This was supposed to be yesterday

Well, I finished Pasha Sunday night. I tried embrodiary thread - didn't like it. So I used the beads I bought at Dava Bead for the eyes.

Worked on my sock for a little bit, but not long. I am now at the middle of the foot. I wanted to wear them today, but that didn't happen.

Worked on Ben's sweater for a bit. I only have the one sleeve to finish. I don't like all the decreases mixed in with the color changes - one or the other, but not both. I have even wove in most of the ends! If I could get off my a$$ and finish that last darn arm, I could have been done by now! His birthday is in 8 days!!!

My Fair Isle Hat class was cancelled due to low enrollment. It may be rescheduled - TBA. I was soooo excited to take that class.

I have to frost the cake tonight for DeAndré's birthday.

I finished the front of Mariah. (Did I say that already??) I started one sleeve Sunday night. I don't know how far I got. Past the first two inches, and one line on Chart C.

One down...

Trying something new. Instead of everytime I think of it, posting. I am everytime I think of it clicking "Save as Draft" then post at the end of the day. My fear with this procedure is that I will forget to Publish and will have to do it the next day.

I FINISHED SOCK NUMBER ONE LAST NIGHT!!!!!
There are some mistakes in it, but I didn't want to rip out, and no one but me (and possibly other knitters) knows they are there. I will do better on its mate. The fit isn't great - read: it fits, but it isn't quite long enough, and it is not too grippy (is that a word?). I will get some nylon thread and help it out on top. Started the second one this morning on the MAX. I'm not crazy about the fit of it, but I am sooo proud that I DID IT!!!! It is Encore worsted, and I think I can only wear it on St. Patty's day - not really, but that is a lot of green! I just grabbed something out of the stash. (So proud that I didn't spend money!)

I was working on it at my SIL's house last night and my BIL (SIL and DH's brother) asked me if I would make him one. He asked right, so he will get one. He told me he doesn't care when he gets it - next Christmas is fine, and he would pay me. Now I need to know how make a thick sock that he can wear during his construction jobs but will fit in his shoes. I also need to know - how do I make the right size? do I just ask him what size shoe he wears, or do I ask him to measure his foot? Or are there generic sizes? Any recommendations on yarn/needle size?

This weekend I will start the sleeves on Mariah. Hopefully, I can get somewhere without the assistance of my beloved Savannahchik.


Final Sock

I always knew I loved my husband, but he really is the greatest. It took him awhile to come around to my knitting, but now he is sooo proud of my work, and notices how much (for instance) I enjoyed doing my sock. I also know, after yesterday with the BIL, that he will be the biggest defender of my skills and time. He is a keeper!

COMPLAINT

We have a newspaper in Portland. It is called the Portland Tribune. It comes out on Tuesdays and Fridays. It is free. There are boxes everywhere for it. I work downtown. (The regular, daily large paper is the Oregonian.) The Tribune has a new (or not so new) thing it does. It sends people out with a ton of papers on Tuesdays and Fridays to walk around downtown. These people practically run you down to take one of the papers. They are worse than any pan handler I have ever seen. Now, the paper has been around for a couple of years - maybe 3 or 4 - it has always been Tuesday and Friday and it has always been free. And, like I said, the boxes are everywhere. Don't you think that if someone wanted a copy, they would get one, and know where to get one? Do we really need these people mobbing me to take something I don't even want in the first place. Or, they could at least get rid of the boxes. Or put them in places not serviced by these jumpy people, so you could get one somewhere else). I wanna scream LEAVE ME ALONE - I WILL GET ONE IF I WANT ONE - AND I DON'T

thanks - vent over

I love cows. I don’t know why, I just do. Love to eat a good burger. I am not a vegetarian. Just love cows - only the black and white ones. Which is why I am appalled at: this. (The kind of appalled where you die laughing, not the kind where you write to someone.) I was browsing through JenLa's blog and found it.

Books and socks

Well, here is what I got....
The Knitting Experience Book 1: The Knit Stitch; Inspiration and Instruction, Vol. 1
The Knitting Experience: Book 2 the Purl Stitch, Vol. 2
Luther: The Life and Longing of Luther Vandross
Knitting without Tears, Vol. 1

In Barnes & Nobles extreme wisdom... you can only use one card per order, which means I had to place two orders. Dummies. Oh, well, I still paid no shipping, and now I will get two seperate packages - all right with me.

Here is my sock so far. I just started the heel.


Sock 2

I finished the right front of Mariah. Next it is on to the sleeves. It is a good thing I started early, because I might not finish this all too soon, now.

Books

I really do have a great boss. He has people who give him gift cards for Barnes & Noble. However, he doesn't use them. SOOOOO...... HE GIVES THEM TO ME!!! He came in today with TWO TWENTY-FIVE DOLLAR GIFT CARDS.

There is a small catch - Barnes & Noble is one of those companies who, if you don't use your card within 12 months of purchase, charge you $1.50 a month until your balance is $0. He has had these cards for a long time, and is fearful that I will lose out. So I have to hurry up and use them - oh the burden!

So, I am at Barnes & Noble.com - which is cheaper than the brick and morter store, and I don't have to drag husband and children with me. I actually have to go to Borders and the library at lunch and decide which books I want. I don't want to have to return.

Oh, I forgot to add that they both have full balances on them, as did the first time he gave me one.

Poor me, I must get more knitting books - the tragedy!

AH HA!!!!

I just had an Ah Ha!!! moment!!!! Those are sooo great!!! I am knitting a sock. This is the second time I have tried. This is part of the First Time Socknitters KAL. I don't know why I didn't get it the first time. But I just had an AH HA moment at the beginning of the heel. Just had to share. Thank you!

Secret Pal info

Well, I got my secret pal, and apparently someone got me. They asked for my questionnaire info, which I was just waiting to post, so here goes:

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer high- and/natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?
I am a yarn snob, but my checkbook is not a snob.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I don’t care much for crochet. I would like to learn to spin, but don’t want to lose any knitting time

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
Nope, none.

4. How long have you been knitting?
Three years, but only one have I been addicted.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Amazon.com and Knitpicks.com

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Nothing that smells like food - vanilla is good or flowers

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
Yes, chocolate - I am a chocolate purist - no nugat, nuts, caramel, etc. Also, I like dum dums, sweetarts, starburst

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
Scrapbook, when I make the time - not often, at all

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Luther Vandross is my favorite artist. R&B (not rap) is my favorite genre, country is a distant second.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer?
Blue

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Two boys, aged 8 and 6 and a husband and a black lab

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
to knit all hours all days, if I feel like it, or taking a break when I want.

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
Wool. Not crazy about novelty yarns

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Novelty yarns *not*

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
cables

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Not sure

17. What are you knitting right now?
Mariah, striped pullover, teddy bear, um….

18. What do you think about ponchos?
I would like one, but I don’t want to spend the time to make something that is going to be out of style by the time I finish it

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
That’s easy - circular! HATE straight

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Addi’s, unless the yarn doesn’t work with it

21. Are you a sock knitter?
I am attempting to be one, haven’t got past the heel, yet

22. How did you learn to knit?
Knitting for Dummies

23. How old is your oldest UFO?
I think it is about 2 and a half years old. I would finish it if it wasn’t for me and/or had a deadline

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
Mickey Mouse, without a doubt

25. What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas

26. Is there anything that you collect?
Besides Mickey - Cow Parade and all things cows - however, the only cows that count are the black and white ones.

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
Vogue Knitting and Interweave Knits

28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?
With a new baby on the way, some pattern books for babies.

Titles?!?!?!?

The thing I like least about blogging is coming up with titles.

Anyway, I wove in most of the ends on the front of Ben's sweater last night. Today will be a "lots-of-time-for-knitting-day" I have a lunch seminar, and then a "class" tonight. Seminar is an hour, class is an hour and a half, and I can knit in both the whole time. Plus the commute on the bus, which is a total of an hour. Therefore, last night I also started on my sock for the first time socknitters along. I needed to make sure I had some mindless knitting to do today. I am working on Mariah's right front, and I am up to about 7 1/2". I have to stop at 13", so I am almost done with that. I think after I finish that, I will have to put her on hold until after my deadlines are met on other projects. Those sleeves probably won't be portable for me.

Make eyes on DeAndre's penguin. Go to JoAnn's to get some embrodiary thread. Due Feb 2
Last sleeve, weave in ends, seam and block Ben's sweater. Due Feb 9
Malik's teddy. Not due until April 28.
I will start my Fair Isle hat class on Saturday. That ends Feb 19.
Finish my darn sweater that has been a WIP for maybe 2 years and is almost done.
Malik has a sweater he wants fixed.

None of this is really portable. That means I will have socks with me for awhile. I am proud of the start of my socks. It is 2X2 rib, and so far I see no mistakes.

Sock

I think that is all.

Hello...

I discovered that with no cable box, I can't watch one of my favorite shows. It comes on Sunday nights on Showtime. It is called Huff. It stars Hank Azaria. He was in Mad About You, was married to Helen Hunt and was in the movie “Tuesdays with Morrie.” It is a really good show, if you get the chance, check it out. Also, our cable boxes in the living room and our bedroom were our main source of the time. We have no clock in the living room and no clock other than the alarm clock in our bedroom. We have been in our house since June, and I have been meaning to get a clock, but hadn’t gotten around to it. Guess what is high priority for me this weekend. I would do it before this weekend, but I never go to Target on weekdays unless I don’t have to go to work. Going to Target on weekdays after work means dealing with possibly the worst rush hour traffic in Portland, so I wait until the weekend. (For those of you familiar with Portland, I go to the Target at Jantzen Beach, and I have to get on I-5 two exits before the bridge.)

Thanks sooo much to Fiber and Kimberly for their good thoughts. Especially thanks to Kimberly for making me such a nice button:


I really appreciate it.

I found a new knit a long yesterday. It is the First Time Socknitters KAL. Wish me luck.

I finished one sleeve of Ben’s birthday sweater. Now I only have one sleeve, weave in ends (so many ends) and block and seam. I have two weeks. Nothing like putting it off. Of course, I would be done by now if it weren’t for…

Mariah

I am done with the back, the left front and this morning I finished the cabling on the right front. Now it is stockinette stitch all the way up. Then on to the intimidating (to me) sleeves.

I found some beads for Pasha’s eyes, but I am a little stuck on how to put them on. I should have put the eyes on before I stuffed it. I think I will not use beads but instead, use just some embroidery floss. Do both eyes at once.

I got my order from Smiley’s yesterday. I ordered some yarn for Malik’s teddy bear. I ordered Lion Brand Imagine. I ordered it without feeling it or seeing it or anything - scary! It is 80% acrylic and 20% mohair. I started his bear yesterday on size nine needles. The first needles I tried were slick, and this yarn is very slick! Didn’t work very well. Then I found some wooden needles - much better. The first couple of rows were kinda tough, cause this yarn doesn’t like to sit still for an increase, but after that, it was fine. The material it is making is really soft. GREAT for a teddy bear!

Some of the other yarn I bought was for the Hourglass Knit a Long. Now, I just have to wait until I can get the book from the library. I put it on hold on 11/24/2004. They own 6 copies. They have 37 holds and I am number 8 of 37. I would have bought it by now if I felt I could justify the expense. I am so cheap, sometimes it hurts

I knew I was forgetting something....

Malik's basketball game on Saturday! The first game was on January 8th. We won 30-13. The second game was cancelled due to ice. The third game (the 22nd) we won. (announcer voice) We have seventeen seconds on the clock, Sabin ballers 35, other team 33. Other team player has free throw 1 and 1. (Non-basketball fans - that means if he makes the first one, he earns a second one, if not he doesn't get the second one.) If he makes both shots, the game will go into overtime. Oh, look at that, he missed! That means the Sabin Ballers take thier record to 2-0 with a 35-33 win over the "whatever-the-other-team-is-called!!!"

TGIF

I finished the back of Mariah. I have not started the rest, yet, because I decided to finish the gifts that are due in February. I will be done with Pasha after I get some beads for eyes. I am done with all of the back and most of the front of my brother's sweater. I would have kept going on Mariah, but I got stuck. Thank goodness, again, for Savannahchik. If not for her, I would not have been able to do anything on my favorite girl! Nothing against the sweetest Jodi. This is, after all, my first time with charts and with cables.

I am going to attempt to do the Friday 3 as seen in Christiane's blog:

*3 Items you couldn't possibly live without:

a crochet hook to pick up dropped stitches
my knitting
my husband

*The first 3 people you kissed:

Jesse
Ben (not my brother)
Chris

*3 things you swear you'll never do:

wear bell-bottoms
vote Republican
move from Portland

Marcus got fired from his job yesterday. He is worried about money and what not, but he is also relieved, because his boss was an asshole and consistently made life hell for him. Why didn't he just quit - hmmmm......good question. I have never been allowed to get an answer on that profound question. He worked for Comcast cable, and got all the channels, and internet. Now, we will only get the basic channels, no digital and no internet. Of course, this means NO KNITTY GRITTY!!!! :( :( :( :(. Also, no internet on the weekends - which I couldn't always access what I wanted, anyway, at home 'cause of our computer, so no worries. Wish him luck in the job market!

Well, I guess that is all for now. Have a good weekend.

Protest

Bush

I just found out that since today is Inauguration day - or the day the world died - apparently, there is an internet/blog protest. I am sooo glad I happened to be checking out Marnie's site. Anyway, I will happily join this. That means no knitting content today.

Mariah

Well, like I knew in my heart, I pulled it out. I got on the bus Friday evening and noticed another twisted cable (is that what it would be called) and a rib that was not done right. So, I ripped it out. I started it again. I think on Sunday. I am now done with the ribbing and maybe four inches of the stockinette stitch.

Striped Pullover

We had an ice day on Saturday, so I wove in all the ends of the back of my brother's sweater. I also finished about 2/3 of the front. I have three weeks left. I really need to get working - damn Mariah!

Pictures

Well, as promised, I took pictures of Marcus' vest and progress on my brother's sweater. I was sooo proud of what I envisioned my blog to look like. With pictures and the like. I emailed them from my sister's phone. For some reason, I never got the email and they have been deleted from my sister's phone. :( :( :( :( I thought I would have a grown up looking blog, but it didn't work. Ah well, maybe when she returns from her trip I can try again.

Marcus' birthday

My husband reports he had a good birthday. He was very impressed and excited about the vest. I was glowing. Good times!

Mariah with arrows

Here are the cables with mistakes pointed out for you. In case you didn't see that I made a huge mistake. I am dwelling on this a bit, so I may rip them out, after all.

Mariah with arrows

Mariah picture

Well, I do have a scanner at work, so here is a picture of Mariah so far. I have two cables where I think I held the needle in the back (or the front) instead of the front (or back), so two are wrong. But I decided not to change it. I know how to pull out a row of stockinette stitch, but not so sure about cables. I am more interested in wearing this than it being perfect. Of course, we will see if I stick to this. Most people won't notice it, anyway, so....

Mariah Cables

New project

New project

I knew I wanted to make Malik (my oldest) a stuffed animal for his birthday on April 28, but I didn't know what pattern to use - well, I found it. It is in Knitting For Baby. I just picked it up from the library. Now I just have to get started - after my brother's present is done.

More Mariah

Speaking of which, since Mariah has entered my life, I seem to not have any interest in my brother's present. It is not really portable, as there are stripes, and I don't want to have to carry around all that yarn. Therefore, Mariah has been coming with me.

Husband

My husband got to Cali alright. Thanks for any prayers.

Hourglass

I think I will try again for the Hourglass KAL. I got some yarn at Smiley's today that might work.

HELP!!!!!!!!!

I am quite sick of not knowing what I am doing on this blog. If anyone can give me some pointers how to get those darn buttons in a column, I would greatly appreciate it! I looked at KR pointers, but they didn't help. I can get the buttons on the page, but How do I tell it that I want it to be in a column?!?!?!

I hope I have a reader or two out there that can help me out! Actually, even to have a reader or two would be nice!

Pictures

I know you all are wondering why I don't have any pictures. Well, I live in the dark ages and do not have a digital camera! I know "WHAT?!?!?" I don't even have a camera phone - "OH MY GOSH! HOW DOES SHE SURVIVE?!?!?" I have an old fashioned camera, and I get pics returned with a disc. But I haven't been using it regularly. However, next week I should be able to post some pics. I will see my sister who has a digital camera and she may be able to shoot some pics for me. Hope for me.

CABLES, OH CABLES

Try two! I posted this already, but lost it...

I thought I was addicted to knitting. I never knew how much I would love Cables. Mariah right now is my best friend. I keep thinking about her the whole time I am suppossed to be at work. I can't wait to pick her up again, and again, and again.

I can't wait to do the sleeves. I am glad I did the back first. Good thing to sink your teeth into. I knew cables wouldn't be hard, cause I played with it once, but DANG! I can't wait until I am done, so I can wear it, with pride.

The vest

Well, I was looking at my vest, again, and I noticed a problem. I'm not sure how to fix it. It is ugly. However, only when someone looks closely at it. Sooooo, I trotted around the office like a First Grader proud to show his mommy a pic from school. I was fishing for compliments. I was proud. I knew the oops was small, and I could figure out a way to fix it that wouldn't take till after Tuesday. Of course, now I don't have to worry about him seeing me fix it.


Can you see it?

Loooooong weekend

This will not be my favorite weekend! Marcus's (my DH) mother is quite ill and he has to go to California to be with her. He is leaving tonight after work. He will be back sometime on Monday (or maybe early Tuesday). I hate sleeping alone! I also don't like not having him around to play with - (get your minds out of the gutter) he makes me laugh all the time. However, I get to fine tune his gift some more. I finished knitting it on Tuesday, but there are a couple (really only a couple) of ends to weave in and it needs to be blocked. So, it is good timing for him to leave. Also, his birthday is Tuesday, so I can do some stuff for that, too.

I started Mariah last night. I needed help beginning it - I have never used a chart before. I got help from Savannahchik. THANKS! Then I cast on. I ripped out the first two rows two times, but I am now off and running and about 8 rows in! Oh - I am doing the back first. Since I have never used a chart or cables before, it would be best to start small, and those sleeves do not look like something I was ready to start with. I will get my courage up before I do those.

I am going to go shopping at Smiley's Yarns tomorrow - pay day and get a bunch of $1 yarn for my son's present, and maybe I will take up Hourglass KAL, again. I plan to spend $50, including the $9 shipping.

Another button

Marriage is love.

I hope this is not shrunk down like it was before. If it is, just know, the rainbow is not suppossed to be the height of a piece of hair.

Please help

My dad and brother's birthday are in the summer. Also, there is the dreaded Father's Day. Therefore, I have to give 5 gifts in a month - two for my dad (bd and Father's Day), one for my brother - not a father, yet, one for my stepdad and one for my husband. I have some ideas. I was thinking for my dad and my step-dad, a messenger bag. For my husband, a vest will work. For my brother and my dad's other present, I would like to find a light-weight pullover - which is where I need help. Does anyone have a resource for this?

Violet Knits! 

Kimberly's Korner 

Hourglass Knit along 

Mariah Along 

Knitter's Review 

Buttons...

Secret Pal 4

Well, I now have buttons. Now, I just have to figure out how to put them on the side. Again with the baby steps.

YEAH!!!!!!

I figured out how to do links on that last post! Baby steps

Updates

I think I am not going to do the Hourglass KAL. http://hourglass-knit-a-long.blogspot.com/ I bought some yarn at Ebay and it is really awful. It was not very expensive, but I think it means I can't do the KAL. I am, however, doing the Mariah KAL, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mariahalong/ and taking a class in 4 weeks. http://www.theknittingbee.com/

Also my DH birthday is in 11 days, and I am making http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter02/PATTdiamonds.html for him. I am, however, just doing it in stockinette stitch. When I tried the pattern, I got stressed that it would take too long (which it would have). I am also almost finished with my almost 7 year old DS (DeAndre') birthday present - in 26 days. I only have to stuff it and seam it up. I am making him http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter04/PATTpasha.html. Also, I am making my brother - his birthday is in 33 days - a sweater from Lion Brand
http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/kwec-stripedPullover.html.

My 9 year old son (Malik) wants a hat and a scarf. He thinks he wants to knit, so he tries sometimes. He would rather watch TV. He asked me if I would make him a scarf. I told him I would be happy to make him a scarf, but if he wanted he could make it - he was amazed! He hasn't done it, though. I'm pretty sure he won't.

I am also attempting my first sock. I have been working on it since well before Christmas, but it has no deadline or recipient, so it gets put on the back burner quickly. I am only doing it so that I can learn how to make a sock. I got the yarn out of my really small stash - I am pretty sure that I only have enough to make the one sock, but that is okay.

Then Malik's birthday is coming up at the end of April, so that will be coming up. I am only going to make him a toy. He also has a sweater that needs a hood, or shawl or somthing in the neckline - it is a DEEP crew neck. So I have to fix that.

And, last but not least, I have a sweater that I have been working on for me for about 2-3 years. I have frogged it a few times. I started it before I knew what I was doing. Now, I only have the Button band and the sleeves. But, again with the no deadline, so it gets pushed aside often. Anyway, I think I am not going to do the Hourglass KAL cause I have enough stuff to keep my busy. Plus, we are a bit too broke for me to buy the yarn, so..... Busy weekend for my family. Malik's first basketball game is on Saturday, plus both boys start swimming lessons, plus I have a SnB meeting, plus we have to go to La Befana, plus my aunt's birthday.

More next week.

Playing with Hello

Ok...so it is not knitting related, but I had to put pictures on my page...


My oldest and the dog 


My husband and the youngest 

One New Year's Resolution

I don't generally believe in New Year's Resolutions. If I need to change something about myself - which I have a lot of things (don't we all?) I don't wait to New Year's - I either change it, I constantly work on it, or I procrastinate about doing it - procrastinating wins out most of the time. However, this year I have a few. They are all knitting related. I couldn't start them before New Year's because of Christmas presents that were deadlined first.

One is to learn Fair Isle. Well, I just signed up for a class! It is:
Colorful Topper
Learn two-handed or Fair Isle knitting techniques while creating a fun multi-colored cap. The cap is knit in the round using circular and double-pointed needles.

I had to check with my son, first, because this is right during basketball season! I do have some guilt, but the class only meets three times, and if I have to miss a game, it will only be the second half. We don't have the full schedule out, yet, just the first half. I have never missed any of his games. And he plays a lot. Well, I guess I have missed some, but only if both boys had games at the same times.

I am VERY excited about the chance to learn this. I can't wait to start. It starts on the 29th of January. I will post an update then.

Secret Pals 4

I joined Secret Pals 4 - YEAH!!! http://secretpals4.blogspot.com/

New Year

Hopefully, everyone had a good New Year's and will have a great 2005. I have to plan which class I will get to take at my LYS. I got $ and gift certificates for LYS and got the class schedule. However, my son's basketball schedule comes first and I won't be able to get that until this evening at practice, so I don't know what I will be able to take, and what I won't. I love my son, and he loves having me come to his games. However, there is one class I REALLY want to take - It is a Nordic Sweater, and I will get to learn fair isle, and steeking. I am really excited! The LYS is Yarn Garden at Yarngarden.net

Well, I have a list of classes, and if I can't take the one I want, I can pick another one. I will know in about 7 hours. I will update tomorrow.