I was lying in bed when I realized I didn't blog today and since I promised myself I'd blog daily, I got up to do it. Really I was already 1/2 asleep but here I am at the computer.
I didn't get the cardi completely done today. I'm working on the bottom of the body, I have a few more inches to go then I'll be done. There's some trim work before the yucky finishing parts but hopefully I'll get that done tomorrow.
I wonder if the pattern designer wants to hear my thoughts about her pattern. There are some issues with it. The pattern says to slip 2 knit wise, knit one, then psso. Well, if you only pass one stitch over, you increase on every row. What the pattern really should say is P2SSO. Plus it annoys the crap out of me that she didn't put in row counts. I could go on and on, but I won't because it would probably be boring.
I found a really cute pattern for a wrap dress that I want to make, but it's made with lightweight yarn, and the yarn I have is worsted. I'm not talented enough to adapt a pattern. I also want to make the Flore hat for Cee-Cee, but I can't find anywhere with all the colors of Tahki Cotton Classic that I want. Seems like these must be unpopular colors. I can order them from the Tahki website but the shipping charges are outrageous. I'm going to have to consider it, but since I bought the hat pattern already I fell compelled to knit it.
I had PT today and K. really killed my shoulder. She did some massage that hurt like HELL and some exercises that I tolerated. She also did some ultrasound which I can't tell if it does anything or not. My shoulder hurts worse than usual today so I was in bed lying with an ice pack on when I got up to blog. Guess I should get back to the ice pack.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Yarn porn
Well I got the 2nd sleeve done today no thanks to K. I'm busy working away on the cardi (which is for her daughter, BTW) when she pulls up in my driveway. I threw a blanket over it quickly (it's a surprise) as she walked up to my porch. She says "get in the car, let's go get gyro's and the kids can play in the pool." I couldn't say no to gyros, and since it was 90 degrees today I figured the kids deserved a play in the pool. I didn't get home until right before the boys got home. I worked furiously until DH got home. It was too damn hot to cook dinner so we picked up burgers from the burger joint and then the kids played in the sprinkler. I took a shower, and then finished off the 2nd sleeve. I put the rest of the stitches back on the circular and knit 2 rows. I'm pretty happy with what I accomplished today. The first picture is of what the whole thing looks like, and the second is a close up of the sleeve.
The next picture is yarn porn. A big bag 'o yarn from KP for Anouk and a Good Guest Dress. Then, of course, yarn closeups. Every good yarn deserves a closeup.
I am proud to say, that even though the pattern designer for the cardi didn't give stitch counts at the end of the add stitch rows, I managed to come up right. That's one thing I want to make sure I do when I design patterns. It really sucks to be knititng along and not be sure you have the right number of stitches. I think that each time a row count changes, the designer should note the new number of stitches to help out the stitcher.
And what's with this "stitch until length is ........ in" crap? Tell me how many freaking rows to knit. If I'm knitting via THEIR gauge, they should tell me how many row to knit. I was afraid my sleeves wouldn't come out the same length as I had some issues with row counting, but they seem to be the same length so that's good. Maybe I could take it off the circs tomorrow and thread it onto some yarn so Cee-Cee can try it on. She's a little smaller than A. but at least it will give me an idea of size.
I've got to get to bed tonight before midnight. I'm sick of being exhausted in the morning. I can nap, but I have PT at 3:45 so I'll be sore and tired after that. My shoulder for some reason hurts more today than it has been. I took a pain pill and it helped a little.
I need to think about yarn shopping for the summer swap. The person I'm sending to seems really nice and I've had fun chatting with her. I got an email from the person who has my name and I wrote back but haven't heard from her again. I love making new friends.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
One sleeve down, one to go!
I got the first sleeve done today. The cuff is REALLY cute, kind of a tulipy pattern when done. It was a PITA to knit on DPN's, the bane of my existence. I don't have a cable long enough to do magic loop, and I don't know if I quite get that anyway. I will have more time to knit tomorrow (no Mom's group to eat into my knitting time!) so hopefully I'll get the other sleeve done and get the rest of the body back on the circs.
My MMMMMMMMMalabrigo arrived today, and of my FREAKING GOD it's better than I ever thought it would be. The M is the yarn for my super top secret project and I am SO itching to get started. But I promised myself I'd finish the cardi first. So I'll piss and moan about it, but I'm going to wait. I did, however, wind it into balls which I love to do so much. I could wind yarn all day long now that I have a swift and ball winder. That reminds me, Cee-Cee was playing with the swift and broke one of the wood pieces. We ended up just taking it off and it works fine without it for now. The piece needs a good dose of wood glue, and perhaps some tape to cover any poky ends. I was seriously pissed when it happened, but she's only 2 1/2, and I left it out so I should have expected something like that to happen.
I also got all the KP shine worsted I ordered to make the Anouk for R. and a Good Guest Dress for Cee-Cee. I was so excited to get 2 boxes in the mail, and I should get the Nature Cotton tomorrow I hope. I may have to start the Clapotis even though I didn't finish my other project because it's already late for it's Mother's Day date. When Mom was here this weekend she saw the Booga I made for K. and asked me to make her one. I totally expected that and had already bought the yarn for it. She bitches about being allergic to wool but when she saw the Booga she couldn't wait to get one. They are pretty darn cute.
I'm going to try my hand at designing some bootees. I have some patterns I like, but they are all for 2 or 3 weight yarn, and I need to make them out of the worsted M. So I'm going to design my own I guess. I'll wirte down what I do as I go, because I'll never be able to replicate if I don't.
I'm reading the 2nd book in Mary Kruger's mysteries about knitting. I actually like them. They are a good read, quick but interesting. In case anyone reading this is interested in other books about knitting, I've read most and will do a quick review.
The Friday Night Knitting Club was fabulous. I loved the characters and the storyline really held my attention. The ending was sad (I won't ruin it for anyone).
The Knitting Circle: A Novel was really good too. The story line proved to me that one can always find something in common with another person, no matter how different they seem. It reminds me to always find the good in everyone.
Knit One, Kill Two, Needled to Death, and A Deadly Yarn are fun. I see that a fourth book was just put out, I'll be off to Amazon to get that soon. I enjoy a good mystery and if it involves yarn, it really holds my interest.
I'm planning on getting the "Blossom Street" series. I'll review them at another time.
My MMMMMMMMMalabrigo arrived today, and of my FREAKING GOD it's better than I ever thought it would be. The M is the yarn for my super top secret project and I am SO itching to get started. But I promised myself I'd finish the cardi first. So I'll piss and moan about it, but I'm going to wait. I did, however, wind it into balls which I love to do so much. I could wind yarn all day long now that I have a swift and ball winder. That reminds me, Cee-Cee was playing with the swift and broke one of the wood pieces. We ended up just taking it off and it works fine without it for now. The piece needs a good dose of wood glue, and perhaps some tape to cover any poky ends. I was seriously pissed when it happened, but she's only 2 1/2, and I left it out so I should have expected something like that to happen.
I also got all the KP shine worsted I ordered to make the Anouk for R. and a Good Guest Dress for Cee-Cee. I was so excited to get 2 boxes in the mail, and I should get the Nature Cotton tomorrow I hope. I may have to start the Clapotis even though I didn't finish my other project because it's already late for it's Mother's Day date. When Mom was here this weekend she saw the Booga I made for K. and asked me to make her one. I totally expected that and had already bought the yarn for it. She bitches about being allergic to wool but when she saw the Booga she couldn't wait to get one. They are pretty darn cute.
I'm going to try my hand at designing some bootees. I have some patterns I like, but they are all for 2 or 3 weight yarn, and I need to make them out of the worsted M. So I'm going to design my own I guess. I'll wirte down what I do as I go, because I'll never be able to replicate if I don't.
I'm reading the 2nd book in Mary Kruger's mysteries about knitting. I actually like them. They are a good read, quick but interesting. In case anyone reading this is interested in other books about knitting, I've read most and will do a quick review.
The Friday Night Knitting Club was fabulous. I loved the characters and the storyline really held my attention. The ending was sad (I won't ruin it for anyone).
The Knitting Circle: A Novel was really good too. The story line proved to me that one can always find something in common with another person, no matter how different they seem. It reminds me to always find the good in everyone.
Knit One, Kill Two, Needled to Death, and A Deadly Yarn are fun. I see that a fourth book was just put out, I'll be off to Amazon to get that soon. I enjoy a good mystery and if it involves yarn, it really holds my interest.
I'm planning on getting the "Blossom Street" series. I'll review them at another time.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Progress
I worked on the cardi for quite a while today. I got finished with the top, now I'm working on the first sleeve. Let me tell you, that was a challenge to get that going right. I looks kind of ugly right now but I hope that by the time I get to knitting the bottom of the sweater under the sleeve it will hide the ugly bits. I'm knitting on DPN's now, not my favorite but I've yet to master the magic loop. I don't have a loop long enough anyway. Maybe when I put in that huge KP order I should have ordered one (along with another 36" one to replace the one that Bella (my dog, not my kid) ate. Well, she didn't eat it, just chewed it in half so it's useless. Good thing the kit came with 2 in each length. Hopefully my Malabrigo will come for my super top secret project too. And maybe the Nature Cotton for Mom's Clapotis. All these projects, and so little time!
I accomplished 2 of my tasks today. I did get a shower (needed to wash that stink off my body), and I got the Booga felted. It turned out fabulous, BTW. It's now drying on the requisite Tupperware Cereal Keeper. It just happens to be the perfect size (thanks to the person on knittinghelp.com who posted that she'd used one for her Booga).
My KP order should be here this week. The tracker says it should come tomorrow! Whoopie. I'd like to get started on Anouk too since it's for the same family as the Booga and Tater's Cardi. My good friend K. (I'm avoiding using people's real names, except for my own that is) When I had my surgery, she did more for me than anyone else did. She cleaned my house for me, brought me dinner, and even took me to the doctor's office an hour away. All this with a 3 year old and a 3 month old. She is one of the best friend's a girl could have and I've only known her for about 9 months. She and I can be total opposites on some levels, but we seem to mesh.
Tomorrow is my last Mom's group meeting for the year. It's been so much fun getting to know the ladies out here in our little town. We plan to get together over the summer but it won't be the same.
Off to work on the cardi some more.
I accomplished 2 of my tasks today. I did get a shower (needed to wash that stink off my body), and I got the Booga felted. It turned out fabulous, BTW. It's now drying on the requisite Tupperware Cereal Keeper. It just happens to be the perfect size (thanks to the person on knittinghelp.com who posted that she'd used one for her Booga).
My KP order should be here this week. The tracker says it should come tomorrow! Whoopie. I'd like to get started on Anouk too since it's for the same family as the Booga and Tater's Cardi. My good friend K. (I'm avoiding using people's real names, except for my own that is) When I had my surgery, she did more for me than anyone else did. She cleaned my house for me, brought me dinner, and even took me to the doctor's office an hour away. All this with a 3 year old and a 3 month old. She is one of the best friend's a girl could have and I've only known her for about 9 months. She and I can be total opposites on some levels, but we seem to mesh.
Tomorrow is my last Mom's group meeting for the year. It's been so much fun getting to know the ladies out here in our little town. We plan to get together over the summer but it won't be the same.
Off to work on the cardi some more.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Knitting Day
Today I was able to knit most of the day on the cardi. This is how far I am, although it kind of looks like a big old lump because the needles are so short. I should probably switch to longer ones, but it won't be long before I put parts on stitch holders and only knit part at at ime. This yarn is a PITA. I hope I survive this project.
Incidentally, here's a very nice picture of the yarn when it arrived, looking all purty in it's skeins. That was before the 4 hour nightmare of untangling 1 skein. The rest went smoothly but that one tried to kill me. I ordered this yarn from a lady who sells on Ebay and custom dyes it. I said I wanted pink, and pink is what I got, don't you think? I'm considering ordering from her again. She's easy to deal with, and prompt. Plus she doesn't charge outrageous shipping rates, just exact shipping. None of that $2 item, $20 shipping crap that is out there. But I do know I won't get chenille again.
I caved and ordered some Araucania Nature Cotton to make a Clapotis http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall04/PATTclapotis.html for mom. I was going to make her Mom's day (I know it's late, but I have an excuse, I had shoulder surgery) scarf out of lace weight yarn (and I even have it) but it would probably take me until NEXT Mother's Day if I did that so I caved. I got a really great deal on the yarn so I don't feel guilty. I would have loved to use the LL Lion and Lamb it called for, but I couldn't justify that expense for a scarf. I can't even justify spending $50 on yarn to make a sweater yet. But I haven't really found a sweater pattern I love yet so that is a moot point.
Things I need to do tomorrow (but most likely won't get done)
--Balance the checkbook (haven't done it in a month)
--Take a shower (remember, I'm still in a sling so it's a struggle)
--Finish cleaning off my desk (ha ha ha)
--Throw away all unwanted papers on the desk
--Get the Booga bag felted
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Yarn Shopping
Today we went to N's birthday party, and over to the B. household afterward to play and have dinner. M. and I took a walk about 1/2 mile from her house and there is a neat little yarn store there. They had 3 lovely rooms full of yarn, and one room just for patterns, needles, etc. I was in heaven. I got to touch the MMMMMMMMMMMMMMalabrigo (so glad I ordered some), along with other unmentionables (yarn porn). I did give in a buy 1 skein ($17) of recycled sari silk to make a skinny scarf with. It is gorgous and oh so soft. I'll try to take a picture tomorrow just to show off.
They also had some Araucania Patagonia Nature Cotton, and now I really wish I had some. It's absolutely gorgeous, soft, yummy, etc. I couldn't justify buying any without anything to knit with it. I guess I'll have to come up with something. I did check out a pattern I was thinking of buying and decided it was too much work (and too expensive) to knit with the Patagonia.
The birthday party was at a rock climbing gym, and since I'm still in the sling I didn't get to participate. Fortunately for us gimp parents, there was a couch and I was able to get a good start on Tater's Cotton Cardi. I'm not totally in love with the yarn (I love the color, but chenille is hard to work with) but I'm going to stick with it. It's not too difficult a pattern, so hopefully it won't take me too long to finish it.
We got home really late but I'm still awake so I think I'll knit some more. I'd rather knit than sleep right now. LOL
They also had some Araucania Patagonia Nature Cotton, and now I really wish I had some. It's absolutely gorgeous, soft, yummy, etc. I couldn't justify buying any without anything to knit with it. I guess I'll have to come up with something. I did check out a pattern I was thinking of buying and decided it was too much work (and too expensive) to knit with the Patagonia.
The birthday party was at a rock climbing gym, and since I'm still in the sling I didn't get to participate. Fortunately for us gimp parents, there was a couch and I was able to get a good start on Tater's Cotton Cardi. I'm not totally in love with the yarn (I love the color, but chenille is hard to work with) but I'm going to stick with it. It's not too difficult a pattern, so hopefully it won't take me too long to finish it.
We got home really late but I'm still awake so I think I'll knit some more. I'd rather knit than sleep right now. LOL
Friday, May 25, 2007
Found it--top secret project yarn
The perfect yarn for a super secret project. I'll show a picture of it, and you can just guess what I'm going to make with it. Isn't it BOOTIFUL?
I'm desperately trying to get this baby blanket done (maybe I'll post pictures later) so I can get started on Tater's Cotton Cardi ( http://www.thegarterbelt.com/ms_tater.html ) for A. I have a big shipment of yarn coming from KnitPicks too (don't tell DH!) that has enough yarn for a few projects in it too. I have enough yarn to keep me busy for the next few months but I can't help but want to buy more. I finally got a binder and page protectors for all my freebie patterns. I spent yesterday arranging those. Then today I printed a bunch more. Of course I don't print anything I don't want to make right away.
Beyond tired
I've been on the net for hours trying to find the perfect yarn. I still haven't found it. Well, I've found it over and over again, but unfortunately the yarns I found were way out of my price range. I've got an email in to my custom dyer (ha ha, sounds like she's an assassin or something) to see what she can do.
I'm knitting again at about the pace I was before my surgery. I had therapy for the first time today and it hurt. She moved my shoulder around like I haven't done for 2 weeks . I get a reprieve this Monday since it's Memorial Day, so I don't have to go back until Thursday. I'm supposed to do these exercises several times a day and I'm going to try to be good.
I spent half the day on the phone with the damn insurance company trying to get all this mess straightened out with my surgery. I think I FINALLY talked to someone today who didn't have her head up her ass.
I'd like to start posting my knitting patterns. Should I charge for them or not is the question. I'd like to make some cashola from all the work I did. I was able to find someone who is going to test knit some of my designs to check for errors.
I'm knitting again at about the pace I was before my surgery. I had therapy for the first time today and it hurt. She moved my shoulder around like I haven't done for 2 weeks . I get a reprieve this Monday since it's Memorial Day, so I don't have to go back until Thursday. I'm supposed to do these exercises several times a day and I'm going to try to be good.
I spent half the day on the phone with the damn insurance company trying to get all this mess straightened out with my surgery. I think I FINALLY talked to someone today who didn't have her head up her ass.
I'd like to start posting my knitting patterns. Should I charge for them or not is the question. I'd like to make some cashola from all the work I did. I was able to find someone who is going to test knit some of my designs to check for errors.
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