Calling on Kahlo

Ohhh...another project

2010-01-29T19:52:00.002-05:00

When stressed it results in a bad case of startitis. Granted, I finished the Infinity Scarf, I have now started the Wedge scarf in sock yarn. In fact, I am using the Madelintosh Sock Yarn which I picked up from Patricia's Yarns. It is a relatively quick pattern and if I actually paid attention the garter stitch bars would be even in between the lace.

Unfortunately, the return to scarves and the kerchiefs have led to the afghans being put on the side. Yet, I still find some yummy yarn for a blanket and I cannot resist. For example three skeins of Eco + on sale for a killer price at stix.

Before you ask, the answer is obviously another Hemlock Ring Blanket. The real question is do I make the blanket for myself or a family member.

Although, after the Wedge scarf is done, I am really contemplating about the Gaia Shoulder Hug on Noro Kureyon.

2010-01-25T18:36:00.002-05:00

Yeah! I am sorta back.

Ben and I went to Hoboken this past Saturday for some exploration. We found a coffee shop where I tasted the most delicious drink called a Sugar and Spice Latte. It was a beautiful day to explore downtown Hoboken.

More importantly, I finally made it to Patricia's Yarn. This was a reconaissance mission. I loved the Madelentosh Yarn. The sock yarn above in Thricket color is being made into the Wedge scarf pattern from Berroco. I was really tempted by the Spud and Chloe Sweater yarn. Hmmm, I am definitely heading back to pick up that yarn. As well, they have a great selection of Koigu. If you stop by grab a bite to eat at the Hoboken Cafe (right up the block) as they crepes, paninis, and wraps.

Ironically, I have been knitting the 5th Avenue Infinity Scarf which one of the employees of PY designed. I had some skeins of SWTC Karaoke in the stash which came out oh so nicely.

It is a very easy pattern to memorize.

Source: 5th Ave Infinity Scarf by Tenten knits
Needles: Knitpicks (the acrylic ones), size 7, 40" circular
Yarn: SWTC Karaoke Color 279
Loved: Super quick knit and easy. It looks really nice when I wear it. Great for a gift.
Hated: Nothing. Although, if I redid it I would cast on less as mine appears very long.

Ten Stitch Blanket Feeding my habit

2009-02-21T13:32:00.000-05:00

I have been agressively reducing my stash for various reasons including a declutter frenzy and I feel guilty having yarn I am not using taking up space. I noticed that a lot of stuff I am destashing has been my early purchases of yarn. Well, all went well until this Ten Stitch Blanket entered my life and all I had was four skeins of Noro Silk Garden Lite. Sheila gave me as a gift which I completely appreciate because I love the yarn and it is a pretty colorway. It sat in my stash for a while hanging out in a box with other skeins of Noro and some Karaoke. When I started this blanket it was on a goof.

I am addicted to it and I want to finish. Now, I realize I can knit this blanket utilizing different colorways of Noro but I am boring and a traditionalist. After Googling the name and colorway, I found skeins available on Seaport Yarns and Yarn and Fiber Shop. Yarn and Fiber was slightly cheaper but was offering free shipping. I ordered this yarn on Thursday and got it Saturday and it was free shipping. I am very happy.

Irony: the money I made on yarn destashing went to purchase this yarn. Go figure!

Hot Mama Socks and Ten Stitch Blanket

2009-02-19T19:26:00.000-05:00

I found the ten stitch blanket and Ravery. Yummy. So, I pulled out the four skeins of Noro I have and started and knitting. I then realized that this colorway is discontinued. I wanted to stick with this color, so after research I found two shops that sell the specific colorway and sadly for full price. Ironically, the shop emailed me a coupon for their store right after the purchase.

Here is the blanket (without the cat posing).

Here are the Hot Mama Socks. My aunt, Titi Estelle, wanted a pair of socks. Titi Vicky wanted conservative socks in earth tone colors which worked out very well. Estelle wants socks to reflect her personality. She is pink and red, so I found this skein of Colinette Jitterbug in Cherry colorway ( a few people at the shop voted on the color). I think she will enjoy them.

Irony of irony is that both of my aunts live in warm areas (Florida and Puerto Rico). Yet, they want the socks and I love them so socks are coming.

More knitted stuff...

2009-01-28T20:39:00.000-05:00

So, I combined two patterns into this one and sorta just went with it. I hope it fits the baby it is intended (at some point in its lifetime).
It is the Cascade Superwash Handpainted yarn which is really nice to knit.

I thought the buttons were very cute and afterwards I realized I could have made the heart pattern larger.
If I made it again I would make the body in one color and the trim and heart in a contrasting color. I am still thinking about this whole pattern process.

Of course, another baby surprise jacket. I intentionally buy the Socks that Rock mediumweight at Rhinebeck just to make some baby surprises. I am going to attempt a hood to go on top just for something different. At this point all my STR is gone until Rhinebeck 2009.
Speaking of Rhinebeck (nine months away) I finally picked up the Sheldridge Farms yarn and I am so in love with this yarn. It is incredibly soft to knit and it definitely deserves its name "Soft Touch". I will post photos of the sweater I am making. Again, I am just playing with a sweater pattern from Custom Knits but making modifications here and there.

We had a good time during our snow day today. I made Farina for breakfast and pizza triscuits for lunch and chili for dinner. Luckily we had a movie from Netflix so Ben was able to finally appreciate Best in Show. Lots of knitting took place AND I took a mid day nap. It was a great snow day!

Hats and more hats...

2009-01-27T22:10:00.000-05:00

I have a slightly obssessive personality. I call them Monk-isms, named after my favorite tv character.

So, when I wanted a quick and mindless project and thought I would also finish off some orphan skeins, the umbilical cord baby hat from stitch n' bitch. Sheila had given me some Adrienne Vittadini Diana (cotton blend) skeins which turned into two hats.

The two skeins of Scoubi Dou I had leftover turned into two hats.

So, then I found some Cascade Superwash Handpainted yarn in the cute baby colorway. I made the quick baby sweater for a newborn and then made a matching hat with the leftover yarn.

Here's the sweater! It is a gift for someone at work.

Well, I am hoping there is a snow day tomorrow, let's keep our fingers croseed.

If I do, I will be working on the Log Cabin Blanket (three skeins from finishing) and a top down sweater in Shelridge Farms Soft Touch Yarns. Ok, the Shelridge Farms yarn is so incredibly soft to knit that I am thinking of picking up more yarn for another sweater. hmmmm.... It is really nice. For anyone going to Rhinebeck in October definitely check this vendor out!

2008 Wrap-Up

2009-01-01T15:45:00.002-05:00

2007 Completed Projects
Lady February Sweater
5 hr Baby Sweater
Pretty in Pink Baby Sweater
Harlotty Baby Surprise Jacket
Atkins Baby Surprise Jacket
Cotton Baby Hat
Titi Vicky's Socks
Maya's Pretty in Pink Dog Sweater
Bright Dishcloth
Ben's House Scarf
Seed Stitch Scarf
Hemlock Blanket
Spring Fling Jacket
Simple Stockinette Socks in Claudia handpainted
Simple Stockinette Socks in Jitterbug
Upside down daisy hat
Pineapple Colada Hat

2007 UFO/WIP
Hex Coat
Log Cabin Blanket
Big Bad Baby Blanket
Ravenclaw Scarf

2008 Goals & Projects
Modern Lap Blanket (for Ben's Office)
Entrelac Wrap
Girasole

Happy New Year!

Updates

2009-01-01T15:44:00.000-05:00

The retired Log Cabin Blanket was pulled out on the first night of my Christmas break. I finished the red band (on the right), the green band, and the brown. I am a few skeins away from finishing this generous lap blanket. I will probably start another lap blanket for Ben's office when I finish this one.

This is some Queensland Chunky I bought years ago and I attempted to mimic Ben's house scarf when he was in school in the UK.

This seed stitch scarf coordinates with my winter jacket. I love this yarn!

A bright and colorful dishcloth made out of Cotton Classic.

I really am hoping to finish this log cabin blanket this weekend. We all have goals.

Feliz Navidad

2008-12-25T13:13:00.003-05:00

We are having a quiet Christmas this year (nothing new for us). We did our traditional Beef Bourgonion (spelling?) last night and enjoyed the Haagen Daz Peppermint Bark ice cream while watching The Ref.

Obviously, I have been MIA for quite some time. Since I have a week off from work I plan on catching up with a few things like:

Rescued kittens from behind Thai Chef
Knitting (or lack thereof)
New Job
Year Wrap-ups

Until then as Jose Feliciano sings...

Feliz Navidad!

I am so in love...

2008-08-17T20:38:00.001-04:00

With the new Punta yarns Mericash Handpainted. I started a plain seed stitch scarf and there is no pattern or color pooling. The yarn feels amazing and I just love all the new colors stix got in to the shop. I am making a scarf for myself (I think).

I have a lot of button sewing to do tonight. sigh.

What I really need to do is organize my knitting room. A few friends gave me yarn and I have finished projects that seriously need to be mailed out so that plus cats chilling out equals a day of organizing my space and cleaning.

Other than that, I spent three hours shoveling rocks into barrels to get my fall planting ready. Can I just say that white rocks should be illegal on a lawn. All two tons of white rocks. If anybody wants white rocks email me they look lovely covering a backyard (yeah, right).

It's done.

2008-08-17T00:55:00.000-04:00

Well, I don't have finished pictures but here is work in progress.

This was how much I finished when I got back from Vermont.

This was a week later.

I finished the sweater but just need to weave in ends and sew buttons. Speaking of sewing buttons, I have a few baby sweaters that need buttons to be sewn on primarily because the babies are born.

Actually, there has been no knitting going on lately since I got a job. Yup, I graduated in May and got my certificate from NJ two months later, and yes, I have a job that starts in two weeks. I am very excited and also incredibly anxious.

I did start a seed stitch scarf today in the new Punta yarn we got at stix-n-stitches. OMG, I am so in love with this yarn. So far, no pooling. Tomorrow, I clean the house and read paperwork.

Vermont...I'm Back

2008-07-27T21:15:00.000-04:00

I did a tour of 10 (out of 18) colleges in Vermont. I loved the cat from University of Vermont. It was extremely interesting and informative. Although, I am very happy to be back in the Garden State where a bagel tastes like a bagel and coffee is strong and aromatic.

Of the 20 hours on the bus, I passed four yarn shops and did not make it inside the walls of any of them. Sigh.

I did make great progress on the Lady February Sweater and then realized I was not paying attention and spent one night ripping back ten or so rows. Here is the sweater the night I ripped.

Here is the progress on Saturday at the shop. I am now on the lace section which gets to be a little boring. I am loving Creme, the yarn is silk and wool and feels oh so nice. I always resisted buying because it doesn't feel so nice in the ball, but when you knit-it's all good.

Ok, I am getting back to Law & Order Criminal Intent.

She's a lady...

2008-07-19T21:53:00.000-04:00

Well, I am not, but I certainly hope this creme and the other skeins I picked up will be transformed into the Lady February Sweater.

I am really excited because this is not a color I commonly use or wear and thus stepping outside my color comfort zone.

It's Saturday night and I have my pattern, some Sprite, and the beginning of the sweater which I cast on at stix-n-stitches today.

Warning: Future Rant
Okay, so I rarely go to the movies but I caved and went to see Hellboy 2 with my husband. We got there early, we got our snacks, and we got a good seat. Perfect, until a woman came in with two young kids after the movie started and of course sat next to us. My inner monologue began wondering how much talking would take place. Oh man, way too much, and most of it by the mom. I think my tolerance reached its peak when in the middle of the movie she yelled at her daughter (who was too young to be in the movie) because the little girl had to go to the bathroom. When she returned she snapped at her son for not paying attention to the movie and explaining what happened. She wanted her son to explain what a "Forest God" was something I as an adult watching the movie could not explain. All of this further reinforces why I have a Netflix subscription and rarely go to the movie.

Baby Stuff

2008-07-12T20:34:00.000-04:00

I am not broody, I am just determined to cut down on my stash. I have been de-stashing some of my yarn on Ravelry which makes me feel good that I am clearing space up in my office.

I made another Pretty Newborn Baby Sweater in Debbie Bliss Cotton Angora in a teal.

I picked out some buttons and just need to sew them. The yarn is yummy. And it's a great stash-buster because now that yarn is gone and done.

This baby sweater will go to someone some day.

And this will become another Baby Surprise Jacket. I have been oogling and desiring this Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Yarn for months now and finally took the plunge to Baby Surprise it. I do have someone in mind for this project.

Next Saturday we start the Lady February Sweater KAL. I still have not formally decided on the yarn. Decisions, decisions, decisions.

Busy Busy

2008-07-08T22:31:00.000-04:00

One addiction of Ravelry is finding new patterns. When you friend someone you can totally check out all the things they add to their queue and thus find new projects. Thus, the Pretty Baby Sweater. I am under the impression this is a variation of the 5 hour baby sweater. I knit it in a few hours.

It's knit in Scoubidou in a pink variegated color and it only took two skeins. Granted this is for a newborn, I was impressed how quickly it knit as well as how little yarn. This will be someone's gift someday. I have two more skeins left which means another sweater for someone else but another day for the second one.

I have to admit I have a second one on the needles with leftover Debbie Bliss Cotton Angora in teal. Hmmm...

Updates...

2008-07-05T23:39:00.000-04:00

Ok, so I finally added the buttons to the Baby Surprise Jacket. This is good because the baby boy was born recently and I love his name: Flyn Thomas. How cool! So, he gets a cool jacket.

I enjoyed the jacket so much I picked up the Socks That Rock in Harlotty and made a BSJ with a collar. This is not made with anyone in mind, but just because. Here's the thing: I picked up STR Mediumweight at Rhinebeck and I wasn't in love with it. I love the colors, but somehow the yarn never knits how I expect it, but it worked fabulous for this project. It just needs buttons. I cast on Wednesday and cast off today (Saturday) not bad in my opinion.

I also had this project hanging out in my home and I think it is time. If Flyn is getting a sweater and blanket (remember the Babe Blanket) then his sister Gracie should get a poncho. I think this should fit her (it goes over my head).
I am tempted to make all the straggling sock yarn into a baby surprise jacket, but I think I may have to experiment with some other projects.

Oh-so our July 4th was a blast. We visited my folks on the lake with Maya and Skye. Maya ended up chasing a gaggle of geese into the lake and then across it. When we realized she wasn't coming back, we jumped in my dad's electric boat chasing her with all the neighbors fishing watching the activities. A boat that was passing by turned around to chase her. So, picture this- a goose swimming across the lake with a mini black lab two feet behind with a boat of six people four feet behind and another boat of three people eight feet behind. Luckily, the other boat grabbed Maya and then commented what kind of dog she must be (the lab is the swimmer, the terrier is the overly focused). We then maneuvered the boats to load her on the boat to go back to the house with all the neighbors then asking, "Does she have lab in her?" Sadly, no photos documented this event.

Have a great weekend!

Hemlock all done!

2008-06-29T21:50:00.000-04:00

This is such a quick knit. It went super fast and only towards the end was I grinding my teeth because of the feather and fan part (which is much better because I usually do that in the middle of the project).

I used Cascade Eco-Wool in a lovely Chocolate color. It took two skeins and I have half of the second one in my bag.

I may make another one or two of these for family members.

I am debating who gets one though. It is so tempting to make this!

I blocked the hemlock ring this afternoon. Yeah!

Ok, other projects I am working on:

Juliet in Malabrigo. I am ripping the bind off and adding another repeat of the lace pattern and adding some sleeves.
Lady February Sweater KAL will start shortly so I am getting everything ready.
Hex Coat, I am working on the first sleeve.
Children's Cotton Hat, I just finished a store sample in Cotonade.
Flying V scarf, I just finished a store sample in the Great Adirondack yarn.

St. Hubert's Ice Cream Social

2008-06-26T21:58:00.000-04:00

So, I am always shopping for ideas for fundraisers for PAWS and I came across the ice cream social held at St. Hubert's. What a great idea! Ice cream for humans and their four legged companions. They have kiddie pools set up for the dogs and everyone gets to enjoy the lovely weather!

Skye enjoyed the day, but not the Frosty Paws chicken flavored ice cream.

Maya, on the other hand, really loved the chicken flavored ice cream. Here she is focused on the ice cream that she pushed under the table.

Ok, I have much much knitting to post. For instance, I should post a picture of my hemlock ring blanket and my juliet sweater and the flying v scarf I am making, and the hex coat I picked up (again). We will just have to wait a few more days as I have many hours to work this week.

Where have I been?

2008-06-04T14:48:00.003-04:00

Well, my computer battery or charger is having problems so I am working on a tiny old computer. A lot has happened.

I graduated. I didn't attend the graduation. There's something about a stadium full of 20,000 people that doesn't interest me even if I have to wear a robe that makes me sweat with complete strangers. I called the school and they are mailing my diploma (it should arrive eventually).

I have been working on the Hemlock Ring Blanket. Yeah! I love it. Two skeins of Cascade Eco-wool and I haven't messed it up. It's lace and I haven't messed it up. The picture is the first night I started the project.

I have been working on socks. Lotsa socks.

This is Yarnahoy Yarn and it's nice.

This is Cascade Heritage Handpainted socks in the David's Eye colorway (I think that is what it is called) and I love this yarn. I already finished these socks.

The socks are being mailed to my Titi Vicky (my aunt) who asked for a pair a long time ago.

Ok, so I owe more pictures.

Other than that, all is well.

Two Happy Girls

2008-05-12T21:10:00.000-04:00

Skye.

Maya.

The girls had a blast at the dog park (as usual).

We spent most of Saturday cleaning.

I just need to sew the buttons on the Baby Surprise Jacket and it is done. Yeah.

Saturday is a nice day...

2008-05-03T18:28:00.000-04:00

Saturday was a nice day.

I finished my last class on Tuesday. The last class of my master's program, which gets a big who-hoo!
Friday was the last day of my internship. The office organized the nicest most lovely breakfast for me and gave me a gift. I really am going to miss all of them.

Saturday did not follow the plan where I would sleep in late. At 9am, we made a donation to A Purrfect World's Tricky Tray, dropped Ben's car off at the garage. 10am-we visited Costco. 11am-We ate breakfast at the Rock n' Roll bistro. 12pm-we went to the dog park.

The dog park.

The collage of the girls running around.

I will be reading a book and working on Juliet.

I am knitting this single stranded on larger needles in Malabrigo, Apricot color, and I am on the lace pattern.

Tomorrow- road trip.

I break my silence

2008-04-26T18:53:00.000-04:00

Although, I am breaking my silence, there will sadly be no knitting related material.

Here's the deal, I have literally one class left before I finish my master's program. I have my resume and cover letter (pretty much ready) and I have my last day of internship this Friday. I have had papers, logs, and assignments due in class and at my site, and well, that was a lot. I don't think I have knitted an hour in the past month which is really sad. I have so much stuff on the needles.

It was also my birthday which was celebrated at the lake with my folks, my husband, and our dogs.

Did I say dogs?

Did I mention we also adopted another dog?

In addition, to the hyperactive super excited chewing everything in site terrier known as Maya we adopted another one.

Yup, we did.

Yes, we are insane.

Meet Skye.

Skye was adopted in the beginning of April. She is part Husky (thus the blue eyes) and part Border Collie (thus her interesting stance when things move and her constant desire to herd).

You might notice a scar around her muzzle. Skye was brought into the shelter as a puppy with wire wrapped around her muzzle (probably some freak's idea of stopping her from barking) which left the scar.

She is not really a fan of water, but thinking about it, Husky dogs like snow, and Border Collies like sheep. Water doesn't fit this equation. She does love...

Maya. This is is Maya swimming like a fiend on my birthday. She likes to play fetch in the water (while Skye likes to bark at her). They get along really well together. They wrestle together and since they are the same size and temperament it works out pretty well.

Idiosyncracies? She barked at hay the other day.

Otherwise we are following the Cesar Milan philosophy that a tired dog is a happy dog and so these guys are getting walked twice a day and have visited the Watsessing Dog Park three times a week.

We are really happy (and tired).

Spring Fling

2008-03-23T20:13:00.000-04:00

My friend Katie gave me some Reynolds Cabana in a soft green. I don't typically knit with chunky yarn but this felt nice and went pretty quickly. I think inheriting a lot of yarn from Katie (who also taught me to knit) was fabulous because I tried new colors. I followed an online raglan calculator to figure out how many stitches to cast on and just made it up from there. It has a simple seed stitch collar which I kept for the cuffs. It is shorter than my other sweaters but it's a summer knit.

Thanks to Katie who gave me the yarn!

I still need to pick up the hex coat. But, let me tell you what happened. I wasn't feeling well today and ended up sitting on my bed with a stack of inherited Interweave Knits (and some purchased at Elly's) from 2004 to recently and came across the Waterlily Top knit in Colinette Giotto (Spring 2006). Well, I have a lot in Sunrise color (soft and shimmery pink) so I am leaning towards this project. Although, I don't wear tank tops, so I may add sleeves to the piece. And, the color may match my skin tone too much (that might be interesting).

Happy Easter!

It's done!

2008-03-21T14:12:00.000-04:00

The linen stitch baby blanket is done. It is 25" by 25" and is super soft. If you use linen stitch don't forget to go up several needles sizes. The stitch is very thick. The yarn is Fibre Company Babe which is super soft and is primarily Alpaca and then Merino wool. Now, all I need is the baby. I think the baby is due this Spring, so I just have to prepare the mailing.

On other news, I have been working on a top down cardigan in Reynolds Cabana. I will have pictures of that this weekend. It should be done shortly.

Netflix News: We still need to return Vicar of Dibley, Season 1. I love this show and I think it is fabulous. Dawn French is fabulous.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2008-03-17T21:07:00.002-04:00

This is what we think the communist squirrels are doing in our backyard. Have I mentioned anything about the communist squirrels?

Well, short story. We have so many trees in our small backyard that there is a commune of squirrels that live in our yard. There's the super fat one (the size of cat) called Slim, there's the one without the tail called Stubby, there's the one who likes to look in our windows called Peeper, and the remaining twenty are called Oscar. My grandfather had a habit of calling every squirrel Oscar. When we moved in we saw a dozen of them from the back window twitching tails and communicating how they were going to steal the bird seed we left out.

Of course, this has nothing to do with St. Patrick's Day until I found the photo. Our squirrels have been MIA today, probably down at the pub, sipping Guinness.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

Stress

2008-03-05T21:39:00.000-05:00

Obviously, stress translates into retail therapy and startitis. Granted my hex coat is floating somewhere in lala land, a baby blanket is almost done, I started a pair of socks a week ago, and last night cast on for a completely different pair.

Oh-so my retail therapy included purchasing two skeins of Claudia Handpainted in Just Plum.

This was a temptation purchase. I have never knit with Claudia and I am enjoying the yarn. I think that I will be purchasing more in some brighter colors (Limeade, Sherbet, Jungle, to name a few).

This is where I am now.

Don't think I am a super fast knitter, today I had a day off. I zoned out to a Clean House marathon (I love Niecy Nash) and then spent an hour at sbux with a Grande Caramel Macchiato (damn I love that drink!).

Back to knitting and Shaun of the Dead (I love Simon Pegg), then onto Project Runway!

Whatsup?

2008-03-02T21:06:00.000-05:00

I have maybe knit a few rows in a week primarily because I am adjusting to a new schedule with a new part time job while I am working on finishing my internship this semester (two months to go!).

Somewhere in February, I finished the Socks That Rock in Hot Flash medium weight. These socks will be mailed to MIL in the UK for Mother's Day (which is in March).

Sometime in February, I started Cherry Tree Hill socks in potluck color (blues and purples) which I believe I picked in the Outer Banks.

One project I have been working diligently on (since I needed an extended break from the hex coat) is the linen stitch baby blanket.

Linen stitch is gorgeous. On one side it looks woven and the other side looks like seed stitch. I am on the fourth band out of five and it moves pretty quick besides which the stitch is easy to memorize.

I have a midterm paper due in a few days and then I have a case presentation in a week, other than that the work is subsiding for my program. Simultaneously, the urge to purge and organize the knitting room is increasing. Agh-spring cleaning!

M-A-R-T-H-A

2008-02-20T18:29:00.001-05:00

Thanks to Jen who scored an extra ticket, I got to see Martha Stewart!

We got there super early and after freezing for twenty minutes we took a break and got coffee.

This is our group (left to right: Deb, Sharon, Jenn, and I). We lined up and admired all the knitted goods. We ran into Mary Beth and Katie and Jamie. After getting the audience practice session (the hand signals when to "oh" and "ah"), we got our seats.

We were in the very back of the audience. It was such an interesting experience for several reasons. Ironically, it was in the exact same studio that the Graham Norton show was taped (I am not going to explain how I know that).

Martha spoke to a few audience members and then they taped several segments of the show which I won't reveal.

Here's Martha (holding yarn made out of her pet's fur). I think she was using Addi Turbo's.

We had such a great time. It was definitely an experience and something I will remember.

Update: Bezzie asked and here's the answer, the show will air Monday, February 25th.

lotsa stuff

2008-02-16T18:23:00.000-05:00

I have been so incredibly tired. It seems with my part time work and internship I worked 21 days straight without a day off to relax and recuperate. Monday, I called out and slept. Tuesday, we left early due to bad weather and didn't go to class. Wednesday, no internship due to bad weather. Out of nowhere, I have been catching up on sleeping and cleaning.

The Hex Coat is not really going anywhere. I am committed to finishing the back today. There is not a lot left to complete it, so I need to get over this little hump. I think I got tired of the moss stitch. So to keep myself distracted I started making a baby blanket in Fibre Company Babe using a linen stitch. This baby blanket goes to Heidi and Brad's second baby that is arriving in a few months. This project is not a huge stretch from the hex coat as far as the quantities of knits and purls, but I like.

At my part time job during my ten minute breaks I would work on a pair of socks, and here they are. I was at the toe Monday night so I finished the second sock yesterday. I just need to weave in the ends. This is knit in Colinette Jitterbug, colorway is Mist, on size US 2. The pooling is wacky, but that's Colinette.

So, what did I do after I finished the second sock of the Colinette, I, again, started the Socks that Rock in Hot Flash. It is medium weight and I cast on watching Willow. Then ripped it this morning because it was too wide and cast on with less stitches. Originally, I bought this yarn for MIL, but she never emailed me her foot measurements. I am debating who's going to get these socks.

After we cleaned a little bit wednesday and I was taking photos for this post, I turned to the sofa and saw this... Her Puffiness with her Terrier-ness.

Last night, Ben woke up in the middle of the night to discover one of the cats sleeping in
Maya's dog bed. So where was Maya? Maya opened the door to the guest bedroom and was strethed out on the bed.

Dog Sweater Done!

2008-02-07T22:45:00.000-05:00

The sweater looks so cute!
Maya looks miserable!

It has literally one string to weave into the sweater (I realized after I took the photo) but otherwise it fits well.
I did pick up the hex coat again (yeah!) and another project. Something different from the past six months.

Updates

2008-02-06T20:31:00.000-05:00

This is Ecco which is such a pretty superwash merino wool. I love the way it feels and knits up and sadly stix no longer has anymore.

With three skeins I made Maya a dog sweater inspired/modified from the Endpaper Mutt Sweater. I knit the collar in the round and followed the pattern without the fair isle part. I finished it with ribbing and now I am working on the belly band so that it doesn't flap around. So far, it looks so nice on Maya.

When Maya posed for a picture wearing the Buster sweater I knit her which will be put on the stix blog (because it is a store sample), Izzy sat next to her on the sofa. Since he was being handsome and smiling, I took a photo. I am so happy all the furbabies are comfortable sitting next to each other (somewhat).

Now for the Hex coat. I was two inches from finishing the back when I realized that I started the shoulder shaping way too soon, so I ripped. Oh, I frogged about eight to nine inches. Ugh. So, I took a few days off and worked on Maya's sweaters.
Now that I have that mental break from the hex I can now continue the coat. Hopefully, I can finish this sweater this weekend.

I am Angora!

2008-01-25T17:15:00.000-05:00

I saw this on the Jersey Knitter's blog and loved it! So, I am sharing. I am Angora.

Go to Potter Craft and learn what you are!

The quiz promotes Clara Parkes book, The Book of Yarn, which a friend of mine and I bought. The book is amazing. I am slowly reading this book enjoying each section on the animals and learning so much.

The graphic is from Potter Craft website.

My Life with Maya, the terrier terror

2008-01-23T19:32:00.000-05:00

Maya is a huge ball of love. She has came into our home and become a family member that we adore and cherish. We are under the impression that she is a rat terrier mixed with a black lab for a few reasons, but no matter what she definitely has terrier in her bones.

I have always had a black lab mix and I love them dearly. Ben has always had terriers in his home and he adores them. So, here is a rundown of things I am become accustomed.

From a bird's eye perspective Maya looks like a little sausage, so of couse I call her "salchicha".
Maya smells like Doritos which my animal guru friend (I will thus name her The Pet Whisperer as she is a vet) tells me is a yeast issue that terriers commonly have which is treatable (so yes we will be treating it as she likes her paws a lot).
Maya, like my relatives, talks with her hands, or in her case, her paws. She gets excited she taps you with her paw.
Maya drinks our coffee. We don't give her coffee, when she is a passenger in the car she opens the lid of the portable coffee container and starts slurping it.
Maya jumps all four feet off the ground over two feet in the air.
Maya has to have constant human closeness (she follows whoever leaves and is upset when separated).
Maya makes toys out of everything like yesterday when she brought the cover to the water machine so Ben could throw it.

Ben is getting accustomed to a dog that likes to play fetch. Would you believe none of his dogs have had toys?

Tina asked, "I am curious what video you purchased."
I purchased Cat Sitter, Volume II. It says the nature is in 5.1 Surround Sound which sounded fabulous on our surround sound system. I linked to Amazon, but I gotta be honest I got it cheaper at Petco.

On Knitting News: I am on the back. I did one hexagon and it looks good. I will post photos later this week.

Photos but not knitting

2008-01-20T19:47:00.000-05:00

Well, I did finish one front of the Hex Coat. My row and stitch gauge is off. I compensated the row gauge by removing one hexagon and hopefully this should be okay. My armhole will be slightly larger but that's okay because I have large arms. The stitch gauge may be okay as well because I am knitting a much larger size and there is always blocking. If this looks hideous, you have permission to lie when the coat is done and tell me, "Wow, that's lot of knitting!" Ok, don't lie. I am going to knit up one hexagon before I proceed just to ensure that it is wonky* looking.

In a moment of weakness and unexpected extra cash in my purse (very rare these days) and impulse issues may have influenced my thought process, I bought the Pet Sitter dvd. I was always curious to watch them. It impressed me that it was hdtv or surround sound or something similar and after leaving the dvd on we found Puffy up close and personal with the tv.

We realized the surround sound factor impressed the cats.

Izzy (not pictured) climbed the armoire and looked for the birds out the window.

Maya also had moments of cuteness in the middle her four days of driving us crazy. She has had a bad behavior spell. It seemed a couple days at the Brookdale Dog Park helped alleviate.

"I can touch my nose with my tongue. Can you?"

*Wonky: Distorted in appearance. Not necessarily fugly, but certainly not great looking.

Status

2008-01-17T22:22:00.000-05:00

While this may look like either a little or a lot of progress, it is very little progress because I have barely been knitting. I have been having pains in my left hand due to my second part time job (no, not the knitting shop). I am enjoying the lopi lite.

Hopefully tomorrow I can knit some more on this sweater.

Hex Coat answered (a little bit)

2008-01-14T19:46:00.000-05:00

Kim pointed out that moss stitch and seed stitch are the same stitch. I always thought so as well, except that Norah defines the Moss Stitch in the pattern as:
Row 1 and 2: p1, k1 *
Row 3 and 4: k1, p1.

So, I googled moss vs seed stitch and according to Knitting on the Net the two are different.

Kelly asked about needle size. I didn't get stitch gauge with the recommended size 8 needle, in fact, I got it with size 9 needle. I am still not sure if I am getting row gauge for the Hex Coat which is important. Instead of ribbing on the bottom I proceeded with the moss stitch with the smaller needle size (in my case size 7). I am past the first identation for coat so I have to wait until the second indentation and then I will measure the length of each identation and count the rows and figure out where I am landing for row gauge and make necessary adjustments.

Ahem, I messed up

2008-01-13T20:14:00.000-05:00

So, I knit the stockinette swatch and got gauge and I was incredibly excited because that means that I can begin the Hex Coat immediately. Well, I got to work and realized that my swatch was supposed to be in pattern. So, I knit the swatch again in seed stitch. So, I get gauge. Yeah! Then Sunday mentions to me that my swatch should be in Moss Stitch. Yeah, that's a different stitch. So, I cast on again. Part of the problem is that I can't add 2+2 today.

In fact, I have no idea what I am knitting now, but eventually I got gauge switching to a larger needle. However, now reading it again, I have to look at my swatch again. Did I mention I can't process simple things today?

I did look up the errata for the pattern (and they were two), photocopied my pattern (it's my book and I am not sharing the pattern so no violation of copyright laws) so I can write notes on the pattern and highlight the numbers I need and put in a protective sleeve for easy transportation, and lastly I am sitting here at 8pm watching American History X debating whether I should cast on becasuse if I am messing up a swatch, what is next?

Hexing Me

2008-01-12T19:58:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow is the official start date of the unofficial Hex Coat KAL. Granted it only involves two of us -we have been planning this for quite some time. In fact, when I finished the Greenjeans cardigan, I didn't even cast on for another sweater. I did order my lopi lite and then did a gauge swatch which worked well. I got gauge! Tomorrow, I photocopy my pattern so I can make my notes and then the cast on.

In the one week I did not cast on a sweater (I really like knitting sweaters lately!) I thought it might be time to cast on the HP Prisoner of Azkabhan scarf in Ravenclaw (for me).

I had ordered the yarn from Knitpicks ages ago (I think it has been at least a year and a half). I ordered this yarn before I started knitting sweaters, so I did realize that this scarf, which requires ten skeins of the blue and two skeins of the grey, has enough yarn to make a sweater. Sadly, I won't wear this shade of blue as a sweater so a scarf it becomes.

Did you notice the sweet knitting bag? That was a gift from a friend of mine. I love it!

4/5

2008-01-06T20:13:00.000-05:00

Four out of five cats is impressive. Yes, this is the photo of a crazy cat lady but I was so impressed they were sleeping on the sofa together when I got home from work. Ironically, sleeping on my sofa and not DH's.

Knitting Updates: The Greenjeans is done. I need to take a photo of it. After a mad moment when I wet blocked the sweater, I thought it was too blocked. It's actually okay, but it does need another closure for it to fit perfectly.
The yarn is on its way for the Hex Coat.
I am knitting Socks That Rock in Hot Flash to keep me slightly sane. Since MIL never sent me her measurements, I am making them for myself.

Netflix Update: We watched Blades of Glory. Stupid and funny flick. I really need to watch some films of a more intellectual calibre. Sadly, PBS is not playing any British mysteries. Oh-but we did add the Vicar of Dibley to our list. Dreamgirls is next.

Puffy Mutiny

2008-01-04T01:40:00.000-05:00

Since I had completed a lot of the collar it was put on hold last night until I picked buttons. As my fingers were itching to knit something, I finally picked up some Knitpicks Merino style yarn (purchased over a year ago) to knit my Ravenclaw Prisoner of Azkaban scarf. This pattern uses a lot of yarn. In fact, I think I could knit a whole sweater with the amount of yarn I have for this project. So, reading over the pattern it mentions using a Provisional Cast On, and while I did search the internet, it was the perfect time to pull out my Knitting Glossary DVD to have Elizabeth Zimmerman and Meg Swansen explain their recommendations. I put the knitting down to find this...

Her Puffiness on top of my yarn and project. Although, I was very excited because not only did I do this cast on (the scarf is knit in the round so the ends will be kitchnered), I also came across jogless knitting. For those not in the know, when you knit in the round and are making stripes your stitch is off by one which is obvious and annoying. Jogless knitting eases that stitch and helps with the illusion the stripes are even. I love learning new techniques!

It is first thing in the morning and I am almost done with Mr Greenjeans. Sigh, I hope it fits. Tomorrow, I will continue knitting the collar and sadly I may need to break into the final hank of yarn (for a few rows and bind off-how sad!). And steam blocking!

Happy New Year

2008-01-01T20:16:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year! We spent new year's with Law & Order marathons, a home cooked meal, frozen champagne, and sticky toffee pudding. It was nice to be home with DH and the zoo (lots of furbabies) and relaxed. In fact, it was the first time in a few weeks we were home at the same time so our time together was cherished.

Knitting Updates: I finished the second sleeve of Mr. Greenjeans (sans cables). I am going to pick up for the collar in a little bit so that either Wednesday or Thursday I can pick out buttons. Yeah! Did I mention this is the first time I am making buttonholes.

Also, I un-did the bind off on the Purple Gable split and spliced some more yarn and continued the ribbing for six more rows. So far, no curling is occurring. A couple folks recommended this as it seems the belief was that the stockinette was overwhelming the little bit of rib.

And it is official- a few of us are attempting to tackle the Hex Coat by Norah Gaughan in Knitting Nature. I placed my order for Lopi Lite which will be my first time knitting a garment with this yarn. I picked a neutral green color. Kelly will be knitting it in Ultra Alpaca, and three other folks are knitting in Lopi Lite. We will attempt to get together to offer support as it is my understanding it can be slightly tricky and the moss stitch can be tiresome. I am so excited!

Other Updates: We finally watched 300 and I really liked it (granted I was probably hiding behind some knitting during the more gruesome scenes). Maya has visited the dog park four times and loves it! Whole Foods has this mini sticky toffee pudding that is fabulous!

2007 Wrap-Up

2007-12-30T18:27:00.001-05:00

I saw this on Abrupt Change of Topic's blog and I thought, hmm, good idea.

2007 Completed Projects
BAWK Hot Water Bottle Cozy in Misti Alpaca
Purple Gable in Ultra Alpaca
Noro Striped Scarf in Noro
Jitterbug Socks in Colinette Jitterbug
Wicked Sweater in Malabrigo
Cobblestone Sweater in Skye Tweed
My Dog is Spoiled Leash in Daria
Fingerless Gloves in Di've
The Red Scarf in Ultra Alpaca
Rainbow Dog Leash in Daria
Baby Blanket in Baby Cashmerino
Emergency Christmas Cowl in Misti Alpaca
Eyelet Socks in Cherry Tree Hill
Purple Passion Socks in Lorna's Laces
Socks for Da Man in Colinette Jitterbug
Posh Socks in Posh Yarn
Premiere Washcloth (2 qty) in Premiere
Sample Washcloth in Sugar n' Creme
Guest Slippers in Ella Rae
Sanpoku in Malabrigo

2007 UFO/WIP
Flaca's Afghan
Lift and Separate Wrap
Titi Vicky's Sock
Mr Greenjeans

2008 Goals
Projects
Hex Coat in Lite Lopi
Chantal in Ultra Alpaca and Ultra Alpaca Lite
Tilted Duster in Peruvia
Baby Blanket for Cousin (pattern to be determined)
Koolhas Hat
Ferrari (just making sure you are paying attention)
Lots of socks...

Skills/Techniques
Steeking
Fair Isle
Understanding fiber (which yarn for which project)
Entrelac
Designing my own pattern (oh lala)

Happy New Year!

Have a Reggae Christmas!

2007-12-24T13:42:00.001-05:00

I grew up with the original VJ's of MTV and this song always reminds me of Christmas. I wish everyone has a Reggae Christmas and a good time too!

Whatsup?

2007-12-23T19:56:00.000-05:00

Well, Christmas is almost here, and I am so excited. Honestly, we are doing a very low key Christmas because we are just sliding by with several jobs (I am almost done with the internship, almost done with the internship-it's a chant) but I still love this time of the year. I love driving at night and seeing all the homes decorated and this year we actually have a tree (that none of the pets have knocked down-yeah!). So, I promised some knitting updates, here they are-

My mom's Christmas present (she doesn't read my blog so I am cool with posting) it is a ribbed cowl in Misti Alpaca chunky and it is heavenly. Sunday and I were competiting to finished first and she beat me (hers was in the same yarn in a dark rusty red). I love this thing and I think she will love its smooshy character.

This is my everyday sweater. It is the Mr. Greenjeans pattern with no cables in Araucania Multi. I am enjoying this sweater and I can't wait to wear (I hope it fits nicely though I am taking some chances with it). If you haven't noticed I am not a huge fan of variegated yarns, I am just boring and okay with that. I love the splotches of colors.

Lastly, these are my mindless socks. I only have ten minute breaks at my other job and I need something I can knit relatively easy without care or concern and quickly. The jitterbug has a funny pooling to it that I guess most hand dyed sock yarns have. Anyways, I am not really concerned about finishing the socks they are more my anchor for sanity during my job.

Beginning to feel like....

2007-12-22T20:37:00.001-05:00

I owe many posts, but I have been working more than usual, so I thought I would share this because I love the holidays and I am getting excited...

Updates

2007-12-16T21:19:00.000-05:00

Ok, I have been gone for over a week. Hmph. I don't have photos so I thought I would post some generic updates.

I need to redo the sleeve of the CPH. The second sleeve is much longer than the first one. Sigh, a lesson learned.
I need to redo the hem of the Green Gable. I am going to extend the hem of the sweater.
I need to read the The Book of Yarn by Clara Parkes. I have heard such great things and I haven't had time to open the book.
I need to post a picture of Mr Greenjeans in progress.
I need to finish the Modern Log Cabin Blanket which is currently asleep.

I hope everyone is doing well.

Almost...

2007-12-08T21:08:00.000-05:00

So, I obviously spent a lot of time studying for my final this Wednesday. Ahem. Yeah. I only have to read ten chapters and then remember what I read. You have to give me some slack it is the official last test I have to take in the program. I keep thinking don't screw this up you are so close to the end.

I finished the last two sleeves of Green Gable and it fits great. It is a little big because I did panic about the size of my arms and I think I really could have gotten away with the smaller size (I did something in between). I did extend the stitch pattern at the top because I thought it was pretty and tasteful. I didn't make 3/4 sleeves rather did the full sleeve. The arms were a little baggy and Lisa validated my belief that this should be a full sleeve. Okay, last thing, the rib at the bottom keeps curling up which is driving me crazy. I didn't do the rib in the larger needle as recommended so I am debating if I should go back reknit the rib much looser (it worked on the cuffs) and a little longer. Ideas?

Genius? Sweet!

2007-12-05T21:10:00.000-05:00

Cutting It Off!

2007-12-02T20:38:00.000-05:00

Here is the first finished sleeve. Can you see the difference in length?

So, I got home tonight from stix and began cutting the second sleeve all by myself.
I pulled out The Big Book of Knitting which I have been informed by several people is only book they are aware of that covers shortening and lengthening sweaters (after you have finished knitting them). And began cutting the second sleeve.
I cut off over eight inches. I am now knitting the cuff.

Well, I was working on the sweater until one Puffiness launched one of her revolutionary protests and sat on my sweater.
That's okay, I finished the body of Purple Gable and I cast on the sleeve for this sweater (backround purple). Since, I am doing one of my old reliable 3/4 sleeves knitting the remainder of the sweater should not take so long.

OMG! I passed the comps! Who-hoo! Thanks to everyone who posted comments and sent emails!

Central Park Hoodie: Few Months Later

2007-12-01T21:16:00.000-05:00

After finishing the CPH last year in Elizabeth Lavold Classic AL, the sweater lost its elasticity. I was not aware of this but Alpaca can lose its elasticity (I like typing that a lot) because that means it stretches. My CPH stretched so much even moreso in the sleeves that it looks like a brown cabled straight jacket. When I mention this to Debra she tells me, "let's cut them". Ahem, say what?

Thursday night I threw on the CPH. The red line marks slightly above my wrist.

We marked this point off.

Next, I took the seam out up to that point.

Then you cut the stitch below unwind the yarn out and pick up the live stitches using the needles.
Since we were packed Thursday night, I finished cutting the sleeve tonight. I unwound the yarn from the sleeve and started knitting the cuff. I am almost done with the cuff and I just need to do the other arm.

I am hoping to finish this so that Monday I will be wearing this to work. I am hoping to finish Green Gable, (although I think in Ravelry I call Purple Gable), before Christmas.

Surprise!

2007-11-27T08:53:00.000-05:00

When I took Maya out this morning I found this decent sized branch right outside our garage door. Not exactly how I pictured Ben cleaning up leaves. I guess that wind took down the branch. Interesting.

Yesterday afternoon after my return from visiting Columbia University, I found Ella Bean sleeping in Maya's dog bed. Another little surprise as Ella tends to hide throughout the daytime, so that was a nice surprise.

Large tree branch= not happy surprise
Shy kitty sleeping= happy surprise

Alright, one paper down for tonight. Second one due tomorrow that I will be working on ....only a few weeks left this semester.

Satellite Dish Service

2007-11-24T16:16:00.000-05:00

Maya's dish is removed tomorrow so she will be back at full force, although as you can see she manages just fine with the dish. Unfortunately, we haven't picked up BBC America or any other additional channels for our tv with the dish on her head.

Stained

2007-11-23T22:11:00.000-05:00

Ok, so I have had a skein of hand dyed Misti Alpaca worsted weight yarn since June and I have always had in my mind to make Yarn a Go-Go Hot Water Bottle Cozy. My SIL wanted one and I thought alpaca is divine. Personally, I don't see this as a color she would like but MIL picked it out, so who knows, probably her mom more than me.

I finished knitting it and I just need to weave in ends, sew the bottom, and I am probably going to soak it in water and vinegar.
Not to soften it because it is oh so divine, but the yarn stained my needles (which the photo below doesn't show so well).
I have also been making progress on the Green Gable. I finished the armholes and I am about to start the shaping. I am knitting this in between size large and x-large. I love knitting with the Ultra Alpaca and this colorway is very pretty. I am already dreaming of my next project, Mr. Greenjeans.

Maya was fixed last week and has been subjected to wearing an Elizabethan collar to stop her from biting her stitches. She is quite mobile in the damn thing. It is quite interesting to see what appears to be a satellite dish with legs running around the backyard. However, this ends this weekend when the collar will be removed.

Happy Thanksgiving

2007-11-22T12:09:00.001-05:00

Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

Purple Rain

2007-11-19T21:52:00.000-05:00

As promised, I finished Wicked last night. Yeah! The sleeves were a quick knit.
I am really happy with this sweater. The skeins of Malabrigo even though the same dye lot were so completely different looking in appearance, so I knit from two different skeins rotating each row and I think this minimized pooling. With today's snow, this was the perfect sweater. And, this sweater is not burgundy, or black, or grey, so it's like a whole new color for me.

Now, my new casted on sweater is not a whole new color for me because I just finished a purple sweater, but I still love it. I am knitting the Green Gable sweater in Ultra Alpaca in Lavender Mix. This purple has different speckles of purple in it. I extended the pattern further down on the front and I am going to knit long sleeves on this sweater as well.

At Chez Kahlo, there is plenty of knitting going on, primarily as a means to avoid doing school work. Actually, Cyn and I both have case presentations tomorrow (granted in different programs, in different schools, and in different states) which is almost done. I hate working on a project that I feel okay (oh well). Next week, my final paper for internship and a family counseling paper on Spanglish.

More on the way...

2007-11-18T18:23:00.000-05:00

The posh socks were done on Wednesday or something, I just never posted. And, I have a lot of yarn left. In fact, I may have enough for a little baby hat.

Also, I am finishing the Wicked sweater tonight. I finished the first sleeve Friday night. The second sleeve only has two decreases and the cuff. Even though I have a case presentation for Tuesday's class, I plan on finishing this sweater.

And, I have cast on the Green Gables sweater in Ultra Alpaca in Lavender Mix. The yarn is soft and I love the color. I am really excited to knit with something other than Malabrigo (which is still my favorite).

Okay, well, I am going to get back to watching Gone in 60 Seconds (on FX for the millionth time) and finishing Wicked.

Netflix Update: We got the original John Carpenter's Assault on Precinct 13. We love older John Carpenter films from the ambiance, the anti-hero, the synthesizer scores he composes, to the way he builds suspense. After watching Grindhouse it was kinda funny seeing the original 70's film Tarantino and Rodriguez were honoring/borrowing.

Another post? Madness!

2007-11-12T19:45:00.000-05:00

I am so in love with Posh Yarns. I am definitely going to pick this yarn up in the near future. I already finished a sock. And I love how the yarn is splotches of colors and no pooling (that I can determine).

Did I mention that I finished the Noro striped scarf? Yessiree, I did.

I think this is such a great project, because it will always be different and unique. It is great to just see what will happen and how it happens.

I may end up making another one of these, and have I expressed my new love of Silk Garden? Well, I lurve it.
Ok, let me get back to the second sock and the new episode of Chuck.

Netflix Update: We rented 28 Weeks Later. Holy Smoke! See, I love scary movies, but I still have an overactive imagination and this is an overshare, but man, I should not really be watching scary movies. I had to make up for it today by watching Truth About Cats and Dogs.

Sock-it-to-me...

2007-11-11T18:54:00.000-05:00

Well, the Colinette Jitterbug socks in Velvet Leaf for Ben are all done. It seems the man has tiny calves and long feet. Here are da man's feet wearing the socks and Maya's feet (I will let you guess who is who).

And before anyone asks I had sufficient yarn left but we are not long socks kinda people so that could be why.

I casted on the Posh Yarn, in Brook colorway, I picked up from Carrie. Oh it is so nice. It is smooshy. Also, I like the fact it is a color different from the usual colors I pick. In fact, I really like it. Thank you for de-stashing it!

And for those curious, I have started working on the sleeves for Wicked at a relaxed pace.

Promises, promises...

2007-11-04T19:18:00.000-05:00

I only promised months ago to post a photo of Ben wearing the Cobblestone Sweater (ahem and I never did). Well, I finally got him to wear the sweater. Granted he insists on wearing it with a long sleeve t-shirt, and I still need to soak it in vinegar and everything that has been recommended, I think it is not too shabby.

And now, I am knitting the man socks. Yes, the Colinette Jitterbug in Velvet Leaf. One sock done, one to go.

Colinette Jitterbug 1

2007-11-02T20:29:00.000-04:00

Yeah, my first pair of Colinette Jitterbug is all done. The color is Florentina. I did the short row heel. And I love my kitchener stitch. Remy mentioned at stix sit n' knit last night that she is going to attempt the toe up socks, but I somehow not compelled to do toe up. I am inspired to knit all of my jitterbug.

I started Ben's socks in Velvet Leaf. And then, I only have one skein left which is Mist (oh so pretty).

For all those who asked: I think I did good on the test, but who knows? My professors grade the test and I learn in six weeks if I passed. Thanks for all the thoughts. Make me smile!

Netflix Update:

Disturbia- really good. very suspenseful.
The Invisible- eh, okay. It wasn't what I thought it was going to be.
Wild Hogs- cute.

Happy Halloween!

2007-10-31T22:05:00.000-04:00

I was stuck in class so no appreciating all the cute costumes this Halloween, ah, maybe next year.
Happy Halloween
to all the ghosts, ghouls, and gremlins....

Interesting....

2007-10-29T19:16:00.000-04:00

First of all, thank you all for the wonderful "good luck" wishes. I took the test Saturday morning and survived. I find out in six weeks if my attempts were well executed or if it was a noble gesture. Thank youz guyz!

On the knitting front: Yeah! I taught myself how to do a short row heel. Well, I googled short row heel and found this which explained it with lots of photos.

Ok, so what you see is the inside of my mind, nah, it's my sofa. I have my basic stockinette sock in Colinette Jitterbug Florentina. And, yes, I am attempting to knit the Koolhaas hat in Malabrigo in Cabernet. Unfortunately, I am having problems with the cables which makes me feel kinda dumb, but maybe Grumperina's tutorial will help me through this one.

Sigh, alright folks, let me get back to conquering this hat.

Yarn!

2007-10-24T21:54:00.000-04:00

Here it is!
My Socks that Rock.
I have my comprehensive exam this Saturday. Have I studied? No.
The next 48 hours consist of cramfest 2007.
In the meantime, here's the names.

Harlotty.

Mustang Sally.

Hot Flash.

Indulgences

2007-10-23T22:24:00.000-04:00

Sammy's Seven Dog yarn in red. It is 50% samoyed and 50% merino wool. Granted this was totally an indulgent purchase. It is enough to make a hat and I am researching which hat I would like to make. Before you ask, it does have the slightest smell of Lassie. I don't think it would be a good option when raining.

I ran into Dame Candle lady and got my free samples! Fruity and sweet. I will let you know how the candle tarts are because I love my yummy smelly things (as opposed to my wet dog smelling things). And, to the right, is the Moving Mud closure. I love this place! I think they're stuff is beautiful. I have to make something to use it.

From the author tent, I picked up One Skein Wonders and Kristin Knits. Kristin Nicholas is so nice and approachable. I had a hoot and you already saw that I met Ann and Kay from Mason Dixon. Sadly, Alison wasn't there until later in the day, so no signed Charmed Knits.

Shameeka told me about Briar Rose and off I went. The buttons were gorgeous! I so wanted to buy more, but I should have picked out the yarn and then the buttons.

Rhinebeck part two

2007-10-23T22:01:00.000-04:00

Sorry, I had to re-post as the photos were eaten by blogger or picasa...

Saturday night, DH and I met up with Jeanne and her husband from Knitting Addiction. For those who loved my sock t-shirt, it's her shop that sells them at a great price. Our dinner at Terrapin (used to be a church but now a restaurant) only lasted three hours. Three hours of laughing hysterically over yarn, gravity, and travels. These self-professing Canadians (they're not but it is our inside joke) are a blast! Dave's stegasauras pork tenderloin combined with the waiter giving us food we didn't order will always be a fond memory (oh and singing the Canadian National Anthem).

Sunday morning we checked out of our B&B after one of the guests approached me. It seems she thought that I might be going to the Sheep & Wool. Do you know what the clue was? My tote bag says "Knit or Die" with a skull and knitting needles. Sunday was super chill. The scenery was stunning.

I was at the author tent just on time. I met Kristin Nicholas and Judith Durant. I said hello to Stephanie. Here's irony, all of my Harlot books have been signed during other book tours. So, I thought I would just say, "Good to see you. Hope you're doing well" to which she replied, "Good seeing you too". She's such a hoot. I met Ann and Kay of Mason Dixon. Supercool.

Here's their signatures. What ya gotta love is the question, "Can I stamp my face in your book?" Granted I was perplexed until I saw the stamp with a face on it. Yes, the imagery of someone hitting their head on a book came to mind but in my defense I really needed more coffee.

And as Marilyn recommended Fried Pickles, we tried them with horseradish sauce. This order began with Ben popping his head into the caravan when no one was there and catching the clerk changing clothes. No one could decide if we should pay a dollar more or get a dollar discount, so we ordered our yummies. This is something you should split with someone. It is good, but it was swimming in my stomache later in the day.

Ah, yes, I still need to post pictures of my stash acquisitions. Sigh. I feel like a lot of people overwhelmed, tired, and sad to be back in working day. 364 more days to fried artichokes, socks that rock, shelridge farms, and many more things....

Rhinebeck and then some (longish post)

2007-10-21T19:27:00.000-04:00

DH and I made a weekend out of Rhinebeck. We considered it a postponed anniversary celebration (I was in class during the actual event). We stayed in Millbrook around 30 minutes from my desired destination and ate at a great French restaurant called Cafe Les Baux the Friday night we arrived. The food was yummy, as we shared a cream of garlic soup (one because it was filling and two because we wanted to cut down on the stinkiness factor later). I had lamb in wine sauce and Ben, my little Redcoat, had mussels.

Saturday we arrived early, sorta 9:15 am, we were on line at The Fold for the annual Socks that Rock line-o-rama. Here's the 411: Go in with a team of comrades. One of you stay in line. This is a key position, while the others seek out yarn. And rotate positions as needed. DH obliged as I picked up three skeins (my first STR stash, yeah!). Now, you might want to know what colors you want in advance but I had no clue. On line, I noticed a beautiful Central Park Hoodie who I later learned was Shameeka (who btw was seaming this thing up the night before!). Shameeka also informed me that usually after the stampede is over at STR, there is mostly the pink shades left. Very interesting.

I think the Blogger Bingo was a blast! I met sooo many people who have already been added to my Bloglines and Ravelry Friends list. I loved walking up to people announcing, "I'm a square! You're a square". Granted some didn't appreciate my offbeat humor, I had fun approaching people with such ease (especially because I am super shy). So, here's my no photos rundown: I saw Deb and her mom a gazillion times. I met Necia finally. I talked to Marilyn for a while. I met Rachel or rather introduced myself while she was acquiring coffee. I saw a lot more folks...

Of course, lunch consisted of Fried Artichokes and beer. Love those artichokes!

Other things to know:
I did pick up the samoyed dog yarn. It is actually 50% samoyed, 50% merino wool. It only slightly smells of the dog, maybe I should have inhaled prior to purchase, who knows? A friend knit it up and said it was super soft and incredily warm.
I picked up a Moving Mud closure. I love their buttons!
Thanks to Shameeka I picked up buttons from Briar Rose, which I am loving.
Thanks to RosiG, I am now in love with Shelridge Farms Soft Touch yarn (but they didn't have a lot left when I went).

Here are my photos!

Me, Kim, Shameeka, and Yvonne. (Yes, people I am in the photo, there is an actual photo of me, but let me explain, I have no hair style right now so wherever it goes is beyond my control or even thought process).

Ben eating cheese. The man enjoyed wine and cheese festivities as I met other bloggers at the meet up.

Sheep!

And the plural of sheep is.... sheep!

I promise to post more photos tomorrow. Tell of my escapades at Terrapin with some Canadians and what Sunday involved. It was great meeting everyone who I met this weekend! If I forgot to list you please leave a shout out in the comments!

The Red Scarf

2007-10-16T12:49:00.000-04:00

I thought I was using the pillar stitch when I made the red scarf. In reality, I did something different and voila now it is the red scarf pattern. This scarf was made for the Orphan Foundation of America.

The Red Scarf
By: Monica T.

Abbreviations:
K… Knit
YO… Yarn Over
YF… Bring yarn forward
YB… Bring yarn back
S… Slip

Materials:
Berroco Ultra Alpaca (2 skeins)
Size 8 US Needle

Gauge:
18 stitches over 4 inches in stockinette stitch (however it’s a scarf- gauge is not critical)

Measurements:
5” X 60”

Directions:
Cast on 29 stitches
Row 1: K1, *YO, YF, S1, YB, K2, pass slip stitch over K2* repeat to end, K1
Row 2: Purl

Repeat Rows 1&2 until desired length

Cast Off.

Add Fringe if you would like.

Tom's Basketweave Scarf

2007-10-16T12:34:00.000-04:00

Someone was really nice and asked for the pattern to this scarf I made for my FIL. It is a slight variation of the scarf I made my dad. BTW, the photos don't show the basketweave well (oh well) which is obvious when you see it in person and the yarn is very soft and pretty. Here's the details....

Tom's Basketweave Scarf

Abbreviations:
K… Knit
P… Purl

Materials:
SWTC Karaoke
Size 7 US Needle

Gauge:
20 stitches over 4 inches in stockinette stitch (it’s a scarf- gauge is not critical)

Measurements:
8” X 60”

Directions:
Cast on 38 stitches

Border: Knit Seed Stitch (k1,p1) for six rows.

Row 1: k1,p1,k1,k8,p8,k8,p8, p1,k1,p1
Row 2: p1,k1,p1,k8,p8,k8,p8,k1,p1,k1
Repeat Rows 1&2 for ten rows This creates the first set of blocks

Row 3: k1,p1,k1,p8,k8,p8,k8, p1,k1,p1
Row 4: p1,k1,p1,p8,k8,p8,k8,k1,p1,k1
Repeat Rows 3 & 4 for ten rows. This creates the second set of blocks

Keep repeating Rows 1 & 2 for ten rows and then Rows 3 & 4 for ten rows until desired length.

Border: Knit Seed Stitch (k1,p1) for six rows.

Cast Off.

Notes:
I would make the scarf a little smaller if I had to do it again. In rows 1,2,3,4, I would knit and purl 6 stitches instead of 8 and then repeat for 8 rows.

Sanpoku

2007-10-11T22:03:00.000-04:00

Ok, finally, I reveal the Sanpoku. Now, this is not me. Rather, Norah was very helpful in volunteering to model the sweater.

It is knit in Malabrigo. And I am not doing the border edge because it didn't look like anything. But, I do need to block it out. Although, while Berroco doesn't show you the back, I will.

Source: Sanpoku patternm Yin & Yang Book from Berroco
Needles: Addi Naturas, size 8, 40" circular
Yarn: Malabrigo worsted in Red Java
Loved: Super quick knit and easy.
Hated: Couple of things. The back is too short and the photos in the book don't show it. The arms are a little tight.

pale pink and purple

2007-10-07T18:28:00.000-04:00

Here she is...Wicked. I am on the body about to do some increases for my hips. I have another 3-4 inches to go but the stockinette in the round moves quickly. Malabrigo is exactly what you think it is super soft. I am not doing the pocket on this sweater but I am doing the long sleeves, maybe 3/4 length. I am liking the color, thank you so much for the compliments!

Oh, I was very very bad. I picked up a skein of CTH in the potluck Water. The yarn screams MIL. She loves pink and I think this would be nice as Monkeys. We will see.

And as usual, I leave you with a photo of one of the pets. Puffy was caught was completely sleeping with my purse (the red knitted item is my harloty poncho).

Puffy says, "Go away, I am catching up my sleep"

Hmmm....

2007-10-04T22:00:00.000-04:00

I have made progress on the Wicked sweater (photos later this week). I am past the 30 repeats and have my sleeves hanging out on waste yarn and have begun the repeats beneath the arm hole. Malabrigo is truly divine to knit. I already know my next project and um, yeah it involves Malabrigo again.

I did begin Brooklyn Tweed's generic noro stripe scarf. With the yarn my friend Katie gave me and an orphan skein of Silk Garden relaxing in my knitting stash, I cast on for this afternoon. It moves oh so quickly and because of the ribbing looks like stockinette.

I am enamored with how the stripes appear and create this optical illusion. Very pretty. And this is my first time knitting with Noro which has left my pleasantly surprised. I like the Silk Garden.

So, of course, I leave you with a shot of her Puffiness hugging my shoe.

Puffy says, "The shoe is a contact high"

Sexy Back

2007-10-01T21:11:00.000-04:00

Wicked is moving along, but not as quickly since I have a paper and presentation, paper, and audiotaping due.

S0, I leave you with a message from Puffiness...

"Gene Simmons has nothing on me. I am furry, I am black and white, and check out this tongue!"

Sorry...

2007-09-30T20:50:00.000-04:00

Wow, everyone seemed to vote on everything but the Wicked sweater which is what I already cast on last night. But, in good knitting news, I am maing quick progress and I should start one of the other projects everyone recommends.

I am using Orchid in Malabrigo and I am very excited the project is going well as opposed to last time (it just seemed off).

If my blogs have seemed a little Izzy-focused there may be a reason. It seems I have caught Izzy logging onto my laptop.

Izzy smiling says, "I promise I never sabotaged the blog, I just want to meet some new kitties."

Fingerless Gloves

2007-09-28T19:56:00.000-04:00

Ok, so after the Cobblestone I have been big on the super quick projects. I need the feels good projects before I embark on another sweater. Honestly, I have no idea which sweater to tackle next. Either Cardigan for Arwen, Wicked, Tree Jacket, hmmm....

Anyways, I present fingerless gloves (and Izzy but at this point does he really need an introduction?)

Source: MY Fingerless Gloves pattern
Needles: Addi Naturas, size 8, 40" circular
Yarn: di.Ve' Autunno, Color 31208
Loved: Super quick knit and easy.
Hated: I think my join where the thumb is well, strange.

Another one?

2007-09-27T20:40:00.000-04:00

Yup, another leash. I am thinking of giving this one to my SIL for her rabbit Milo. I can always make another one for Maya as I have two more skeins of Noro Daria in the color below, and another one in the color of the other leash I made. I got this pattern from Knitch. So here's the details:

Source: Knitch "My Dog is Spoiled" Dog Leash
Needles: Bryspun Bryson circulars, size 6, 20 inches (pattern calls for DPN)
Yarn: Noro Daria Color Turqouise #11
Loved: It was a super quick knit, around an hour and some change. I might have even used only half the skein, I may test what is left to verify that is correct.
Hated: The wrap around at the joins doesn't look as nice as the store's model and it felt awkward when I did it.

All Done.

2007-09-26T12:56:00.000-04:00

All done with Cobblestone. Still fighting the cold, thanks for all the "feel better" comments.

Project Details

Source: Cobblestone Sweater by Jared Flood, Interweave Knits, Fall 2007
Needles: Addi Naturas, size 8, 40" long
Yarn: Classic Elite Skye Tweed, Color #1272, 14 skeins
Loved: It was a quick knit which I could do without paying too much attention. Little seaming.
Hated: Yarn is not the softest, but I will attempt vinegar, Eucalen, and shampoo washings.
Mods: I made the sweater longer because redcoat (dh) just has a very long upper body.

good times

2007-09-24T21:13:00.000-04:00

i have a cold. my throat hurts. fever. coughing. congestion. good times.

i am sleepy. i have work to do. I have been knitting the cobblestone instead.

look at yummy yarn. malabrigo in whale's road which I said I would not buy but then I did. bad me. good yarn.

Puffy in a French accent says, "The coffee is no good. I need a good cafe au lait"

The answer is...

2007-09-21T19:06:00.000-04:00

It seems nobody actually guessed at how much the yarn from South America cost, so, get ready to go "what?"
So, I will let Izzy reveal the magic number...

"Who cares, let's talk about me-ok, fine, six bucks. Six us dollars but all that yarn. Let's talk about me now!"

I am still working on the increases of the second sleeve of cobblestone sweater. I can't wait to finish the pattern because I think I am ready to cast one for something new...

yarn?

2007-09-16T18:53:00.000-04:00

This yarn is dedicated solely to charity knitting for PAWS. But, here's the deal. A friend went down to South America for a vacation and picked up this yarn for me.

Now, here's the thing: each color pictured here is one skein. And. Each skein is a huge mess. After hours turning into days of attempting to unravel, it can look likes this....

There was a few days I was ambitious and attempted to wind the pink one which now that I have a swift and winder it can look nicer. Anyways, the plastic bag is picked up from stix and only costs $3.00 I have picked up a few and now all the yarn in my armoire looks nice, organized, and stacks perfectly.

One day, I may actually wind it. Another day, I may actually knit it.

Guess how much all this yarn cost? And it is soft.

Ahem

2007-09-14T21:07:00.000-04:00

So, I pretty much uploaded my stash, projects, and friends on Ravelry last night. Yeah, I worked most of the night, and I do have class at 8am and no I didn't do the reading. I took so many pictures of my stash that Izzy realized he was only getting attention by going near the action. So here's the details:

My Ravelry name is: callingkahlo

Okay, I sleepy, so I go try and read.

Izzy still has a crush on Lucy. He always wanted to meet her, but I keep explaining long distance relationships are really tough.

I am so excited...

2007-09-12T20:48:00.000-04:00

Found you!
You signed up on July 3, 2007
You are #12142 on the list.
82 people are ahead of you in line.
19969 people are behind you in line.
37% of the list has been invited so far

Ohhh, I need to take some more pictures of my stash, this is so exciting. And I checked it earlier and there was 200 in front of me. I am ready to join my Jersey Represent group. I already feel connected to the folks!

Even Izzy is excited he has organized my recent project and grabbed the camera cable to upload some new photos. Of him, but that is nothing new for Mr. Smooshiness.

Sleepy

2007-09-11T22:11:00.000-04:00

He was one of the seven, right, sleepy? Man, I am sleepy. I have been working the internship yesterday, today, and tomorrow, except today I had class afterwards and tomorrow as well. All I want to do is knit. This getting up super early and staying late is making me sleepy. Agh, and I have so much to do. I need to meet with my advisor, complete an audit form, apply for the comp exam, study for the exam, and do my school work. Waht?

Anyways, as promised, photos of the cobblestone in progress, it is a cip.

So this the body of the sweater.

And this is the sleeve, that yes, I was knitting in the beginning of my internship class. Damnit. I want to knit.

Mr. Smooshiness, aka Izzy, endorses a healthy breakfast of course after you have pet him and adored him and thrown his mouse and pet him again and scratch him and gave him some kibble and then you can have the healthy breakfast.

catnip

2007-09-09T22:17:00.000-04:00

Yup, yarn is my catnip. Specifically, malabrigo is cosmic catnip. I saw a sweater made out of a colorway, Vetiver, which was just stunning in person. Stunning. I have to keep it in the file cabinet of my brain.

I have been tackling the Cobblestone and I have started sleeve 1. Quite good. I will post some photos later this week on that.

We are watching Inspector Lynley. I am really confused. Call me crazy but last season his wife disappeared after it was revealed she had a shady relationship with her instructor. In the first episode, him and his separated wife are kissing. I am quite confused. And frankly, his hairstyle looks weird. And another thing, when they say "ma'am" it sounds like "mum" which means "mom" in English but to me means bright flower, so I keep wondering why they keep calling each other flowers.

Izzy says, "Hey, I heard the word catnip. Give me the catnip or I sing Backstreet Boys songs"

And now back to our regular programming,,,

2007-09-03T18:20:00.000-04:00

I have not been able to put down the Cobblestone Cardigan and I am loving the sweater but not so much the yarn. Hy emailed me mentioning it isn't the softest and I sadly agree with her. Some of the stix knitting regulars have told me that with certain washes (a mixture of Euculan and vinegar) Lopi softens nicely, so that should work (fingers crossed) for Skye Tweed. It is definitely rustic loking.

I am on the third skein and I have been doing split and splice on this so (yeah!) no ends to weave in... oh but the sleeves are knit straight, but I am already knitting on a circular so I am going to explore how to attempt it (yet again) with the magic loop.

Ella, caught in the act, said, "What the hell? I haven't authorized a photo session. I need to speak to my agent."

The Varsity

2007-09-03T18:05:00.000-04:00

The Varsity is an Atlanta institution. Everyone was recommending stoppping by for the experience, but our last day in Atlanta we hit Agnes & Muriel's for lunch, so we stopped by the Varsity for sweet tea and a Varsity orange frozen drink. Now DH had to go to the "office" (ahem the toilet) and so we parked in the lot and had the attendant with the cute hat give us the drinks. When DH disappeared in search of relief, I watched this young hip hop guy drive up in a Rolls Royce. Now, I never think much of anything until I saw him talking to this young woman in another car. Look, folks, I was bored and I could only stare at the attendants for so long. Well, the guy takes his shoe off and throws it at his own Rollys Royce. At that point, he was either yelling or talking extremely animated because she didn't seem to pay any mind. Anyways, that's all I got. That's my Varsity experience.

A Moment of Zen

2007-09-02T21:03:00.000-04:00

So, last night in the midst of Season 5 Buffy marathon (after my post) I decided to swatch for the Cobblestone Sweater. Did I mention already I have more than enough skeins in the Skye Tweed previously purchased for a possible Central Park Hoodie? It never came to fruition as I preferred Elizabeth Lavold's Classic for that project. And then, I attempted swapping this yarn on Knittyboard with no bites. Not one. The color doesn't translate well in the pictures but it is much richer in person. It is the same yarn used in the pattern, so why not knit darling hubby a sweater. He could use one. Sure, why not.

So, I quickly knit up the swatch and checked all different sections to ensure uniformity. Swatch is good. I was so excited and the marathon was moving along, so I cast on for the sweater and made some progress. I am so excited to knit up a new sweater (even though I still need to finish the sanpoku and the lift and separate, sigh)....

Anyways, I leave you with a moment of zen...

Izzy says, "This incense tastes funny"

Buffy Season 5

2007-09-01T22:33:00.001-04:00

I just started Season 5 and we have started Season 8 of X-Files (Mulder has disappeared and Scully is pregnant). On the knitting front, I am on the third wash cloth. I am sewing the sleeves of the lift and separate sweater. And then, I need to finish the edge on Sanpoku. Did I mention that I finished sanpoku? Yup. All done (sorta, except for the edge and blocking).

So, what does that mean? That means I start thinking about the next sweater and while I never touched Arwen on vacation I am debating. Here's my options:

1. Arwen Cardigan in Pure Merino (divine)
2. Cobblestone Cardigan in Skye Tweed (feels a little eh so I might need to make a swatch and try a special wash)
3. Wicked in Malabrigo (oh so yummy)
4. Tree Cardigan in Malabrigo (oh so yummy)

So many decisions...but I have Sunday and Monday.

BTW, I am catalogued and create an excel inventory of my yarn, books, and needles. I also started taking some photos of my stash. All for Ravelry. So, if anyone has suggestions and other things I can do in preparation of Ravel-ness I am all ears.

Wash Cloths? Wassam up?

2007-08-29T20:42:00.000-04:00

I was never attracted to the dishcloths. And then, two nights ago. 11pm. I pulled some Peaches n' Cream (leftover from the baby hat) and wham bham a dischloth is born. Last night, I cast on using Premiere (left) in a hot pink and soft pink.

I love this damn thing! Too bad, because I suddenly feel compelled to finish my Lift & Separate sweater.

Oh-did I mention I only have 1,700 or so people ahead of me on Ravelry. Well, I was the little geek and catalogued all my yarn and books. I just need to hit inventorying my needles. But, then today I met Whim & Vinegar at stix who was super cool and gave me some more of the 411 on the Ravel.

Frogs Attack!

2007-08-28T19:04:00.000-04:00

Lo and behold, when I return from vacation what do I find on my doorstep are the cutest frog stitch markers from Sunnelite. The picture does them no justice. I love them and they are travelling in frog notions bag. Then at stix, Kelly surprises me with frog magnets. Ironically, I have one tattoo, and that is a coqui which is the native frog to Puerto Rico and chirps "coqui". I feel quite special.

Then two days later I receive a package from Dee. Now, I just feel loved. Dee was visiting Hawaii and picked me up the most lovely things, chocolate candy bars, flower key chain, Hawaiian seasonings, macadamia nuts, red coconut balls (which are halfway gone they are so damn good), a drink bag, and Brightdyes Gryffindor sock yarn.

Ok, some updates:

Sanpoku is done. I finished both sleeves during the vacation and I finished seaming last night. I need to block it and add a quick simple trim. I promise to post a picture sometime this week.

I found out that I didn't use the pillar stitch for the red scarf project. As Crafty Weasel has asked for the pattern I promise to write it up and publish it on the site sometime.

Man, I am making too many promises here.

A little fishy...

2007-08-26T18:11:00.000-04:00

Georgia's Aquarium boasts to be the largest in the United States (and only 100 feet short of the world's largest) and it certainly was impressive. It has 8 Million gallons and red velvet cupcakes (I have my priorities straight).

Some highlights:

Beluga Whales. Four in total= 3 females + 1 Male (Nico). The whales are feeling frisky as Nico circles the girls who is excited to get busy and have been demonstrating their attraction. So much so you can read about it here.
Moon jellyfish. As the jellyfish reflect light they had a light which changes colors and they reflect it which is so cool.
Piranhas. They don't eat people but they have a strange scary stare (and they don't move).
The sea lions where fun! And one of them demonstrated where the bathrooms are in the wild.
You walk underneath the tanks so fish swim all around you including giant grupers, hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, manta rays, guitar fish, etc....
Feel them up! You can touch the manta rays, bottlenose something, and shrimp (which by the way one of them tried to attack me or so I thought it did).
Red Velvet Cupcake. The food was pretty good and designed by Wolfgang Puck.

The snitch on knitch

2007-08-25T21:51:00.000-04:00

Knitch is pretty impressive. It is located behind a bunch of shops with this little alleyway leading you to a wonderful entrance filled with a metal sculpture of a bird knitting and plenty of potted plants. The shop owned by Kim is stocked full of Cascade, Blue Sky, Rowan, Malabrigo, Suss Cousins, Jade Sapphire, etc. When you walk into the shop you can make a cup of coffee and stroll through shelves yarn or sit down at the farm table in the center of the room.

Knitch just announced they will be opening the second floor of the shop with a kitchen for dye workshops, washing machine for felting, sofas for knitting, and a tv for watching movies. Sadly, I am not a witness to this as it opens in mid-September. I spent Sunday early afternoon hanging out with a bunch of wonderful and friendly knitters who pointed me in the direction of Mary Mac's for traditional Southern food and for some more contemporary food at Agnes and Muriels. I met Steve (now of Famous Steve Knits), Katey (from Snarky), and I believe I met Doug. If I am correct Doug baked some bad-ass cookies (yummy) and the cutest premie Shrek hat.

SEX: Heck yes. Beadles needles in flower petals, project bag, Noni patterns, felted balls (one for Kristina fabulous cat sitter to the stars and one for our furbabies) and later that week I picked up some yarn.

Why Knot Knit?

2007-08-25T21:39:00.000-04:00

I agree, why knot? The second day in Atlanta we hit the yarn shops which worked perfectly because it was a Sunday, there was no traffic and there was plenty of free parking. At Why Knot Knit, located in a cute little house in Buckhead area, parking is not an issue with a parking lot in the back and some spaces in the front.

I met Monica the owner who was very nice. One local shopper immediately approached Ben and I. She was so incredibly nice (and no we can't remember her name) and then I found out she was just spending the afternoon hanging out. Why Knot... has tons of yarn, Blue Sky (a popular yarn it seems), Manos, Lorna's Laces, Berroco, and much more. The front room looks like it is for baby yarns primarily, and in the front of the shop is a seating area, there are additional rooms throughout the store.

I saw this sign in the very back room of the shop, "Learn to Knit Socks" which is tied into this...

The Atlanta Knitting Guild (a very big group) was participating in knitting the world's largest sock. The largest sock? It started in England and is travelling the world. This is acrylic and circular needle heaven. I found this site where it was before arriving in Atlanta, read it here (BTW, I met KateyJ who is pictured on that blog, small world). Did I knit on it? Why, yes I did, why knot?

My sex? Sadly, not much. They had just finished up a big sale and although I was tempted by Ranco, I picked up two skeins of Lorna's Laces in River.

The New Coke

2007-08-25T20:53:00.000-04:00

I remember in 1985 when Coke announced it would release a new Coke and that a few weeks later the new coke was recalled. I actually just recalled this because we visited the New World of Coca Cola (just opened in May).

Ben spent a moment chilling with the inventor of coke (yes, wearing a Guinness shirt). The tour begins with Coke paraphernalia, then to a short movie in the vein of the Happy Factory, then to several rooms including: bottling breakdown, interactive history of coke, pop culture (Andy Warhol a-lot), documentary on commercials, and my second favorite: 4-D brief movie. 4-D? Yup, yisserree. On top of the 3-d sunglasses, the seats move, spray water and air, and not my favorite a thing that pokes you in the back. Super fun!

These bottles were found in several locations throughout and decorated (I think) with countries inspiring the theme. The one dead center is beaded for all you crafty folks. It blew my mind someone beaded this thing.

Ben chilling at a soda stand. Hmm, maybe I should post the photos of my favorite room, the coke tasting room.

Shelton Vineyards

2007-08-25T20:39:00.000-04:00

Our last stop was a quick stopover at the border of North Carolina and Virginia at Shelton Vineyards in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Here's the thing, driving from Villa Rica/Carrolton Georgia to lovely Jersey is fourteen hours, therefore a one night stop in the burgeoning area worked out well. Hampton Inn opened a new hotel (literally only a few months old) adjacent (SAT word for the day) to the Shelton Vineyards. The winery is super young but they put together a quick and fun tour.

These are doors. Pretty doors.

This room is pretty much for show but it does carry a lot of barrels of wine. The wine shown here is part of their adopt a barrel program which you can pay a certain amount of money and the barrel will carry a sign of your selection for a certain amount of time and then the wine and barrel is yours (or something like that).

Grapes. It seems these make wine. Not own their own though. That would be impressive if they did.

Oh-We ate dinner at the Harvest Grill which is on the winery and the food was freaking fantabulously terrifi-excellent. It was decently priced and it was casual attire overlooking the winery. Loved it!

Flavor Flav

2007-08-25T20:04:00.000-04:00

As Bezzie has requested, the post on the Coke tasting room...

While, I did post some pics of the World of Coca Cola, I thought I would share some of the great moments from the tasting room. Coke produces over 700 products and the thing is that they produce sodas in other countries based on what that population enjoys, for instance Latin America may have more sodas with Mangos. There are several booths based on geography for tasting: Asia, Latin America, Africa and Middle East, Europe, and America. Here are some of Ben's more animated moments at the tasting station.

Kim asked, "What was the most disgusting flavored soda?" Well, it was this weird drink from either Israel or someplace in Middle East or Africa and while I don't remember the name, it was Menthe flavored. In fact, majority of Ben's expression (the negative ones) were around Middle East and Africa.

My favorite drinks were Latin America only because they remind me of sodas when I would visit relatives in Puerto Rico, very sweet and fruity (grape, mango, and such).

OBX: Knitting Addiction

2007-08-25T19:09:00.000-04:00

I am going to try and recount little stories for each post and the first one is dedicated to Knitting Addiction located in the Outer Banks, North Carolina. We arrived in OBX after seven hours of driving through rural America. We got crabs at Dirty Dick's which was not too shabby and then drove to KA.

Knitting Addiction is located in the Southern Shores and has ample parking. It is a spacious store full of delicious yarns like Manos, Blue Sky, Cherry Tree, etc. Jeanne the owner is such a great personality. Britney who works there is incredibly helpful and funny. And Purrl, the store cat is so precious (read her monthly article here). I met some of the regulars who were a hoot. We wanted to stay for the Thursday night group.

The store has two very comfortable sofas (Ben lounged out reading HP7) and a couple extra chairs finish the lounge area. There is this stunning farmhouse table and coffee table which are very cool looking (no photo so you will have to visit them) and handcrafted. Lastly, KA has a large amount of their own knit designs from pillows, ponchos, purses, to sweaters and tanks (another reason you should check them out).

I did pick up some yummy stuff. Let's review: sock yarn t-shirt (great shirt, great fit, great price, check it out here), one skein of CTH in Potluck Jewels, one skein of CTH Potluck Blues & Purples, Interweave Knit Fall '07 (dreaming of Eunny Jang's Tangled Yoke), Notions Bag (in the back it says, "Life's Too Short to knit with ugly yarn"--True Dat).

The rest of the OBX included us eating at Mama Kwan's (highly recommended from Jeanne and with good reason) and then departing at 6am in the direction of Atlanta.

Purrl's asks, "Ahem, if you were going to Mama Kwan's for their fish tacos where was my invite?"

Scattergories : "M"

2007-08-24T20:58:00.000-04:00

I saw this on Cyn's blog who found it on Carrie's blog.

SCATTERGORIES ... and it's harder than it looks! Here are the rules:

* Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the questions.

* They MUST be real places, names, things ... NOTHING made up!

* If you can't think of anything, skip it.

* You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question.

* If your name happens to start with the same letter as mine, sorry, but you can't use my answers!

My name: Monica

1. Famous Singer/Band: Metallica

2. Four letter word: Moon

3. Street: Monroe St. (in Atlanta)

4. Color: Magenta

5. Gifts/Presents: Money

6. Vehicle: Mercedes Benz

7. Things in a Souvenir Shop: maps

8. Boy Name: Michael

9. Girl Name: Michelle

10. Movie Title: Mad Max

11. Drink: Mountain Dew

12. Occupation: Maid

13. Celebrity: Madonna

14. Magazine: Mademoiselle

15. U.S. City: Montclair

16. Pro Sports Teams: Mets

17. Fruit: Mango

18. Reason for Being Late for Work: Missing Car Keys

19. Something You Throw Away: Magazines

20. Things You Shout: Moron!

21. Cartoon Character: Mighty Mouse

Felt Ok

2007-08-15T15:22:00.000-04:00

As you may remember, I love the house slippers from Knit 2 Together. And with the yarn I picked up on sale at stix a few weeks ago, I embarked on a new felting project. I am okay with felting. I got gauge, knit up the slippers, and admittedly they were both a little different.

I knit the squares to be used as little flowers or bows. I had a lot of yarn leftover and can knit something else some other time.

Here they are felted and drying. Now, a few things I need to adjust for the next pair. I think they need slipper bottoms. The three yarns held together don't really make for a super firm bottom. As well, they slide. I can still see the stitches on the bottom and top. In the picture of the book the tops are much longer which could help stop the slippage.

They do look really cute though. So, when I get back from vacation, I will explore this pattern again.

Sanpoku Update: So after all the work I did on the sleeve of Sanpoku I had to frog it. I was planning on switching to knitting straight when I came to the decreases but the gauge would have changed. I was knitting in the round 21/4, but they pattern and everything else I knit was 20/4. I have re-started the sleeve.

X-Files Update: We are on Season 7. Ahem, yeah we saw the episode "All Things" written by Gillian Anderson and I gotta say I did not like it. I felt like I was in a french film on pause. At this point, I am thinking that the show will improve wth Robert Patrick. Cyn, I know you have some insight on this.

Buffy Update: Yes, a Buffy update. We finished Season 4. The climactic fight at the initiative and bullets turning into doves (although freaky primal slayer). We are moving onto Season 5 which I remember enjoying. Although, then is (blegh) Season 6. Bezzie, I know you can add some input on this.

Almost there yet?

2007-08-14T20:18:00.000-04:00

almost on vacation, almost done with sanpoku, almost on the road again....

DH and I went to see The Order of the Phoenix in Imax. The only thing 3-D was the last fight scene which bummed me out because I think it would be so cool to Hogwarts and everything else in 3-D. About the movie. Hm. I listened to DH discuss how the movie was the only HP movie he has not enjoyed. I agree with him. The movie was choppy, there was a lack of transitions that other HP movies had, characters were on the side but not involved, it felt like all other movies. Here's my thing, I love HP movies because there was always so much detail and visual stimulation.

Onto knitting. I finished Sanpoku last night and started the sleeve using the magic loop. I haven't yet determined how I am going to transition from this to raglan sleeve, but I will. This will be on-the-road knitting, pure stockinette. Speaking of on the road knitting, I am having trouble selecting knitting projects. I am thinking to bring: sanpoku, arwen, red scarf, and socks. Decisions, decisions, decisions...

Tomorrow, I hope to post some pics of felted house slippers. I just need to add some details to it...

Puffy says, "Bring me Southern Fried Chicken or else the fake plant gets peed on!"

Weekend Update is Updated

2007-08-14T11:49:00.000-04:00

I pretty much worked.
That's my weekend.
I did do some knitting.
A little bit.

I finished the afghan square. All done before my trip. There was some fuzziness. I only had a few furball moments.

I made some progress on the sanpoku front. This is the second one. I don't think the sleeves will be done before I leave, but I should have some more progress before I leave. Does that mean that I am not thinking about my next project?

Oh yeah. I have loved the Arwen cardigan since published in Interweave last Winter.

I have been eyeing the Pure Merino which matches the gauge and is oh so soft. I have knit with Zara which is the DK weight of this yarn and loved its softness and stitch definition, so Pure Merino was the perfect choice (for me). I have already cast on a gauge swatch which is good to go. It is sproingy and smushy and did I mention oh so soft?

Well.
It is.

Margaret has been in progress on this sweater and it is gorgeous. Although, I do want to make it a little longer in the body. We will see how much I can accomplish while on vacation. I have to admit I copied the directions, crossed out the numbers I am not using, and highlighted the numbers I am using, and read them. I am a little intimidated by this project so I am going to bring some socks just in case this is a little too much. No pictures of furbabies today, instead I bring you yummy pure merino....