JenKnitter

NOT sewing...

2011-01-23T21:51:00.000-08:00

I wish I could play with my sewing machine, but the couple of times I have tried, I have gotten nowhere. I can take classes (for free!), but the class is only on Mondays, and my husband worked last Monday, and tomorrow. Maybe next week?

Christmas

2010-12-26T13:40:00.000-08:00

For Christmas I got some shoes, and a Luther Vandross CD set and a key to my husband's heart

The kids had so much fun!

I have lots of pictures on Facebook.

Finishing!!!!

2010-12-19T15:14:00.000-08:00

I finished a hat for Ayanna (no pictures, yet, because she is napping). I made A LOT of progress on a sock for me. I am about two inches in on a hat for DeAndre'. It feels soooo good to actually see progress! Malik says he doesn't want a hat, but I will have made hats for all my children, so I found one on ravelry and will be knitting it up as soon as I am done with DeAndre's. At this rate, it will be done in time for Christmas.

2010-12-18T10:10:00.001-08:00

When I am done with the heel turn, why do I ALWAYS pick up the gussets backwards! AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!

More sewing

2010-12-09T22:41:00.000-08:00

I went to Fabric Depot today and came away with a pretty good haul:

I want free fabric, so please excuse this link. Or go enter.

http://sewquine.blogspot.com/2010/12/fabric-giveaway.html

What did I do this for!!!

2010-12-08T13:01:00.000-08:00

My son works at Goodwill. Therefore, I am often there to take him lunch when he forgets (which happens often), and pick him up.

Guess what I saw?

More importantly, guess what I bought!!!!?!!!

I couldn't resist it at only $40! Now I need to find it a home, and get some material, and some thread, and a book or two from the library, and some....

(AAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!)

Some finishing

2010-12-05T19:51:00.000-08:00

Well, I didn't do so hot at NaBloPoMo, but I am still here, so...

I finished two things this weekend:

This is a hat for a squirrel. Don't ask, my sister is a bit crazy

These were going to be gloves for Kandyce to go with her hat (see below). They are now going to Ayanna.

I finished this hat for Kandyce a week or two ago

Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T22:27:00.000-08:00

First we went to my sister in law's house:

Then the power went out, so we went to my uncle's house:

This is most of the part of my family who lives in Oregon. We also have a branch in Colorado.

I started and finished a hat for Kandyce, and started some gloves for her.

O! M! G!

2010-11-24T13:26:00.000-08:00

I was reading my blogs. I read Mini. Go to this page and scroll down to the information about the sock knitter. I suggest we (The Knitters) in a way similar to yarnharlot, take over the comment box!

GO!

FINISHED SOMETHING ELSE!!!

2010-11-15T22:52:00.000-08:00

According to Ravelry, I started this 4 days ago. It would have taken me ten minutes to finish, but I had to wait for delivery of my Sensor to finish it. LOVE IT!!! Now to get to running. I will start that on Wednesday.

Another new project...

2010-11-11T22:11:00.000-08:00

However, it is a quick thing. However, it could take me two weeks to finish it, rather than the 20 minutes it should take.
I am starting c25k again next week. I bought a Nike + iPod Sport Kit - USA thing for my iPod from eBay. I found a pattern for a cozy for the sensor. Ravelry link. When I get the thing in the mail, I will finish it off.

Trying...

2010-11-09T12:45:00.000-08:00

I am not here quite daily this month, huh?

That is okay. It is not guilt. I have done better this month (I think) than the last two or three years COMBINED!

OTN:
Doll for Christmas;
Corset Silk Tank Top;
Silky Negligee

The doll was supposed to be for birthday in August;
Corset Silk Tank Top - freshly started a few days ago - needs full concentration and for me. Therefore, probably won't get done!;
Silky Negligee - for a birthday YEARS ago. Maybe for a birthday next year.

LOOK! I FINISHED SOMETHING!!!

2010-11-06T22:40:00.000-07:00

BTW...

2010-11-04T19:13:00.000-07:00

I am on http://www.facebook.com/jenknitter, http://twitter.com/jenknitter and http://www.ravelry.com/people/jenknitter.

Oh Kandyce!

2010-11-03T12:20:00.000-07:00

Little to no knitting content, today.

I had such a good morning today!

Backstory: when Kandyce was 18 months, she had no words. The pediatrician recommended we see a speech therapist. We have been seeing her for about six months. She is lovely. However, I don't think she is doing anything for her. Kandyce is fine. She has always been fine. She didn't choose to talk. She had every other milestone knocked out of the park. I wasn't worried. She talks now. It is mostly not english, but more and more everyday. She sepaks in sentences of mostly not english. I am okay with this. However, everytime Sara came to the house, Kandyce would keep her big mouth shut. She would talk in single words once in awhile.

TODAY HOWEVER! She spoke to her just like she speaks to us! I was so excited and proud. She finally got to see what I see everyday!

Such a good morning!!!

Can't you see how much she has to say:

NaBloPoMo

2010-11-02T12:20:00.000-07:00

So, I have wanted to restart this for sometime. I even tried with the WordPress thing. I think, given that it is NaBloPoMo, I will try again, now.

Also, since I am currently attending school, it is a good idea to get something else to distract me from reading the chapter I am currently supposed to be reading!

So, as I said, I am in school. I am trying to get an associates in computers. I would like to be a Geek Squad when I grow up. I have been trying for a few terms, now, and honestly it isn't going very well. I have too much on my plate to spend enough time on my school work.

On my plate:

Yesterday I had a meeting at the middle school to help them get the website up and running.
I also had a meeting at the elementary school to help get the parking lot safer. We need to paint a crosswalk, and repaint some no-parking signs. This takes more work than you would think. I met with someone from the district yesterday to start the process. Truthfully, I think this year is too much to hope for.
Last Wednesday I had a meeting at the high school. Hopefully, we can get a yearbook there this year.
Tonight I have another meeting at the high school for the brand-new Parent Advisory Council.

This doesn't count my taxi duties for three kids at three different schools and a husband, or the simple fact that I have four kids.

I am knitting, but since I am currently at school, I don't have any pictures I can show right now. Let's see:

Socks for Birthday in 40 days
doll for birthday last August (maybe Christmas, now)
something for me!
more, I am sure, but...

Let's hope I have more everyday this month! I think I like it better than Facebook. I don't have many knitter friends there.

New-ish pic

2010-09-09T23:25:00.000-07:00

This picture was taken in Feb. of this year:

Halloween

2007-10-31T20:15:00.001-07:00

Halloween pictures (no knitting content)

DeAndre' is Death

Neo from Matrix

Ayanna is a ladybug fairy

Halloween pictures (no knitting content)

Pictures

2007-10-23T10:59:00.000-07:00

Well, I can't find my camera. Therefore, I had to use my husband's. I finished some stuff.

Technically not finished. The mug is for scale. Two Christmas purses. I have to sew the handle down.

Scarf Number 1. Shibui yarn.

Bad pic of the hat that goes with the scarf.

An attempt at both at once.

I am going to make three or four of the scarf hat sets. The first one took just under a week. I have one set done, plus the hat and about half of the scarf done for the other.

The purses took two days to knit.

Knitting updates

2007-10-11T13:10:00.001-07:00

So, before I got so behind, again, I thought I would post an update.

Projects in progress:

Master Knitters program
Secret project
Christmas hat and scarf sets (4 or 5 for Christmas)
purse Christmas presents (1 or 2)

I really feel like I am missing something, but can't think of it!

Oh! A top down sweater for my brother, a shrug for me, a cardigan for Ayanna, a sweater for Malik.....

Busy at work, so must go eat lunch before I don't get one. More later, I promise!

FINALLY

2007-10-01T22:54:00.000-07:00

So between my former crazy job, and my Catholic guilt, I couldn't get past the fact that it has been waaay too long since I posted. Then I read this and I felt a little better.

I have been knitting - Lots. I am on Ravelry. I left my last boss from HELL and got a new job at my LYS, where I have been going to knit night for over a year.

Hopefully, now, I can be a better blogger, again.

Here are some kid pics taken this weekend to make it better:

Ayanna wishing we didn't have to go to football games.

DeAndre' taking his own picture wishing he didn't have to be at his brother's game, even though his game was earlier in the same morning.

Malik at pre-game practice. This turns out to be the only playing time he gets!! He was not very happy about that!

So busy

2007-05-12T16:23:00.000-07:00

Let me try to catch up.

Malik went to Outdoor School for a week. He had fun. He didn't take any *good* pictures.

Malik turned 12. We had a party.

I finished both of my secret knitting.

Malik was in a parade. They won first place.

This is the band being judged.

This is the band teacher with the ribbon.

That is all for now.

Falling down on the blogging job

2007-04-22T15:42:00.000-07:00

So, I composed two posts but never actually posted either of them. I felt I wasn't finished with them, but then I never found the time to actually complete them. So, here they both are:

SHOP HOP REPORT
Chrissy and Katrina were two of the people who put on the 2007 Tigard Knitting Guild Shop Hop. We got to the school where we all met to get on the bus. When we got there, we received our Lantern Moon bags with PLENTY of loot in there. So much that the organizers suggested we put them in our cars because they were heavy. In the bags was an Interlacements Scarf Kit, a mini skein of Panda Wool some miscellaneous yarn samples from KPixie; candy and some yarn from The Sweet Sheep. We got a pattern book from Dale, and lots of coupons and samples. Heck, I can’t remember it all, use a combination of my pictures and Amanda’s post. She covered it all very well. Also check the Shop Hop Blog for the mother load of information and pictures.

At the first store, All About Yarn, I got a book I had wanted for a long time, a pattern that Halle Berry wore in A Perfect Stranger. It looks cozy! And a thing to put on my finger to control more than one strand of yarn at a time.

At The Knitting Bee, I got a pattern from Fiber Trends for a dress for Ayanna and got some Red Encore to make it. I also got a mini Kacha counter.

At Knit/Purl I got some roving, a spindle and a couple of patterns.

I also decided to help Darcy (the owner) wrap purchases. This is my store. I am there every week for knit night, and I like these people. I got some good-natured ribbing, but it was okay.

I found a second favorite store. I really like Dublin Bay, and their knit night is Tuesday. When I can’t make it to Knit Purl due to a conflict, I used to go to another store on Tuesdays, but next time I have a conflict, I will try Dublin Bay. Here I decided to fix a problem. I had been working on another project before this, but there was some kind of problem, I don’t know if it was cause I wrote the pattern down wrong, or if I made an error, or what, but I was stuck and needed a project quick. I walked into Dublin Bay and found a project in a bag. It included the yarn, the pattern and the needles, along with some buttons. I am now, therefore, making a purse for Ayanna. I am going to give the rest of it to DeAndre’ to make himself a little wallet. The wooden needles are kind of short, and are wooden size 8. They are very sticky. DeAndre’ didn’t have his own needles before this, so now he does. I also got some buttons for the project for Ayanna that I started but had to abandon on the bus.

At Lint, I hung out in the discount book section, and got 6 books/pamphlets for less than $30!

At the final store, Molehill Farm (I can’t find a link), I bought nothing. They have a tub in the back (no, really, a tub). This store used to be a house, and in the back is a bathroom. In the tub, they put the sale yarns. I had heard tell of the tub, but I never got to see it before.

Finally, while were on the bus in between stops, they had give-aways. Everyone got one. This is what I got. It was donated by Jimmy Beans Wool. That is ten balls of

Then they asked if anyone's button had a star sticker on the back - mine did, and I won this.

I can't wait until I get to go again!!

The other post (originally written April 13!)

Natalie updated the 2007 Knitalongs list. I found and joined the For Me?! knit along. I will join the Coffee Swap on Monday (I joined, and have a pal!)

The Shelburne Inn

2007-04-13T18:09:00.000-07:00

DON'T EVER STAY AT The Shelburne Inn!!!!

It is in South West Washington on the coast.

We had reservations for tomorrow night. For some reason they wrote March 31 instead of April 14. That is my fault, not his. This guy has clearly NEVER heard of customer service! He would be willing to let us stay there if we stayed for two nights. Of course, we would have to pay for the second night! This means that on Friday night at 6:00 pm we would have to drive 2 1/2 hours after packing up and dropping off the children.

I just checked the website. They have 8 rooms available - OUT OF 15!!! Are you kidding me!!! We can't have ONE NIGHT!!! I already had to jump through about a thousand hoops to get the room anyway!!!

Finishing

2007-04-06T10:39:00.000-07:00

So, I finished two things yesterday! The secret project was turned in yesterday afternoon, and then I finished the socks at knit night last night (pictures to follow tomorrow or so).

I have cast on for secret project #2. It is a mostly stockinette stitch 6 month old size sweater, so I should be able to whip it out pretty quick. Then, maybe I can work on some other stuff!

I have two baby stories to share! The first one is Ayanna now wants you to read to her. She will pick up a book, and walk backwards into your lap so you can read her the book! It is so cute. Of course, she only lasts about a page or less per book, so there is quite the pile of books sitting next to you when she is done!

Second, Ayanna is not allowed to play with the phone. She knows this! She also knows this is my rule, and Daddy doesn't so much care. I was doing laundry the other day and I heard the beep, beep of someone punching buttons on the phone. I yelled "AYANNA ROSE BROWN" and started for the living room to get the phone from her. When I walked into the living room, she was in between her daddy's legs and the phone was on the couch and she had this "who me?" look on her face. Apparently, when she heard me call out her name, she ran to her daddy and pitched the phone to the other side of him.

NICE!

Gift Received!

2007-04-04T11:15:00.000-07:00

I got a present from my Secret Pal yesterday!

Two skeins of Shadow in Grape Jelly

I got the new Casts Off. YEAH!!!

Stitch markers from zephyr style. The third one from the left says "Yarn Ho and proud of it" Ain't it the truth, Ain't it the truth.

I was soo excited about the book from Harlot that I started to read it right then. Then I remembered that I wanted to make sure that for all the trips this month, I have a book or two. This is a book, huh? I guess I should put it down, now, huh?

Thank you, Secret Pal!

I forgot to mention in my last post that I signed up for TKGA Masters Program a couple of weeks ago. I have to make 16 swatches, a hat and do some essays. This is level 1 of 3. I finished about half a swatch.

That is all for now.

Let's see..

2007-03-31T11:09:00.000-07:00

what have I been up to?

I have been working on a deadline secret project, so no pictures there. I got assigned another secret project, so no pictures there - this one is from a new company, so I am now working for two knitting companies. I got an email offer (mass mailing list, thing, not to me, personally), and I had to MAKE myself press delete. Too many deadline work projects does not make a knitter-for-enjoyment girl happy.

Other projects are pretty much a pair of socks that I am making for a now-former co-worker. I wanted them to be done before I left, but I thought yesterday (Friday, the 30th) would be my last day, and I have two deadline projects to do. I gave her one sock on what ended up being my last day, and the promptly took it back, so I could compare it with the second sock.

We have a wedding reception to go to tonight, so I will bring these and hopefully make some progress.

I also have a scarf to make for ISE4. I bought the stuff, but haven't cast on.

The yarn is ShiBui Merino Alpaca in Mulberry. The pattern is a Basket Lattice Cap from O~wool.

A couple of weeks ago, I got my hair straightened.

Before

After (I wish I had software to delete my face from this picture, so you could just see my hair.)

My friend did it. She is going to school, so as soon as she can, she is going to trim the ends, get some of that bulk out of there, and give me back my acrylic nails. I am SOOOO excited!! (contrary to what I look like in that picture).

This will be a crazy month, but lots of potential knitting time. First, Easter. Then the next weekend, my DH and I get to go out of town all by ourselves for free! I don't usually care for the idea of a B&B, but free is a very good price, and my DH and I REALLY need the time! So, we are driving two hours to go to this B&B. I just called them yesterday and got some good news/bad news. I think it is good news, my DH, when I tell him, will think it is bad news - no TV, which means more knitting time for me, but TV is a BIG DEAL for him, so we will probably bring a 13" and a DVD player. We have a few we haven't watched, yet.

The weekend after that, is a Shop Hop. So we will be driving around town. The thing takes place from 9-5, so although we will be getting on and off the bus, and going in and out of five stores, that is still lots of knitting time.

Then, at the end of the month, we have a(nother) wedding to go to in Waldport, Oregon - about a three hour drive. The boys are going to be the ring bearers. This means we have to be there by 1 on Friday. The wedding is around 2:30. They have to go to the rehearsal, and be early to the church and... Which means lots of down time for me - known to KNITTING TIME for us non-muggles.

The very next day (Sunday), Malik is going to Outdoor School for a week. He will be back on Friday. Saturday the 28th when we will be at the wedding, is Malik's 12th birthday, so we will do his party on May 5.

I believe that is enough for now!

New Beginnings

2007-03-19T22:39:00.000-07:00

So, I start at my new job tomorrow. I start on Tuesday (March 20), and my new boss goes on vacation on March 29. He will be gone for 3 1/2 weeks. I don't expect to have much blogging time at work before the 29th. However, while he is gone for 3 1/2 weeks, I expect to have a minute or two.

If I don't post for a week and a half or so, forgive me.

To my secret pal

2007-03-14T15:27:00.000-07:00

I got this great card from my secret pal! I tried to reply to her, but her hotmail account is not letting me reply to her.

Secret Pal 10

2007-03-13T09:28:00.000-07:00

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

A good sturdy wool, Cascade 220 for example, is my favorite, but so long as it is a smooth yarn, that is the most important. I am not a fan of novelty yarns. I like everything from lace weight to bulky.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

I have a Circular Solution for my Circulars, a vase for my (almost never used) straights, and an old candy jar for my dpns

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I have been knitting for 5 years. I learned when I got fired from a job and my then SO (now DH) and I decided that I could go back to school full-time, so I decided I needed a hobby. I was a scrapbooker, but it is too much work to take all the stuff out and put it back away, so I don’t do it too often. I needed something more portable, so I decided knitting was the way to go. I am advanced. (I guess, I don’t feel I can really say that, but I can knit cables, lace and fair isle. I have won a blue ribbon at the state fair, and I knit “professionally” for Knit Picks.)

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Yes.

5. What's your favorite scent?

Vanilla and any flower scents.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

Yes, plain milk or dark chocolate is far and away my favorite, but I also like Nerds, SweetTarts, Necco wafers…

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

As soon as my class starts (the lady is currently sick), I will officially be a spinner on a drop spindle. I wanna get a wheel, but that hasn’t happened, yet. Scrapbooker, but I don’t “practice” that hardly ever. Also, genealogy.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (If your buddy wants to make you a CD)

My favorite artist of all time is Luther Vandross, and I like any similar R&B (Peabo Bryson, Lionel Ritchie, Anita Baker, Boyz II Men…) I also like modern country (Keith Urban, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Dixie Chicks…) I am MP3 compatible.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

Cobalt Blue is my favorite. Blues other than cobalt are good, too. I like most colors, though. Not a big fan of orange or anything neon.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I am married with three children (son 11; son 9; baby girl 1). One dog.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

Not so much, no.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

Pretty much I just like to knit.

13. What are you knitting right now?

Um…fair isle gloves, Ribby Cardi, a couple of pullovers, some socks, …

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Absolutely.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Circular anything. My favorite are Addi Turbo and Knit Picks Options. I really like Brittany dpn.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

I just finally bought a ball winder, not a swift, yet.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

I just finished my formerly oldest ufo, so my now oldest is only about 2 years – it is a fair isle vest that I had to rip out and start over again.

18. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Cow Parade and any other cows.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

Not really dying for anything. I currenty have subscriptions for Cast-On, Vogue and Interweave.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

Socks on two circulars and Magic Loop. I have the books for both, but I am in no real hurry to learn cause I don’t mind dpns. I only want to learn so I can say I know how. I would also like to design stuff on my own, but I don’t have a very good imagination.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

Yes. I wear a size 7½ shoe.

23. When is your birthday?

September 6

Mommy and me

2007-03-06T21:00:00.000-08:00

So, I was at Bath and Body Works today and saw a sign for a free tote with any purchase (it is a limited time deal, so I don't know how long that link will work). Not a minimum $25 purchase, but ANY purchase. I liked the bag, so I went in. Then I found a matching purse for Ayanna for $2. Now, we have matching purses. The dimensions of my bag are 19" L x 6 1/4" W x 24 1/2"; H. Hers is smaller than a CD case.

Progress

2007-03-04T19:56:00.000-08:00

I took some pictures today of my recent progress. The white item in the pics is a business sized envelope for scale.

Here is the first glove, done but no ends wove in.

I have a bit of Second Glove Syndrome...

The (really wrinkled) back of Ribby Cardi.

The left front.

The right front.

Most of sleeve #1

The back of Malik's Sweater.

Close-up of the detail.

So far on the front.

Just for grins, here is Malik,

DeAndre', and

Ayanna after she decided her noodles belonged in her hair.

Ayanna's ears

2007-02-26T14:59:00.000-08:00

I have done LOTS of knitting, but the only thing I have pictures are of Ayanna's ears after she got them pierced (again) this weekend. I don't even get to get credit for getting the pictures, as my sister took them on her camera phone. Again means they closed up after the last time. She was okay with it. We set her up to have a french fry AS SOON AS SHE WAS DONE, so she wouldn't cry for too long. Also, there was a guy there who had a dog with him, so we set it up so she could see the dog as soon as she was done, too.

Knitting news would include: finishing the first front of Ribby Cardi and about half of the second front. Finishing about half of the front for Malik's sweater, and Finishing the wrist portion of Marcus' glove #2.

I have some good news. I knit some things for Knit Picks for them to put on the website and/or for publication in the catalog. They are now available on the website.

The first thing I knit for them, I didn't take a picture of, but I knit this hat.

The second thing I knit for them, I didn't actually knit, but I assembled it. Pig. Here is the picture of the pig on my desk waiting to be put in a box:

Goals:

Avast (DAMN ZIPPER)

Second front of Ribby Cardi

Front of Malik's sweater

Hand of Marcus' glove

Get started on a new paid project

Finally

2007-02-18T07:00:00.000-08:00

Mind you I have NO idea why I am up at (before) 6:30 on a Sunday morning! But, it gives me a chance to blog.

Let's see...

I went to a swap a couple of weeks ago -

The haul

Some wool pink and purple fingering (or less) mystery yarn

Some hand spun, some sugar and cream, some Cascade 220 and some Lorna's Laces

Some fingering weight yarn

An old (sideways) Knitters magazine

I sent out my hat in HeadGames -

I got my hat shortly thereafter -

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SHADE OF BLUE

DeAndre' had a party -

He is now 9

I finally finished the first of Marcus' gloves and cast on for #2. I finished the back of Malik's sweater.

MIA

2007-02-13T15:51:00.000-08:00

I have lots of updates to make, but I have only this to post right now. In our newspaper I read this today:

WORLD WIDE WEIRD
Come with us as we go around the world in a daze!
First stop: GREECE
55 nuns from a monastery in Sidirokastro are on the run after running up debts of more than $1 million from a knitting business that went bust, Greek police said. The nuns had secretly run a knitwear company on the side for 10 years, but blew their money traveling to fashion shows across Europe.
http://www.oregonlive.com/edge/

Classes!

2007-02-06T16:38:00.000-08:00

I have been waiting patiently for some money we were expecting about Christmas time - it hasn't come. I signed up for the classes, anyway! I am very excited about them all! Ready?

Drop Spindle Spinning; Hoop 'n' Loop with the Blazers; Knit Purl All-Nighter

I also want to sign up for this class, but we will see: Dye Your Own Sock Yarn

Sorry I have been gone. It got busy, again, at work (BIG SURPRISE). Plus, I got some news. Since the partnership is breaking up, they will no longer be needing my services. I might go with the partner who is leaving, or I might not. I will be here until March 31 unless I find something else first.

I signed up for Secret Pal 10.

We had snow a couple of weeks ago.

The kids all playing. Ayanna's first snow

The covered car

DH turned 40

It was a surprise party

DeAndre' turned 9

(Insert pics here after they are downloaded)

Oh, well

2007-01-22T15:49:00.000-08:00

it was a good try. I will blame my lack of blogging last week on the weather, though and try to start new this week.

Goal update:

FINISH AVAST (I only have to install the zipper). I really need to find that thread!
Start and finish hat for head games knitting Finished Saturday night, but my target dropped out, so I am patiently waiting for a new target.
Unmentioned paid project is a lace scarf. I am 3 repeats in, but the 440 yard ball of yarn does not look like I made a dent in it.

Snow day

2007-01-17T12:26:00.000-08:00

So, I need help! I am making a lace scarf. I finished the 39 (?) row repeat, and noticed a dropped stitch. I never put in a lifeline - even though I know better. I don't want to rip it out, because I won't know where I am, unless i rip back to the garter stitch border. Is there any way to get this stitch back in? If it was stockinette, I could bring it up.

This is the right way (sorry for the bad pic)

The wrong leaf is on the left of your screen, the right one is on the right.

This is the loose stitch in a pin.

We have been home for two days due to snow. Here are some pics.

Ayanna's first snow

Bundle up!

TGIF

2007-01-12T10:54:00.000-08:00

In my attempt to post every (week) day, here is today's edition:

Goal update:
FINISH AVAST (I only have to install the zipper). I really need to find that thread!
Start and finish hat for head games knitting Making slow but steady progress.
Finish glove #1 and start #2 Don't know if this is going to happen. I just got another project with a quickly approaching deadline. For pay, so paid projects trump non-paid projects.
Unmentioned paid project which I will receive today - I would like to make some GOOD progress on this, since there is a close deadline.

I am off on Monday, and Saturday is the big party.

I'll be back on Tuesday with a goal update.

OKC

2007-01-11T12:33:00.000-08:00

I am trying to post regularly, again (in case you couldn't tell). Mostly because it is rather slow (for a change) at work this week. We will see how long it lasts.

Anyway, today's installment will be short and sweet. I just have two links.

This link is to our local paper (The Oregonian) discussing the Red Scarf Project.

This link is in case you don't read the Yarn Harlot (or haven't read this post yet (STR)).

Goal defeat

2007-01-10T09:21:00.000-08:00

Well, I finished the ring finger on glove #1, but not middle or index fingers.

FINISH AVAST (I only have to install the zipper). Failed!
Finish one glove. Failed!
Wind a new ball for minimalist - done
Do pattern start row for Voss - done

Ok. So new goals:
FINISH AVAST (I only have to install the zipper).
Start and finish hat for head games knitting
Finish glove #1 and start #2

I am throwing a party for Marcus this weekend. He will be 40 on the 18th. Ssssshhhhh - it is a surprise! Which means not much (if any) knitting on Saturday.

Barry Manilow

2007-01-09T08:50:00.000-08:00

Ok, that is over. Now I just have to recover. I am not allowed to stay out that late, again. Our seats SUCKED! Partly cause they were this far away from the stage:

Thank goodness we had this screen for help - except when it went out. Partly cause they were uncomfortable, lastly cause I didn't check how much yarn I had on hand to work on Ribby. I ran out before the concert started! I think my DH would not have much appreciated it if I was knitting while we were watching a concert. He was having a good time holding my hand.

The music was too loud and drowned him out - I couldn't understand much of what he was saying or singing. Everyone around me had no troubles, though, so maybe it would have been better if I knew his songs. I think he has had close to as much plastic surgery as Michael Jackson, and had on as much makeup as Tammy Faye Baker.

Goal update

2007-01-08T12:16:00.000-08:00

Well, I have until tomorrow ('cause that is when I first posted my goals), but here is an update, anyway:

FINISH AVAST (I only have to install the zipper). This could very well be done if I hadn’t lost my thread.
Finish one glove. Finished little finger and started ring finger
Wind a new ball for minimalist - done
Do pattern start row for Voss - done

I have been working on Ribby Cardi, too. That is my only project that I can travel with, so I have been only working on it when I am not at home. I have done a little more than 6" on the back.

I guess that's it for now.

For Christmas, I bought DH tickets to a Barry Manilow concert. For the record, I don't like Barry Manilow. I bought the tix, cause he likes him, and he has gone to two concerts of people he didn't like, so I owed him. Anyway, the concert is tonight, so I don't expect to get much knitting done tonight, except whatever I can accomplish on Ribby tonight. I have three hours off between work and the concert, and I am capable of knitting on Ribby at the concert - I don't know if I will, but I will try.

DH is off work on Tuesdays, so I may be able to get some knitting time on the couch tomorrow, and maybe I can finish glove #1.

Progress pictures

2007-01-05T10:11:00.000-08:00

This is DH's glove I am making which is a combination of Ann Budd's glove pattern, and a stitch pattern I found in Knitting in the Old Way. It got rave reviews at knit night last night. I finished about half of the little finger.

For scale (sorry for the blurry shot)

A progress shot of minimalist. I am almost done with the increases. That is a skein of Knit Picks Wool of the Andes for scale.

I passed the 3" mark on Ribby Cardi on the back, and I am now knitting 2x2 rib on either side and stockinette stitch in the middle.

Goal update:

FINISH AVAST (I only have to install the zipper)
Finish one glove - on track to complete this
Wind a new ball for minimalist - done at knit night last night
Do pattern start row for Voss - either tomorrow or Sunday

Ribby Cardi

2007-01-03T12:35:00.000-08:00

Well, I cast on for Ribby Cardi last night. I am only about an inch or two in, but I wanted to post.

I also am almost done with the thumb gusset in Marcus' glove #1.

Happy belated new year

2007-01-02T15:42:00.000-08:00

Hello.

Happy 2007.

I have news, sort of. To end 2006, I frogged both Fair Isle projects I had on the needles, to start off fresh. I ripped the whole Fair Isle part of Marcus' vest on Monday while he was at work. On New Year's Eve, I ripped Ayanna's Voss sweater. Apparently, I knit Fair Isle tightly, so I am starting over. I did not rip out the ribbing on the bottom which was not in Fair Isle, but of course, I had to get whatever TINY needles are used for Voss in the live stitches - over 200 of them, very intense! I have a Fair Isle project OTN right now, so we will see if I can do better. I am using Ann Budd's glove pattern. I have made 3 pairs with this pattern in about the last month (one for each of the boys, and a quasi-fingerless pair for me), so this time I am changing it up. I am using a stitch pattern from "Knitting in the Old Way" in red and black for my DH.

Current OTN:

gloves
minimalist
Voss from this book
Vest
Forest Canopy Shoulder Shawl

All of these are rather complicated, and therefore, I have no mindless knitting. So, I bought Ribby Cardi for this project.

Goals for this week:

FINISH AVAST (I only have to install the zipper)

Finish one glove

Wind a new ball for minimalist

Do pattern start row for Voss

I want to add more, but that is good for one week, I think.

Now for some Ayanna shots (neither of them are very good, but...):

OMG

2006-12-28T11:44:00.001-08:00

http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2006/12/23/print_at_will.html

Blogiversary

2006-12-28T10:14:00.000-08:00

I keep forgetting. December 9, 2004 - this blog is already two years old - my how time flies!!!

Ayanna's birthday was great! She got presents and cake. She was soo tired, but you certainly couldn't tell - she was having so much fun! I will try to pick some decent pics, most of them are awful!

Malik was in a concert at school on December 14. It was a Beginning Band concert - 6th grade. He liked it. It was good.

That is Malik standing

Christmas was good. I got a bonus at work on Friday, so Saturday we went Christmas shopping. We also saw Santa.

I gave dad his sweater without zipper. I got some advice against the zipper I bought, so I bought a new one on Tuesday. I plan on installing it this weekend.

Holiday Meme

2006-12-20T08:09:00.000-08:00

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Neither, really.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree?
Santa always wraps, and in his own wrap, not the same as the rest of the wrap

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Lights are lights

4. Do you hang mistletoe? No. I have some somewhere, but I can never find it from November through January

5. When do you put up your decorations? Between Thanksgiving and December 20

6. What is your favorite holiday dish? Pumpkin pie

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? I love Christmas.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I do not remember – in school, I think.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Usually, no, this year, yes because I knit my family stockings, and those should be opened before Santa comes

10. What kind of decorations are on your Christmas Tree? Hallmark, hand made by children, store bought cheap balls, candy canes.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread? DREAD – it is pretty to look at when you are in the house with no where to go.

12. Can you ice skate? Heck no! Tried once, but never again.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? no

14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you? That the kids believe in Santa

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Pumpkin pie

16 What is your favorite holiday tradition? The whole thing.

17. What tops your tree? A star

18. What is your favorite holiday book? The Night Before Christmas

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Don’t know – maybe Nutcracker Suite

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yummy? Not worth the trouble

Ayanna's birthday

2006-12-13T20:01:00.000-08:00

Today, she is ONE!!

day 2

baptism in february

first Christmas

mmmmm good!!

last June

Today for her birthday, we took her to Red Robin, so they could sing to her:

Apple Juice

French Fries

Oops, here comes that french fry back again

Macaroni and cheese

What are these people doing

Some kind of song

The crazies singing to her.

Sorry the pics are soo crappy. Blurry must be in this season

15 Knitting days until Christmas

2006-12-10T17:12:00.000-08:00

I finished DeAndre's sweater awhile ago. He decided this was the best pose.

I finished knitting ALL 5 Christmas stockings. I have ends to weave in on three of them.

I am finished with all knitting, weaving all ends, and seaming most of the edges on Dad’s sweater. I still have to buy and install a zipper (I have never done this before), and seam the top and bottom edges. Sorry for the crappy photo, but it is black, what do you expect?

I started and finished a beret from the latest issue of Interweave Knits. Bought the magazine on Monday, December 4, and bound off on Sunday, December 10.

I am done with some gloves for DeAndre’ and have finished glove one of a pair for Malik. I would like to make a pair for Marcus (DH), but haven’t gotten that far, yet. I took pics of Malik’s glove, but the flash made it unable to be seen, so you will see it someday.

Startitis?

2006-11-15T12:31:00.000-08:00

Ok, so, here is my question for the great blogership. I have a lot of projects going. I keep starting them. However, is it called startitis, if I am finishing them?

I finished DeAndre's sweater from the cone of yarn I bought a couple of months ago. I took a picture, but haven't gotten around to uploading it. I also should take a picture of the cone after, to compare with before. I think I used a little more than half of the cone. DeAndre' wore it to school yesterday, and put it on to wear again today. (I wouldn't let him).

I also finished yesterday the fourth of five stockings. Wove in the ends on this one and everything. I have left one stocking to go - I haven't cast on for it, yet. I need to weave ALL ends in on one of them, and a few left to weave in on another. So, I guess I am 75% done with that project.

I am REALLY close to finishing the yoke on Dad's sweater. Apparently, there is some more fussy work after the yoke, so I can't guess a % on that one.

I cast on for me some wrist warmer things. I haven't gotten very far on these, but no matter, they are only for me.

Last night, I found a pattern for a Sweater for Malik. Now, I have to figure out if I want set in sleeves or drop sleeves. Looking for that link, I LOVE the patterns there. Such a good range of sizes. I can make something for my large size step-dad! Of course, that means buying A LOT of yarn, and taking A LOT of time.

I have mentally put the fair isle vest for Marcus and the fair isle Dale pattern in the frog pile. I knit them both too tight, and I will need to start them over.

Haven't worked on Minimalist in awhile. That is all my projects (I think) that are currently OTN.

Updates

2006-11-11T21:03:00.000-08:00

First, please go to Korin's site to read this post, then click (if you are so inclined).

Then, Knitting updates:

Here are the 3 1/2 of 5 Christmas Stockings

DeAndre's sweater. I have only a little left on the arm, then weave in 6 ends.

Another shot

I haven't gotten very far on Minimalist. It is kind of hard for me to do the increases and stay in 1x1 rib pattern.

See, not very far...

Done with Ayanna's hat. It is too big for her, and it kind of gathers on the top, but it works. I don't care enough to rip it out.

I don't really know the best way to photograph Avast. I have finished the body and both sleeves, now they are all together so I can do the yoke and the decreases for the raglan and finish the whole thing. It isn't the easiest project because the 79 stitches for the sleeves are in a place on the body where I bound off maybe 5 stitches, so it is a bit tight, and I am a bit worried about the joins on my needles. I am also worried that I put the sleeves on "wrong" so that the sleeves will be in reverse stockinette stitch while the rest is in regular St. St. I did it just according to the pattern, though, so we will see.

I am supposed to be working on some Toe-up socks for a class for www.needlecraftuniversity.com, but I have a little too much going on right now, so I am printing the instructions and saving the video clips until I can start them.

Today was rumored to be the last game for DeAndre's football season, so I made sure to take pictures. However, he has practice on Wednesday, so I don't know what that means.

Well, my DH is upstairs in bed, and I'd like to join him.

Good night.

How big is Ayanna???

2006-10-30T11:18:00.000-08:00

SOOOO BIG!!!

YEAH!!!

I have made soooo much knitting progress.

I am finished with 3 of 5 stockings. I made LOTS of headway on the leg of #4. I have been pretty bold in knitting these in the living room in front of everyone, and no one has seemed to noticed. However, this weekend, while knitting on #4, DH says "what's that?" "Boy, are you observant - I get through 3 of these before it dawns on you to ask me about this!" I didn't say that, though, instead I said "I am not answering that question."

I am making good progress on Avast. This is the first sleeve. Of course, that isn't a great picture because the 12" ruler isn't really showing anything except that is longer than 12". It needs to be 19" before I start the decreases or whatever I need to do next.

I cast on for Minimalist from Mag Knits this weekend. It is a GREAT project in that I get to use stash yarn that I got in a Yarn Swap. I got stuck pretty quick, though, because I don't know the best way to stay in pattern (1x1 rib) after I do increases. I will find out, but I am stuck for the time being.

I also cast on for a hat for Ayanna yesterday. She has outgrown her other one.

I HAVE A KNIT GROUP!! Every Thursday from 6-9 at Knit Purl. I decided I HAVE to go to something, or I will go crazy!

This weekend we bought a pumpkin and I carved it yesterday night.

That is all, for now.

Blogging Around

2006-10-18T12:18:00.000-07:00

In making the rounds this week, I found these two links that I felt were interesting:

I got this from Michelle. Move the socks around...
http://www.tomslighthouse.net/special/Socks.swf

I got this from Kim.
http://www.nationalknittingweek.com/

And, while reading http://loulou2.blogspot.com/ blog, I saw that I need to answer the questions from http://yarnyenta.blogspot.com/ blog, so here goes:

1. Where is your favorite knitting spot?
You mean I have to pick ONE!!! Okay, I guess since it never happens, it would be on the couch next to my DH while watching (almost) anything on TV.

2. If you suddenly could never knit again (shudder) - what would you do instead?
Read and play Sudoku

3. If you could travel anywhere in the world - where would you go and why?
Right now, I would choose Germany because my friend is there and that is where we met. But she is an Army wife, so she will not be there forever, so when she leaves, New York for the experience

4. When you were little - What did you want to do "when you grew up?" Are you doing it?
I never had a goal.

5. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Ben & Jerry's "Half Baked" It is some kind of fudge ice cream plus chocolate chip cookie dough.

Now, let's see if I can post those pictures from last week:

Detail on Avast cabling

I believe I have made progress on this, but I haven't taken out the measuring tape, yet.

I know I am farther than this. I finished that sleeve, and started the other one.

I also know I am farther than this. This is done with all the knitting, but the yarn has not been cut, and no ends are woven in. I have cut yarn, woven most of the ends (not all), and started on another one.

And, just for good measure, some baby girl pics:

She so much loves to drive.

We got pictures done a couple of weeks ago, but we haven't been able to finish scanning/converting them so I can't post them.

Post, please post...

2006-10-12T14:57:00.000-07:00

I keep trying to add pictures to this post, but for some reason Blogger won't let me. So, I have three more pictures with actual knitting content, but you don't get to see them in this post.

So, here is what I have...

Knitting Content:

I am working steadily on Avast. I really LOVE this yarn!!! It is Bartlett Yarns. It smells like wool, and you can feel the lanolin in it. I have a problem, though. I think my dad won't wear it much. It is wool, and you have to be careful with wool, and I made it, and he doesn't want it to wear out. I think I might have to get on him about that.

I have progress pictures to show you of a Christmas Stocking and a top-down sweater. Also, I have a picture of the cable in Avast. These are the ones I am having trouble with.

Knitting Content over.

Malik is in Cross-Country. They had their first (of three) meet last week. He forgot to bring shorts, so he was running 2000 meters up and down hills with no warm-up in cords. He walked A LOT, and he didn't get first place.

That is him in the white shirt and pants.

A couple of weeks ago, Miss Thing got her first tooth. Her second one broke through yesteday, but I don't have a picture of it, yet.

This is her daddy sharing his twinkie with her:

More later!

PS: I forgot to mention. I got a comment last week from ??? (Sorry, if I have to stop and look at my email, I might not press Publish). She said to me that she is surprised I have time to knit at all. I make time to knit. I knit and walk, I knit in church, I knit at games, I knit while DH drives, I knit anytime traffic stops (including red lights). I am fully addicted, and even if it is just one stitch, I knit. I tried to email you directly, but I didn't have your address. Thanks for reading.

Malik Fall 06

2006-10-11T22:33:00.000-07:00

So, at the new job, the technology is a bit behind my old job. We don't have a color scanner here. Therefore, here is Malik's school picture B&W. He doesn't like it. We may be signing up for retakes.

Life sure is crazy

2006-10-04T16:03:00.000-07:00

Busy, still.

Let's see. I have a sleeve and a half to finish on the top-down sweater, but it is asisde for the time being, because Avast is getting there, although it is 218 stitches across, but I am in my second ball of Bartlett Yarns, so, getting there slowly, but surely. Also, I decided I need to pick up my Christmas stockings if they are to be done on time. I am half way done with #2 of 5. They go pretty fast, but when I did the first one, I discovered something about my Fair Isle. I am a TIGHT Fair Isle knitter! So, with #2, I only hold one yarn at a time, and knit both with my right hand. Much better now. However, I have two projects OTN that I do not want to pull out but aren't going to be the right size. DAMN!!

I joined Socktoberfest (like everyone else in the blogiverse). I have my Hederas that are sitting one leg half done. They just mock me. I don't think I like lace patterns much. It is too much work for my life right now, maybe. I need "easier" knits (cables on Avast, Fair Isle on Stockings don't count as hard - I can "see" it better) at this point in my life. So, my Soctoberfest projects are Christmas stockings, Hedera, and my DH a pair. In that order.

My Socktoberfest questions are:

When did you start making socks? Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class?

I joined an online group with instructions very SIMPLY laid out. There were “lessons” - Parts 1 through (I think) 6. The socks were knit with worsted weight on size 6 needles. It was good.

What was your first pair? How have they "held up" over time?

My first pair were made with some stash yarn that I only had one ball of – green worsted weight Encore. Note to self: do not choose acrylic next time!

What would you have done differently?

Not used acrylic. Walking on acrylic knit socks is like having a bunch of pins on the bottom of your feet. No matter, I learned, and it worked.

What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?

No real preference

Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?

Can’t crochet to save my life. I have exclusively knit on DPN’s, but have the books to learn 2 circulars and Magic Loop – just haven’t used either of them.

Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?)

I don’t even know what I use. What does Ann Budd’s book use?

How many pairs have you made?

Um…one for step-dad, one for son #1, one for son #2, three for me (if you include first ever pair), now working on 5 Christmas stockings – done with one, half way through another. How many pairs is that. Oh, also started another pair, that is stalled.

I also joined My first toe-ups, so I guess that I will do DH socks toe-up. That is probably not the best choice, just because he has such big feet, but I'm not going to start another pair.

As I have said before, HOMEWORK SUCKS!!! Malik (and I) were up until 10:30 or 11 last night doing homework that should have taken him 30 minutes! Plus, he is in middle school this year, and he is in CONSTANT trouble!!! AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!

Well, I guess I will press "publish" so I can have a post this month.

Sorry for the delay

2006-09-29T12:33:00.000-07:00

School started, soccer started, football started, my DH started a new, slightly later schedule, etc, etc. Life has been hectic, hence no time to post.

Big non-knitting item of note: I wanted to get Ayanna something that would help her walk. Malik had one when he was little:

I couldn't really call around to see if anyone had one, because how do you ask for a "Walker" on the phone without someone thinking of the kind of thing a child sits in and walks? Monday when I dropped her off at daycare, they had one. I made sure she saw it so she could play with it. So, last week one day after work we went to Toys R Us and got her this. She loves it!!

Since I have been gone, I have been knitting.

For my birthday, I got a $50 gift certificate to a LYS. I got the gift cert on Saturday, September 9. The LYS is really close to my church, so I looked through all my patterns and most of my magazines on Saturday night and Sunday morning hoping to find a sweater for my dad. I found nothing. Looked at the LYS for a pattern for him - nothing. Then I got to work Monday morning, Knitty showed up in my in box with a perfect pattern - Avast! I was soo excited!! I went to the LYS at my lunch and spent the whole g.c. plus an additonal $6 to get the required amount of Bartlett Yarns. I really like working with this yarn. It smells like wool. It has some lanolin still in it. Anyway, I cast on for the cable on...um...maybe the 12th. I finished the cable on the bottom and up a couple of inches. I had to stop there, because I hand made the ball of yarn out of a hank. I hate doing that, so Sunday I will take the remaining hanks to the LYS for winding. Then I will be on my way.

I am done with the body of Malik's top down sweater from the pound of yarn I got for $7.50. I started it on September 10! - However, it doesn't fit Malik very well (which I thought maybe), so it is now for DeAndre'. Now just the sleeves.

I have tried to post this a few times, and always get interrupted.

Here you go, finally!

Harlot, et al.

2006-09-08T09:57:00.000-07:00

Where to begin??? When you have this much to share, it becomes a bit overwhelming.

Yarn Harlot came to visit Portland Wednesday. My DH and children came. We were at Powell's on Hawthorne. Powells is a local bookstore chain. They have about 5-10 stores. When she was here last year, she was in the main store. MUCH MORE ROOM THERE!!! I went to see Debbie Stoller at the Hawthorne Powells a few months ago, and I guess since there was chairs to spare for her, the powers that be at Powells decided that Harlog would be an equivalent number of knitters. We filled the bigger room last year, so they put us in a smaller room this year. Good thinking people. Much more reviews on the following blogs:

I saw Deb, Pat, Chrissy Cheri and Kelley from Knit Picks although they didn’t see me. In my blog surfing (is that a word?) I also read of these other people who went. Msubulldog, Amanda, Katrina, Lori, bipurlerdisorder

When I read Harlot's Seattle review, I learned about "an old adage that claims that if an expert knitter places knitting needles in a babys hands, the child will be clever at knitting." So, of course, I made sure that my daughter got the same treatment. See?

Apparently, while my DH and children were wandering the store wishing I didn't have to go listen to some knitter talk, someone walked up to my husband and said "you are Jenni's husband" or something to that effect. Keep in mind that my blog is the furthest thing from DH's mind. So when he found out that people actually read it, he was a bit (hell, I don't even know what word to use here). Anyway, if that person could leave me a comment or something, I'd like to know who you are.

Now to the pictures (forgive me for the blurriness):

You can't really see her in this picture, but against the bookshelf, with the light green sweater on, is Kelley from Knit Picks.

Blogging the blogger blogging:

My soon-to-be expert knitter:

End of Harlot.

I finished this while waiting for her to start. It is the first card holder for the boys for Chirstmas. After I finished, I started on the second one. I will finish it today. I have maybe five more rows of 13 stitch garter stitch.

We got home from Harlot at 9:30. This also happened to be the first day of school, and I had a very hectic day of running around dropping off kids, going to work for a bit, and picking kids back up. Then run, run, some more.

I bought buttons yesterday for my sweater. It needs to be blocked. I wove in all ends. This is the second project I cast on for over 4 years ago. It will be done hopefully this weekend! This picture was taken before I was done with the weaving, and after we came back from Harlot. Pay no attention to the neck up. I told my DH to cut my face off, but...

Another reason I was so tired in that picture is because after we got home at 9:30, we did an impromptu birthday. Harlot came town on my birthday. When we got home, I got cake

the ding dong was all my DH could pull off with everything else that was going on. It was sweet.

These are my gifts. I collect these cows. The one on the left is Liberty Cow and the one on the right is Cowlumbus.

State Fair update. I can't possibly tell you how frustrating yesterday was. During my lunch hour I had to drive to the store where I could pick up my fair entries. I was under the impression that they were going to be there from 12:30 - 6 just like they were on drop off day. I drove to the store, and they weren't there. Then I find out that they were only there from 2-6. I had to go back out there after work. Hello, I have a husband and children to pick up! I leave work at 5 and spend over 15 MINUTES in the parking garage just trying to get out! I get to the store at 5:57! Then I have to pick up the kids and the husband. Much more frustrating in person.

State Fair Knit Along

2006-09-05T08:51:00.000-07:00

Well, we went to the fair yesterday. I just checked my camera. Yesterday morning I emptied all my pictures onto the computer so that I could have PLENTY of room for all the new pictures I was going to take. The pictures on there now are old pics! WTF!! How do you undelete only some of the pictures you previously deleted?? Where are the pictures I actually took???

It is okay, my sister came with her camera, and we are okay for this post.

It took quite a long time to find the building that housed the textile entries. Finally, "there it is!" We trekked over there after spending an hour driving down to Salem and another hour in an endless line to park! We walked into this HUGE building with quilts hanging all around the whole room! (Insert picture here that I took, but do not get to show you.) I found the cases where the knitted items were displayed. I had warning from another blogger in the knit a long (can't remember who - I think it was the middle of last week) who had to walk around the display cases three times before she found her items. However, knowing this, it still took me and the boys three go arounds before we found my two items. The first one we found was the best find. My pink and white heart baby blanket took BLUE RIBBON (first place).

Only a mere two cabinets over, was my purple and blue baby sweater - no prize attached.

Oh well, one is better than none. I did, however, expect it to be the other way around. The blanket had visible errors, and the sweater had none. I realize that it might be just the odds, maybe there weren't many entries in the baby blanket category, so I won by default - I don't care - I am soooo proud!!! Now we have to go get a case to display my ribbon in.

And just cause my sister was the one taking pictures, here is one of the girl:

Just when you think it is over...

2006-08-30T14:10:00.000-07:00

We got a phone call from the CSD lady yesterday. I followed up today via email. This is her reply to that email:

Thank you for your prompt reply by email. I am glad to hear that your little one is doing well. I will be closing this case as unfounded although it is concerning that your child had a prior skull fracture. Please continue caring for your child as you have been although for safety planning purposes please make sure Ayanna is never left unsupervised by an adult. Leaving a baby in care of two other children even momentarily is not the wisest thing to do and I know your mother will make sure this situation does not repeat itself.

I thought this was over, but, I guess not.

I am about half way done with sleeve number two. I am still stuck on Kepler.

GUESS WHAT?!?!

2006-08-28T09:59:00.000-07:00

I finished sleeve #1 of the blue sweater and started sleeve #2!!! I might actually be able to finish it in time!!! Especially on the drive down and back to Salem for the State Fair. However, (of course) I did something wrong on Kepler, so I will have to rip back a little bit to fix it before I can finish it. I seamed up both sides of the body and both sleeves. I have to make this one repair, then add the sleeves, and do the I-cord neck and then I AM DONE!!! Still might have two sweaters for my birthday. T-10 days and counting!!

I found a perfect Christmas present for the boys!! I found a pattern for a yugioh card holder. I do not own any size 5 dpn, but I cast on for the bottom and finished both bottoms. I will get a set of dpn this weekend, and will have a carry-around-with-me project. However, talk about quick, this project might take an hour each! I am even using stash yarn that I got at a swap.

Let's see... Projects OTN:

Fair Isle vest (worked on this some Saturday while DH was golfing)
Fair Isle sweater for Ayanna (stalled)
Christmas Stockings (stalled - intend to pick up after my bday)
Hedera socks - I am in the leg of sock #1

That might be all!

I will have to start one other Christmas present soon, but I don't know for who, so I don't know what.

Good news

2006-08-23T07:49:00.000-07:00

Malik had his follow-up appointment Monday with his surgeon. While we were at the hospital on Thursday, they mentioned the surgeon's name. She is a neurosurgeon, and since Ayanna's injury was to her head, it was mentioned that they might have her consult. So, when we went to see her on Monday, I thought I'd ask her. My biggest question was, if she had a previous fracture, wouldn't there be some outward sign? It was a hypothetical question. However, when I asked, the dr. said let's go look at her scans. WOW! Ain't technology grand!?! So, we went into another room, and she typed in Ayanna's name and up popped her scans. She then looked them over and said what she saw was consistent with the fall I described. She said if I wanted, I could tell whoever that they could call her and she would tell them they were crazy (my words - not hers).

Then, yesterday, at Ayanna's follow-up with her Primary Care (whom I LOVE), she told me that the CSD specialist said there is no case!!!

Yeah - Crisis averted!!!

Thanks for the good wishes and thoughts!

SHE IS FINE

2006-08-21T12:21:00.000-07:00

That is the first thing you need to know. Ayanna had a bit of a spill at my mom's house on Thursday. We took her to the Emergency Room. They thought she had a previous fracture (I think they still think that, but I am not sure). For this, instead of going home near noon (as would have probably happened), we got to stay ALL DAY!! We actually got lucky as they promised us that it would be overnight at a minimum. However, there has been a file opened with the Child Abuse Prevention agency (insert your acronym of choice here). She has a follow-up appointment with her primary care physician tomorrow.

ANYWAY!!!

Look what I want to show you!!!

I bought a POUND of wool from a local store (not a LYS, per se). It is 1100 yards!! Regular price is $10!!! I got it on sale for $7.50!!! Knit Picks price for the same yardage would be $17.50! Boy did I score!!! I started knitting on it right away, but ended up pulling it all out. I am trying to figure out if I can make two sweaters from this. The yardage is really close, and I am very hopeful!

My birthday is in two weeks and two days. For this event, I might be able to get TWO sweaters for my birthday. I have finished knitting Kepler and blocking and weaving in the ends AND seamed up both sleeves. This is most definately do-able by my b-day! However, my WIP from hell - guess what??? I finished the body!!! I still have both sleeves, and the button bands, but I started one sleeve, and I have hope that in 2 weeks I can have two new sweaters. The sweater is a top-down cardigan that I have had OTN for, like, 5 years! My second project! Wish me luck!

HELLO, THERE!!!

2006-08-09T12:33:00.000-07:00

Sorry it has been so long!

I have been busy at work (a very nice change) and haven't had time here. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, my DH keeps moving things around so I am never able to access the computer.

So, here goes!

I have been knitting. I finished the baby blanket and sent my form off to the Fair people. They called me to ask if I was in the "Open" group, or the "master" group. I copped out and chose the Open group.

I finished sleeve #2 of the Kepler sweater on the bus today. Now just the back to go! (I don't have pics of that, yet.)

Ayanna stood up on her own today. Of course, she was at my dad's and I didn't see it!

She has a new favorite toy - stackers.

She also is teething, so she has been quite crabby at night lately.

My first day of work they asked me if I could work full-time instead as someone here gave thier two weeks notice. So, yesterday was my last Monday off. I was really looking forward to it, but more hours = more money, so I will make due.

PICTURES:

For my last Monday off, we met Daddy for lunch at Keppler Fountain.

The boys and Ayanna having fun

I think her biggest problem was the rocks under her feet. However, the water was cold.

Friday Eve

2006-07-20T10:08:00.000-07:00

Well, I have 31 hours left working here. I don't know what kind of environment my next job will have in terms of letting me go online. Approximately 99% of my posts have been made while I was at work. I will have Monday's off, so I will have time to go online while at home, but I don't know the frequency I will be able to post. Just a warning.

OKC:

I am almost finished with the first white stripe of the baby blanket (don't have it with me, so no pic). I finished the first sleeve of Kepler last night (don't have it with me, so no pic). I couldn't find the cable for the second sleeve (I didn't look in my bedroom), so I started the back (or the front, if I so choose, I guess). I haven't finished picking up stitches across, so no progress on it.

I'll try to post a pic of some Kepler progress later today.

Long lost relatives

2006-07-18T11:28:00.000-07:00

Just thought I'd post about our dinner last night. We went to Old Spaghetti Factory and shared pics (none of which I have) and chatted. Bill said he comes into town about 2-3 times a year, so I am sure we will be able to do this again.

Malik, DeAndre' and my sister's boyfriend Terrance

My brother, Danny. My aunt, Peggy. Her son, Tony

Marcus feeding Ayanna some ice cream

All who came - Marcus, me, Ayanna, Peggy, DeAndre', Malik, Bill, Tony, Theresa (my sister) and Danny.

The relationship is as follows: Bill and Peggy are cousins. Thier fathers were brothers. We have never met because my grandfather moved from Ohio in the late 50's and we have never been back. Bill has been there all of his life (as far as I know).

Forgot a title

2006-07-17T10:11:00.000-07:00

I almost finished sleeve number 1 of Kepler. I found some size 7 circulars, so I transferred the baby blanket to those so I could actually work on it. I am on the beginning of the heart chart for row 2 of 4.

Birthday party yesterday for DeAndre's friend from school. It was at the park so we packed up the family and went.

Ayanna had fun (not really) in the swing.

Maisy REALLY had fun!!

Tonight we have a get-together with a long-lost relative. (Not really, but most of us have never met him.)

This is my last week at this job. As I am typing this, a girl is being interviewed. I had nothing to do with this. I overheard something about it, then something "appeared" on the calendar, then she came. One reason why I don't want to work here, anymore. I am always competely left out.

My DH (not really) made an interesting comment this weekend. We were watching the Perfect Man with Chris Noth and Heather Locklear (I don't have any idea why he bought this movie for me, but it was cute, and we watched it on Saturday morning). The girl in the story is a blogger. So, often, you could see her blogging. He said "that is neat." I said, "what, blogging?" "yeah." "you mean, like me?" "yeah, but you don't do it very often." "I do it a couple of times a week." "Oh." (I know I fudged the amount a bit, but I was annoyed that he doesn't even know this about his wife!)

Where to start

2006-07-13T09:30:00.000-07:00

Well, I accepted a new job! I will get a little more $$ hourly, but will have Mondays off, so I get to stay home with the kids on Mondays! I start on July 25th.

I finished the front, back and one sleeve cable for Kepler. I cast on for the second sleeve today. I know this cable by heart, and only check the chart because I am paranoid. However, I am sooo anxious to knit on the body! I was going to start the sleeve this morning on the bus, but I didn't have a crochet hook on me to pick up stitches from. So, I cast on for sleeve #2.

This is sleeve cable #1 and what I have so far for sleeve #2.

I started the white stripe on the baby blanket, but don't work on that all that much mostly because I have the project on straight needles because I didn't have any handy #7 needles when I cast on.

The whole thing (sort of scrunched togehter)

A better shot of the detail.

The other day, while I was on the bus knitting on cable for sleeve #1, a lady sat down next to me, and we got to talking about knitting and such. She belongs to a group that I am going to check out. It is (sort of) close to home, and only meets one Sunday a month. Sunday afternoon happens to be the best time of the week for me. I have little or no activities with the kids. So - Sunday afternoon - perfect. Once per month - perfect. I will check it out the end of this month. Now, I just hope I like the people.

Here are some pre-op pics of Malik:

He had already had some "happy juice." It tasted like cough syrup, but after it started to kick in, he couldn't remember much.

He is about 98%. We went for a follow-up on Tuesday, and he got a release as of next Monday to be at full activity. His stitches or whatever fit very nicely under a standard size bandage.

Lots of stuff

2006-07-05T10:09:00.000-07:00

First - Malik is doing okay. The surgery was short, as promised. After he got out of recovery, he slept most of the afternoon. Then it took him awhile to actually hold down a conversation. He had to lay flat all day Monday. Before he could be released on Tuesday, he had to walk. That took a little while, but mostly because after lying flat all day Monday, his body didn't really want to cooperate. He now has a couple of prescriptions, but that should be done in a couple of days. We got home about 3 on Tuesday. He will be home all day today, Thurs, Fri and Sat. We might go to church on Sunday - DeAndre' has to go, but one of us could stay home with Malik if he isn't up to it. Next week, Marcus and I have to both work, so he will go to Dad's a couple of days, and Mom's a couple of other days. After that, he should be able to be 100%. The doctor took a picture during surgery using her microscope camera. I am not one for surgery pictures, and this one is okay, however, if you think your stomach won't be able to handle it, I will post it at the very end of this post, so don't look if you don't want to.

Knitting at the hospital wasn't quite as productive as I had hoped. I brought 4 projects. I really wanted to work on Marcus' vest, since I don't get that much time to work on that. I brought the vest and extra yarn in case I got to a point that I needed more. However, I forgot the chart!!! No knitting on that - damn! I brought the baby blanket from Knitty Gritty, but forgot the chart!!! I thought the fact that the hospital has internet would help, but one boy was on the computer for HOURS - they have two, but the other one wouldn't connect for some reason. They don't have printers hooked up to them, so I had to draw the chart by hand. Not fun! I brought the Christmas stocking and the cable band to Kepler, but since I really wanted to work on the vest, I only brought the project and no more yarn. These projects ended up being the only ones I could work on, but in both cases I could only go so far. I finished as much of the Christmas stocking as I could and then wove in all the ends - there were quite a few. I finished the 17" cable band for the back of Kepler, and cast on for the front one, but then had to stop cause I didn't have any more yarn. I worked on the baby blanket a little bit. A lot of knitting, but not quite what I had envisioned.

The camera is at home still unpacked, so I can't take pictures right now. Hopefully, I can do that tomorrow!

The two interviews I had last week - one I didn't get the job, the other, I have a second interview this morning. Good wishes!

I thought there was something else I wanted to post, but... (maybe later)

Here comes the picture, click away if you want. No other content to follow. (I don't know how to make a link so you could click and this wouldn't be on my page at all. For those that know how to do this, let me know, please.)

This picture is HUGELY magnified. The part I put the 'dotted line' on is what they cut. It is fatty tissue that is anchoring the spinal cord down.

Wednesday

2006-06-28T13:26:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned in a previous post, Malik is having surgery on his spine on Monday. Links related to this surgery are following, if anyone cares.
http://www.pullthrough.org/ptnn13.html
http://www.neurosurgerytoday.org/what/patient_e/tethered.asp?ShowMenu=false&ShowPrint=false

Yesterday, the boys went to John Casablanca, and they got called back for tonight. I'm not really sure what this means. They probably want money - which they won't be getting from me. They are REAL excited! I will keep you posted on that.

In case I don't post tomorrow or Friday, I definately won't be posting Monday or Tuesday. I don't know about Saturday or Sunday, but that is a rare occurance.

I will post for sure late next week. Maybe I will have some news about a new job.

Happy Anniversary to me!

2006-06-27T15:23:00.000-07:00

Well, actually, to us, and, actually, tomorrow, not today. (Is that enough commas?) 3 years.

I unexpectedly received a little bit of money out of the blue last week. Our anniversary is tomorrow so I decided we both needed gifts. Now, I realize that he is supposed to buy for me, but neither of us would have gotten any gifts if it weren't for this surprise money, so I decided to buy something for him and something for me. So I promptly made two purchases. The first was to GI Joe's. My DH has never had any golf shoes. He will have these as soon as they arrive - should have already been here, but soon (I hope).

The second purchase was (of course) to KnitPicks. It came today.

5 skeins each Wool of the Andes: red, cloud and evergreen. These will be Christmas stockings for Christmas.

3 balls each of Pallette in red and black. Socks

2 hanks of Shadow lace weight in color Jewels for an as yet undetermined shawl.

I just realized that this was detrimental to my SoSkal, but the Christmas stockings were preplanned and an exception, so I excuse myself of that, the rest was to add up to $40 for free shipping, plus I didn't really spend my money, right? Ok, justification, over.

I have progress on my lace scarf for the Amazing Lace.

This is actually not the "right" side, but between taking forever to scan and even longer to upload, this is all you get. It needs to be blocked desprately, though, so it is not a good pic, anyway. I needs to be straight at the bottom, not angled like it is, so... At least you can see the progress.

Daycare has people come in and take pictures of the kids every year. I got Ayanna's pictures back yesterday. These pictures are $12.50 per sheet, and we just had her pics done, so we won't pay for any of these except the class picture, but... they are scanned!

I am currently seeking new employment. I have had two interviews so far this week. Both of them went well. One is a lot more money, but I don't actually think I am qualified for it, so we will see. The other one is more money AND less hours. Think good thoughts.

A FO!

2006-06-23T13:42:00.000-07:00

At swim class on Wednesday, I finished the sweater. All done (but the blocking)!:

And, as promised, here are the pics of Ayanna swimming:

This is a bad pic of Ayanna, but a good pic of the barbell - she really likes this thing.

I am working on my lace. I am done with two repeats on Branching Out:

GGGGRRRRR

2006-06-21T15:23:00.000-07:00

I am sick to DEATH of my boss. That is all on that subject, now to other things.

I finished almost all of the baby tunic. I did all the knitting, and all the weaving in of ends. I made an I-cord chain for the hood. All that is left is putting the chain in the hood. This is my quickest project EVER!! I bought pattern and yarn on Mother's day. Needed needles. Bought needles on June 8 - cast on. Finished hood on June 13. Needed dpn for sleeves. Bought dpn on June 17. Finished knitting on June 20.

I may change my mind and enter it into the State Fair, instead of the blanket.

I got a pic of the Roving Larissa gave me

This week, Portland Parks and Recreation is offering free swim lessons. In order to sign up, you had to be at the pool at 8:00 (before that if you wanted a good place in line). There I was - knitting in hand. All three kids are in swimming lessons every evening this week. Ayanna's class is sort of a Mommy and Me class. I took some pics yesterday. I can't very well take pics of Ayanna's class, as I am in the water with her, but -

DeAndre'

Has anyone ever told you that it is really hard to get a pic (especially on a crappy camera) of a moving object? Please note that Malik used to be TERRIFIED of water. Now he is jumping into the 12 foot end!

No knitting content

2006-06-16T11:24:00.000-07:00

Well, yesterday we had four doctor's appointments. Yes, 4. Ayanna had her six month check up. She is now 11 lbs, 12 oz. I had a check-up and a dentist appointment. Malik had an appointment because he will have surgery on July 3rd on his spine. I brought my knitting with me, just in case, but maybe got 3 rows done. I had on my list to get some size 8 dpn for the tunic, but never got around to it.

Father's Day weekend means my dad's house on Saturday, and dinner and bowling on Sunday.

Hopefully, something will get completed over the weekend.

2006-06-14T10:28:00.000-07:00

I am so close to finishing the baby tunic. I finished the hood yesterday. If I had paid attention to the pattern on Thursday, I would have bought a set of size 8 dpns on Thursday when I went to the LYS to get the size 6 and 8 16" circs I needed. However, I didn't, so now I have to wait until I get those in order to continue. I am progressing on this sweater so fast, I probably could have finished at least sleeve #1 yesterday if I had made that purchase. I did a 3-needle bind off on the hood yesterday. I had the stitches on my size 8 16" circ, but didn't have any other size 8 needles to use as the third needle. So, get this, I used a pencil as the third needle and pushed the stitches around on the circular so that half were each on the needle portions of the circ and none were on the wire. Then used the pencil as the third needle. Necessity is the mother of invention.

Since it was Ayanna's six-month bd yesterday, I didn't post any other content. (I did find it interesting that she was born on a Tuesday, and her six month birthday was also on a Tuesday.) However, Monday I went to a meeting of the State Fair Knit a long and brought my spindle. A girl there named Kim (blogless, I believe) showed me how to spin! I would "get it" then it would drop. Then it would take awhile for me to "get it" again, just in time for it to drop again. The tiny amount of roving I got was, apparently, worthless. However, when Larissa read my blog and saw the teeny amount of roving I got, she felt sorry for me and RAOKed me with a big bag of roving she had and decided she wouldn't use! So sweet!!! (I have a picture, but it helps if I could remember to download the pic off the camera.)

Six months

2006-06-13T07:59:00.000-07:00

My first picture

Six months later

Part 2

2006-06-12T10:27:00.000-07:00

The first ride the boys took was:

This super big slide. I don't know, I might go on this one next year.

Up next was:

The fun house

This next thing they went round and round to some real loud music:

This was a swing that went up and out.

This one won't happen again for awhile. At least not for DeAndre'. I was scared, DeAndre' was scared, and even Marcus (who NEVER gets scared with the boys) was scared.

DeAndre' decided he needed a break, so Marcus and Malik went on the next ride.

Then DeAndre' took me on this ride next. Very tame.

Ok. End of fun center report until next year.

On to knitting. I started this Knitting Pure and Simple Baby Tunic Thursday so I could have something easy for KIP while at fun center and parade. This is where I was last night.

We went to Target yesterday, and look what I found:

That is it on my lap. It was in the dollar section for Father's Day. It is supposed to be used on the golf course, those holders in the front are supposed to be for your tees. I probably won't use them. It has a main pocket that cinches up, and a pocket on the outside that holds my pattern, and whatever tools are most important. Then there is a hook thing for clipping on your belt loop!! All for $1!!!

And for scale:

I got a replacement spindle today in the mail. Much better hook this time. I am going to go to the LYS for State Fair Along-ing.

Report on that to come tomorrow.

Sunday?

2006-06-11T18:49:00.000-07:00

Me?!? Post on a Sunday?!?

We went to the parade and the fun center yesterday. Also, yesterday I downloaded the pics off my camera. NEVER downloaded the pics the same day i took them - especailly almost 100 of them.

So - here goes:

The boys really did have fun, no matter what thier faces say here.

Try as she might, Ayanna got no sleep.

There were lots of these - pooper scooper entries.

This was the coolest float, ever. There are two Bikers in there. They went around and around that ball.

Same float - amazing!

One of my favorites - Clydesdales.

Look - Llamas

After the parade, we went to the fun center.

The boys got to have fun at the Radio Disney tent.

It seems that Blogger won't let me post any more pics. I will try again later. I have KIP update, too.

Friday

2006-06-09T20:47:00.000-07:00

My 11 year old son was suspended for three and a half days for getting into a fight with a friend at school today. These would be the last three and a half days of school. A bit excessive, don't you think.

I was right about the spindle. The hook broke off. The lady is sending me a new spindle. She was going to have me just go get another hook, but decided since the hook broke off in the spindle, she would send me a new one. No spinning this week. Hopefully, I will get it on Monday, so I can maybe go either Monday or Thursday and get some help.

Tomorrow is the parade, the carnival and the ships. I plan to have LOTS of fun (even if my children may not be allowed to have fun)!

Happy Birthday Dad!!!

2006-06-08T11:19:00.000-07:00

59 years ago today, my daddy was born -

I’m sooo excited…

2006-06-06T10:00:00.000-07:00

...And I just can’t hide it.

Ok, so I live in Portland, Oregon. Home of the Portland Rose Festival. This is a yearly occurrence. It gets a bit of a bad rap, cause a lot of the times the rains come right about the same time. Rose Festival is my favorite time of year! Tomorrow, is the Jr. Rose Festival Parade. (I don’t get to go, but the boys get to go with my step-dad, cause school closes early.)

The biggest deal, though will be Saturday. The Grand Floral Parade starts at 10:00. After that we will go to the Fun Center. For more on this, you can read Casey’s post. We are also going to check out the Navy ships. It also happens to be KIP day, which, of course, I will be KIP all day. There is a group here locally who are trying to get some KIPers at the parade. I’ll be there, regardless. And the weather forecast this morning was for Saturday to be 75 and sunny! (Of course, the forecast 4 days out usually changes 4 times, so I am still a little weary about all my dreams coming true.)

So, all this excitement is taking place in my head all morning after I hear the weather forecast. Then I get the mail at work. I don’t remember giving the lady my work address, but I must have. I won on eBay (Sing like “I lost on Jeopardy.”). This. I got it today. It actually looks like

…in real life. I must admit, I am a little bit disappointed at the smaller than I expected amount of roving. Plus, the hook at the top was bent when I got it. The hook is very pliable, so I was able to bend it back, but that makes me nervous about how well it will hold up. But, now I get to spin! More excitement today and it wasn’t even 9:30, yet. I really should have had this sent to the house, cause now I REALLY don’t want to work. I am going to go to the LYS at lunch and see if they can help me figure it out. I don’t know if anyone there knows how to use it, but I will see.

I joined two KnitAlongs over the weekend. I even updated my blog to reflect this. The first: State Fair Knit a Long. I don’t know the rules, yet, but this would be neat to knit something and enter it in the state fair. I am going to enter my blanket I am making from Knitty Gritty.

Second: Summer of Stash. Thankfully, I bought my spindle and roving before I found this Knit a Long. Of course as soon as I joined this, I got an e-Newsletter from a LYS telling me all about their Christmas in July festivities. They are having free classes all month long, but you have to pre-register and then buy the materials there. And I just remembered that I wanted to make Christmas Stockings for everyone. I have lots of stash yarn, but nothing Christmas-y. Oh, I get two exceptions. Ok. That’s easy, one will be an exception for yarn for Christmas stockings. Notice, I kept it very limited - yarn for Christmas stockings, not Christmas presents, but stockings.

TGIF

2006-06-02T16:39:00.000-07:00

I just had to share, since in a previous post, I was so worried. I don't think I have to worry about Ayanna's weight, anymore. We went to Denny's last weekend. Since it wasn't a scheduled trip, and she has had pancakes before, I ordered her a pancake. Look at her go!!

Motivation...

2006-05-30T14:30:00.000-07:00

...I have NONE!

I really have to file at work. I have two files that I have let get out of control. Because they are a mess, I don't wanna work on them. All my other filing is up to date. Just these two.

Since the boss is away until Thursday, I am even less motivated to file. I, instead, have been working on my genealogy. I have, actually, been sucked into a black hole of information. It is very interesting to me, and there is a lot of information online. The Church of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) have a site where there is software you can download information and enter your information into. You can then create all kinds of documents. Family trees, calendars. Lots more. I have found (not from the Mormons) scanned copies of the documents from my paternal grandmother's family. Census from 1910 and 1920, and Ellis Island. So much fun! So distracting from work. This weekend was good. The only thing I got accomplished was I now have all three seasons of Knitty Gritty on tape. I also finished sleeve #1 of Malik's sweater, and finished the ribbing on sleeve 2. I only worked a couple of rows - maybe less than that - on Marcus' vest. While I was taping Knitty Gritty, I found a baby blanket I had to make. This will be the first project I really made modifications on. It is supposed to be 3 hearts across and 3 rows. I am making 4 hearts across and two rows. I am using a worsted weight on size 7 needles. I am doing one row pink, one row white, then one row pink, one row white. I toyed with the idea of intarsia for the hearts, and doing one row pink with white hearts, then the negative in the next row. I decided I didn't want that much yarn "hanging around." I finished half of one repeat. I really like it.

I guess that is all, for now.

OOPS! Almost forgot - goals

baby blanket - finish the repeat I am on and at least start the next one
Malik's sweater - half way through sleeve #2

That's it!

The Amazing Lace

2006-05-22T11:45:00.000-07:00

Dear Rachel and Theresa, I am going to sort of follow your rules. I understand the rule where you don't want to scroll forever on 300+ blogs to find knitalong content. So, this is your update section. I will let you know when you can stop reading so that you can move on to other topics and I can have the rest of my post.

I have joined The Amazing Lace. Lace has been in the back of my mind for maybe a month or so as something I maybe wanted to try. This knitalong is kismet. Plus, if I get finished with something in time, I can even wear it for my birthday. Labor day this year is Sept. 4 and my b-day is September 6.

I can't settle on a project, yet. I have the yarn, but it is at home, so I will add that later. I will either do a feather-and-fan or a yo, k2tog across every row. I think I will swatch both and see which I like better. WHAT?!?! ME SWATCH?!?!? Well, first time for everything!

I even successfully put a button on my sidebar! (Scroll down) This is huge for me!! There is an actual picture that actually takes you to the actual Amazing Lace site. ALL BY MYSELF!!

Rachel and Theresa - move ahead to other blogs, now.

Everyone else:

I got my new book in the mail this morning. I can't wait to dig in!

I finished the fair isle heart sock this weekend. It is WAAAAYYYY too tight for Ayanna's feet. There is no stretch to it AT ALL!!! There was almost not enough stretch to turn it inside out so I could get the sock to turn wrong side out so I could weave in ends. Of course, I didn't bother weaving in ends. I will most likely just throw it out. I might get a pic first, though. I don't know if I knit too tight or if it is the crappy (nearly free) acrylic yarn, or if it is a combination of both. Either way, I am not making the mate.

I had a productive knitting weekend. I have taped all episodes for seasons 1-3 of Knitty Gritty on TIVO. I had started taping the different episodes on to VHS in order. Then our machine started to do wierd things. We called DirecTV, and they said they would send a new one out, but we had to dump everything from our "old" one). Therefore, I was recording all day yesterday. I had started the project earlier, but was in no rush, and I hadn't finished even season 1. Yesterday, I got all the way to towards the end of Season 2. DH & I decided that we would just return the box when we were done with it. He got almost all of his stuff off of it on Saturday. We were around 51% full, and we are now around 15% full, so, we worked real hard, but...

Plus, I went through all my magazines, patterns, catalogs, books, flyers, print-outs, what have you, and tried to organize them somehow. Progress was made in that my one shelf on the bookshelf isn't HARDLY enough, anymore. I need to buy some more of the plastic doo-hickeys that make a magazine fit into a 3-ring binder, and some more 3-ring binders so I can finish.

As I said, I finished the fair-isle sock. I am progressing slowly on the blue cardigan that I have had forever. I am working on a Sirdar sweater for Malik.

For the first time in a long time:
GOALS:
I would like to have sleeve #1 done for Malik's sweater and cast on for sleeve #2.
Pick a lace pattern
Work on DH vest.

I was planning on working a lot on DH vest during Memorial Day weekend cause he was going to spend the whole weekend golfing. Looked at the weather forcast for the weekend - not so much golfing! I thought he was going to cry.

Knitting Queen

2006-05-16T16:16:00.000-07:00

I don't think I have ever had such a productive week. On Wednesday I finished my step-dad's socks.

On my way to work yesterday (literally, while walking in the office, I was knitting and finishing my sock), I finished a pair of socks for me! ME!! Imagine!! Saturday I worked for a couple of hours and started and got to the heel flap for a pair of fair isle socks for Ayanna.

I also got about half way done with one bootie for her.

Mother's day was good. I got to go to THREE LYS. While at Yarn Garden, I got a pattern, a size C crochet hook so I could pick up the stitches for the heel on Ayanna's fair isle sock, and buttons for the booties. While at Mabel's, I got two patterns and the yarn to make one, a Kacha-Kacha and a Universal Counter. Then we went to Abundant Yarn. OH, DANG! I just remembered something I wanted to look at while I was there. I wanted to buy some roving and a spindle, but they don't carry spindles, and the roving was in big huge amounts. I just wanna try spinning, I don't really wanna buy enough to make a sweater. Bought nothing there. Then we went to an all you can eat for "dinner" at like 3:00. Then we went bowling. It was fun, except my DH sprained or something his ankle, so he is hobbling.

Saturday we went to the cemetary. I saw this head stone:

I FORGOT!!!

2006-05-10T10:23:00.000-07:00

How could I forget to tell you the good news!!

I got (almost) all of the yarn from the longest project ever unknit! I even washed it all a couple of weekends ago! There are right now about 4 skeins (still) hanging on hangers in our laundry closet. I wound the smallest one a while ago, because it was so small. I made a sort of nostprinde out of a paper towel tube. Then, I think, Monday night, I wound up a regular sized skein into a ball and started knitting it. This project might be done this year, after all!!! Maybe even before the fall starts and I can wear it. What is that, wear it??? OH! Is that what you are supposed to do with knitted items??? Wear them, not just let them sit around on the needles? Cough-cough-MARIAH-cough-cough.

OKC

2006-05-09T20:30:00.000-07:00

PHOTO HEAVY!!!

This is, after all, a knitting blog.

I got to go see Debbie Stoller last week.

I brought the two books I already had (SnB and SnB Nation) and picked up the third.

I wasn't going to buy her new book, because I don't really want to crochet, but Malik wanted this hat from the book, so...

She got there, too bad I can't take pictures:

But Malik can take pictures, apparently:

Malik was there, so were DeAndre', Marcus and Ayanna. This baby, however, didn't want to be bothered:

I am making progress on my step-dad's father's day socks. This is last week:

Today I started the decreases for the toe.

And this was picture weekend at our house. The boys (I didn't really know they were getting thier pictures taken, but) got thier pics done at school and we picked up Ayanna's pictures.

This weekend, we couldn't resist:

Busy weekend

2006-05-02T13:15:00.000-07:00

Well, it was a busy weekend. DeAndre' was getting his First Communion on Sunday so he had practice on Saturday. He also had a soccer game on Saturday. Malik had his birthday party on Saturday.

Lots of pictures

If her eating is any indication, Ayanna won't be tiny for long:

I have knitting updates, tho not much. I am close to done with the leg of the red sock that will be mine. This is sock #2 and all of the ends are woven in, but not cut, because I didn't take my scissors with me on lunch. There is an extra pair of ends on this project because the yarn had a break in it.

I found the black socks I lost - right there in the garage where I last had them. I am done with all of the heel. Just stright st. st. on the foot. This is also the second sock. I haven't been working on much else. There are a few groups I might go visit, soon, to get more knit time in.

Debbie Stoller will be at Powell's tonight to promote Happy Hooker. She didn't come like she was supposed to for SnB Nation, and I don't personally have much interest in crochet, but I will be going and bringing both my SnB books for her to sign. More on that (hopefully) tomorrow.

Happy Birthday Malik

2006-04-28T15:20:00.000-07:00

It was 11 years ago exactly today that Malik was born at 4:?? in the am. It was even a Friday.

Here are some pics:

And here is more recently:

Happy birthday baby boy. I love you.

TEACHERS!!!

2006-04-20T09:45:00.000-07:00

Ok, first of all, I need some Blogger advise. I really would like the archive links on the side to be different. That list of months is getting a might long. I would like people to be able to use them if they like, but can I set it up to have older ones all one link or something? Anyone know how to fix this?

Now, back to the homework link from below. So, as I said, I had to teach my son how to add mixed numbers with different denometers. Well, he reported to me that she told him that he is confused because I taught him wrong. WHAT!?!?! Maybe if you had done your job in the first place, I wouldn't have had to do it wrong. How dare you tell my child that I was wrong!!!!!

WTF!!! Of course if there was a text, I wouldn't have done it wrong!!

I wanna slug her square in the jaw!

Worries

2006-04-18T12:11:00.000-07:00

I don't know about this girl. She isn't growing "right." This is not to say she is small, she is, but that doesn't worry me. Even if she was the tiniest 4 month old, ever, that would be alright, if she was also the tiniest 2 week old ever. Instead, she is getting tinier. I hope this makes sense. I need some support.

At her 2 week appointment, her stats were:
weight - 7 lbs. 6 ozs. 60th percentile
height - 20” 75th percentile
head circumference - 36 ½ cm 100th percentile.

At her 2 month appointment, her stats were:
weight - 8 lbs. 11 ozs. 15th percentile
height - 22 ½” 50th percentile
head circumference - 39 cm 75th percentile.

Then, yesterday at her 4 month appointment, her stats were:
weight - 9 lbs. 7 ozs. <5th> my sock WIP. I can't find it. The last time I saw it was Saturday when we came home from soccer.

Updated to add: Isn't being a mommy so much fun! I just talked to the doctor (she called me herself). I had called the nurse and she told me it was all okay. If the doctor had been really worried, she would have admitted her to the hospital. Then the doc called me to apologize for scaring me. Part of my problem was that ever since she was born people have been constantly telling me how tiny she is. Every stranger that sees her, practically! So, I had that in the back of my mind.

Thanks for the good thoughts!

Homework SUCKS!

2006-04-14T09:48:00.000-07:00

I thought I felt that way when I was in school, especially since I NEVER did my homework and almost didn't graduate from high school myself.

Now, however, homework REALLY sucks! Especially when I am up until 10:00 on a Thursday night teaching my son his homework. Those of you who don't much care for math, please skip the next paragraph.

Please note that I said teaching, not helping. My son's teacher (from her words, not his) has not, yet discussed adding fractions with different denominators. This is fine because based on my small amount of research, I think that this is sixth grade work, and my son is in fifth grade. However, she sends home work where they have to add and subtract mixed numbers with different denominators. For those of you who forget, mixed numbers are like 1 1/2 (One and one-half) and when the denominators (the bottom number of a fraction) are different, you have to do a lot of conversion to get them to match, so you can add or subtract. So, I had to teach him to do this last night, since my son's teacher decided to give out homework she hadn't yet covered in class.

Come back, now.

I need any and all FREE Homeschooling resources any of you know of. Any lead will help! I will follow-up on all of it! We cannot afford for me to stay home and actually homeschool our children, but I will be practically homeschooling my children from now on! My son's teacher just isn't cutting it! Any advise, please contact me at jenknitter AT gmail DOT com. Thank you in advance.

Knitting updates

2006-04-11T15:23:00.001-07:00

I have progress on a sock. I may even be finished with the leg by tonight. Mind you, this is a man's size 13 sock. Therefore, cut me some slack when it takes me forever to finish it! I'd show you, but it is 8 inches of 80 stitches around dark grey 2x2 ribbing - not very exciting!I like Knitty this time. I have four balls of LionBrand Wool-Ease in Dark Rose Heather that will go very well into the t-twist. I have practically already cast on for it!

I finished another pattern repeat for Voss!

I have made only a little progress on Malik's vest. He probably wishes it was done already, but I have some Knitter's ADD (and, maybe, even regular ADD), so he will have to wait.

We have a new schedule. The family is now carpooling to work. This is good news and bad news. 1. I have to get up earlier - WAY BAD NEWS!!!! 2. I get to knit on the way to DH work - good news. 3. I get done dropping others off a little bit earlier. 4. Save gas and wear and tear on the van - GREAT NEWS!!!

TGIF

2006-04-07T12:01:00.000-07:00

I'm a joiner, so I joined sock-month-knitalong. I have two socks that I need to finish. Notice I said two socks, not one pair. They will be two pairs when finished, but first I have to finish them. Maybe if i hope for one per month, I can get them done.

I have been getting some slow progress on Voss, and the Vest. They are both about 300 stitches around, 2-color fair isle, so it is slow going. I don't have a lot of time to sit and knit, but when I sit, I do try to knit.

We just got word this week that Malik will continue on at his current school through 8th grade. This is the best news! Without dragging out the long, involved story, suffice it to say that the last couple of months have been a lot of drama and worry, and now it is all over. I wish they had made the decision about six months ago, so I wouldn't have to have gone through the drama and worry. But, at least it is over. It also means that DeAndre' won't have to go through the same drama in 3 years when it is his turn.

Well, I guess that is all for now. Work has been crazy, so I haven't had much time to post. I have internet at home, but don't much enjoy going into the back room to do something. I'd rather be in the front room. I usually am in the kitchen, though.

Have a good weekend!

WTF?!?!?!?!

2006-04-04T10:48:00.000-07:00

So, my DH is not the boys father. I refer to thier fathers (each has thier own) as "sperm donors" because that is all they have done.

Anyway, my DH is going to adopt them. I found out that my DH's job has an Adoption Reimbursement program. YEAH! Now we can do it and not have to find the money for it!

HOWEVER, I just found out, this is not reimbursable if the children are in the parent's care before the date of employment - hello, even in the case of a step-parent adoption (which they specifically have included in the program) "No, ma'am, it is not reimbursable." WTF!!! What is the point of allowing step-parent adoptions if the children can't live in the home before the adoption is finalized!!!

Temps can be the pits

2006-03-22T15:17:00.000-08:00

Notice, first of all, that I said "CAN BE." I have been a temp, and always gotten rave reviews from the people I worked with/for. However, the temp that worked here while I was gone is a professional temp - meaning that she hires herself out, not works through an agency. You would think that that would mean she would be a good choice, right? NOT!!! I got back and I had no paper clips, no staples, no labels. My scissors were replaced with some AWFUL ones that looked like the kind the teacher had in grade school.

HELLO!!!!

Now, today I place an order at Staples (the place I do all of our office supply shopping). Since I do all of our shopping there, we get rewards checks quarterly. Apparently, while I was gone, we got a $47 reward check. That is about half off our order! How come while I happen to be looking for something else in my drawer, I happen upon this check????? Of course, it expires in 9 days. So, since I just got a call from a lady last week announcing that she was our rep and should we ever have any questions that I could call her directly to get personal service. I emailed and called her at 3:00 our time (Pacific Time). She, however, leaves the office at 5:00 her time (Eastern Time). Which means I missed her by an hour.

GRRRR!!!!

Just to let you know, this might not be much of a knitting blog in the coming months. I seem to have no knitting time anymore! I have projects on the needles that I do a row or two of here and there, but that isn't really worth posting about. I can no longer knit during my breaks or lunch because I have been (Warning: TMI on its way) pumping breast milk for Ayanna during my breaks and lunches. I used to have time on the bus, but lately I haven't found a seat on the bus, and my trips have been dramatically shorter due to picking up/dropping off Ayanna and then getting in the car.

Like I said, I have projects on the needles, but...

Vest for Malik
Sock for step-dad
sock for me
(notice in both of those cases, I said sock, and not socks)
dress for Ayanna
Dale sweater for Ayanna
vest for Marcus
sweater-from-hell that still doesn't want to be ripped
blanket for Ayanna
I won't mention Mariah since I haven't touched it in MONTHS

Wish me luck!

Good thoughts, please

2006-03-21T11:22:00.000-08:00

My friend (read friend to mean a fellow knitblogger from Portland, that I have met, but don't really know) was in an accident a week and a half ago. Please send good wishes LeAnne's way! Her friend and LYSO, Alice, wants everyone to know that:

If any of you want to send anything to LeAnne, you can send it care of Tangle Knitting Studio, 440 1st Street, Lake Oswego, OR 97034. I know she will be knitting up a storm of socks over the next few weeks, so what is your favorite sock yarn? She is an amazing woman and I am lucky to have her for my friend and knitting buddy.

peace

Titles are not my forte'

2006-03-20T15:04:00.000-08:00

There has got to be a good title for this post, but I ain't coming up with it!

Any ideas? Put them in the comments.

Anyway, I was soooo excited that I was able to rip all that sweater out. I got maybe over two skeins. However!!! I still have two more pieces of sweater that need to be ripped. I can't get them to go anywhere!!! Mind you, this sweater is an EASY(!) top down cardigan. It was suggested that I knit this as my second project. I didn't want to, because I like baby steps, and I didn't feel I was ready - I didn't even know how to purl. This poor yarn has been ripped and reknit so many times! It is an easy pattern to me now - YEARS LATER! I know it was easy to the lady who suggested it to me, because she has been knitting maybe in excess of 50 years, but she no longer has any concept of easy knitting. Easy is a relative term, people, please remember that!

Anyway, it is a good thing I am stubborn, becuase otherwise this sweater would never be done. I put one piece in a bigger bag and back in the freezer so I may be able to rip tonight! I could be working on unkniking the two skeins I have sitting on the ironing board, but I need the right bin to do that in - the one I bought for that purpose is filled with magazines and patterns!

SOMEDAY!!!