artistic endeavors of sometime as a part of my life...it is like breathing for me. I could no sooner stop breathing and expect to survive as I could stop creating. Art is like taking a breath for me. I have to have it as a part of my life in order to be a sane, happy and healthy person. I stop creating I stop living. That all may sound overly dramatic to of you out there...and it may be...shrugs...it makes it no less the truth. I have been disconnected from my art for a few years....haven't even drawn a stick figure (again...private issues). I have continued to seek creative activities that though satisfying have not really met the need in my soul for art. What I have been doing has just allowed me to take quick breaths and in between each I find that I am holding my breath. If that makes any sense. So as I begin to connect again with my art for me the first step is to share it. I am not looking for accolades or anything like that...just simple sharing. I would very much lovely constructive commentary, so please leave comments or thoughts or send me an email.

So what kind of artist am I? I am a painter, optical illusionist, mathematical/fractal manipulator. I love geometrics and twisting them but I also love people...their faces, shapes, colors etc. I am also a colorist. Color is emotion for me. All color has meaning to me and for me. Color is symbol as well for me and I use as representative of thoughts, ideas, feelings, history, story...etc.

Ok with a deep breadth (and a nervous knot in my stomach) I share what and who I truely am. I will start with the drawings: (damn I am nervous as hell...wowie)

Prize giving...

2007-07-02T16:40:00.000-07:00

Sock Madness 2007 has been over for a while now but it took me a bit to send out the two packages of prizes/surprises and I couldn't post any pictures until the recievers had a chance to open them. Didn't want to spoil it for them. This was the first time in my life that I sent a gift to people I have never met be for and the first time I have participated in a yarny/knitty type of gift giving kind of thing. lol It was a lot of fun putting it together. I know how I felt getting my prize for Round 3 of SM...I knew it was coming and from who but did not know what it would be.

Golden Purl won the ebony needles I donated for SM. I wanted it to be a good prize so I sent a few other things as well. She sent me the kindest email thanking me for what I sent. I am really glad she liked it all. I was especially glad I had sent along stitch markers because she said she doesn't have any handmade knitting jewelry yet and had wanted some but could see buying them for herself. I just kept thinking what kind of cool things would I like to get in a package and went from there. (It is how I am putting together the package for the swap I am now) It was a lot of fun.

The other package I sent out was to Hilary and Felicia who put together SM. One night I got the idea that it would be nice to put together a thank you for them. I certainly had a lot of fun and "met" some super fun people online because of the game. Others thought it would be a good idea to send a "thank you" as well. About 15 people or so participated. They each sent a little something for each one of them. I wrapped everything up and sent it out last week. A bit later then I had intended (sorry to all of you that contributed). They posted pics to what they recieved on the SM flickr group page. I was really amazed at the creativity and thoughtfulness that was put into what was sent. Gave me great ideas for future swaps or prizes ;-).

Today, I recieved the email of the partnering for the "Yarn in a Teacup Swap". My "downstream" partner is Elan. I have been a lurker on her blog for awhile. My "upstream" partner is Mentalrose from Tangled. I had not visited her blog before today but have put her on my blogroll. She has a really nice blog. I have already exchanged a couple of emails with Elan and am really excited to send her the package. I have been collecting little things here and there, I hope she will enjoy it. :-)

I had a lovely "road trip" with my friend Kathy, Knitty Otter, Monkeysocks and about 9 others, on Saturday. I have to download the pics first. I will post about the day this week. :-)

A Socking Along...

2007-06-28T11:56:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to post a quick update... Well into my 2nd Monkey sock on magic loop. Slowly working on my version Wendy's Knit Toe-up sock. Its slow because its car knitting or group knitting. Since I am almost finished with the Moneky socks I am picking out my next "complicated" sock. I had picked the next pattern out but have since decided that I want to try something that I haven't tried before and that not that many people are doing just to be different. :-) Mix it up a bit.

Well time to heard students off to lunch. I am gone this coming weekend so will catch up with posts Sunday night or Monday. Going an a knitting group trip with some friends to Lake Tahoe, will take pictures and write up a post for next week. So everyone have a great weekend.

Monkey Needs a Friend

2007-06-27T00:06:00.000-07:00

Just finished the first of my Monkey socks. This pattern has some kind of mojo and that Cookie A knows how to write a pattern. Easy to follow and fun to knit. This is short but I leave you with a serious of pictures of construction of the sock

.

A comment about the earlier post...I recieved a concerned phone call....ty to my lovely friend :-) hugggsss! She called just to check up on me (not saying who cause its her and my personal business, she is a FRIEND). Just so for infor for those of you who care about me know. I am fine. I wasn't crying or hurt at all. I was PO-ed...big time. I just do not suffer fools well sometimes. Shrugs we all have our things. Mine happens to be messages from silly people who need to get a life. If they think my posts are such drivel and the world is such a serious place then what in the hell are you doing checking over a knitting blog? Just kind of curious...if you have such low thoughts about the world, society and people then shouldn't you be out there trying to do something to change it instead of bitching about it or pointy fingers at others whom you are assuming are wasting time? I am out "there" doing something about it....(my personal non-knitting info that I will speak of in general terms ...see?) Ok yeah ....I said I wasn't bringing it up again ....but damn some people's kids I swear! Now I am just laughing about it because it is rediculous.

Time for bed. Sweet Dreams...ZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

There comes a time...(to rant)...

2007-06-26T16:20:00.000-07:00

...when everyone is pushed to the edge...when even the nicest person reaches their limit...when its time to stop being NICE. This is where I am in this moment in time.

I have had a couple (more then a couple) of emails from people who do not KNOW me. To KNOW me you would have to be a part of my everyday "face to face" life. This blog is about KNITTING. Knitting makes me happy so the tone of this blog is a happy one. This blog TELLS you nothing about who I am nor what I am about. NOTHING. I rarely put any personal info outside of knitting or yarn content in the posts. When I do it is in general terms. I do NOT choose to put my deepest darkest thoughts and feelings on this blog. I do NOT choose to put my life into the post.

Writing to tell me things like "you are too damn happy to be real"..."your happiness is fake and makes me sick"..."you are disgustingly sweet".. .. (this one really gets me laughing) "why don't you talk about something real and substantial and stop pretending like the world is all happy happy joy joy" (yes someone said that exactly..lmao). Listen up...KNITTING BLOG...NOT my life stories...KNITTING MAKES ME FEEL GOOD AND WHEN I FEEL GOOD I AM HAPPY. So if you are bothered by my happiness or find me to be "fake" in your opinion then move on.

If it is your choice to have a blog about more complicated ideas and stories then good for you. It is NOT my choice. I choose with whom I share my total self with...if you enjoy judging people in shallow terms then your opinions about the "tone" of my posts is your deal NOT mine. If you have a problem with the "happy tone" of my posts then its your deal NOT mine. If more people in the world shared the things that they are passionate and happy about with others then there would be less of the crap going on that we see around us!

When I post I just write. I don't analyze my grammer or my spelling. So what? Yes I am a teacher...and a damn good one! So what if I have spelling errors in my posts. Its a BLOG not a research paper or my dissertation. This is where I choose to hang out and just be. If You have a problem with that then its your deal NOT mine.

Everyone can't be nice all the time but so what if I were? What is your major malfunction that you have to put your opinions on me and waste my time with your insecurities and judgements? I am me! I love me and I make no excuses for who and what I am. If you see my happiness as "fake" then thats your deal NOT mine.

I am real...complex and with a story. This blog doesn't even begin to touch the surface as to who I am nor make a dent into the story of my life and the person I am and what I put out into the world. Life is too short to spend it always talking about the serious topics of life all the time. I work with kids who have serious things going on in their lives every single day. I KNOW what the reality of the world is, I am not walking through life with rose colored glasses. I LIVED a serious life for a long time. I am choosing to focus on peace now in my personal life. Yarn, knitting and the sharing of it is my peace. So if you have a problem with someone who chooses to focus on a happy part of their life then that is your deal NOT mine.

Anyone who sends me jerk-off emails will just get their messages tossed in the recycle bin, without another thought. Learn to examine yourself before trying to take someone else apart.

It takes a lot to piss me off but when I do it means I am done. Take care of your own business before trying to "teach" someone how to be real. Get a clue that people are individuals and not cookie cutters of some abstract definition of what they "should" be like. What works for one doesn't work for all. No one can be liked by everyone they meet and I wouldn't want to be.

So (specifically to one person who sent an email recently) I don't need a large amount of friends, I do not have a large amount of friends and I don't want a lot of friends. I want real friends the few that are counted within that number and are called friends by me are real and truly friends. I will not ever be liked by every person I meet nor do I wish too. If you don't "like" me then its your deal NOT mine. Quality over quantity. It is a waste of time to believe or expect that every person I meet will like me and want to be my friend. Its rediculous and silly.

With that I end this rant and will not bring it up again. There just comes a time when enough is enough and I just had to speak up. So to those that this post pertains too (you know who you are...you show your cowardice by emailing your comments instead of posting for all to see) ...GET A CLUE...GET A LIFE...SCREW YOU AND THE HORSE YOU RODE IN ON. To my friends, family, regular commenters and lurkers...lots of love your way with yarny knitterly happiness (with lots of sappiness thrown in for good measure).

Squatty Sidekick Bag

2007-06-25T21:47:00.000-07:00

First completed bag (Amanda's Squatty Sidekick Bag)from knit to closure. I am really happy with the way it came out. It is really cute, I think I will make another one at some future time. I have 5 more bags that are almost finished. Three need to be felted but I have to take them to the laundrymat.

I felted this one and three others by hand. I am not completely satisfied with the other three I did by hand so I will toss them into the washer with the others. Felting by hand sucks! LOL...I was exhausted after doing them in the sink. Will not be doing that again any time soon, unless its a really small project. :-) Just for information sake I used orangey smelly dishsoap to felt the bag with which left a nice scent behind and the yarn stayed soft. I am really happy with the closure, it is an old post earring. I sniped off the post and sewed on as the "button". I think it suits the bag and colors really well.

Specs: The pre-felting specs can be seen on an earlier post here. The following is what I got after I hand felted it:

Size:
Bottom: 8 1/2" X 3"
Body: 5" in height X 22" in circum.
Closure Tab: 4" X 2 1/2"
Handle: 1 3/4 " x 17"

Another Knitting Tool

2007-06-24T14:56:00.000-07:00

From the Ravelry forums I got this link to a list of places that translates textile terms to different languages (or from different languages):
A World of Crochet & Knitting Translations

Yarn In A Tea Cup Survey

2007-06-24T13:44:00.000-07:00

Just recieved the survey for the "Yarn in a Tea Cup" Swap and thought I would post my answers here. I am excited because I have not done a swap before.

1) Which type of yarns do you prefer? I am open and adventurous. There is little that I would not prefer as you can see by next answer. J As for colours I love variegated and self patterning usually bright and colourful.

2) Which yarns do you dislike? I am not big into novelty yarns, such as ribbon yarns, fun fur or eyelash yarn. I am not a browns kinds of person.

3) Do you prefer skeins, balls or cakes? I am open to this, which ever is fine with me. I have the power! I have a swift and a ball winder!

4) Do you have any allergies? No allergies.

5) Do you prefer to drink your tea from a cup and saucer or a mug? Surprise me! I am open J. I own a lot of mugs but few teacups but honestly I will be happy with anything.

6) Is there anything else you would like to add? I would love to be partnered with someone who is far away from me just because I like to learn about new places and people.

7) Would you prefer to make socks, mittens/gloves or a little scarf with your swap yarn (any other suggestions welcome)? Yes! Lol…well I know that’s a simplistic answer but seriously I am adventurous so I leave it up to my partner I am interested in the tastes and ideas of others.

Summer of Socks Update

2007-06-24T00:13:00.002-07:00

Honey has been asking for more socks soooo... I downloaded Wendy's Generic Toe-Up sock pattern and am using it as my "don't need a pattern small to carry around" knitting project. I am using Patons Kroy sock yarn on US 3 dpns. I am doctoring the pattern (of course lol) so that I cast-on 18 stitches to begin with (because it makes the toe less pointy) and I instead of plain stockinetter I am doing a k2p2 ribbing (except on the soled) because ribbing seems to shape to my honey's foot better then stockinette.

Here is the Monkey Sock. After the mis-step it is now going well. The 2nd pic shows up to 3 pattern repeats. I am just going to do one more pattern repeat because I want to have a shorter ankle sock (the pattern calls for 6 repeats). The yarn is working well with the pattern, compliments it well. I knitting the sock with Magic Loop using Addi Turbo Lace US1 needles. Oh and just as an aside the lovely stitch markers seen in both socks were a gift to me from the lovely Tezzcan in Britain. They are my fav stitch markers for socks because the rings are tiny for sock needles :-).

Let the Felting Begin

2007-06-24T00:13:00.001-07:00

I finished knitting the bag that I have made up my own pattern for and I found little things to embellish it after felting. In its un felted state it looks a little wonky. The flap has curled in on its self so it does not have the triangle appearance I was going for at the moment so I hope that after it felts I will be able to mold it so it will lay flat and have the look I was envisioning. Shall see what the magice of felting brings! lol

Also finished the Kureyon-Chan bag and it is awaiting felting. I actually like the way it came out unfelted but it would need to be lined and as I have mentioned before lining is not my thing because sewing is involved soooo in order to make it sturdier I will have to felt it. Its pretty small so shall how small it will get after its bath. :-)

Toes & Heel (and more...)

2007-06-23T19:45:00.000-07:00

I was reading Chappysmom's blog today and she posted a great link for sock knitting. I thought I would post it as well to share the info., :-) Check out: "Toes & Heel (and more...)".

I have been knitting socks but making slow progress because "life" stuff gets in the way of knitting. Don't you just hate when that happens. I will post progress pictures tomorrow :-).

Update 24 June: Found another place that has a list of instructions and help for sock knitting: Socktopia's Tutorials

Swaps and KALs

2007-06-22T09:18:00.001-07:00

Yarn in a Cup: This will be my first swap. Have never done one before so this seems like a fun one to do. Its being put together by Zoe of Zoe's Knitting Bag. :-) Seeing as the place I work has cool thrift store/antique shop it always has cute "tea" things. Can't wait will find something fun there and other goodies for my swap partner. When I get matched up. Of course there will be yarn involved. Since Zoe is in Britain I think we will get a good mix of people from all over, which is always cool.

Summer Kal - Cal Purse Round up: Finished my 6th bag and have found some really cute embellishments for it. Also last night I found a slightly large then silver dollar size Chinese "coin" that will work well for bag closure and will be unique.

Summer of Socks: Aka SoS...love that. I started my Monkey socks and was in the middle of doing the first pattern repeat when I realized something just wasn't right and I had too many stitches (yes I was knitting along without counting duh me lol). Soooo I had to rip out late last night so I only have the cuff of the first sock done. However this am before leaving the house I decided that I need a project that I really would need a pattern for and one that I can knit in the car on the way too and from work or when playing yarn with others. So I downloaded "Wendy Knits" 's toe up sock pattern and will make ankle socks. So I will have two pairs going. As usual cannot stick to just one project.

Well I hear entirely too much talking from my "kids" and it doesn't sound like school work talking so need to go light a fire under their feet. Its Friday, Its summer and they all asked if they could get done early but they must work first. LOL...but seriously this group of kids this year (about 12) are extremely motivated. I don't mind if they are chit chatting as long as they get their work done. One young man recieved an Astronomy course (from BYU courses for High School students) on Tuesday, with 6 lesson he already knew the info. Two hours after starting it he comes to me and says: "Miss Vikkie I'm done with the course. Can you correct it for me please?" I laughed and said "Yeah, go find a quiet corner and work"..."No, no seriously I am done with the whole thing." So I took it and corrected it...not only did he finish but he did not miss one so he is done...an entire semester done. That is just one...all of them are kicking butt and taking names. I love them! They are just great! I love this job.

Indie Fiber

2007-06-20T23:55:00.000-07:00

I love the fact that there as so many out there doing their own thing when it comes to fiber and then that they are dyeing and spinning enough to share with the rest of us. :-) I thought I would put together a little list of some of the ones that many art talking about.

Some of the most Popular:
1. Cabin Cove by Dave Daniels (have some of this WANT/NEED more)
2. Socks That Rock by Blue Moon Fiber (gifted a lovely skein for my bday...soooo yummy NEED MORE)
3. Scout's Swag by Scout (i do believe i am DESPERATE for her stuff, everything i have seen (and able to molest for a few minutes) is absolutely gorgeous)

Some of the newer (well newer to me since I have just recently be hearing about them), I have not had any face time with these yarns but I see alot of noise on blogs about them and see them knitted up beautifully:
1. Posh Yarns by Dee GB
2. Pirate Yarns by Georgia
3. Hello Yarns by Adrian Bizilia
4. Lotus Yarns by Lotus Knits

Summer of Socks 2007

2007-06-19T19:19:00.000-07:00

I have picked my first pattern for Summer of Socks, which begins on Thursday (21 June 2007). I have picked Cookie A. "Moneky Socks" pattern to be the first one. I have wanted to make these for awhile. I have other socks in progress but the rules for the KAL require that you start a new on the 21st so that everyone is starting at the same time. So no working on old patterns already in progress. :-) I might not make them as long as the pattern calls for because the color (Trekking XXL 04) I am using is springy/summery and I think shorty socks go well for summer. I am also going to use a size smaller for the needles then the pattern calls for because I learned during Sock Madness 2007 that when doing a lacier pattern I tend to knit loose and then the sock will end up too big. I will post pictures when I start and while I progress. The KAL goes until September so I will be making other socks. There is a contest and prizes but unlike Sock Madness it is not a timed competition but I didn't join it for the prizes I am hoping to "meet" other knitters (like I did with SM) whom I wouldn't have come across other wise. :-)

Bag Update. I finished knitting (including the handle) the one skein Chan bag and am on the handle for the bag that I am making up. Once I finish that handle I will felt all the bags I have made together and then post completed pics. As I have said before I am putting the bags into the "Summer KAL - Cal Purse Round up" which also goes until September. Nice people in this KAL.

More Bags

2007-06-17T15:55:00.000-07:00

Though I have heard the call of sock knitting I am still on a bag roll. Just finished my 4th one and started 2 smaller ones. I am participating in "Summer KAL - CAL Purse Round Up", so all the recent bags will be a part of that.

Here is the Latrop II Bag, unfelted. The specs are as follows:

Pattern: From a Noro Book; Latrop II Bag. I am sorry but I don't remember the title of the book (I know I should have written it down oops along with the name of author. If someone knows this pattern let me know and I will credit appropriately.) Oh btw...thats my Princess Lilly who insisted on posing with the bag. Isn't she pretty? (She says I don't need to ask that because its obvious. lol) Just as a side note about this pattern, when I finished it I held it up so that Honey could look at it and his first reaction was with a look on his face like he was going to puke! :-( He said "Its fuzzy." :-( for some reason he doesn't like fuzzy. Well I am not too keen on fuzzy either but the look on his face was shocking to me. Sigh. I hope after it felts that it won't be too fuzzy, if it is it will get a shave. LOL.

Needle: Addi Turbo US 11, circs.

Yarn: Berroco Hip Hop in 7265 colorway. (5 balls) The picture makes it look like there is more red in the varigation but there actually is more purple.

Size: 17 1/2 x 9 (t0 12)" for the body and 18 " for the strap prefelted. Shall see what happens after it felts.

Here is the botton of Kureyon-Chan bag. Using 1 ball of Noro Iro, 5 dpns (US 11 Brittany's).

This is a little bag I am making up. Right now I am calling it "Summer Sunglass Neck Bag". Using Brown Sheep's Handpaint Originals in New England Fall on US 8 dpns (5). I am writing it all out as I go along and will share the pattern I come up with. I really like this yarn because it felts nicely and the colors blend well. I like using all of Brown Sheep's lines though. I have plans (in my head) to add beads and doo-dads to this after felting.

Once I finish these next two bags I will then felt all the bags I have done lately, total of 6, together. I am going to go to the laundrymat to do it. I haven't used the laundrymat yet for felting but I have been told its the best way to go if you are felting more then one or two items at a time so that it will save your washer mechanisms. Also I am told the water at the laundrymat is very hot so the felting comes out well.

On another front: I am participating in another summer KAL: "Summer of Socks". There are a lot of people involved in it so should be interesting. Unlike Sock Madness it will not be a speed kind of KAL and patterns are picked individually. I have so many socks that I want to make and so much sock yarn that this will not be a problem.

Oh and before I forget: I WANT TO LEARN HOW TO SPIN. Unless anyone has forgotten. I now have roving. I tried the spindle thingy but that didn't work out so well for me. I found lots of info online on how to use it but I think a combination of my not being coordinated enough and also needing to learn from someone face to face, using the spindle was not comfortable for me. So the next thing to do is try a wheel. However, I cannot afford to purchase a wheell just to try it out. But I don't really know anyone who has one. Some of my lovely fellow Ravelry-ers (?) recommended that I post about this on my blog and ask if anyone out there (or rather in my area) would be willing to help me through the first steps of a spindle and let me try their wheel. I really want to learn but I also want to try it out first before spending alot of money on spinning tools. Anyone out there that can teach me??? Oh and before anyone far away asks...no there aren't any fiber, weaving or spinning shops here. None of the local knit shops carry spinning supplies. There is a spinning guild here but due to an episode with someone who belongs to the group I am shy to go to one of their meetings and ask if anyone would help me out. (Yes I KNOW it is hard to believe that I would be shy but it happens to the best of us! LOL). I am motivated to try it out but need some assitance to get started. Anyone? I can afford much for paid lessons but I can swap some original/unique ONE OF A KIND, handpainted (by yours truely) yarn. You could even choose the colors you wanted. :-) Would anyone swap spinning lessons for hand dyed yarn?

New Online Knit Mags

2007-06-15T17:58:00.000-07:00

I have come across some new online knit mags (well might be new to me lol).

iTheAntiCraft: Is mostly knitting patterns but has other types of crafts with unusual themes and names for the projects. I really like it alot!
http://theanticraft.com/

Tejemanejes: An online knitting magazine in SPANISH! It just came online. I found out about it on the Raverly forums. The patterns are high quality and the page setup is top notch. Nicely done for its first issue. Some of the non-spanish speaking commentors on the forum said that it translated nicely so even if you do not speak Spanish you can avail yourself of the patterns. On a personal note I speak and read spanish fluently (or at least I thought I did) but evidently I need to open up my dictionary because I didn't really understand the patterns' spanish knitting terms. lol...first time I have read a pattern in spanish so I am not familiar with the terms in spanish. Funny.
http://www.tejemanejes.com/

Knitters Review: This one has been around awhile but for some reason I just recently came across it. Duh...where the hell have I been? lol
http://knittersreview.com/

Black Purl Magazine: Shares knitting and stories. I like because its not typical. I like the unique.
http://www.black-purl-magazine.com/

Knitting Daily: Set up by Interweave Press. Its brand new, but so far I think its pretty nice. I have even made one of their patterns (Amanda's Squatty Sidekick Bag).
http://www.knittingdaily.com/

The Daily Knitter: They advertise that they have more than 1000 free patterns. They don't really have the free patterns but rather they link TO free patterns.
http://www.dailyknitter.com/

The Knitting Garden: Nicely setup and organized.
http://theknittinggarden.com/main.htm

YARN Magazine: A knitting magazine from Australia.
http://www.yarnmagazine.com.au/index.html

There are lots more, such as Knitty but I only mentioned a few of the ones that are not as well known. If you google "free online knitting magazine" you can find all sorts of links. What I like about the lesser known mags is that you can find patterns that not everyone is knitting and there are some hidden gems out there if you look!

New Blog Found

2007-06-14T23:48:00.000-07:00

Hey check out the new blog I just came across. The blogger is funny and really entertaining...
Its called "Shut up I'm Counting" ...isn't that a perfect title? lol Check her out even the opening picture is cute and makes you smile. :-) "me likey hokey pokey" LOLOL too funny!

My Beautiful Friend

2007-06-11T18:11:00.000-07:00

My lovely Knitty Otter friend posted something that moved me deeply and show me the beautiful, thoughtful and intelligent person she is. Every time I experience time with her I find out more about the beauty that is her. I am a better person for knowing her.

The Stash

2007-06-10T22:49:00.000-07:00

I have spent the weekend working on my stash, knitting books, tools etc....organizing, sorting, listing and photographing. All I can say is I am WAAAAYYY OUT OF HAND. LOL...Well I have been stashing yarn for at least 20+ years...so what does that tell you. But before I get into that...

Last month on my bday I mentioned that I had won some yarn. It arrived over a week ago and I do apologize to Yarnivorous for not posting sooner about. I have showed it off though! :-) She not only sent me 100grs of handspun, she specially spun it for me from soft lovely handpainted Australian wool...AND then she also sent me 100 gr. of Australian wool roving! Now I just have to get my hands on a spindle and get someone to show me how to spin it.

Now lets talk stash...I spent all of today photographing, sorting and listing my stash so that I can organize it in my Ravelry. I only got to 3/4s of my stash! I am so out of hand.

1. This is a shot of SOME of my wool and natural fibers collection on the floor. It was the easiest way I could find to sort the stuff. I collected all the wool that I had around and put it into one pile. I then sorted it by brand, photographed and then bagged it as it was sorted.

2. While I was sorting and hand my back turned my little guy pushed his way through and made himself all comfy in the yarn. I snapped a picture really quick because he was so darn cute...and the shooed him away because I don't let the furballs hang out on my yarn. Another reason why I am taking the time and spending the money on bagging it all. I love my fur children but I don't want their fur in my yarn or my projects.

3. These two shots are of my yarn that did not get sorted....didn't even get looked at actually LOL. This is all Acrylic (yuky Red heart and Caron's Simple soft for the most part) and crochet thread/cotton. This is yarn that I will eventually sort and catalogue but I am in no hurry. I rarely get into this yarn and really am not too worried about it. Much of it will be donated, or used for teaching yarn arts to kids (something I will be doing next winter...project that is in the works).

4. Finally this is what I worked on today. Every skein, cake or ball was sorted and photographed. From left to right: A. All cotton, B. Lace weights, ribbon yarn and novelty yarns (I don't have much of that), C. Wool and Natural fibers (ie the stuff that will felt), D. Sock yarn. Can you tell what kind of yarn I like the most? LOL...I have been mostly concerned about organizing this yarn. This is the stuff I used the most and replenish the most. I need to be able to find out what I have or need when I am putting things together for a project. Years and years ago I had done this but it was all on paper which was not really convient. Ravelry is making it way easy to organize this stuff. Now I can easily see what I have or what I need for a project and easily put it together with a project. The photographs will show me what colors I have and the way its organized in Ravelry I will know how much I have on hand as far as yardage for a project. I am also able to organize the yarn that I have dyed which is really cool.

So I still have to organize and list my needles, hooks, notions. I have already organized my WIP's and FOs. Including crochet projects that I had done years and years ago. Did the projects first because I really needed to see what I had going on. LOL. I have some work to do on the pics I took of the yarn but the hard part is done! yeah! This is going to be so nice to have it all in one place.

Ok well start working with my kids tomorrow. Looking forward to that. Have a good week everyone!

RAVELRY!

2007-06-09T15:36:00.000-07:00

Ok...FIRST: OMF-ingG! Ravelry has to be one of the most fantastic ideas to come to the internet that I have come across in a long long time. If you have not heard about it or come across it somewhere in blogland...THEN WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN? LOL....

It is fantastic, they are still in beta testing because they are adding things and improving things and just opened up in May 2007. But I have to tell you I have been a beta tester for many geeky type things over the years...and if this site is still in beta test I cannot imagine what it will be like when its full fledged!

What is it? Well it is a database, organizing tool and network for fiber artists, designers and hobbiests. It is the best pattern, yarn and project organizer I have ever seen. I would challenge you to find something better. Seriously! It is simple to use, verstile...and get this...FREE! You have got to see it for yourself. There is a tour of it here. The tour does not come close to showing you all that the site has to offer.

Since they are still beta testing, joining is by invite for now. But all you have to do to get an invite is put your name on the list and you will get an invite. It takes awhile to get because of the HUGE response they got. They are doing things right...doing it little by little so the site doesn't crash and so it will work as advertise. They are two young people who had an idea and the talent to put it together. They aren't charging for it and want it to be as great as they invision it. Here you can find a detailed letter that explains how and why they are doing things the way they are.

So go put your name on the list! When you do my id on there is Yarnatic...come play yarn with me!

Library thing

2007-06-09T01:22:00.001-07:00

Have any of you heard of LibraryThing.com? I just learned about it and it seems pretty cool. Meant to add this to the last post but forgot. I will be playing with it this weekend and will post again about it.

Barbara Walker's Books

2007-06-09T01:22:00.000-07:00

Has anyone heard of the series of books written by Barbara Walker? There are 4 in the series titled "A Treasury of Knitting Patterns". There is also a KAL for the books (called "The Walker Treasury Project") and from what I am seeing these books are a must have! I would love to have them. I have never seen them in any of the yarn shops nor in the bookstores, but Amazon carries them so I will have to get them from. So I have a few books on my must have list:
1. The Walker books
2. Knitting for Peace
3. More Sensational Knitted Socks
4. Fitted Knits
5. Runway Knits: 30 Fashion Forward Designs
6. I am sure there are some others lol

Ok well time for dream land...sweet dream all.

The Bag Issues

2007-06-08T13:48:00.001-07:00

Finally some knitting...I know amazing!

Even though I haven't posted in over a week I have been knitting. I had to knit...needed it for stress relief from all the work I had to do for the intensive 3 credit class that I took in just 3 weeks. Wow was it a dozy...I have only taken one summer class once before but it was over an 8 week period. This was a new experince for me. I have to say though that it was well worth it. The Professor, Dr. Jennifer Ring, was enthusiastic, extremely intelligent and passionate about her topic. The course was called Race and Gender in the U.S. It was under the heading for the Political Science Department and the Women's Studies Department. Excellent, course! Challenging with the amount of reading that I had to do in the last 3 weeks and with having to write a term paper (10 pages AFTER cutting it back from over 20!)

Anyway, on to the knitting. As you can see from the opening picture I have made three bags. I finished two last night. They are scheduled for "shrinking" (a.k.a felting/fulling lol). Thought before I subject them to the process of size reduction I would post about them. I have wanted to do some bags for awhile but have been in "The Sock Zone" for a while. So while taking a break I did these. They went really fast. I have a fourth one on the needles still and hope to finish it by early next week and will then process all 4 together. I have made 3 other bags prior to this but they have been on hold due to issues I have with them which I will discuss below.

First, "The great purple bag" (as I am calling it). I pulled together several patterns to come up with this one. It is basically a typical messenger type bag. I have been wanting my own funky knitting bag. There are many cool knitting bags out there for purchase but they are a bit pricey for my budget so I figured that I could come up with my own and then it would be unique. Pre-shrinking this bag is huge and though I know it will be smaller I hope it won't shrink too much. Here are the specs:

Yarn: Brown Sheep's Lamb's Pride. I used 4 colors, black and 3 purples; about a skein and 1/2 of each color.

Needles: Addi turbos, U.S. 9, 36" circulars.

Pattern: Part from "Knitting for Peace" (a book that I want badly!) messenger bag and from 2 other sources plus my own ideas. I have written all down and came up with my own pattern by combing things I liked from the other patterns and my own ideas. It was done all in one piece, from bottom to handles.

Size:
Bottom: 16 1/2" x 5"
Body: About 20" in length (5" per color) and approximately 60" in circum.
Handle: About 4" x 61" (about)
Flap: 19 1/2" x 18 1/2"

Notes: Really easy to do. We shall see how much it shrinks, will be interesting. I know that Brown Sheep felts to a nice texture. It really is a lovely yarn to work with (as I have mentioned before).

This was a REALLY quick bag to do. Super easy and cute. Here are the specs:

Pattern: Knitting Daily's "Amanda's Squatty Sidekick Bag".

Yarn: Paton's SWS, in variegated pink. Really nice and soft to work with. I read somewhere that it felts fuzzy, but if I don't like the fuzziness I can use one of those clothing shavers to smooth it out and then it lays nicely. I am not really big into fuzzy so will see. I bought the yarn a long time ago to see how it felts. It is part Bamboo and was meant for felting projects. Everyone who has seen this bag so far, pre-felting, thinks I should leave it as is. However, the problem with doing that is that it would need to be lined so that it would be sturdy. I DO NOT sew and DO NOT care too...I have never liked sewing. I could pay to have someone line it for me ...but geez who can afford that! lol...so it WILL be shrunk. (SO THERE ;-p~~~ ) Oh btw, it was done in one piece and I only used about 200 yds, which was about 2 balls. Not too bad.

Size:
Bottom: 9 1/2" x 4"
Body: About 8 1/2" in length and approximately 27 " in circum.
Closure Tab: 4" x 3 1/2" at the base and 1 3/4" at the tip
Handle: 3 1/2" x 21 1/2"
Needles: Addi turbos, U.S. 9, 24" circulars

This was the fastest of the three for some reason. LOL. I was sent the yarn as a gift for my bday and it went perfect for a bag that I have been wanting to do for a very long time. The person who sent it to me (who asked me not to say who they are though I have no clue WHY! Silly woman! but I love her so its cool), said that when she saw it that it screamed to her "VIKKIE!!!" She was right of course...she said that it the lady in the craft store said it was perfect for "shrinking", lol, I am sure the lady told her that it felted but that is what she told. When I asked her "shrinking? or felting" She said "Whatever, if I put my cashemer sweater in the wash it will shrink...so what the hell is the difference. It shrinks and I knew you would love it because of the colors and I don't know one damn thing about yarn so shut up!" LMAO LOL! So here are the specs:

Yarn: Poems (I could not find a link for this yarn, a search only gave me links to actual poems about yarn and knitting...sheesh) in two colorways....and umm I was so excited to get the yarn that I ripped off the labels...which my dog promptly grabbed and shredded so umm yeah. I could google it but I am lazy today so...no. It has a mat sort of finish (unlike SWS and Lamb's Pride which has a sheen). It isn't that soft but the color patterning is nice and even. Transitions from one color to the next nicely. I used about 3 balls of the colorway with the purple and one ball of the graduated blues. (Edit 09/07/07: Wisdom Yarns Poems; 4 Stitches to the inch on US 7s, 109 per ball, and I used colorways 550 and 558. I just found it online)

Pattern: "The Lucy Bag". I was gifted with the pattern. Even though everyone around here (in my area that is) is making this bag, and I don't usually like to make the same projects everyone else is making, I love the way the bag works and looks and have wanted to make it for a long time. It worked up really fast. I had started in Lamb's Pride in blues but when I got the poems I ripped it out and started over. I basically made it in about 3 days. It was also made in one piece from bottom to the handles. I chose to do the smaller version.

Size:
Bottom: The bag is constructed in the round. You cast on the bottom and join into a small circle and increase to a certain number of stitches. At the end of the increases it is 7" diameter.
Body: 16" in length and about 24" in circumfrence.
Handles: The longer one is 3" x 25", the shorther one is 3" x 16 1/2"
Needles: U.S. 7, bamboo, 24" circulars

The first bag is made from Sari Silk remenants and was completed back in the fall. The 2nd bag is an Entrelac bag that I did a few months ago (with Noro) and then felted. The last one is a Booga bag (in Berroco Hip Hop and Cascade Pastaza). I am not going to post details on these at this time because of the issue that I will discuss below. I loved making the bags but the lack of being able to totally complete them as me disappointed. When and if I can work out the issues then I will post details about them.

Issues:
Ok so here are some issues I have been having with all the bags.

Closures: I am having difficulty selecting closures for my bags. I do not want the same (typical) closures everyone else uses. Like buttons or beads. I want things that are different and unique. But, what? Does anyone out there have ideas? I want original, unique and different....NOT typical. But exactly what that is I have not figured out yet! LOL...so I am open to ideas.

To line or not to line?: The entrelac bag and the Sari Silk bag definetly need to be lined because they just aren't sturdy enough for use. But as I said I do not sew. Do not know how too (well barely)...so not sure what do.

Handles: As with the closures...I want different and unique and not something that everyone else is doing. I made handles for the entrelac and Booga bag but they are what everyone else has done and they really do not call to me nor do they do anything for the bags. I really love the entrelac bag and I want something classy and special for it...as well for the Booga Bag. Any ideas?

Well I have more to post about...but not about bags. I will save it for the weekend so I will have another subject to post about. Plus this has ended up being a long post and if you are still with me at this point you probably are saying "Enough already!" LOL...plus I want to go knit and play yarn! Woohoo.

Sorry

2007-06-06T18:05:00.000-07:00

I am sorry for the lack of posting in the last 6 days. I have been doing my last week of my Mini-Summer Term class (ie 3 week intensive course). Whew! Tomorrow is the last day of the class so I will post something fibery in the next couple of days.

Handmade Nation

2007-05-30T13:10:00.000-07:00

There is a documentary, due out March 2008 that is called "Handmade Nation". Found a demo video on youtube about it. It looks really interesting. Check it out.

Book Stash Flash

2007-05-29T16:57:00.001-07:00

I saw that someone else had done a knitting book stash flash so I thought I would jump on the bang wagon as well. I was thinking while I looked over my knitting books which one was my favorite and I have to say that I cannot pick just one. LOL...I have a rule about knitting books: I will not buy it if there is only 1 or 2 patterns in the book that I like. As much as I am addicted to books I just do not see the point of buying a book if I cannot see myself making almost all of the patterns in the book. The first picture shows a pile on its side is of patterns I have downloaded and knitting magazines. Do any of you have a favorite knitting book? Something different then what you see in my "stash"? Let me know, I am always interested in new books! LOL

Lang's Mille Colori

2007-05-29T16:57:00.000-07:00

I have had these done for a while but for some reason I failed to post about them. don't know why, because I am really in love with they way they came out. I used the same yarn for both projects. It is Lang Yarns' Mille Colori line. It is made up of 50% New wool and 50% Acrylic and gives a gauge of 15 stitches per 4 inches on US 10 needles. Each ball contains about 92m. It is absolutely lovely to work with. It is a bit fuzzy but lays down nicely after washing.

Pattern: Lady Eleanor Entrelac Stole by Kathleen Power Johnson from Interweave Knits' "Scarf Style"; page 52

Needles: Addi Turbo circulars, U.S. 10

Yarn: Lang Yarns Mille Colori in colorway 0053; used 10 balls

Notes: I absolutely love this pattern. I did not add the netted fringe the pattern called for because I thought the yarn didn't need it. It is super soft and the yarn makes the wrap stretchy. The yarn also has a nice upscale sheen to it. I need to find a nice simple one color dress or suit to wear it with. I had so much fun see all the color changes that occured in every square. The pattern was super easy but the changes that are required for an Entrelac pattern kept it interesting. Finished it came out to about 70" by 25", so pretty large but I was surprised at how fast the pattern went. I was a little sad when it was finished it because it was so much fun to make. My honey actually wanted to turn it into a lapghan! No way in hell was that going to happen after how much all the yarn cost me (don't ask). LOL

Pattern: umm yeah pattern...well I found it free online somewhere but do not know where I put the printout. Yes I know ...duh!

Needles: US 8, Brittany's

Yarn: Lang Yarns Mille Colori in colorway 0046.

Notes: After I completed Lady Eleanor I was so in love with the yarn that I wanted to make something else with it in a different colorway. This pattern worked well with the colorway since it wasn't as busy as the other one. I believe that this will be going to someone special that I have in mind, next Christmas. Someone that I know loves purples.

Progress Report:
I have finished knitting up two of the bags I am going to felt and working on the 3rd. I will post pictures of them after felting. I took a break from sock knitting but I am getting the itch again. Also craving to get back to work on my lace projects. Oh yes and still working steadily on my "secret project" at my LYS. I work on that one when I go there in order to keep it a secret. shhhhhhhhhh....

Addiction...sigh

2007-05-25T14:52:00.000-07:00

Came across this extremely addictive game linked on one of the blogs I visit. umm...don't remember who posted it. Sorry... The game is called "Boomshine" and has some nice music to go along with it. Its obssesive. I like it so thought I would share it. It is Java based so you do not have to download anything to your computer.

Out of the Mouth of Babes

2007-05-25T12:37:00.000-07:00

Yeah I know, I am spoiled. This picture is my bday gift from my (baby) sister, Deli (short for Delicia...which for those that do not speak Spanish, means delightful, and she is! too me anyway). I LOVE movies and inside the keepsake bowl there are treats that one would find at a theater snack counter. I once threw a kids party when my niece was about 12 and she came to visit me that was a movie theme. I printed up tickets (as the invites) and got fake money and set up movie type treats. It was a lot of fun. The kids seemed to have a good time (we showed a short and then Spy Kids). I had a blast and I hope my niece remembers it.

Well, thats about it really. Except for the next bit. My lovely friend Monkey Socks sent me a funny email that I thought was too good not to share. It is also the reason for the title of the post.

"FIRST GRADERS"

A first grade school teacher in Virginia had twenty-five students in her class. She presented each child in her classroom the first half of a well known proverb and asked them to come up with the remainder of the proverb. It's hard to believe these were actually done by first graders.

Their insight may surprise you. While reading, keep in mind that these are first graders, 6-year-olds, because the last one is a classic!

1. Don't change horses........................until they stop running.
2. Strike while the...........................bug is close.
3. It's always darkest before.................Daylight Saving Time.
4. Never underestimate the power of...........termites.
5. You can lead a horse to water but..... ..how?
6. Don't bite the hand that....................looks dirty.
7. No news is.................................impossible.
8. A miss is as good as a ...................Mr.
9. You can't teach an old dog new .........math.
10. If you lie down with dogs, you'll..........stink in the morning.
11. Love all, trust.......................... me.
12. The pen is mightier than the..............pigs.
13. An idle mind is......................... .the best way to relax.
14. Where there's smoke there's...............pollution.
15. Happy is the bride who....................gets all the presents.
16. A penny saved is..........................not much
17. Two's company, three's ................the Musketeers
18. Don't put off till tomorrow what ...... you put on to go to bed.
19. Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, cry and.. you have to blow your nose.
20. There are none so blind as.......... ....Stevie Wonder.
21. Children should be seen and not...........spanked or grounded.
22. If at first you don't succeed............ get new batteries.
23. You get out of something only what you ...see in the picture on the box.
24. When the blind lead the blind...... ....get out of the way.

Birthday Update.

2007-05-24T17:51:00.000-07:00

(Delicious Blue Pacific Martini from Chilis, this was my frufru drink for my bday.)

I realized that I didn't say much about my bday afterwards. We went to the book store where I spent my gift card from my Honey on these two books:

The one on the left is "The Knitters Bible: Knitted Bags" and the one on the right is the new Harry Potter themed book, "Charmed Knits". The first one has some really great and unique bag patterns. Its really nice and got the creative wheels turning. There are some things in it that I had not seen. Now as for the HP book...the patterns are great! The instructions are easy to follow and they range in skill from beginner to advance. What I also love is that all the patterns though based on the Harry Potter stories can be adapted to anything the knitter wants to change it too. As with the other book there are patterns in it that I had not seen before.

I also recieved these three skeins of yarn. Yes three! Going from right to left:

1. Colinette's Jitterbug line in the "popsicle" (146) colorway. I LOVE the colors. Totally me! Its 100% Merino with 267 yds.

2. Mountain Colors' Mountain Goat line in the "wildflower" colorway. It is 45% wool and 55% Mohair with 230 yds in the skein. The picture doesn't show it up will but there is a bit of a mustard and rust color running in between the purples. Makes a really nice contrast. I like high contrast in my colors.

3. Mountain Colors' Twizzle line in the "goldrush" colorway. I love warm colors. I have not used this line before but I know I will enjoy playing with it because its so soft. It is 85% Merino and 15% Silk with 250 yds.

I have to say that for color vibrancy and fiber feel Mountain colors is one of my top favorites. I love all their colors. Jitterbug goes into the top favorite category for colors. Colinette does a great job with unique and bright colors that I love.

The Knitterly Letter Swap

2007-05-24T14:32:00.000-07:00

Hi there, Me again. Did any of you out there do Domesticat's "Knitterly Letter Swap"? I am just wondering how its going for others, I have sent out two letters but haven't recieved a reply in return nor have I seen the letters I sent mentioned on blogs. Shrugs...guess I am a little disappointed because I was really excited about doing it. Not trying to sound whiney here...but am curious to see how it has gone for others.

Summer of Socks

2007-05-23T22:51:00.001-07:00

Yes I did it again! Joined another knit-along. The Summer of Socks KAL doesn't official begin until June 21st but others are making plans with patterns and yarn and the lock. I have soooo many patterns and soooooo much yarn and waaaaaayy to many needles that I am ready to go.

This one isn't a timed competition like Sock Madness was. Its a knit along that will have prizes as it goes along but not timed things that need me to sit for 2 days straight without stopping and knit like a crazy person. There are prizes for the person who did the most socks, knitted or crochet. I do make crochet socks but I have WAAAAYYYY too many knitted socks that I want to do soooooo not going there. With all the years of crocheting I have done I just do not have love for it right now. There is also a flickr group for it.

On another note: The prize I donated for Sock Madness was won by Golden Purl (aka Jean)....woohooo Jean. She is getting the lovely eboney needles (and some other little cute things that I hope she will enjoy....but shhhh don't tell her lol...well guess I just did since she visits here...me and my big mouth...wink to herlol) Before I send it out I will take a picture of it as well.

I am also getting ready to send a big surprise gift/thank you so some others soon. Probably in the next week or two. Some others are involved so I want to given everyone who wants to play with me in this a chance.

I am right now just out of control with projects....geez....I am slowly but surely finishing things but I get way to excited by starting something new:

1. Booga bag: waiting for hanles and a closure. I want something cool and different then what others did so that it will be uniquely mine! Sorry thats how I roll...like (LOVE) to be different (if you doubt this view the picture of my car below...enough said lol).

2. Entrelac Bag: felted, I made handles but I don't like them but I don't know what to do next. I want something cool and different to use as handles; it also needs a clasp as well

3. Duplicate Stitch Bag: main bag construction done but have not finished the duplicte stitch design yet; again as with the other bags I am not sure what to do about handles or closure.

4. Knitting for peace feltefd messenger bag: its begun and one more time (sorry) I need a cool closure for that. I want something like a fun and funky hing....but don't know where to find this sort of thing.

5. Small Lucy bag: just got to the handles and yes sorry....I need a cool closure

6. Amanda's Squatty Sidekick bag: not started yet but pulled out, it will need to be full/felted and yeah...i know bored with this....need a really cool closure....I am planning to use that SWS yarn from Patons (I think its Patons)

7. Hermione's Knitting bag: its from the new harry potter themed knitting book "Charmed knits". By the way this book is great, simple to understand patterns with easy to follow pictures of concstruction. It was a really well done book.

8. Charity projects: have child socks to make, hats and other bits for next november. I have some done but they need ends sew in and need a nice bath.

9. Baby projects: need to work on blankies, socks, bibs and wash cloths all for gifts, oh yeah and binky holder :-)

10 Pomatomus Socks: First sock almost to toe...needs its mate

11 Monkey Socks: not started yet

12 Diagonal Rib Socks: not started yet

13 Snowflake lace socks: started and both are past the cuff with one set of the 12 row repeat done on the leg

14. Magic loop socks: pair almost to toe

15. Jaywalkers: needs a mate

16 Surprise gift: can say no more here :-D

17 Dave KAL Scarf: 1/4 of the way

18 Last minute knitted Gifts Chevron Scarf: more then halfway

19 Red Lace project: from Arctic Lace, half way through

20 Purple lace project: was started but ummm messed and had to rip out and it is waiting for love.

21 Mint green lace project: umm waiting....cast-on but thats it

22 Peach lace project: 2 pattern repeats done

23 Harry Potter set for sweetie nephew: yarn is staring at me, must start soon

24Round 7 socks: One finished one to go

25 Diagonal Rib Socks: not started yet

26: Lace from Victorian Lace today: not started yet

27 Lace sweater for me: yarn is on hold and waiting for me :-D

28 Mobious scraf: finished

29 Entrelac socks: waiting for me

30 Entrelac stole from Scraf Style: Finished waiting to be take to the state fair to be admired lol

31 Zig Zig scarf: waiting to be gifted to a lovely person. enough said there.

32 Afghan: yeah honey is still waiting for one :-s sigh.....have made him 6 pairs of socks and gorgeous scarves, hats and mittens...and something else coming his way....but....he wants a blankie! sigh i just can't find the right pattern.

33 knitted toys: waiting for me

34 Yarn to dye: mmm yummy....special yarn needs special dye...having a hard time finding what I want.

35 Stitch markers; waiting to make more

36 Spinning: need roving, tools and a teacher. I NEED TO SPIN!

37 Yarn covets: Scout yarn, Socks that Rocks Yarn...sigh.

Well thats it...enough is a better word. LOL....geez I am way over the top here huh? Yeah I know! Don't say it....I do know!

Rainbow Bug Picture

2007-05-23T18:05:00.000-07:00

A picture of my car was requested...so here is my car..."Rainbow"...yes she has a name and no its not silly...what would be silly is that a car that looks like this doesn't have a name...sheesh...lol

Random things...

2007-05-22T18:15:00.000-07:00

Well I have been tagged by several lovely bloggers...I was tagged for a 7, 8 and 20 Meme. LOL....umm sorry not going to do them seperately. Also I am sorry to those who tagged me but the people I would have chosen to tag, tagged me first. LOL...oh ummm and by the way...what the heck does "meme" stand for anyway? Is it supposed to be "me...me" that has been put together or does it mean something else that I am missing? LOL....please enlighten me? Hate to be in the dark about things! To curious a person for that....which leads to the random things:

1. I LOVE to read. All sorts of things....art, crafts, novels, how to...on and on and on. Once a book comes into my hands I have a HARD time ever letting go of it again, even if I know I will never read it again. I love the way a new book smells and next to my LYS my favorite place to go to is the bookstore or library. It would kill me to spend $50.00 on piece of jewelry but I will not blink once at paying the same for one book. I am willing my books first to my family and then to a local library of a rural district in my area. I have books to fit almost every category in a library's catalogue. When I travel my favorite items to purchase as a remembrance is a book. Next to getting or giving yarn as a gift my favorite gift to get or give is a gift card to the bookstore or a book!

2. I am a Sci-Fi, Star Trek, Star Wars geek. Yuppers...I have the entire original Star Trek series on VHS. LOL. My top favorite TV channel is the Sci-Fi Channel (History Channels and Science channels close behind). I greatly miss that there isn't currently a version of Star Trek on the air. Angered really! I never miss an episode of the new Battle Star Galactica! (Who thinks the doctor is a Cylone?)

3. Though I talk about art alot I do not think many really understand how much art is a part of who and what I am. My passion for art and creating objects of color is in my DNA. When I go any length of time without being able to create something it actually affects me not just emotionally and mentally but physically as well. Without art of some kind in my life I believe that I would be shut away in the looney bin. Art is not just a hobby for me but it is like breathing for me. I could not live without it as a part of everyday just as I could not live without air. Some may find that a dramatic statement but even if it is so it makes none the less true.

4. When my little dog Duster died, about 7 years ago (as of August 5th) I didn't leave my house for 30 days. Anyone who doesn't understand that I cannot explain it too...those who do get it I do not need to explain it to so will just leave it there.

5. Growing up my most favorite place to be in the world was the Muesum of Metropolotain Art in New York City. I once knew it better then my own house. I could sit in the Impressionist Gallery for hours on end and feel more peace there then anywhere else.

6. I went to an all girls Catholic high school in Midtown-Manhattan (Cathedral High School for girls). I miss my three best friends of that time Olga Rosado (who sends me funny emails now and again), Patty Ayala (who has dissappeared into the mists of time...sad) and Hanan Gabr from Egypt whose father worked at the UN and since the school was a block away sent her there even though, not only was she not a Catholic she wasn't even a Christian. She was sent back to Egypt the day after graduation and her father would not let me contact her nor her me. I think about her often and HOPE with all my heart and soul that she is living a happy life. She wanted to be a doctor and I hope that she was able to do that. It saddens me that I was not able to go to my 25 anniversary.

7. I miss my sisters everday. There is never a day that goes by that I don't think about them. (I don't think that they even know that.) Won't say any more there, 'cause my eyes are getting a little leaky...lol. Huggies M and D.

8. I am retired from the U.S. Navy and was able to see many great places. I worked as an Aviation Electrician. While I was in, I lived in Christchurch, New Zealand and worked in Antarctica where I was able to go to the South Pole. I am proud of my service though I did things that I had to do and that way heavy on my mind at times. Enough said there as well.

9. Mid-July will make a year that I have been knitting! woohoo! Hmm...might have to have a contest to celebrate it with some kind of cool prize. LOL

10. Honey and I hope to adopt a child. There is a little one out there that is waiting for me to come and get them and be their Mommy. I can feel it to my very bones.

11. I once was homeless and lived in my car.

12. I am grateful for what I have today. I know some really great people who believe in me and love me.

13. I am an extremely spiritual but I am not religious.

14. I love my furry children with all my heart. It breaks my heart to see kitties running around the street without a home. Literally breaks my heart. I once saved a little dog from a shelter to come and find out the next day that he was very sick and two days later I had to put him to sleep but for those two days I loved him with everything I had and when he died I cried as hard as if I had had him from when he was a puppy. I can still see his little face and big eyes asking him to just take him home....Ok well thats enought of that. Dang what the hell my eyes seem to have sprung a leak. geez hate when that happens.

15. I am a Harry Potter fan.

16. I love flowers, plants, green and growing things and nature; but asking me to help garden is liking asking me if I want acid poured in my eyes. Its just not my thing. I can spend days camping but for pity sake don't ask me to help weed or plant anything. Please!

17. I love the sound of water and have 7 waterfalls in my little two bedroom apartment. LOL

18. I used to live in a house that looked like an old mine shaft in an old mining town. LOL

19. When I finish with my degree I will NOT be teaching in the regular system and I hope that before I leave this life I will be able to write "Ph.d" after my name. Yeah, I know I keep saying I am tired of school but so what! LOL...doesn't "Dr. Vikkie" have a nice ring to it? I think so!

20. I drive around in a rainbow bug. Yes its the truth! lol

Ok soooooo this turned out to be more serious then I had planned. I didn't know what I was going to say when I started so I just wrote. This is what came out so take it for what it is worth lol. Actually this was an enlightening excersize for me. Allowed me to examine the things that I value. Maybe a "Meme" isn't been to be that but this is how it turned out for me.

Happy Birthday

2007-05-20T10:08:00.000-07:00

Well...to start with today is my birthday...yuppers. I am 42...blah...I do not have a big thing about age actually but for some reason I just don't like that number. Yes I know the alternative to getting older is not getting any older so that isn't that cool...so of course I would rather take the larger number. lol

I awoke to several surprises. Honey, got up earlier and cleaned the place up...went to the store and purchased special breakfast stuff and a Little Mermaid balloon (no not flowers, he gets me flowers all the time but see...I have this "thing" for balloons...don't know why but I love balloons...yeah I know, strange but oh well!)

So anyhoo...in the living room I found the balloon hovering over the coffee table. Then there was a brightly colored gift box with a card on top. Inside was a funny card with Bugs Bunny on the front (yes I LOVE bugs...he is way cool...sorry I like cartoons and comics...and today we are going to see Shrek 3... :-P) Inside the card was a generous gift certificate to the bookstore! I happen to be addicted to books as MUCH as I am addicted to yarn. Its pretty bad.

Now for the box...hmm well this is kind of strange...if you are a geeky type person you will totally get how cool this gift is...if you aren't well I'm sorry for you LOL ...you will just have to take my word for it....THIS IS A WAY COOL GIFT...my guy is unbelievably smart to have come up with it. So...he made me something...I am forever forgetting to charge my Ipod and like to fall asleep with it (long story) so lots of time I go to bed and realize its not charged...duh me. So, Honey figured that I needed a way to charge it or plug it in to the wall socket so that it would stay charged. Now, they sell wall charges for Ipods all over the darn place but do you think he would go to the store and simply buy one? Of course NOT...silly. He makes me one...and its WAY cooler then the one in the store because not only can I plug into the wall socket...but see the black piece attached to the HUB? That piece olds batteries, rechargable batteries so if I am some place that I cannot readily access a wall socket, I don't need it because the batteries will charge my Ipod for me! (the black piece is also removable) Can't buy those anywhere! So, as he said, its not the prettiest thing but its way functional and convient. He also included a pouch so that I can put everything in it and just carry it along. Ok...now tell me that isn't SUPER SMART! You can't I know! LOL I really love this gift...do you think that tells you how much of a geek I am? lol

Ok now onto more gifts...earlier in the week I recieved a great package from Ireland from the lovely Jo. She got herself a cone of 50% Suri Alpaca and 50% Blue Face Leicester undyed yarn. She wound some up for me (657 yds of some) and sent it to me. Wow! Its about a sock weight....and really soft. I want to do a special dye job. Jo did not know that my bday was coming she just sent it because she wanted to share with me. Is that not really cool or what? I really hope to meet her someday because I KNOW we would have a blast. I also know that she will fit right into our strange little group of yarn addicts. If you have yet to visit her blog you are missing out. She is a great and funny writer, her writting has a storytellers style and she also post gorgeous photos of where she lives.

As for the dye job, I would like to do something metallic looking like the yarn that Mr. Dave spun himself. I really think this yarn needs something special to really make it stand out and metallics would do it up right. Just have to figure out how to get that silver, gold, copper look.

Also, last Tuesday my lovely blogless friend, Monkey Socks, came in and handed me a skein of yarn and said: "Here for you", "Me? Why?" , "Well I ordered it and it looked different online, I don't like it as much now and I thought it just SCREAMED Vikkie" LOL....she is right it does and I love it. Its from Bright Dyes and its called "Easter Parade". I do not know what its made of nor how many yards it is. I have looked at the Bright Dyes page for yardage on their skeins but could not find it...so if anyone knows please drop me a line. Again, as with Jo, Monkey Socks did not know my bday was coming. hehehe...

Ok, one more gift. After opeing my lovely gifts from Honey, I checked email and found a message from "Yarnivorous". She had a contest at the beginning of the month. Someone else had one but did not claim their prize...Sooooo.....guess what? YUP! I won it. I get to choose from her shop any handdye OR handspun yarn up 100grs! Is that cool or what? She even has handdye roving...I do not know if I can choose from the roving but if so that would be cool, since as I have mentioned: I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO SPIN! LOL....She has really great colors so I don't have a prefrence there. I would be happy with anything! One more time, she had no idea that it was my birthday. LOL...good yarn karma. Oh, and she lives in Victoria, Australia! (Victoria is a beautiful place...its the area of Australia where Melbourne is located) Isn't that something considering my first name is Victoria? LOL...well I think it is. LOL My stash is getting an international flavor to it. How fun!

Oh and finally but not the least. My Mom sent me a really nice card...I mean its really pretty. Its covered in silk with felted flowers on the front. It came with the following message:

"Legends say that hummingbirds float free of time, carrying our hopes for love, joy and celebration. The hummingbird's delicate grace reminds us that life is rich, beauty is everywhere, every personal connection has meaning and that laughter is life's sweetest creation."

Lovely. The card also contained a generous gift for yarn shopping. Well I don't know if intended it for yarn but since its not specified that I should purchase something specific then I am getting some yarn that I have been coveting. Isn't there always some of that? LOL

For the rest of the day I will be going to the bookstore, and Honey is taking me to play Minituare Golf (which I haven't played in years, which I am really bad at, which I love because its a hoot) and then we are going to see Shrek 3 and then dinner. Not too bad for a 42nd bday. Especially since I really didn't feel like celebrating my bday...not sure why but I just didn't. LOL

Was just getting ready to post and had a lovely bday call from the lovely Knitty Otter lady! :-D Makes my day. My (baby...lol) sister called me last night just to make sure she didn't miss me today lol....thank you honey I love you!

Have a great Sunday all. I have been tagged to do a couple of meme's and will post those this coming week because I think this post is long enough. LOL

It's Over...Darn

2007-05-15T11:02:00.000-07:00

Well Sock Madness 2007 is over...and the winner is...drum roll...KristiR! Woohooo...Conffetti...Balloons...cheers for her! I am happy to say that the communications on the flickr group is still going on...which I am glad for because I have really enjoyed getting to know a lot of the people who played the game. Our lovely hostess have already stated that there will be a 2nd SM...but in the mean time we will continue to keep the flickr group going. Yeah!

As for my Round 6 socks...the pattern that put me out LOL...well I ripped them out...I got half-way into the foot of one and it didn't fit...it was soooo tight I could barely get it over my foot. The stitches were puckering and the floats were wonky. Yes I know that means I pulled it to tight. I WANT to do these socks because they are gorgeous. But I want to find a pattern for Fair Isle that is simple and flat so that I can practice the technique, so that I can get the hang of two color work and floats. I also need some color inspiration because after I ripped out my first version I realized I had lost the love for the color combo and started the pattern again...toe up this time. But I didn't like that color combo either.

In the mean time I have plenty of projects going as I have previously listed LOL... Here is an update picture of the Round 7 pattern. I really like it. I don't find it as difficult as the R6 socks. That pattern is lacey cables with an interesting open work effect on the back of the leg. almost to the toe. The pattern was written for 2 circulars but I decided to do it by Magic Loop. They are going pretty fast. I think I would have been done with the pair if I didn't have to stop knitting to study for finals.

Speaking of which...FINALS ARE OVER! Woohoo. I am pretty sure that I am getting 2 A's out of four classes. For the other two...well I am on the border for an A to a B for one and C+ to B- for another. So until the grades are posted I will not know. Bs I can handle but I reall do NOT want that C... I worked so hard for that darn class and was carrying a solid A for 2/3rds of the semester....and then after Spring Break we were given the hardest take home exam I have ever had. The teacher "tested" on information he didn't lecture on...and since we didn't have a textbook (yes thats right no book) we had to research the info. Since its Mathematical proofing its not an easy thing to research. Though I did not fail the exam I did low enough to affect my overall class grade and went into the final hoping to get 80/120 points in order to get a B for the class. I HATE that! Anyway...I am done bitching....lol just needed to VENT.

The upside is that I took my last final on Monday night and am now off for the rest of the week. YIPPY! I am taking a class for the Mini-Summer Term starting next Monday but for now I am off! So guess what that means....you got it! KNITTING...AND MY LYS! No money to go shopping but can still play yarn! YAHOO ME!

Final Round

2007-05-11T13:42:00.000-07:00

Ok the 7th and Final round of Sock Madness begins today. Just recieved the pattern and it starts with: "Cast on 99 stitches on two circulars..." WHAT THE....???? LOL...It is a really nice looking pattern. I don't know how fast someone can go when starting with that many stitches...should be interesting. I have been working on my Round 6 socks...but I got to the foot part and tried on the socks and it was so tight I could barely put it on. Sooooooooo.....I ripped it out...yes I did. LOL...and then I started in a different color combo...but this morning looking at it ...I did not like it...was not feeling the love. Soooooo.....I ripped it out LOL. I am putting the R6 socks on the side, I need color combo inspiration, I WANT to do the socks but I think first I need practice doing Fair Isle on a flat piece so that I can understand how to do the floats, because the reason my socks were so tight is because I pulled them to tight and many of the stitches caused the sock fabric to pucker. So I am going to try R7 and I am thinking of using my super wild yarn that I dyed. I also have so many projects on needles:

1. Magic Loop Socks
2. Pomatomus socks
3. Schaefer/Arctic Lace shawl
4. 3 Lace projects
5. Feather and fan scarf
6. Chevron scarf
7. Entrelac bag needs handle and button (and possibly a lining but I don't sew)
8. Booga bag needs handle and closure
9. two charity scraves need ends woven
10. Duplicate stitch bag needs designed finished on front, handle and button

Ok so ummm I shouldn't have made that list LOL because now I am in shock LOL. Oh boy...lets not talk about the projects that I have seperated out with their patterns and yarn that I want to start as well. LOL....umm okie dokie.....

Anyway, tonight playing yarn with some other yarn fanatics. Tommorrow going down to the Truckee River for the River Festival and then going to see Spiderman. Some good movies coming out soon as well: Pirates 3, Harry Potter 5, Shrek 3...etc. Good Summer movie season coming...hope it lives up to the hype.

Drop everything...

2007-05-07T01:08:00.000-07:00

...to do this! I have a serious problem! ...a problem with beautiful hand painted yarn

Cabin Cove Mercantile
Fingering weight
450 yds
Handpainted By Dave Daniels
Colorway: Mountain Meadow MN096
US 9 24" Circulars
Chevron/feather fan pattern

I love it....its super soft and the colors are bright and soothing...reminds me of spring wild flowers....and though I have tons of projects going and a lot of yarn that I want to play with i HAD to stop and play with this one. Isn't it great! Yes I know its sock yarn but I have been wanting some of Dave's yarn for so long that I didn't want to make something that would be hidden under pants...it needed to be showed off....thought I have to see thay socks made for this yarn will be really happy and relaxed feet because it is so very soft.

Sigh now the only problem with this is that once I use it I will want more Dave Yarn....damn that sucks when that happens huh? hehehehe......

Oh and by the way lovely enabler Florrie from Deluxe yarn is way too accomodating sometimes....I just mentioned to her that I want to try spinning but that I just wanted to get my hand on a drop spindle and some roving just to see if I could do it and if I would like and what does she do.....oh here had this in the back just sitting there....hands be a good size portion of roving in a natural color and a spindle that she just has lying around....no she doesn't sell spinning supplies....yet anyway.....it her stuff but she let me take it home with her to try.....she is such an enabler lol...geez!

Fickr update

2007-05-06T17:18:00.000-07:00

I have been updating and adding to my flickr photos...some really cute shots of my furry children...check them out and let me know what you think? :-)

I will also be posting my artwork on there soon...opinions and thoughts are welcome.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/yarnatic/

Yeah me!

2007-05-05T16:08:00.000-07:00

I am now the proud owner of some Dave Yarn! My lovely Knitty Otter friends surprised me with some lovely Cabin Cove Mercantile sock yarn! Yeah...1 of the 3 that I am craving! I don't know why...she just did! She is really lovely...can't believe it...its a sock weight but I am not going to use it for socks...I want to make something super cool that will show Dave's gorgeous colors! I can also now join the KAL for the Cabin Cove fiber! More...yeah to me! I do not think that KO understand how happy I am to have recieved this yarn! Seriously! Here are the specs:
Yd: 450 Fingering weight
Gauge: 6.5 to 8 stitches to the inch on US 1 to US 3 needles
Fiber: 80% Merino, 20% Nylon
Colorway: Mountain Meadow, MN 096

I am now on the hunt for a fabulous pattern for this lovely yarn...it is really soft and the colors are very vibrant that does not show up in the picture very well.

Over

2007-05-05T09:06:00.000-07:00

Well I gave it my best shot but my partner is a knitting machine

stayed up until almost 4 am and got this far:

Which is halfway up the foot...not fast enough darn it!

Congrats to KristiR!

I will finishe but much slower....I am tired!

Happy Star Wars Day!

2007-05-04T11:47:00.000-07:00

Yes I am a Sci-Fi geek! So what? Wanna make something of it?????

I was checking out a post at Wendy's Woolies and she posted that today makes 30 years since the first Star Wars movie came out! Damn do I feel old! I remember the day it came out...my Mom took my sisters and I...plus a neighborhood of kids (about 15 or so..yes) to the theatre to see it...I remember sitting there excited because having been a Star Trek fan for years....it was thrilling to see the future on the big screen....I remember when the theatre went dark and silent and the opening music began to play and the screen started to scroll: "In a Galaxy far, far away..." I do believe I held my breadth until the credits rolled at the end. I was completely in love with Luke, Lea was my hero...I wanted my own R2 unit...and I wanted to meet a Wookie! I saw that movie in the theatres 27 times.....YES I SURE DID! :-P~~~~ And though Lucas has made a lot of changes to that original movie (which I hate btw) I still get a chill every time I put it in my DVD.....I know many of the lines by heart....but the scenes still get me!

30 years? Wow! LOL...I love it!

Borrowing from Wendy....MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU!

The Semi-Finals

2007-05-04T09:59:00.000-07:00

Alrighty...I am doing the lavender with white accent for my Round 6 colors. I am paired up with a tough knitter. She was the first person finished in Round 5...even with the pattern instructions having many mistakes! Woohoo! Its all good for me though...I have done a lot of thinking about this:

1. This game started with 128 players from all over the world. Many of whom could easily say that they had been knitting for 40+ years. Yes 40! Wow...and here I am in Round 6 in the Semi-finals...having won my division! WOWIE ZOWIE...who knew?!?

2. I am happy to be in the top 4 and in the Semi-finals. I have yet to have a full year knitting.

3. I basically taught myself from www.knittinghelp.com videos.

4. I have been fortunate enough to have a LYS, in which I have made the most encouraging and supportive friends.

5. In this past year I have met some of the most artistic and talented knitters who do not hesitate to share their knowledge and skill. The Knitty Otter lady, to name one of the many.

6. I continue to push myself and try to learn something new and this game has helped me gain many new skills to add to my knitting tool box. With this I learned ...or rather re-learned the lesson ....that you never know what you are capable of until you try and if you work at it you will succeed (nothing that is worth anything is ever gotten easily...it takes work to get the things that trully mean something in life!)

7. Through this game I have seen how to play a game. I watched other knitters stop their own knitting to help others even their opponent. True demenstrations of sportsman ship.

8. I got free original patterns! Woohoo.

9. I won a prize for making a mistake and not giving up! A really nice prize too!

10. Finally and most importantly....I have made some new friends. Seriously....I haven't met them face to face....but they are friends...and whether or not we ever meet I will count them among my friends and know that I will keep in contact with them. Celtic Memory, to name one.

All of these things put together....whether or not I make it to Round 7 Finals....I have won...if you don't thinks so then go back and read the numbered portion of this post LOL....I won...and won big time!

Anyway...the pattern is to come out between 12 and 4 pm my time. In the mean time going to have some lovely Vanilla coffee...and read a bit in the Yarn Harlot's newest book..."Casts Off"....if don't have....MUST GET IT....SHE IS TOO FUNNY FOR WORDS!

Another Gift!

2007-05-03T14:06:00.000-07:00

Ok...My bday isn't until the 20th of May and I have recieved another gift! Yesterday, my Knitty Otter friend presented me with a lovely gift from her trip to the Bay Area...to the Aquarium. Isn't it beautiful? I LOVE glass....I used to have a huge collection of glass items....but last year the shelves on which my collection were show cased collapsed and I lost 98% of my collection. :-( yeah I know...some of it I can't ever replace but I have a few pieces that were saved which is nice. This lovely gifts helps start my collection back up! Thank you my friend!

Round 6...Choice?

2007-05-02T12:38:00.000-07:00

OK....FIRST OFF...It's the 2nd of May and we are supposed to get snow today! WTF! Ok sorry for the base comment ...but I mean really now...snow in May? What gives.

Well as I have mentioned Round 6 starts on Friday, not sure yet what the time for the release of the pattern yet....they haven't said. The specs given are as follows:

"Needles = US #2 The designer used double-pointed needles but I favor the magic loop. As always, I say that you should use what makes you happy - as long as it’s the right size.
Yarn = fingering weight in 2 colors. She used Lana Grossa Meilenweit Cotton (209 yards per ball.) I used one skein of Cherry Tree Hill (420 yds per hank) and one hank of Louet Gems (185 yards per skein). I used a variegated and a solid but the variegated is really subtle. The designer used 2 solids. What the yarns we chose have in common is that they both had a high degree of contrast and I think it adds to the design but… it’s up to you, I could be wrong.
Gauge = 38 stitches/4 inches"

That is quoted from the SM webpage...I did some swatches as you can see above, I got about 9 (to 10) stitches to the inch. I have posted three ways to go with this sock...either a lavender sock (yes its lavender and not bluish as it looks in the pick), with and accent color of white, black or yellow.....or a yellow sock with an accent of blue (on the bottom), black or lavender....OR a white sock with a blue accent or one of the funky colors that I dyed recently. Not sure which to go with...have not knitted a swatch with the white...its just a hair thiner then the yellow and lavender....its also a nice yarn, softer and has a lovely sheen to it....

oh and before anyone asks....I have no idea what the white, yellow and lavender yarns are....umm well I have had them in my stash for years....and I do mean YEARS....I purchased them from a shop in Carson City, Nevada that used to sell yarn on cones for machine knitting (the shop has since closed because the owner retired)....at that time I was still crocheting and made lace items with them but I have a ton left ...and in different colors. I know that the yellow and lavender are wool and acrylic blends...but have no diea who made it....the white has a lovely sheen to it and is extremely soft....on close examination it looks like its a cotton blend and it make gorgeous lace....and I do mean gorgeous (even if it was crochet lol) I have a lot of it so socks from it will not make a dent in what I have of it....anyway .....LOL not sure which way to go with these.

I pulled out all of my sock yarn yesterday....umm which was a thrill for the dog and one of the kitties....darn them! LOL Honey just rolled his eyes and looked away...I sat there sifting through it all ...trying to combing variegated with solids, the variegated I have is just all too busy...LOL...I love wild colors and patterns and my sock stash shows that big time but for this upcoming pattern I do not think that wild will work well. Thats what I get for always walking off the beaten path! sheesh!

I am pretty certain that the pattern will be Fair Isle/Intarsia...I have yet do make anything with these techiniques because what I have practiced with it always comes out looking wonky. I just don't get how to get the floats on WS to come out flat so that the stitches on the RS don't looke squished and pulled to tight. Even with the practice swatches above...the stitches didn't not look nice though I tried to keep the floats in the back loose. Is there some trick that I am missing....My lovely Knitty Otter friend did a gorgeous hat and her floats are expert...it was her first try with the technique too....If I have a chance to meet up with her before Friday I will show her my swatches and see if she notices what I am doing incorrectly. She is super nice and I am sure she would offer me tips if she can see what I am doing. She rolls that way! :-D

Oh speaking of the Knitty Otter...she isn't feeling to well, so stop on by her blog and send her good vibes will ya? She just had a bday too and then promptly became ill...yuk!

Well thats it for now...finals are coming up...they start next Thursday but I only have one that I am worried about...Math 475: Sets and Numbers....the last few proofs I did were bad, bad, bad.....the class was going really easy for me until the last month when every proof and theory the Prof. has lectured on has looked like something from another planet! Hate when that happens!

Prepping

2007-05-02T01:57:00.000-07:00

Well Round 6 starts on Friday...I was hoping for a little break. The specs say that we need US 2 and fingering weight yarn...we need two contrasting colors...both can be solid or one can be solid and the other lightly variegat....its really but I have already did up some swatches....but it is late so I will put up picks tomorrow. I am not sure what colors to pick. I think I am doing two solid combo. Shall see...now is time for sleep! LOL

I have a SICKNESS

2007-04-30T13:26:00.000-07:00

I honestly think I have a problem...one is color and the other is colors in cool yarn! LOL....

I am coveting yarn from three places online and I feel like I am about to explode if I don't get some of my own. My Knitty Otter friend and my blogless Monkey Socks friend (lol to her) have both allowed me to fondle their purchases from these places (well I actually molested the yarn but we won't go there) and I am just wanting it bad. But they will have to wait until I start working in June...damn it! LOL If you are a yarn addict like me and haven't visited these place then you just have to...you will understand what I mean when you see what they have.

1) Socks That Rock: They carry different weights of yarn but I want their sock yarn (they call it lightweight) in the "Fire on The Mountain", "Lemongrass", "G-Rocks", and "Lucy" colorways. The yarn is a bit pricy, HOWEVER one skein makes a pair of socks with a lot of yarn left over. I wouldn't use it for socks though. I have other projects in mind.

2) Cabin Cove Mercantile: This is THAT DARN DAVE'S stuff LOL......I have mentioned his stuff a bit lately so don't have to again. Suffice to say that I will buy anything fun and colorful from him...lace or sock weight and find a really great pattern to showcase the yarn.

3) Scout's Swag: Scout recently did a little show on Knitty Gritty about how she dyes yarn. I learned alot from her ...and yes I do dye my own yarn...however the kind of dyes she uses is not feasible for me to use and dye with due to space....and she just has a knack with color. She has a colorway called "Van Gogh" and he is my favorite artist, so when I saw the colorway I lost it! Yes I did...Van Gogh does that too me....have spent many hours just staring at his paintings in Musuems I would haunt when I still in NYC. Yarn named after him? GIVE! LOL....she has some others that are super nice too but since I would need at least two skeins of her yarn I will be super happy to get at least one of her colorways

Anyway, all you yarn addicts out there...check them out...if you buy something from let me know what you got and how you like it. I don't know what it is but I get a thrill out of seeing stashes of others. I KNOW I am not the only one who does either....because when we meet at the LYS ....my fellow addicts all gleefully molest the yarn of others....never mind what we do to anything new that comes into the LYS. That Florrie (the owner) is a big time enabler! (Well she is in the business of course, but she is also an addict who just gave in to her need by opening a shop!) LOLOL.....she is really "bad" she trys to fulfill all our wants and needs as far as her store's finances allows....seriously she is way to good to us. When we come to her with: "hey umm...Florrie...I saw this stuff.....and umm do you think you could get it???????" (with cheesy, pleading pathetic sorrowful looks) LOL.....she ALWAYS does her best to keep us addicted....ummm no I mean she tries to fill our request! :-D Seriously, she is a doll....if you need a pick me up all you have to do is go to her shop....you get calmness but also by the time you leave your face is hurting so bad from laughing that you forget whatever was causing you stressing before you entered her shop.

Anyway...feel a bit calmer now. HAD to get that all out....not only was I dreaming about spinning...AGAIN...but was dreaming about that yarn. sigh ....its really bad. LOLOL

Victoria of the Camp Lamp

2007-04-29T22:14:00.001-07:00

I just wanted to post about a really great and fun person that I have met through Sock Madness. She is a talented knitter and wonderfuly fun person. She lives in Ireland and posts gorgeous pictures of where she lives. If you have not visited her blog you need too...you will not only be awed by her knitting but love how she writes!

Celtic Memory Yarns

Oh ...as for the title...Celtic named me this due to my knitting on the Round 5 sock under a camp lamp because the power was out yesterday LOL.....too funny.

The Final Four

2007-04-29T22:14:00.000-07:00

Well Round 5 of Sock Madness is in the books.

Pattern: Mad to Dance

Needles: US 1 dpns (for my sister lol...dpns = double points) :-D

Gauge: 7 to 8 stitches to the inch

Yarn: Schaeffer's Anne Sock Yarn, in a green, tan and blue-grey colorway (they don't have names for their colors)

(Note to my sister: Yes I will happily make you socks...you have send me your foot measurements...remember? LOL)

Wowie zowie...it was fun but a lot of work for sure. Recieved the pattern about Noon on Friday...and was stumped almost immediately. The pattern called for a Norweigan Cast-on...hadn't even heard of it...but it turns out to be a variation on the long-tail cast-on, which is my preferred method. Now, the pattern had some instructions that were not typed out correctly and some other instructions that could be interpretted in different ways....so I got lost..........

In all I ended up having to rip out the first sock 5 times before I was able to correctly understand the pattern, I had to do the heel flap twice before I finally realized that I was not going to get exactly the same number that the designer had suggested. I say suggested because much of the pattern was left open to allow for flexibility and to make the sock customizable...which is cool but makes it a bit difficult to follow, especially when speed was of the essence, LOL.

I have to say right here that I would not have been able to figure this pattern on my own...I got a lot of help from the other players...and I do mean A LOT...you can go over and check out the posts at the flickr group and judge for yourself...lol... I want to make a special point of saying that my partner in the game, Siri, helped me the most...yes my partner! She stopped her own knitting to help decipher the pattern for me...this is the honest truth...I wish there could have been a way for both of us to go on to the next round! She deserves a prize for her "knitterly" sportsmanship! (Maybe there is one already picked out for and being made ready to be mailed out to her...not saying there is...just saying MAYBE...lol...wink). Anyway stop by her blog and let her know that she is way cool for playing the game the way she did ok?

In the end the pattern was not really difficult. It was a combination of lace and 2 by 2 cables. The heel flap was called a "clog" heel because the flap was 6 vertical rows of cables...very pretty effect. The designer does not seem to have a link for a blog...at least I haven't been able to find one. This was a complicated pattern so all in all I say she did a good job...not easy to keep all those yarn-overs and cables organized. The pattern, like some of the others, gave me ideas for my own designs.

Oh and before I forget...yesterday about 2:00 to 2:30 pm the power went out in my complex and didn't come back on until 12:45 am...grrr....so I did a lot of knitting in the dark...well by camping light anyway lol.

So, I made it to the Final Four. Unbelievable, I haven't been knitting a year yet and I have gotten really far playing a game with some people who have been knitting all their lives. I am humbled and ...well sorry if this sounds like bragging but I will be honest...I am proud of myself!

Well check out the pictures and let me know what you think...

BY THE WAY: I really do think I have a problem...LOL...I have been dreaming about spinning! Its all that DARN DAVE's fault! sigh....and of course I don't have any of the tools I need to get started or to even try it LOL....doesn't always work that way? sheesh!

Round 5 Checklist!

2007-04-27T09:12:00.000-07:00

Round 5 of Sock Madness begins today! Woohoo...

8 choices of yarn...check
yarn all wound...check
swatches...check
guage measured...check
stitchmarkers...check
measuring tape...check
circular...check
2 sets dpn...just in case pattern ends up to hard for me to get on circular...check
large strong cup of coffee...check
day off from school work...check
friendly encouraging email from partner...check :-D ty Siri
internet connection working...check check
fingers limber...check
bottle of water...check
understanding honey who won't complain about me knitting for the next couple of days....SUPER CHECK lol

Now where is the pattern? (refressh...nope....refresh...nope...........)

THAT DARN DAVE!

2007-04-26T00:40:00.000-07:00

If you have not gone to his blog yet, you need to! Dave Daniels is a knitter, spinner, photograph and cute kitty Dad. lol...

I say that DARN DAVE because for years, long before I started knitting (July 07)...I have admired those that spin their own fiber...and then crochet or knit from the yarn that they spun and plyed...I have carefully avoided getting too interested in spinning because my yarn stash is way out of control...I mean WAY over the top huge...but then along comes Mr. Daniels who is not only a talented knitter...he also has a great eye for color (check out his dyed yarn for sale)....he also dyes his own roving and then spins and plys it himself...

He has the nerve to promote his hand spun, gorgeously dyed yarn on his blog...showing of how beautiful it is....teasing me into not only just looking at his pictures and coveting this fantastically spun fiber...he has just finally broken down my resolve and has MADE ME WANT TO SPIN MY OWN FIBER! THE NERVE! How dare he? He doesn't even know me for him to do me this way!

I just have to learn how to spin! I need to...it is imperative that I do this....I need spindles, a wheel and roving! My need to create my own yarn from scratch and then create knitted pieces of it has my mind whirling and has created the need in my yarn addicted heart to learn this medium of creativity!

Sigh...my poor honey! When I showed him pictures of Mr. Daniels hand spun yarn...he actually said "Well you can do that too...why not?" LMAO...he has no idea what he just said...poor man he feeds my addiction at every turn...and that MR. DANIELS has just pushed me over the edge....sheesh! What did I do to him? HOW DARE HE!

(ok I hope you all know this is in jest...Dave is extremely talented and I am in awe of his work, creativity and artist's soul...I must purchas his beautifully dyed yarn soon...If I can learn to spin any where near as well as he does then I will be a happy girl....oh and I WILL LEARN TO DO IT....aftering seeing the one of a kind fiber he created I just have to)

I am doomed...I thought my addiction could not go any further...it is about to go farther then I could have imagined. THANKS ALOT DAVE! (LOL)

My Sock Yarn

2007-04-25T20:07:00.000-07:00

Here are the six hanks of Knitpicks dye your own yarn that I dyed on Sunday. I also dyed some two lace weight but have not wound it up yet. Each of these is 440 yards. I used Wilton's as before. The top three I tried graduated color. It worked out really well though the picture doesn't show it well. I have A LOT of sock yarn but very little solid colors so I thought I would try making some colors that were not entirely solid but close to it. I just completed a swatch with US 1, Addi Turbos and got 8 stitches to the inch. I am really happy with it...I am planning on using one of these (or some Schaefer) for Round 5 of Sock Madness. The bottom far right cake was a dyeing mistake...I had done rainbow colors and the wanted black blocks but I guess the yarn was too wet and the black spread and weakened in color...I didn't think it looked good...but after it dried and I wound it...I was surprised by how it looked...there are flashes of bright color in between the muted blacks...super nice. Its also very soft to work with...the swatches knitted up into a really nice, upscale fabric.

When I wind the lace I will post a picture. I really enjoy dyeing yarn...it gives me creative freedom as well as control over the colors that I end up with. I would really like to dye some more and get my hands on a warping board and better dye but not sure where to get this stuff. I also don't know how much it would cost.

I am now ready for Round 5...I am almost finished witht he pair of cuff down Magic loops socks and today practiced toe-up Magic Loop...ripped it out though...I just wanted to be sure that I would understand a toe up version just in case the pattern is toe up. So BRING IT ON I AM READY TO GO! LOL

Sock Madness Round 4: Mad Weave Socks

2007-04-24T14:18:00.000-07:00

Yes I know, I know...I should have posted about this already. So I finished Round 4 and made it onto Round 5! Yeah me! It was my most challenging round yet...as well as the MOST challenging knitting pattern that I have done so far. That includes lace! When I was done I was exhausted...to say the least.

Pattern: Mad Weave by Tina Lorin
Materials: US 1 dpns, Claudia's Handpainted in two colorways...the lighter one is called "Purple Haze", unfortunately I could not find the label for the other colorway (sorry).
Time: I cast-on at about 6:45 am on Saturday the 14th and cast-off on Sunday at about 5:30 pm. I am told (by honey) that I spent about 28 hrs working on these socks! wowie zowie.

Thoughts: LOVE THIS PATTERN! Tina Lorin came up with a creative and unique design. Everything about this pattern was new to me with the exception of the ribbing. There are little mock-cables down the sides and dropped stitches which turn into this elongated cross stitched. Take a look at the flickr group so you can see the different effects from the different types of yarn that were used. My only problem with the socks is that they came out WAY too big for me. I followed the instructions to the letter, using the yarn and needles that were recommended but they came out really big. I was not the only one with this problem. Anyway, honey has a new pair of socks. Just to show how big they came out they fit him a little loose and he wears a size 13 shoe...they were supposed to be a medium sized woman's sock. LOL Btw...Claudia's is fantastic yarn to work with...the colors are vibrant and I got a nice soft fabric. I am think though that the Claudia's may be the reason the socks came out so big, it is a bit thicker then most other sock yarns. I want to do this pattern again but will probably use a thinner yarn and go down to US 0 needles.

Round 5 has been announced...it will begin on Friday (27 April). The specs given state that the designer created the socks using the Magic Loop method. This has been a method that I have wanted to try but have kept putting it off. We were told that we could use dpns if we wished but I have found in the past if I have to re-configure a pattern to use different tools that I get confused.

SOOOOOOO.....WHAT TO DO? LOL...well I Googled, "Magic Loop instructions" (I love Google...did you see their Earth Day graphic? Well done!) I came up with a ton of links that teach the technique. The best one I found is a video at Knittinghelp.com. So on Sunday I cast-on (from cuff down) and as of this morning I am at the point of picking up the gusset stiches! It is a REALY easy method...there is a trick to doing the gusset I believe but I didn't have time to figure that out yet. I am using a simple pattern from Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush. I have modified to make anklets, since this is for practice. I am hoping to try the toe-up method for magic loop before Friday (just in case the pattern is toe-up I want to be ready LOL) Oh and I am using a 40" Addi Turbo in US 0. When I finishe the sock I will post picture of them....Oh and I am doing two at a time...really really easy! I like doing socks on dpns but this technique is way cool and adds a new skill to my knitting toolbox.

I LOVE how much I have learned from being in Sock Madness, Magic Loop, Short Row heels (which are my fav so far), toe-up on dpns, cabling....oh and just to be ready I have been working on the Knitty.com pattern called "Pomatomus" by Cookie A...its a lace pattern, and so many other things that I could keep going on and on! Also, as I said before...the other players are way too much fun! The posts and comments on the flickr page can be hilarious.

Well, there ya go...I have some other things going on but for now this will be all!

Yarn Gifts

2007-04-18T15:12:00.000-07:00

About two weeks ago I recieved a lovely gift on Vikkie Day from my lovely Knitty Otter friend and Miss Monkey Socks (she doesn't have a blog yet...but we keep pushing her because she is a talented knitter and lots of fun to play yarn with and she show it off! hint hint to her!). I have been re-miss in posting about their generous gift and was reminded today when I recieved yet another gift of yarn.

They surprised me with this lovely Brown Sheep's Handpainted Original (colorway is Stormy Skies) that I was eyeing at our LYS had recently added to their inventory. I love the Handpainted Originial....yes I know its mostly Mohair and Mohair gets in the nose and tickles...but Brown Sheep just has a way with yarn and colors...it is really soft to work with, they yarns has this nice high quality yarn sheen, and when you wash and block the finished item the Mohair sort of "sits down"...which gives the finished piece an upscale look. If you haven't tried it yet...it really is worth it...at least once. They are the sweetest....they better watch out because I will be getting them back for pulling a surprise on me and catching me off gaurd....WAAHAHA (evil laugh!) BTW...this is the first yarn gift I have ever recieved...seriously...which makes it all the more special. Of all the things I have made (years of crocheting included) I never keep things for myself...Whatever I make from this IS MINE! :-D

Now for my second yarn gift...It is a gift from the Round 3 Sock Madness designer, Tricia Weatherton. She generously gifted me and Mt. Mom (a competitor in SM) with some sock yarn. Her lovely and generous gift arrived today. GREAT GIFT! This is the first time that I have recieved yarn in the mail which I did not order myself. It was so much fun to open the package to see what it was...I had no idea what she was going to choose (though she did ask us to give her some color choices...which I left mostly open saying that I really didn't have any solid colored sock yarn). This is what I recieved:

She enclosed a lovely note...with a picture of a knitted piece. The teal colored yarn is Panda Wool ...I have been WANTING to try this yarn, after seeing it mentioned online...none of the LYS sell it and I like to see/feel (umm well lets be honest MOLEST) yarn before I buy it. lol...So I have held back from ordering it online until such time as I could see it first hand. Well I have may chance now not only to see it but to try it out! YEAH ME! The picture doesn't show it up very well but its sort of graduated in color...so its almost solid and ....I LOVE IT! I couldn't have picked a better color for me! :-D The other skein is Trekking...in a colorway (#80) that I have not seen before...I really enjoy knitting with Trekking...its really great not only for socks but lace projects...the colorway is a variety of light purples, violets and lavender with a grey/teal stripping...super nice (here is a picture of the Trekking knitted up by one of my fellow SMers. It would make great socks but I think it would work up really nice in lace so I think I will save it for that. As with the other gift I WILL BE MAKING SOMETHING FOR ME from this! :-D MINE MINE MINE MINE........

Well, now after recieving these gifts I realize that I want to share something as well...so I am going to contribute to the LOOT for Sock Madness. I have a set of ebony needles that I am going to share. They are wonderful to work with and I think someone else would enjoy them. They are brand new, not used...lol.

These are from Susanne's made in Germany, US 7, 4.5 mm, 8" Dpns. The super nice thing about them is that brand new they have a mat finish/look but the more you use them the more they shine. The yarn polishes the needles. The other nice thing about them is that they are not as sticky as Birch, Bamboo and other wooden needles but not as slippery as metal or plastic. The tension and frabric I get from using these is really nice. I hope whomever gets them will enjoy them as much as I do! I have a short set for socks, a long set like these and a circular set. These are my favorite needles and great for all sorts of projects and yarns. My LYS carries a very nice selection, they are a bit on the expensive size but worth every penny!

Ok thats all for now...the next post will be about my Round 4 socks...promise!

No!

2007-04-16T15:42:00.000-07:00

I have Round 4 knitting to report, but for right now I will just tell you all I made it to Round 5...at this time I just don't want to write about it....Why? Because of this! As of right now I do not think that I know anyone who attends that school...but as a teacher and someone who works with young people...this tragedy is breaking my heart...I just keep thinking "NO! no...this did not happen again!" Thats all I have to say right now. My heart breaks for these students, teachers and families...

I am just sad...

The Round 3 Story

2007-04-11T22:16:00.000-07:00

Well Round 4 of Sock Madness starts on Saturday morning so I thought I better post about Round 3. LOL....there is a bit of a story to tell.

The Round 3 pattern came out at about 7:30 am (Eastern) on Wednesday the 4th...but I was sleeping since it was 3:30 in the west lol. I was up at about 9 am my time and cast-on almost immediately. Now, I cannot share the pattern here because its copyrighted....but I can explain it some...to begin with the pattern calls for these nice points on the edge of a fold over cuff...well I interpreted the pattern in such a way that I thought that I had to knit 11 pts per sock (22 total) and the join them together...well the pattern also said to kitchner it or sew it together but I couldn't see how to do this with each individual point. So I just made all 22 pts, cutting the each...so that meant each point had two tails...I then connected the points by picking up stitches with my dpns and then just knitted the cuff as per the rest of the pattern. But it wasn't working and I had a LOT of ends...which was very scary...here you can see for yourself:

I thought it would be faster if I knitted on both socks at the same time...so I kept knitting but it didn't work. The points were twisting and sticking out at odd angles. After knitting for about 3 to 4 inches on each cuff I knew it wasn't going to work...SOOOOO...sigh...I frogged it and cast-on a new...

This time with the help of the other participants I realized my mistake...I wasn't supposed to make individual points, it was supposed to be done in a strip and then the ends of the strips were grafted together. DUGH!, it was so easy, AND fast...making all those little points took a really long time, but it just wasn't correct...so even though I thought it might put me out I started over...I have to say that all of participants were really supportive. The designer (Tricia Weatherston) was as well, she posted to the flickr group and encouraged us. So after the frogging I had this (at about 7:10 pm):

I kept knitting until about 1:30 am (Thursday morning) when I couldn't do any more, was too tired. This is what I had at about that time:

The next day I had classes starting at 4 and had homework to finish. I went to school at about 3, threw together a couple of Math proofs for my 4 pm class...I am shocked I got them all right lol..., then I had another class at 5:30 and one more at 7:00 until 9:30 pm. As soon as I got home I picked up the knitting (I had managed to knit a bit in the morning before going to the University)...I stayed up until about 1:30 am (again)...the problem with this was that I had to get up at 4:30 to take Honey to the airport for a trip to Seattle...so I stayed up, put my IPod on and listend to one of the Harry Potter Audiobooks (Yes yes I am an HP fan...big time so there! :P~~~ ). I got back from the airport at about 6 am...I checked the SM page and found out that I made it! Wow! I couldn't believe it, I was in shock because I was sure that I would have been knocked out. Here are the completed socks:

I used Schaefer Anne sock yarn in one of their great colorways on U.S. 1.5 dpns (2.5mm). Really lovely, the yarn is nice and soft and the colors are bright and cheerful. The picture doesn't show it up well but there are blues and greens and a variety of yellows. The pattern was nice...you made the cuff first, then turned it inside out and did a ribbing, simple heel flap and easy peasy after that. The cuff was a little fiddly but I liked it alot and it has turned the creative wheels. Now that I get how to do the edging it lends itself to some different edgings, once I am out of the competition I am going to play around with it. The designer and one of the other players put beads into the points which was nice. I am thinking of lace edging or something funky. Can't wait to play with it.

Now the conclusion of this story was surprising. Yesterday our lovely game hosts announced some early prizes. Well I won a prize. I was choosen by the designer to win a prize that is coming from her, "for her incredible perseverance in getting through the garter stitch points". WOWIE ZOWIE, how cool. Seriously, I never win anything lol...and what a lovely reason to win something for! lol....I really think its amazing especially since I have not even been knitting a year yet. LOL...way cool...When I get my lovely gift I will be sure to post a picture so that I can share with everyone.

On to Round 4. We are told that we need 5 US 1 dpns and that the test socks were knitted with Claudia handpainted sock yarn and that the designer used Cherry Tree Hill...well I am ready. I just so happen to have some of both of those yarns! I am ready to go. This is so much fun. The most fun are the people. The other knitters are just great!

Ok...so...Happy Easter...or...Happy Spring!

2007-04-08T18:45:00.000-07:00

...whichever is your preference I respect it.

Well its a holiday weekend but I wasn't really into it until about 30 minutes ago....why? Well...I will tell you...LOL...

Honey, is traveling and visiting in Seattle...it is his personal business so I will just say it is a family thing...special and important...and I am VERY GLAD that he is there though I could not go...its all cool.

So, honey calls me and says..."Did you get an email?"..."Yes" me says...(lol)..."umm didn't you have something else?"...."What do you mean? It was cute...I clicked the link for the e-card...really cute bunny and chickey dancing...hehehe (giggle giggle) I liked it"...honey says "No...there was more in the message around the card...you didn't read it all"....."Oh duh honey...silly me"......SO I re-open the email....click the link again and scroll down...low and behold there is a message.....um DUH! LOL...if you know me you are not surprised....shrugs...lol
The message says Honey is an Easter Bunny helper and if he did his job right there is an Easter surprise in the 4th draw of Honey's' dresser....so with him on the phone I bounce down the hall and count "1...2...3...4!" LOL....open it an there is a cute yellow flowered gift bag with a cute pink soft bunny, bag of chocolate Dove eggs, a sweet card and lovely smelling lotion and bath gel!.....Squeel...yeah sorry I Squeeled...don't usually but honey has a way of doing that to me....hehehe (red face) lucky me (wink). He is a doll...I miss him....I am very glad that he went on this trip for his own sake but it makes me appreciate him all the more....if that make sense...

Ok sooooooooo as for the rest of weekend....well since I have been remiss in my posting I am going to spread it out....BECAUSE...what started out to be a lame weekend ended up being REALLY GREAT....due mostly impart to the Miss Knitty Otter! So I will post about THAT tomorrow!

I will also post about Round 3 of Sock Madness....I MADE IT TO ROUND 4...WOW...and when you hear about what happened with my big screw up you will be amazed that I made it......well....umm you might be interested a little bit or at least say "Oh thats nice" lol

Lazy Me!

2007-04-01T13:58:00.000-07:00

Oh boy, have I ever been lazy about posting. Just realized this morning that my last post was on the 23rd...oopsie. I have been knitting, as usual, several projects at once:
1. Chevron Scarf style pattern with Lang from a free Berrocco Pattern.
2. Entrelac stole also with Lang, fron the Scarf Style book.
3. Lace scarf with Schaefer's Anne from Arctic Lace
4. Another lace project with yarn I dyed in purple.
5. Still have an entrelac felted bag waiting to have a handle and closure put on.
6. STILL have the felted Booga bag that needs a handle.
7. Round 3 of Sock Madness starts on Wednesday, so I will have that project.
8. Trying to learn to do socks on two circulars...started out trying to do two at once but that wasn't working so better start with one, lol.

Where are the pictures of all these projects?....ummm...yeah pictures...hmm? thats a thought...lol

Have had a couple of Saturdays that were alot of fun...hung out with knitters. One saturday the LYS had a pj knitting party. OH MY GOD WAS THAT FUN! The Knitty Otter lady made yummy Margaritas...and there was food enough for triple the number that attended. The party started at 6 pm and ended at 1 am. It was so much fun. On another Saturday, honey had to take care of some business calls...he dropped me of at the LYS and I laughed so much all day that my face hurt. Did you know that Otter's are hilarious (wink to the Knitty Otter)?!? Monkey Socks is also a HOOT! (NO blog for her....HINT HINT TO HER!)

I have been reading a lot of blogs lately....there are truely some talented people out there...talented writers and knitters. Funny, funny people...I have been using Bloglines to keep track of all the blogs...lol...I mistakenly thought that it would save me time but I just seem to keep adding to my Blog Roll...LOL...

I will try and get myself together and take pictures of my projects. Don't know why I have been absent minded about it...lol...but there ya go! Well Round 3 starts this week and I will have to post pictures of my socks so that will be something at least ...lol... I have partnered with one of the Caroles in the contest...I wanted to extend her a friendly hello but no link for her on the list.

Wish me luck on this next round!

Madtini Socks!

2007-03-23T19:30:00.000-07:00

Whew! Completed Round 2 of Sock Madness. Wow...this was a super nice pattern to knit. It was easy to understand and fun. I used Trekking XXL in colorway 100...on U.S. 2 dpns (3.00 mm). The pattern is called Mad-tini Socks, designed by Karin Bole.

Before anyone asks: "Why didn't you match up the stripes?" Good question...I did try but funny thing about this colorway is that the stripes do not repeat...each color change is different from any others in the skein. So the socks match but not exactly.

The picture doesn't do the pattern justice and the yarn is a bit busy for the pattern but there are some unique things about it. Here is a clear picture of the pattern that was done as a smaple. First off the cuffs are really stretchy because the ribbing is done without any purls..its knitting with YO (aka Wrns....British term for the same thing...learn something new everyday!)...the YO are pulled over two knit stitches...makes for a woven look on the cuff...the leg has this spiriling effect which I think can be seen better in a less busy yarn....also the heel flap was a new for me....it is an "Eye of Patridge Heel"...makes the flap cushy...

I feel bad that the person (sopranospinner) I was matched up with had her non-knitting life intrude on her knitting life and could not participate as much as she would have liked. However, like the first round...the other competitors were supportive and helpful. It was fun!