Monday, February 27, 2006

Woot! Again!

Well, I finished filing my taxes, later than I wanted, but still before the deadline. We get a nice chunk of change back. I'm also downloading stuff on to my iPod (brand new, with video capability) and waiting for 24 to start. The pictures I wanted to download are taking too long, so I'll take them to work with me and upload them tomorrow. I think it's due to the iPod downloading so much stuff. Oh well...podcasts rock!

Sockapaloooza update and other schtuff

Well, I finally received the order from Knitpicks on Friday. The colors are beautiful. Now I just have to find a pattern for my sock pal that will show off the beauty of the yarn. I also ordered some of the Wool of the Andes for a sweater. You remember the mohair and wool sweater I wanted to create? I now have the wool, and the mohair. I resisted temptation this weekend to cast on yet another sweater and try to finish the two things that are currently on the needles. If I don't resist, I'll have 10 projects going, and I won't be making any progress on any of them.

I did cast on for my purple sweater, and I found pictures proving that at one point, I did finish the sweater. I don't have any of me wearing it, but I'm working on a different style, and providing that I finish it timely, I'll do pictures of that on. I'm still plugging away on the Jaywalkers, and maybe I'll upload some pictures of those tonight as well as the start of the new sweater.

I have pictures to post, but I didn't bring them to work with me. Fortunately for you, ;) I have lots to download on my new iPod tonight, and I can post while I'm downloading. I have several podcasts that I want, and I just have to download them onto the iPod and listen to my heart's content. I also need to copy some CDs on it, and I figure that will last me a good long while with 30 GB. Of course, I'll probably fill it up before I realize it.

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Time flies...

when you're really not that busy! Man, I feel like it's been ages. Maybe it has been. There are still more baby reports coming in...no worries for me...yet. As much as I'd love to have a little one, I know that all the work I do for others will never be reciprocated. I don't do it for that, obviously, otherwise I wouldn't do it at all. It just saddens me that there are so few people that I know that are crafters. I need to expand my friendship circle, and get to know some knitters. =0) They know what those hand-made gifts mean, and I think only someone who does it can TRULY appreciate the time and love it takes.

I ordered sock yarn on Saturday for my Sockapaloooza pal. I'm hoping to be able to be pattern searching later this week, and see what the yarn says to me. I always obey the yarn. It's easier that way. =0)

Pictures should be coming later this week as well. I did finally get those pictures from Wal-Mart, and only one roll really came out. The other was old and faded. I think I was in middle school when I shot that roll. Aahh...those were the days. I could go home from school, do homework, get a snack and go outside and play. Having summers off was the best.

Friday, February 17, 2006

More baby presents!!!!

And no, it's not for me (I'm not pregnant). Well, there's a friend at work who just told us this morning that she's expecting. You know what that means!!!! More baby knitting! Her mom crochets, so I'm the one to knit her baby up a storm! I opened my big mouth and promised a layette set...you know, hat, sweater, booties, and blankie. Good thing I decided I wanted to do the Hoover blanket from Knitty.com (the pattern is here). Now I'll just find a sweater, hat and bootie pattern that I like. I don't expect to out-compete Grandma; just spoil the kid. There's nothing wrong with spoiling a child...as long as it's not yours...that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

More toys might follow as well...I have a whole book of knitted toys, and I might just have to pull that out and start knitting up a toy storm. Of course, I should probably finish the other projects I've started. I'm sure my friend would like for her son to get his blanket and sweater BEFORE he's too old to enjoy them (he's about 3 weeks now, and if I hurry, he'll have his blanket in another week, and maybe 2 for his sweater).

I AM going to get those pictures this weekend that I dropped off at Wal-Mart about 3 weeks ago. I SWEAR. I have it on my list. I'm going tomorrow, some time. I promise...no really.

Thursday, February 16, 2006

It's been so long...

I can't believe I haven't posted again this week! How horrible is that?! In any event, the Jaywalker is coming along nicely. I'm making them a little smaller than I made the last pair, and I'm reading the directions VERY CAREFULLY. I have found that to be my biggest problem...I try to do too much too soon without the directions. Maybe I can take pictures tonight and post them.

Cedric is finally going to his new home tonight! The afghan and sweater will be following soon, but for now, it's just Cedric the elephant. I'm excited to see my friend's little boy. I'm sure he's absolutely adorable. Perhaps I should grab the camera and take some pictures to post of him and his sister (I'll have to ask mom first about the posting).

I'm wearing my first pair of socks today. I love these things. They're warm, comfy, and all around great. I never have to worry about my feet being cold.

I should be ordering some more sock yarn tomorrow...if all goes well. I need to get cracking on my Sockapaloooza pal's gift!

Sunday, February 12, 2006

Decisions, decisions...








As you can sort of tell from this picture (sorry about the fuzziness), these are the two colors I was thinking of combining together for a sweater. The mauve on the left is mohair, and the brown on the right is Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Maple Syrup. They look like a better color combination in reality...when they're not all out of focus. I just haven't decided if I should do the bottom out of the brown and the top out of the mohair, or combine them. I guess another swatch is needed.

Here come some pics of first knitting projects...mostly scarves...
This was my first knitting attempt EVER...I would not recommend chenille to beginners.

This scarf was my second knitting adventure. I finished the first one in Utah, and had to go get more yarn! I grabbed a skein of Jiffy Thick & Quick from a local JoAnn's, and decided to do the scarf pattern that was on the package.

This scarf was for my brother. He saw the pattern on Knitty, and wanted one to go with his leather jacket. He thought it would be fun to dress like Mick Jagger sometimes. Of course, my brother is a LOT better looking than Mick Jagger (IMHO).

This last picture is one of the afghan I knitted for my grandmother (how backwards is that?!), and she LOVES it. She wraps up in it every night and watches TV. You gotta love making something that they use.


And once again, my photo taking skills are at their best in this shot. Here's the Debbie Bliss that I wanted to make a sweater out of, and then realized the style I liked wouldn't look that great on me. So, now it's gone back into the stash. I'm trying to decide if I should leave it there for a while, or put it to good use. Any ideas?

So much knitting...so little time...back to the needles!

Thursday, February 09, 2006

We Are the Champions, My Friends...

I am victorious! I have finally completed BOTH socks! Woot!


Are you ready for more pictures? Here's one to prove that yes, I WILL wear them.

Please ignore the shoes under the bed, and the fact that a box spring is my backdrop. Here's one more shot...


How exciting! Tomorrow (if I remember) there are some other things that I will post, and maybe I'll drop by Wal-Mart and pick up my two rolls of film. One's so old, I don't even remember what is on it. I'm not even sure if there ARE pictures on it. It was only 12 exposures, and it went in one of those REALLY old cameras...the ones that were really flat. Who knows what will be on it...with me, there's no telling, but I'm hoping that they put the pictures on a CD so that I can upload them easily. If not, we'll have to do it the old fashioned way, with the scanner. Fortunately, the CD burner is in the computer with the scanner, so that should make it easier.

I have another pair of socks to make for me, and I'm going to try doing the Jaywalker socks. I know, it's one of those cyber-knitting world crazes, like the Clapotis, but hey, I didn't join in that one, so I'm joining in where I can. See? I CAN play well with others...sometimes. =0)

Monday, February 06, 2006

Sock update...the originals

Well, here are the pictures I promised! (I know I'm a day late, but I'm a dollar short too!)

Isn't he adorable? His name is Cedric, and he's crocheted (I know...this is a knitting blog, but sometimes the hands need a break). There's more...

This is the first FO of the new year:















It's Panta...just a cool headband that the pattern was floating around on the 'net for.

Check it out!!!! It's almost done! I had some good knitting time in the car on the way home yesterday, and it went really fast. I'm just hoping there'll be enough left to finish! It's a couple of rows different, but they're close enough to match for me! I'm so excited.

Now, as for the Sockapaloooza, I was searching online for sock patterns, and of course, Knitty was one of the first places I checked. I like their patterns...they're usually innovative and a great knit. But, I didn't quite find what I was looking for; at least I don't think I did. I might need to play around with some patterns first.

There was a funeral today for a man who worked at my company, and it got me thinking about a pattern for something like that. I don't know that I'm going to do funeral socks, but something somber may spring forth from my brain. It might be a sweater or a scarf or something. I never met him, but there was a definite air of sadness lingering around the office. It makes you ponder the meaning of life, and specifically, the meaning of your life. It also makes you wonder what your funeral will be like. Maybe I'll create something and request that people wear something like it to my funeral. I can do that, right? Perhaps he just needs to have a tribute done.

Once I decide on a pattern for my secret sock pal, I'll have to see what needs to be done about ordering some yarn. The colorways from Knit Picks are beautiful, and most definitely reasonably priced.

Friday, February 03, 2006

Heel trouble

Argh...I had problems with the heel on the second sock, but I think I got it fixed. The biggest problem was there was an extra stitch! I was able to figure out that it came from the needle at the last stitch getting caught on the one below it, so there were two stitches from the same column of stitches. I hate it when that happens. In any case, I'm hoping to have good knitting time this weekend, since we're headed to visit my in-laws. There's not much to do up there, except read and knit.

Here's funny for you...my hubby has just finished the catalog of our books...and this weekend, his mom is giving us more. We're also probably going to spend some time with a friend of his.

I still have to get the pictures from Wal-Mart, and take pictures of the cute elephant. The second needs pictures too. Hopefully I can take all the necessary pictures this weekend, and if we get home in time, I can post them on Sunday. We should be back in time...we have to be home for the Superbowl. That is more good knitting time. =0)