Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Waiting on Wal-Mart

I'm waiting on Wal-Mart for my pictures. Their one hour photo isn't exactly one hour...more like 4 hours. There was also a roll I had to send off, so I'm waiting to get it back as well. The elephant for my friend's lovely son is almost done...he just needs a trunk. There will be pictures.

Oh, good news! First, our building doesn't have to re-piped after all. That means no moving the whole apartment upside down for 3 days. Second, hubby's power supply finally arrived. Here's a side note: DON'T use UPS to send packages. They suck. Long story short- hubby had to go to the distribution center to get it and waited for 2 hours. They never came by our place. Hopefully, pictures can go up at home instead of work now. I haven't ordered a new computer yet. I should, but I'm waiting. On what, I'm not sure, other than money.

Friday, January 27, 2006

Another week down...

Man! What a week. I went from being not busy at all to pretty busy at work, and here I am at not very busy at all again. I found out Tuesday night, after I posted, that a friend of mine was induced yesterday (Thursday). You know what that means! Socks go on the back burner, and baby stuff comes to the front! I'm working on an adorable elephant for her son, and he'll get a sweater and afghan like his sister did too. I have to get the yarn for his afghan, but I have the yarn for everything else. I usually crochet baby items for friends, and knit for myself and family. I don't know that I've ever knit anything for anyone else. Wait...I have...Cigar gloves for my brother and an afghan for my grandmother. Whatever I make I usually do give away to family or friends. I have found that it's rare a friend who truly appreciates the handmade items a crafter can provide. They're not usually that expensive (depending on the yarn of course) and they take more time than anything. People don't appreciate time like they used to. If it doesn't come from a store, they don't really understand it.

Someone asked about the $250 computer...try www.tigerdirect.com. It's good to know people in the IT world who shop frequently for new stuff, or refurbished stuff.

I have pictures to take to Wal-Mart this weekend...maybe I'll be able to post some of them!

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

As promised...

More pictures!!!!



Here's the finished sock...I'm not happy with the toe grafting, but I'm going to leave it and do the second one the same way. Why, you ask, would someone who is a perfectionist leave something they don't like? Well, one, I'm tired of messing with this sock, particularly the toe part (I had to graft that sucker 3 times!) and two, I've already started on the second one...see?


That was this morning's progress...there's about another half inch to three-quarters added, since I worked on it during lunch. My goal is to finish it this week...I would like to be working on it through Saturday, and then finish it and start on another project. And I have oh, so many! I'm going to start on my purple sweater...the one I completed and then took out. I didn't take any pictures of it, but I can assure you I will this time! I'm trying to complete one project a month, give or take. January's project is socks; February's will be that sweater, and I also have a baby blanket to do in February. If the sweater goes into March, that's ok. I should still be able to finish it before the weather heats up too much to wear it (it's acrylic and it gets uber hot). I put all the projects on my Palm Pilot (I'm being very digital these days - go figure) and I have them through May, I believe. There might be several more pairs of socks done this year. I have a skein of Magic Stripes that needs knitting, and oh! There's also a pair of kid socks in my future! I bought a one skein-er at a LYS, and thought I'd do anklet socks with it! I hope there's enough. If not, I might do something funky with it, but what I haven't decided. I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

Well, I should go clean now...besides, this computer's uber slow. I found a great one for $250; I just don't have $250 right now. Someone want to give me $250 for a new computer?! I'll be more than happy to take your money! =0) Just kidding! In a couple of months (or sooner I hope) I'll be able to order it. It just takes some time (and not traveling). I don't think people realize how much money it takes to travel around here. Gas is so expensive, and so is food. Oh well...hopefully another progress report tomorrow (with pictures)!

Monday, January 23, 2006

One down...

and one to go! I completed the first sock this afternoon during lunch. I was hoping to finish it over the weekend, but found it was too long, so I had to do some reconstructive surgery on it. When I tried to put the stitches back on the US3 needles, it didn't want to go. Since I was in Birmingham visiting friends, I had to wait to come home and get my US2's. The stitches went on easily today, and I used grafting to sew up the toes. I don't think I like it, but it was a good beginning for me. The grafting takes a lot of concentration though...NEVER attempt grafting while watching a movie you haven't seen before. You lose your place a lot.

Someone asked what yarn I was using for my socks...it's Fortissima Colori Socka Color. I think it's in color # 9074, and to be perfectly honest, I wouldn't have chosen that color for myself (a secret pal sent it to me) but I LOVE it. The more I see it, the better I like it. I have found that when other people choose things for me, they hardly ever pick out something that I would (sometimes I'm just too practical) and I usually love it. The yarn is 75% wool, and 25% polyamide (whatever that is). I think they'll be lovely and warm.

I'm hoping to post some pictures tomorrow; long story short, I have to be careful what I do at work now, and so I'll have to take pictures at home, load them on the computer at work (since this one won't handle it, I think) and then email them to myself, check email at home, and post from here. It'll only be until I get a new computer (that's in the works...I found a good deal and just need to order it).

Friday, January 20, 2006

I found it!!!!

I found the digital camera on Wednesday night...yay me! It was hiding in a bag that was in a bag in my closet (I have weird ways of carrying things and putting things away sometimes). But, I have this:

This is my first sock attempt ever! Woot! But wait, there's more...


And here's the other skein for the second sock by itself....


I found that the second skein starts differently, so I'm waiting to finish this first one to see how much is left over. The good news is, the pictures are what the sock looked like Wednesday night...I started the toe shaping last night, so I can definitely have the first one done by tonight (since I have a 3 hour road trip ahead of me, and I think I can catch enough daylight to finish it). If I can borrow a computer at our friends' house, I might upload more pics there of the finished sock! Woot! I'm all kinds of excited. I'm even thinking of joining a Sockapoloooza! Woot! =0)

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Making progress...

on socks at least. I have about half the foot done on the first one. I spent two hours watching American Idol and knitting. Tonight I'm tearing apart the apartment looking for our digital camera. My hubby is convinced that it's there...I'm not so sure. However, I will scavange the whole place tonight. I'm really stressing over this whole camera thing. I hope and pray that it will turn up.

As for the socks, they are going well. Last night I had to tink them a little...I found some places where I didn't quite catch all the yarn and there was a little snag. I took that stitch off the needles (making sure the other stitches didn't fall off!) and removed all the stitches down to where it wasn't completely caught. Then I took a crochet hook and put the stitches back up the rows. I'm running to the store at lunch, so I'll pick up a disposable camera, in case I can't find the digital one tonight, and take pictures. I should be able to get them developed over the weekend, and I can post some pictures on Monday.

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Failing miserably

But at least I tried. I was trying to get the buttons to appear for Southern Bloggers and for Knitting Blogs, but I can't get the code right. If anyone knows how, and would care to share their HTML wisdom with me, I would greatly appreciate it. If not, then I'm bound to what I can scavenge from the net and various and sundry books. Until then, it'll just have to be as is. Maybe this weekend I can pry some HTML knowledge out of one of our friends.

I'm still working on the socks, and not making a whole lot of progress. By this weekend, I would love to finish the first sock, and maybe find the digital camera that has been lost in the sea of holidays and post a picture. Yet one more promise of pictures...one that is close to being fulfilled, but something always manages to go awry. IF I find the camera, pictures WILL go up! If I can't, then I'll pull out an old school camera and take pictures...soon.

Playing around

I'm not sure if this will work, but I'll give it a whirl. I'm trying to fix oh so many things here, and if it fails miserably, well, at least I tried.

Monday, January 16, 2006

Problems solved...almost

Here were the problems I was facing:

1. Large quantity of mohair (in a mauvy color); had originally been knit into a sweater, but was itchy and required another top underneath (it was hot enough on it's own, not to mention the shedding).

2. Bag of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino; had been bought for a wide neck sweater; however, it was discovered that this style didn't work well for me.

3. 3 skeins of eyelash yarn

4. 3 more skeins of mohair (cream and peach varigated)

Here are the solutions I have come up with:

1. New sweater, combining with lovely shade of brown wool (Wool of the Andes in Maple Syrup from Knit Picks). Possible Grecian Plait pattern for mohair; or combine yarns for entire sweater. Haven't completed all the details yet.

2. Since I doubt I can get the same dye lot in the same color, I decided to mix it with some other colors, and make an argyle sweater. I think with color 601 from Debbie Bliss, I can either go with spring colors or fall colors. I was first thinking about using Asparagus, Honey, and Petal from Knit Picks Merino Style to go with it, but now I'm thinking perhaps Moss, Butternut and Maple Leaf.

3. I still have no idea what to do with these 3 skeins. I have thought about combining them as well with something else, but what I have no idea.

4. I was originally going to make some Moebius scarves with them, but I've been considering combining them with something else as well.

I guess it looks like an advertisement for Knit Picks around here, doesn't it?! I guess since I'm on a budget, I'd like to get good quality at a good price. As nice as it would be to afford more expensive brands, I just don't have the budget for it. I figure I should get the biggest bang for my buck, and most other yarn suppliers just aren't that great of a deal. I know Knit Picks' quality is good (at least what I've seen and used) and they are cheap. They allow me to be a yarn snob without the budget. =0) Score one for the champagne tastes on a beer budget.

If anyone has any suggestions at all for anything, please leave a comment! I can always use an opinion!

Friday, January 13, 2006

Friday the 13th

Most people are superstitious when it comes to a Friday that's the 13th. I say, bring it on. Granted, I'm saying that as I have to constantly move my neck that's sore and stiff from knitting on the couch while watching the tube. At least that's what I think it's from.

I decided not to knit last night, since after cleaning the kitchen my neck started cramping. Of course, had it not hurt so terribly bad I probably could have convinced myself to knit anyway, as it would HELP my neck (there's a sucker born every minute, and it's sad when you consider yourself one). It's no worse than it was yesterday, but no better either. I can keep moving it and stretching it, and that makes it a little better. It's when I stop moving it that it gets stiff and really hurts when I try to move it. I'm sure people at work think I'm suffering from some weird affliction since I'm typing and wobbling my head around.

I'm still a little upset about my sock. I hate that I had to frog almost 4 inches worth of good quality work. But, maybe I can work on it some during lunch. I know, with a stiff neck? Sure, why not? It'll help it. =0)

Thursday, January 12, 2006

Sock Issues

I thought I was almost done with sock number 1, only to discover after a stitch count that I hadn't decreased enough. Perfectionism set in (it is after all my first pair...they should be good, especially since they're one of the few projects for myself) and I took out about 4 inches worth! I did read my pattern and realized where I went wrong, and got ahead of myself. I had about 6 stitches too many, and I can fix that in another 6 rows. Maybe I'll finish this sock and the next one before March, but I wouldn't count on it. I do'nt know why it seems that I'm so slow with these. The Cigar gloves I knit for my brother seemed to go faster. Of course, I also worked longer on them in a sitting I think. I did spend a good bit of time knitting on the sock on Saturday. I think I'm going to sit down and read a little tonight, and then get cracking on the sock. I'm reading one of my Christmas gifts:


I love his work. I also received Son of a Witch, by Gregory Maguire. I need to finish Wicked before starting that though. I'm massively behind where I'd like to be in reading and in knitting, but I'll catch up. My goal this year is to finish stuff I've started. If I can just finish things (like a sock and a book) then I'll make progress and be moving forward. I guess that's really my goal...to move forward. I could say I'd like to lose weight, knit more, read more, blog more, but what it really all comes down to is moving forward.

I'm already moving forward by finishing this book (a week or so ago):


I love the series Outlander. There are lots of books to read at home, and being a bibliophile means there will always be another purchase. Of course, since my hubby is a bibliophile as well, we have a HUGE library. And it continues to grow. Hubby was working on the card catalog (not through the Dewey Decimal system, just by author) and it has expanded to three boxes, and it looks like we need another one.

I taught my brother to knit late last year (in October I think) and he's doing well. He's bought some really nice yarn (much nicer than what's in my stash) and some really nice knitting accessories, like this. It must be nice...but I have a hubby to support. In any case, he wants to start on some sweaters and socks this year, one of which being a cardigan from My Fair Lady. In case you haven't seen the movie (what's wrong with you?!), rent it and it's the cardigan Higgins wears after Eliza leaves. It's a camel color, and there's no band at the bottom. My brother has specifically bought the movie for this purpose...to deconstruct the sweater and replicate it with my help. Being the wonderful brother that he is, and having few financial responsibilities, he paid for my attendance to a class in March with...Annie Modesitt! It's very exciting, since I made the Backyard Leaves scarf from Scarf Style that was designed by her.

More good news...my computer is now connected to the internet at home! Woot! Maybe I can find a port on the back and connect my digital camera up, and then take pictures! That would definitely be exciting. Now, where did I put that camera?

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Issues with set-up

I am having a few issues with some of my settings. I need to find the right links for the icons for Southern Knit Bloggers and for Knitting Blogs. For some reason, the links in the code don't work. Go figure. That requires MUCH more Html code than I know...which is none. I guess I should mess with it more and see what happens, but I'm at work, and that could get ugly. Although, I don't really think they care what I do just as long as everything gets done timely. It's now into my monthly lull, where I have virtually nothing to do unless they give me a special project.

On the knitting front, I can see my sock almost finished. I have about half of the foot knit, so it's just to complete the foot and then do the toe, bind off, and I will have finished my first sock (and it's about bloody time too). Then I just have to do it all over again. Maybe the second one will go faster, since I know more of what to expect. That's my hope anyways.

I have decided to try and find either a matching color or complementary color for the mohair. It's an odd shade of mauve that's near impossible to match, but I figure if all else fails, I can use a cream color to soften it. There's going to be a BIG order placed when I get to that stage. I still have to decide if I want to attempt the Lacy Mohair sweater from the Knit Simple magazine or not.

I'm coordinating a Secret Pal exchange on the Ample Knitters' list with at least one other person. That should be fun...as long as we can get stuff together. I hope that by the end of the week we'll have all the details ironed out about the exact method of operation and I can email the AK list. Once that's done, I hope within another week to have people paired off and get started. It sounds like a lot of work, but I'm not doing much around here, and I should have something to fill my time.

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Socks, socks and more socks!

Well, I'm not done with them, but I've made good progress on one. I spent most of the weekend knitting the one unfinished lone sock I have. It fits too. I know that statement sounds odd, but I was at first afraid if I followed the pattern that they would be too small (I have large feet - we're talking a size 10-11 here people) and so I increased the size according to the gauge and prayed they would fit. Now that I've completed the heel (and a lovely heel it is too, if I do say so myself) and I'm working on the actual foot part, I decided on Saturday to try it on (provided that I wouldn't lose any stitches off the needles). I did, and oh, was it ever comfy! I can't wait to wear my crazy stripe socks.

I finished frogging the lovely purple sweater. Not the mohair, but the other one. It's sitting waiting on me to cast on and start a new lovely sweater with it. I think I've decided on a pattern; it will be one of my own creation, and it will look good on me. I will most definitely write it down as I go, and perhaps even submit it to a magazine somewhere. I also have to frog the mohair sweater and I'm going to attempt a pattern in the new Knit Simple magazine. I have to upsize it first, and then I have to consider my options for the other yarns, if I decide to go that route. I might use something else to soften it, and make it more substantial (so I don't have to wear something under it).

Over the New Year holiday, I knit up this. I used some leftover Wool of the Andes from KnitPicks, in Evergreen. It's a great way to use up leftovers. There's more planning, and hopefully once we stop having computer issues at home (power supplies seem to be hte main culprit) I can post some pictures.