ALIVE, ALIVE, ALIVE!

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!

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

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

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!

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

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...

...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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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...

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

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...

...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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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...

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...

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

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)...

...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

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

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

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

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

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...)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!